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Q: Easy to use Web Page Design Software ( Answered 4 out of 5 stars,   1 Comment )
Question  
Subject: Easy to use Web Page Design Software
Category: Computers > Software
Asked by: bixwell-ga
List Price: $10.00
Posted: 25 Aug 2003 11:35 PDT
Expires: 24 Sep 2003 11:35 PDT
Question ID: 248577
I am somewhat computer literate, and am looking for an easy to use,
yet fairly powerful, web page design software program.

--I don't want to spend more than $100, and would prefer to spend
something like $50.
--The program should come with templates for starter web pages.
--My web page will not be complex.  Lots of text, multiple pages, and
some photos.  Nothing fancier than that.
--I want to be able to update my site via the software (once I go live
with it).
--Two recommendations have already come my way (Dreamweaver by
Macromedia, and Web Studio by Back to the Beach).

Thanks.

Request for Question Clarification by joseleon-ga on 25 Aug 2003 11:40 PDT
Hello, bixwell:
  Do you require some scripting support (PHP, ASP) or just static HTML pages?

Regards.
Answer  
Subject: Re: Easy to use Web Page Design Software
Answered By: jem-ga on 26 Aug 2003 00:14 PDT
Rated:4 out of 5 stars
 
Hi Bixwell-ga :)

I have compiled a list of 5 web page design programmes which I believe
you will find are;

a) easy to use yet fairly powerful
b) under $100
c) come with templates for starter web pages and;
d) allow you to update your site via the software 

1. Web Studio

I know you mentioned this one already but I wanted to draw your
attention to the fact that they are currently offering a 30 day free
trial - see:

http://www.webstudio.com/site/trial/google/?source=google&ad=Web_Design_Software&keywords=web+design+software

This programme features a "drag and drop" interface and does not
require HTML programming but also offers more advanced features such
as java scripting, special graphics and text effects and "rollover"
buttons.

Cost: $59.95 when upgrading from free trial programme

2. Hot Dog Page Wiz and 3. Hot Dog Professional 7, both found at: 

http://www.sausage.com/products/index.html

Both products are made by the same company and the main difference
between the two is that Hot Dog Page Wiz is designed for beginners
whereas Hot Dog Professional is designed for those more comfortable
with web page design. For example, Hot Dog Page Wiz allows for the
insertion of HTML text editing whereas Hot Dog Professional allows for
advanced editing such as SQL Table building and scripting support.

You can get a 30 day free trial (and view the key features) for Hot
Dog Page Wiz from:

http://www.sausage.com/pagewiz/overview.html

and a 15 day free trial for Hot Dog Professional 7 (and view the key
features)from:

http://www.sausage.com/professional/overview.html

Cost: Hot Dog Page Wiz $69.95; Hot Dog Professional $99.95

4. CuteSite Builder

You can see all of the features of CuteSite Builder (produced by
GlobalScape) here at:

http://www.cuteftp.com/cutesitebuilder/features.asp

CuteSite features WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editing,
templates, table editing and photo slide show functions.  As with the
other programmes mentioned, CuteSite's one click publishing method
allows your files to be uploaded to your web site quickly and easily
and it even knows when you update your site, and only uploads the
modified pages.

You can download an evaluation copy (which I think is not time limited
but is feature limited) from:

http://www.cuteftp.com/downloads/cutesitebuilder.asp

Cost: $69.99

5. Namo Web Editor

This is the programme that I use and you can find out more about it
at:

http://www.namo.com/products/webeditor/featuretour/

It offers all the features that the other programmes offer including
WYSIWYG editing, Java scripting, photo album creation and uploading
and maintaining your web site via the programme.  In addition to some
of its scripting functions, another one of its more advanced features
is its graphics/photo modelling programme called Web Canvas (accessed
from the programme).  This allows for text manipulation, graphic
effects and rollover buttons
(see http://www.namo.com/products/webeditor/webcanvas/ for further
details)
 
You can get a 30 day free trial download from:

http://www.namo.com/download/

Cost: normally $139.00 BUT on special as a download purchase for
$99.99

I think that you will find all of the above programmes suitable given
your requested parameters.  Having tried all of them at one time or
another, I'd say that Hot Dog Page Wiz is probably the most basic in
terms of use and graphics and templates supplied, followed by Web
Studio.  CuteSite Builder is probably the most balanced as far as ease
of use and advanced features.  Hot Dog Professional and Namo Web
Editor are definitely programmes which allow a lot more advanced
editing and manipulating, particularly with respect to scripting and
scripting support.

