Dreamweaver

Dreamweaver is a great web page editor but it requires a lot of experience and learning. If you have little HTML experience you'd be better of with "Fusion7". It's very easy to create good websites with this product and at 1/3rd the cost of Dreamweaver. Check out the Fusion Website
at: Fusion7 If you have some experience with HTML, give "Coffee Cup" a try.
Download a trial copy at: Coffeecup

Good Luck!
 
correction for Fusion 7 website.
Try this link:
Fusion 7
 
I've downloaded the Fusion7 trial, but haven't been able to play with it yet. *SigH*

Went to the coffecup site and liked the "attitude", so I will download and play with that one, too. *Weeeee*

This would be my first attempt at Web Design, but it looks like a kick! I have images floating in my brain, and I dream of web pages blowing in the wind (real wind, not html wind).
I've gotta lot-ta learn..........
 
I think that I'm about to tackle this job with Print Shop Pro Publisher. Don't know how well this will work, but I know PS very well, and ProPublisher is supposed to do a good job of it.
 
Katie, you've never talked much about how much software experience you've had. I think Dreamweaver is a pricey package with a steep learning curve - kinda the PhotoShop of web design.

I've used FrontPage with minimal agony. There used to be a FrontPage Lite or FrontPage Express that came with some operating systems.

If you've installed the proper extensions, you can do web page design with MS Word or with MS Publisher. Bill Gates' vision of a seemless integration between the operating system and the internet means that most MS software can be used to do web pages.

And, speaking of Adobe Photoshop, the newer versions tend to be laden with web features.

My recommendation would be to start with something you already have. Then, when you've outgrown its capabilities, go out and buy Dreamweaver or some other high-end package.
 
To answer your question, Ron, when I sit at the computer I am still required to use training wheels and wear a white paper hat that says, "Trainee". But I have desire!

I am home now and ready to play with the Fusion 7, I want to build a website without frames (how ironic is THAT?). I want to create from scratch, am I biting off more than I should? That's kinda how I am....

This web page isn't for my Frame Shop, it's for my OTHER business, the one that makes me light hearted and laugh out loud. Framing hasn't done that for awhile, tho' I was feeling light hearted today while I was working on a real purty job.
 
Katie, if you WANT to do it, you'll do it, regardless of the software. Like learning a musical instrument 'cause you like the way it sounds.

If you HAVE to do, it will be pure drudgery. Like learning an instrument 'cause you need the credit to graduate from middle school.

Who knew I could be so philisophical?
 
"Namo Web Editor 5" is another good product which is relatively easy to learn.
If you plan your site comprehensively before you install the demo, you should be able to complete the site within the 30 day trial period.
It is available at $119 at:
http://www.namo.com/products/webeditor/
now which is $40 off. (So they say)

This is a lot less expensive than Dreamweaver ($399) and a lot easier to learn.
 
I've explored the Namo website, I liked a lot of the features to be sure. I wonder about the Korean connection. I drive a Daewoo which is now bankrupt, and that puts the warranty and parts availibility into question. So I feel a little like "Burn me once, Korea, shame on you. Burn me twice..."

I do see at the Ritz Camera site that I can buy a digital camera (which I am also in the market for) and receive Fusion7 for free. By paying $70. more I can download updates and be, how you say, updated.

Is it too early (West Coast) to be up and thinking about web page development?
Nahhh, I had a dream about some great images last night!
 
Sorry, I don't have any experience with Dreamweaver, but have had pretty good luck with Adobe GoLive.

I chose it 'cause it appeared to have better integration with Illustrator, Photoshop, and ImageReady (a must for your animated GIFs).

Like any new program there is a pretty steep learning curve, but Adobe is well known for their forums and support. I learned through their "Classroom in a Book" CD tutorial.

The Framer's Loft web page was/is generated and maintained by us at our shop through GoLive. It took me about three months to get our page up and running with GoLive.
 
Originally posted by Katie:
I want to create from scratch, am I biting off more than I should?
I would call Notepad the "scratch" of HTML, but that would almost certainly be biting off more than you can chew ;)
 
HI Katie,

I HAVE used Dreamweaver 2 and 4 to build webpages, (more than one, I might add) and I have also attempted to use FrontPage 98, Canvas 5 and 7, and a rather simple program that was once called Trellix. My present web page is built using the Trellix program.

I had a good bit of web authoring background before using Trellix but I ultimately chose this program over the other more powerful programs for its ease of use, ease of updating the webpage, and price. If you want a basic webpage which will support updates, animated GIF's, music, Flash intros, secure pages, thumb nail photos, and will function easily with or without frames activated, I would recommend CuteSiteBuilder from Globalscape, Inc. (Trellix's new moniker since GS bought the rights to the program) It costs $69.95 and has one of the very best support sites that I have come across for smaller web authoring programs. Their public forum (Much like the Grumble) is manned by experienced users (I was one of them before my current addiction became my obsession!), and Kevin Weilbacher and some of the veterans there will be more than happy to answer any and all of your authoring questions. He has a website built and dedicated to CuteSiteBuilder and it is well worth investigating if you want to be up and running in the least amount of time. The program's learning curve is nearly flat compared to Dreamweaver's or FrontPage's learning curve.

Take a look at my website. It is built totally with CS Builder and optimized images from PhotoShop 6 and 7. My secure purchasing page is set up through PayPal since I don't sell a large quantity of items on the site. The cost is minimal for small sites and there is no service charge to use their services. They only charge on actual sales in any given month.

Good luck.

