Hello shortcircuit,
Thank you for your question.
Personally, I agree with your statements. Dreamweaver is exceptional
software, but does have a steep learning curve. FrontPage is less
impressive and less powerful, has a shorter learning curve and
resembles Microsoft's Office Suite products and therefore might
provide a more comfortable and familiar environment for your users.
Although FrontPage does not use FTP, it does have a built-in "Publish"
function that makes it extremely easy to upload a fresh web site or
update only changed pages. Once setup, it works very simply and very
smoothly. Of course, it does require FrontPage extensions to be setup
on the server for FrontPage features, such as hovering, to be enabled.
Another advantage to these two programs is compatibility with third
party add-ins. For example, as I began to search for alternative
software packages for you, I came across Xara at www.xara.com . They
make exceptional graphic utility programs at very reasonable prices
that enhance any web site. Here is just one example:
http://www.xara.com/products/webstyle/
Webstyle 3
"CREATE all the web graphics you need in one handy program - no skill
required!
Whether you're graphically-challenged, a web graphics novice or just a
time-pressed professional, Webstyle is for you.
Create navigation bars with rollover effects and menus, animated
banner ads, headings and many other graphic types - or even do basic
photo processing, all with the click of a button.
Webstyle's customizable professionally-designed templates give you
almost limitless possibilities - and all for just $69 US"
You will note, this is compatible with both Dreamweaver and FrontPage:
"Dreamweaver & FrontPage integration
To make it even easier for you to create great web pages, Webstyle now
seamlessly integrates with the two popular web authoring programs
Macromedia Dreamweaver and Microsoft FrontPage... "
Do check out their pages. They make excellent utilities for creating
very impressive pages and include templates, photo processing and
dynamic menus, just to mention a few features.
Isearched web page creation software reviews and found numerous
packages. Some of the best are noted below:
Virtual Mechanics at http://www.virtualmechanics.com/ has a package
that is highly rated by TwoCows who claims that "web page creation has
never been easier"
Web Dwarf v2 - a FREE wysiwyg web page editor for HTML and SVG
Version 2 now available.
What is a Web Dwarf? A powerful and very gifted artisan that brooks no
nonsense. Best of all, he works for free.
Web Page authoring for HTML and SVG has never been easier or more
affordable.
Features include:
100% wysiwyg editing
DTP style interface
Pixel precision object placement
Exports to HTML and SVG
In a review of Version 1, Ziff Davis said:
"Ziff-Davis Interactive Software Library
Review Summary Report
IMS Web Dwarf is the little WYSIWYG that could. This freeware visual
Web page designer is stylish, easy to use, and packs a surprising
number of features into a compact download. It combines standard
Web-authoring fare with nifty desktop-publishing features such as
drag-and-drop, layered objects, absolute positioning, quick preview,
and rich-text effects. Object grouping and nudging lets you get the
page appearance just right. The generated HTML 3.2 code is clean and
crafted to display reliably in any browser environment. An integrated
FTP upload wizard makes it easy to publish your work. Although it
isolates you from the page code and lacks finer touches such as spell
checking, IMS Web Dwarf is a solid, well-designed freebie.
-ZDNet Reviewed on Oct 10 1999."
There are numerous reviews at the Web Developer's Journal -
http://www.webdevelopersjournal.com/software/webtools.html
A program that I found here worth mentioning include:
Homesite
http://www.webdevelopersjournal.com/software/webtools/hs_blurb.html
"Homesite earned our highest recognition for making life easier for
Web developers: our WDJ 1998 Product of the Year Award. This award is
a designation we assign to the top new Web development products each
year. This designation means we tested the product and its competitors
in our daily work lives and found it to be by far the best in its
category...
HomeSite is the award-winning HTML editing tool that lets you build
great Web sites in less time, while maintaining Pure HTML. Unlike
WYSIWYG authoring tools, HomeSite gives you precise layout control,
total design flexibility and full access to the latest Web
technologies, such as DHTML, SMIL, Cascading Style Sheets and
JavaScript. HomeSite 4.0 is the only HTML editor featuring a visual
development environment that preserves code integrity.
The intuitive HomeSite WYSIWYN (what you see is what you need)
interface puts the tools you need right at your fingertips. HomeSite's
site management and quality control features -- Site View, HTML
validation, spell checking, CodeSweeper, link verification, and more
-- make it easy to control the quality of your entire site. As
professional Web developers advise, "don't build your Web site without
it!"
I have not personally used this product, but the review seems to be
compelling enough to at least download a demo and try it. A full
review is available here:
http://www.webdevelopersjournal.com/articles/homesite_4.html
Shareware Junkies at http://www.sharewarejunkies.com/winhtml.htm have
reviewed numerous web page creation packages. Just a few of their
listings include:
1st Page 2000
http://www.sharewarejunkies.com/9zwd11/1st_page.htm
Type of Program: HTML Editor
Supported Platforms: Win 95/98/NT
Company Name: Evrsoft
Version: 2
Price: Free
Installed Size: 7.5MB
"There are a number of ways to create web pages. You could use a
WYSIWYG program like Microsoft FrontPage, which is easy to use, but
can leave messy HTML. Or you can code the whole thing by hand, using a
text editor like Notepad - mind numbingly boring, and very hard work.
