The Best Web Design program is...

[FreeFall]

well what do you think??
i have MS Publisher 2000 which i use alot for web design, because of its ease of use. I am going to go onto either FrontPage 2000 or Dreamweaver 4. (i have both)
what do you think is the best one to go onto?
the text is much harder to mave around in both dreamweaver and frontpage, in Publisher they are text boxes to move around.
What would you reccommend using? I am experementing with both of them at the minute.
which one do you guys use and think is the best
Thanx

[Dr. Web]

Don't waste your time with Frontpage unless you grew up with a family of mensa members. You will save time and effort by just deleting it off your hard drive. Dreamweaver is a good tool, but you'd be suprised at just how easy it is to hand code.

[FreeFall]

i have a basic knowledge of HTML, but i prefer using things like dreamweaver because it is much easier and MUCH faster

[Dr. Web]

I used to think that dw was faster. Then I began working full time in the field. When you have to change minute details a lot of time everyday....good ol' hand coding is the best way to go. PLus, anytime you want a good JavaScript, DHTML, or database access...your going to need to get into the code. DW just can't cut it there. For basic layouts...DW is ok.

[dirtystim]

Hey free maybe you should check out Allaire's homesite . . .
A kind of halfway house.

It rocks too!

dirtystim


"no sigs"

[Dr. Web]

Yes, I like homesite, and the siter product ...coldfusion. But they are more hand coding, less WYSIWYG

[dirtystim]

True doc, less WYSIWYG more editor but like you said B4

Handcoding rules really i mean a fresh, crisp tasty hand coded page . . . ooh mama. You know one with tables and everything! ;)

BTW Doc, I'm scared shedless of Coldfusion, it's like really really techie and stuff isn't it? - all wierd satanic server-based shananigans . . .

I tried reading an article about what it does but my brain stopped responding . . .


dirtystim


You're only as good as your last sig . . .

[Ian]

Has anyone tried and is using Arachnophilia? It is a free careware program downloadable from http://www.arachnoid.com/arachnophilia/index.html

I have been using this for about a year and find it an excellent editor. As it is free and only 1.6 meg, I suggest grabbing it and having a look at it, if you're a hand coder, this in my opinion is the tool to use.

Jacob has also put me onto Note Tab ( http://www.notetab.com/ ), I have heard this is also an excellent program and quite popular, although I have installed it, I have not really studied it yet or used it as the above seems to do what I require.

No, I do not have shares in either company :p

[FreeFall]

what about if you are not a hand coder? I have used 1st Page 2000, that is code based, it is VERY good, for the beginner AND the Hardcore Coder.
But i prefer things like Dreamweaver because of its ease (compared to an HTML notepad)

[dirtystim]

Well out of the 2 I would go Dweaver anyday. It writes much cleaner code and is more multi browser compatible.

What say you guys?


dirtystim




[Edited by dirtystim on 03-02-2001 at 07:23 PM]

[Dr. Web]

Coldfusion editing environment is exactly the same as homesite (same parent-Allaire). The diff is that coldfusion has the capability to become a server environment. CFML....coldfusion markup language is easy to learn, a few steps beyond HTML, and allows lots more control. Still...methinks CFML was a fad. ASP and JSP and traditional Server aps are still king of that hill.

If you do like the Homesite editing environment, and DreamWeaver WYSIWYG abilities...you'll be pleased to know that Macromedia bought Allaire recently. We should see some really sharp products from Macromedia in the next two years combining the best of both products.

[huythuy]

I have FP 2000 , DW 4 , acehtml pro 4 and 1st page 2000 ( free ware )

I love DW but I think if you like code base editor you should use 1st page 2000 , its features = ace html pro which cost you 70$ , all of them have a nice interface , you can edit C , cgi , php , css ,... ok everything :). You can try yourself here http://www.evrsoft.com/1stpage/

Think it can help you .

Regards ,

[Fallen Angel Lord]

I am a big fan of an extremely expensive program--its called notepad.

[dirtystim]

Where do I get it and just how much is it??? :D :D :D :D

dirtystim



"When I hand-code do my fingers not bleed?"

[JohnM]

I can hardly wait for the next programs from Macromedia, a combination of the best WYSIWYG and HTML Editor, should be great.

If you're gonna use a WYSIWYG, definitely use dreamweaver, the code is a lot cleaner, and you can make better layouts w/ it, ie layers. But raw coding is still the way to go.

[jehraen]

Notepad rocks! But then, I'm biased ;)

In answering the 1st question, I'd definitely go for DW. MS editors really suck, especially FP. But I guess it's great for newbies who want to make personal sites :)

[Marlboro]

Well lets see-
the original question was "whats the best design program?"

the answer is: your imgination

The answers everyone has been giving is to the question:
what do i use to get my design to the web...

IMHO - my personal fav program for writing code is Homesite

just putting a different twist on things
Marlboro

[sillyfish]

Let's put it this way... Would you get in a crappy car and drive, say, from New York City to Los Angeles if you didn't know how to repair your car if it broke down? This, my friends is why hand coding rules. Sure, it doesn't go as quick, but a quick fix usually ends up costing a huge amount when it comes down to it. The best sites are hand coded....trust me.

The bottom line is that using a WYSIWYG is fine, but you should still learn as much html as you possibly can!!!

[humanform]

I agree. Between the two, DW is the best but learn how to hand-code. DW can actually be a great learning tool. Look what happens in the code as you make drag-n-drop changes. It's even easier than cutting up someone else's code. Avoid FP like the plague

[Dr. Web]

good to see I am not the only one who recognizes that FP is a disaster happening!

[dirtystim]

Tho I am AntiFP I did hear of a cool bit of functionality in it that I have not yet found in my albeit limited Xperience if Dweaver etc . . .

Apparently it's poss to build in password protection for the sites.
Yeah I know you can just get stuff from a script site but to those who fear the CTRL C and CTRL V strokes and anything slightly 'Cody' I guess it's a nice (albeit not hackproof) alternative.

Of course the Host server must support this feature too if used :)

dirtystim

FP is the Devil's App . . . :)

[Jason]

Moved from HTML page layout.

[dirtystim]

:D:D:D:D Cool!!!! We got thrown out by the bouncer :D:D:D:D

[eformsolutions]

Hi All!

I started almost five years back, with note pad (hand coding) - after some time I realize that when I have a program called FP, why not I try that: since then I am FP user/lover - I desings hundreds of pages (sites) 90% by FP. For me it is best software.

I also tried some time back CoffeeCup HTML Editor v4 through v6 - I still prefer FP. I used Ist Page last year - after a while back to my love FP.

[R_Russell]

I would ahve to say, I think AceHTML 4 Pro is a very good program for beginners all the way to experts. Although I handcode word for word it is nice to have all of the extra features that this prgram has. If I am not sure about something I can use the code validator just to be that 100% sure. Also this program provides table makers, and much much more, but the thing I like most about it is the internal browser where you can veiw your page without opening your intenet browser and hitting refresh until your index finger snaps off :D