Framerguy
 
IMHO, I've been using Frontpage since Frontpage '97. I'm currently using FP 2000. Very easy to use. You don't need to know any HTML, it does help now and then but not necessary. My web site that I update monthly is www.dancinbaer.com A friend highly recomended I try Dreamweaver MX and Fireworks MX. I'm in the process of learning them now. Having the Frontpage experience is making the learning much easier. I am finding Dreamweaver a little easier to use.

Katie, No matter which software you get, I strongly suggest getting a book that covers web site development in general. I'm at work now and the book I got a few years ago is at home, so I can't give you the name of it. Browse Amazon.com, they have several.

Good luck and have fun.
 
Like you, I started on Frontpage and then to Dreamweaver. It does everything I need and it's pretty straightforward.
 
Bringing this older thread to the top to see if there is any updated info on web page development software since this was originally posted.

I hear about Dreamweaver all the time. I have FrontPage but an older version... Looking for the most economical and easiest way to get my own up and running.

My current website is there but I can't edit (long story) and want to be able to edit, update and ultimately create a more interactive website.

Thanks,

Roz
 
Originally posted by Roz:
...My current website is there but I can't edit (long story) and want to be able to edit, update and ultimately create a more interactive website....
Roz,

Creating your own website is one way of tackling your problem. Another solution is to find a professional web hosting IT company who will give you editing and administrative control to your website, without you having to learn a whole new trade!

Read my article on website design in the past two months issues of Picture Framing Magazine. If you can locate a local IT that works in a dynamic language like cold fushion, they can build a site for you, where you can change all the important content <u>without</u> having to learn html. :D This allows you to spend your time selling framing and tackling other business issues!

John
 
Funny this should resurface now, as I'm trying to put together a real website rather than simply post photo galleries.

I'm using First Page 2000, by Evrsoft, which has the wonderful property of being free. It also seems to be reasonably full featured. I've just started, and given the time I've spent lately cleaning water out of my basement, haven't made the progress I'd like to at this point, but so far so good. It's certainly worthy of being considered. They also have a new (pay) version which has even richer content, if you're so inclined.

The last time I did this I used Netscape Composer and more or less wrote the html and css by hand, using Composer mostly to ensure that the page was being rendered faithfully. But this time I'm going for a more sophisticated/professional look.
 
Hi Doctah:

I just downloaded FirstPage 2000 by Evrsoft and I must tell you, my anti-virus program found a Trojan Virus when it was installing!

Here's a screen shot:

VirusPic.jpg
 
Actually, I meant to mention that. I just deleted the thing and haven't had any issues since, but I have to admit it's a bit disconcerting. My apologies for neglecting to mention a potentially troublesome issue (especially if someone's flying naked, with no virus protection.)

I've sent an e-mail to Evrsoft support regarding the problem, and will let you know how they respond.
 
I use Dreamweaver 4. Dreamweaver is kind of expensive to start with and can be a bear to deal with. Unless you want to open a internet store or a very large website that you udated frequently, you may want to consider paying someone else to do it for. Between Photoshop7, Illustrator10, Dreamweaver4, and Flash 5, your alreadly looking a $1000 in software and no training using them.


I like web design and would recomend any small business owner to learn it if you have the free time. In my opinion, you have to understand HTML code before you can truly use any HTML script programs. The hardest part of building a website is the de-bugging. I learned webdesign the old fashion way, with a book. I recommend, buying HTML and DHTML from PeachPit Visual QuickStart Guide. They are written well and will help you if you hit a brick wall with what ever script program you buy. I also recommend these site. WebMonkey.com and HTML Goodies.com


Once you learn how to write code, you can use NotePad or MicroSoft Word to build a web page. Dreamweaver just makes it alot faster and less painfull. You should also check-out the World Wide Web Consortium, they are the PPFA of the WebGeeks.
 
I use Dreamweaver MX 2004 at home, and it's now my prefered HTML editor of choice. I haven't tried the latest version 8 of Dreamweaver, but the MX series finally got it right in my book on how to properly edit HTML. Editing complex table structures was always hit and miss before...

Sure it's a little pricey at $400, but you can't beat all the cool features, especially the template system and the ability to easily synchronize your websites.

Macromedia also has a "lite" version of Dreamweaver called Contribute for only $79.

Once you learn how to write code, you can use NotePad or MicroSoft Word to build a web page.
Avoid Word like the plague for making web pages.

I like John Ranes suggestion for those who want the inexpensive route - just find a nice hosting company that'll start you off with a template and you just update your text and images when you need to.
 
Originally posted by WizSteve:
...I like John Ranes suggestion for those who want the inexpensive route - just find a nice hosting company that'll start you off with a template and you just update your text and images when you need to....
Steve,

NOT a template....I'm not really a fan of template sites. I'm speaking of REAL Admin control of a website written in a dynamic language so that the owner can update and make changes easily.

I'm a firm believer in working with professionals. My G*d folks, we question the consummer who visits our frameshop only to buy a mat, figuring they can build the frame themselves at home, and yet we run our business and figure you can build your own website.
shrug.gif


John
 
By template John, I was refering to the templates in the context of Dreamweaver. For example, when my wife (who runs a professional graphic design business) builds a site for a client, she makes a custom design for the client in Photoshop. Once the look and feel is approved, it's sliced and diced and saved as a Dreamweaver template. Finally, the client can either choose to have her add text and other graphics, or they can take the "template" and update it themselves. Thats what's great about Macromedia's Contribute software - it works hand-in-hand with Dreamweaver and it's template system.

Is that better?
 
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