What you want is a compromise program, a program that gives you both
power and ease of use. A program like 1st Page 2000. I've used a
couple of HTML editor in my time, and I can safely say that this is
the best I've seen. Especially at the price. FREE!
Everything you can ask for in an HTML editor is here - syntax
highlighting, site management, built in FTP, spell checker, thesaurus,
preview and the now obligatory wizards. Add to this extras like Tidy
HTML (easier to read code), source compressor (makes your pages
download quicker), a comprehensive help system, 450
Javascript/VBscripts and DHTML scripting, then you have a professional
program. But it doesn't stop there. Another great feature is
QuickModeSwitch, which allows to swap between 4 modes of operation -
Normal, Easy, Advanced/Expert and Hardcore - each giving you different
levels of tools and hand holding."
Cool Page
http://www.sharewarejunkies.com/9zwd2/cool_page.htm
Type of Program: WYSIWYG Web page creation
Supported Platforms: Win 95/98/NT
Company/Authors Name: 3Dize
Version: 1.1
Price: $28
Installed Size: 2.1MB
"This Program is one of the easiest WYSIWYG Web page creation programs
I have seen.
The price is right for the beginner as well as th Business man or
woman on the go. Install time is only about 7 - 10 min. I Believe this
program is perfect for the old or young , because of it's simplicity.
Can be used to upload to FTP on sites like Tri-Pod , AOL ... Etc..
The features are not for the computer wiz , by any means. This Program
is fully functional during the 30 day free trial and at the end of the
30 days, The Gif partially cripples .
But if you want to be on the web fast and don't have the time to fool
with the more in depth programs this is the one for you. :)"
Finally, I visited TUCOWS, a favorite repository of software reviews
and checked their category for WYSIWYG HTML editors at
http://www.tucows.com/htmlbeginner95_rating.html
A few top picks here include:
CoffeeCup Free HTML 6.1
http://www.tucows.com/preview/194521.html
Date: May 6th, 2002 License: Freeware
Size: 1.2MB Rating: 5 cows
"CoffeeCup Free HTML, formerly CoffeeCup HTML Express, is a
streamlined editor designed to make Web publishing a breeze, even for
the novice with little experience. Seven preloaded HTML templates
(DHTML, too) are included, with the option to create your own
templates. It features wizards for inserting links (text or JavaScript
drop-down boxes); meta tags (so your site will get noticed by search
engines); and text with paragraph, break, and style shortcuts; as well
as wizards for colors and fonts. CoffeeCup Free HTML also includes 35
background images (you also can import your own), 60 button and bullet
images, and 60 preloaded Web themes. You can save your page as an HTML
file or as an Express file to reopen later. When you're finished,
CoffeeCup Free HTML has one-button FTP upload capability that you can
use to send files to your Web server. If you get stuck, you can use
the graphical online help. Version 4.0 added a Form Mail wizard that
allows site visitors to send you information; it uses a CGI script on
CoffeeCup's servers, so you don't have to know anything about CGI to
use it. Version 4.0 also added more Web page templates and faster Web
page item loading.
Note: This software is free if you host your Web site with
Bluedomino.com! "
Hot Dog Junior 1.5.1
http://www.tucows.com/preview/194531.html
Date: August 15th, 2000 License: Shareware
Size: 5.5MB
Rating: 5 cows
Cost: $39.95
HotDog Junior will turn you into a Web developer in no time! Choose
your background image, build your site, view it, and then upload it!
It's so simple to make a professional-looking Web page. The graphics
and sound are excellent.
The author's web page at www.sausage.com also lists this package:
Hot Dog PageWiz
http://www.sausage.com/pagewiz/overview.html
If you're a beginner looking to create your first Web page, or simply
a hobbyist in search of a simple tool to build and maintain your Web
site, HotDog PageWiz is the answer! HotDog PageWiz comes with 10
groovy templates to get you started and combines the best of WYSIWYG
authoring and text-based editing, providing you with the flexibility
to not only learn the basics of Web design, but completely master it.
HotDog PageWiz can be used in two distinct modes (Express Mode and
Editor Mode) depending on your level of experience:
1. Express Mode
Express Mode is designed to help you get up and running quickly and
easily, by guiding you through a simple 4 Step process to your very
first Web page. Including 10 pre-loaded templates, and single-click
publishing, even the most inexperienced user will have their page live
on the Web in minutes.
2. Editor Mode
Once you feel comfortable designing pages in Express Mode, simply
toggle the PageWiz interface to Editor Mode and you've got yourself a
fully integrated, side-by-side WYSIWYG and text-based authoring
environment, allowing you to master the power of HTML with the ease of
drag and drop.
Their products have consistently received excellent reviews at all the
popular shareware review sites and may be worth a look.
As you can begin to see, there are numerous web creation packages for
all levels of expertise and at all price ranges including free! I hope
I have provided an interesting selection of some of the best for you
to consider without presenting an overwhelming list.
Personally, I would seriously consider FrontPage as it is somewhat of
a standard and has the advantage of resembling most Microsoft
productivity products. There is also a wealth of third party plug-ins
available and FrontPage enjoys enough popularity that there are
numerous avenues for support and discussions on the web.
If anything above requires additional information, please do ask for
clarification.
Regards,
-=clouseau=- |
,
0 Comments
)