Masonic Lodge Web Site Shell
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If your Masonic Lodge desires a web site, but does not currently have one, you have come to the right place!
In an effort to help individual Lodges promote the Tenets of Freemasonry across the Internet and through Cyberspace, the Missouri Lodge of Research has created a "shell web site" for your use. This is being provided to Freemasons around the world, at no cost, as a public service to any Masonic Lodge (or other Masonic body) no matter where they are located.
Basically, you can download this shell to your own computer, customize it by adding your own Lodge's name, address, meeting times, and so forth. You would then upload it to one of the many free Internet web hosting sites, and you are in business. Your Lodge will now have its own URL address, and you can use it to communicate with both your own members and other Freemasons throughout your Masonic jurisdiction and around the world.
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Click on icon at left for a preview of the Masonic Web Site Shell that you can download and customize to suit the needs of your own Lodge. NOTE: You will have to use your Brower's "Back" button to return to this page.
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As you will see, the shell web site provides a main page with basic information about officers, important Masonic Links and so forth. It also provides other pages that show maps and how to get driving directions to your Lodge, a page for your Trestleboard and special activities/announcements, and a page that describes "What Is Freemasonry?" for any non-Masons visiting your Lodge web site.
The main page also provides a method for visitors to communicate with you (or someone you assign) via e-mail, and a visitor's guestbook that can be signed and viewed. This is a spendid way to document the comments of visitors to your web site.
Technical Information
The file with all of the required file is in a "zipped" format. To use the file, you should set up a special directory on your PC's hard disk, e.g., "C:\Lodge Web Site" -- and that is where you should download the file.
If you do not have an "un-Zip" program, a free one can be obtained as shown below:
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Click on icon at left to go to a web site that will allow you to download a free un-Zip program. NOTE: You will have to use your Brower's "Back" button to return to this page.
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The are 30 files in the zipped file that, after unzipping, must be uploaded to your web hosting site. After you make modifications to the shell and upload it, it is an excellent idea to also deep an exact copy on your own hard disk for back-up purposes. In the event something should happen to your web site (and it is a matter of when -- not if), you will not have lost all of your work.
Note: If your download "times out," that is because your Internet Connection is too slow, and your Internet Service Provider (ISP) arbitrarily decides you are using too much time. Therfore, the system appears to "hang up." If that happens, try downloading at a different time of the day when the Internet traffic is not so heavy. If you continue to have problems, please contact the webmaster and other arrangements can be made.
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Click on icon at left to download the Missouri Lodge of Research Masonic Lodge Web Site Shell Zip File. NOTE: You will have to use your Brower's "Back" button to return to this page.
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If you need help on deciphering HTML (the code in which the web site is written), you can download a special HTML Tutorial from this web site at no cost. It will introduce you to the basics of HTML and the most common commands. You can also search the Internet for "HTML Tutorials" -- there are many excellent free packages available for your use. |
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Click on icon at left to download the free HTML Tutorial. NOTE: You will have to use your Brower's "Back" button to return to this page.
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As to the choice of a web hosting site, you may wish to consider Geocities. While we do not endorse any site or product, Geocities has proven to be easy to work with for both the inexperienced user as well as those who are computer-literate and it is free. It also has add-on features such as: Counters (to track visitors), map generators, guestbooks, and several others you might find helpful.
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Click on icon at left to learn more about the web site hosting capabilities of Geocities/Yahoo. NOTE: You will have to use your Brower's "Back" button to return to this page.
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A Request
The Missouri Lodge of Research Masonic Lodge Web Site Shell is provided at no cost. However, we will most gladly accept donations of $10, $15 or whatever you can afford. Your donation of whatever size is greatly appreciated. Regardless, you are most welcome to download the Masonic Lodge Web Site Shell.
This money goes directly to the Masonic Children's Foundation for the outstanding and much-needed training they provide to educators, health care professionals, and law enforcement officials. Our children represent our future, and Freemasons can make a difference!
Please write "Masonic Children's Foundation" somewhere on your check. By the way, it is tax deductible.
Thank you, Brother, for your generous donation that allows us to keep helping those in need through the generous gift of Masonic Charity.
That's what Freemasonry is all about!
Missouri Lodge of Research
% Frank W. Hazelrigg, Jr.,
P.O. Box 605
Fulton, MO 65251-0605
U.S.A.
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