I know that personally, I use less than half the features of Namo Web
Editor but I do use it frequently, particularly as I am used to its
multi-tabbed windows which allow you to see a) the WYSIWYG window, b)
the HTML window and c) the actual web preview window at the same time.

Given that all of the programmes mentioned offer a free trial, its
definitely worth you taking the time to check out which programme and
interface you feel most comfortable with - for example, you may find
CuteSite Builder more intuitive than, say, Hot Dog Professional, etc.

Kind regards
jem-ga :)

Search strategy:

Personal knowledge and search outlined below:

Keywords: web page design software

://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&q=web+page+design+software

Clarification of Answer by jem-ga on 26 Aug 2003 00:22 PDT
p.s. hi again Bixwell-ga :)

I forgot to confirm that all programmes mentioned are available for
online purchase and download and all prices are quoted in US$.

:)jem-ga

Request for Answer Clarification by bixwell-ga on 01 Sep 2003 12:49 PDT
Hello, joseleon --

I'm afraid I can't answer your clarification question, for I do not
understand the question.  As a novice in the field of web pages,
"scripting support -- PHP -- and ASP" don't register with me.

I don't need pages that feature bouncing balls, or moving graphics. 
Drop down tab information might be nice, but not necessary.  If you
could give me an example of what you mean by "scripting support" I
could shed some more light.

Thanks, bixwell

Clarification of Answer by jem-ga on 01 Sep 2003 13:39 PDT
Hi bixwell-ga :)

Slight bit of confusion going on here which I'll try to clear up for
you.

Today, (i.e. 1st Sept) you have requested a clarification based on a
clarification request made by a different researcher BEFORE I answered
your question i.e. made by joseleon-ga on 25th August).

I (researcher jem-ga) subsequently answered your question on the basis
that you are a novice re: web page design and my answer as provided
does not take into account any queries which joseleon-ga (a different
researcher) may have wanted to explore with you had joseleon-ga gone
on to answer your question (in other words, as you had not replied to
joseleon-ga's clarification request of 25th August, I proceeded to
answer the question on the basis of your orginal question, as posted).

Because I have now answered your question, joseleon-ga cannot reply
directly to you within the context of this question other than by way
of comment (or if, for example, you post a completely new and separate
question).

All of the programmes which I have listed in the answer are as defined
in your original question i.e.:

a) easy to use yet fairly powerful 
b) under $100 
c) come with templates for starter web pages and; 
d) allow you to update your site via the software 

They are also all suitable for novice web designers. They allow you to
have a good combination of very basic features with the option (if you
want) of having additional features such as moving graphics, bouncing
balls and, in some cases, scripting support (i.e they are easy to use
yet fairly powerful).

Scripts allow web designers to modify web pages in interactive and
dynamic ways.  For example, scripts may be linked to web page elements
such as some of the navigation "buttons" that you see at the top of
some web pages - often, scripts are used to create these graphical
user interface elements (e.g. if you place your mouse over a certain
"button", the image will change, or your mouse cursor will change into
a flower with swirls following its movements or you may see bouncing
balls depending on how many times you clicked the button :)). 
"Scripting support" refers to additional tools that would be provided
which would help you to enable some of these kinds of effects within
your web page design.  Dreamweaver by Macromedia has extensive
scripting support whereas a programme like Web Studio has much less
scripting support on the basis that Web Studio is much more geared for
novice web designers.

Hope that clarifies the situation and that you find the programmes
listed in your answer useful and fun!

Kind regards
jem-ga :)

Clarification of Answer by jem-ga on 01 Sep 2003 13:46 PDT
Hi Again bixwell-ga :)

Here is a good example of a script which creates a "MouseOver" effect:

http://www.95net.com/support/mouseover.htm

Notice the words that pop up on the far right hand side of the web
page listed above when you move your mouse over the words "Don't Point
Here!" found on the same web page.

:) jem-ga
bixwell-ga rated this answer:4 out of 5 stars
Quick answer, with clarification when needed.

Comments  
Subject: Re: Easy to use Web Page Design Software
From: jem-ga on 09 Sep 2003 08:22 PDT
 
Hi Bixwell :)  Glad you were pleased with the answer and I hope that
you find the suggested software useful.

Many thanks to fellow researcher missy-ga who reminded me of another
piece of web design software that you might be interested in - it's
called Coffee Cup HTML Editor and can be found at:

http://www.coffeecup.com/html-editor/

and you can download a free 45 day trial from:

http://www.coffeecup.com/download/download.php?id=011

Features include pre-designed web templates, graphics, direct upload
of your website from the programme and page preview (i.e. ability to
see what your web page will look like in your web browser before
uploading).

Purchase price: $49.00

Kind regards
jem-ga :)

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