The page making part of this question relates to a simple HTML master
page I made where now I insert text into the center table of three
tables.  (See www.mundi-causa.org).  I use Arachnophilia where I add
text and then hammer out the tags and code to create titles and sub
titles, line breaks, paragraphs etc.  I make too many mistakes that my
validator catches, but it is time consuming.  Ideally I would like to
see a more useable aproach such as softpress freeway (for Macs), or
Site Spinner(?) so that I can float plain text into a space and have
it converted into properly formatted html.  Just hoped I can make the
whole process more simple, and mainly when I change my templates by
adding tabs and redesign the buttons (navbar). That sort of a
page-makeover project will come up soon.  Shudder at the thought of
having to read thick manuals for some program that does all that
elegantly.

The next part relates to updating navigation.  I want to add on top
some tabs, add more buttons on the navbar and also update the links at
the end of the page where 'privacy, site map, etc.) are found.  This
is usually done with server side includes or external style sheets. 
Which one is best to use, or easiest to use or what are the basic
issues to decide which?

Soon I will use XCarts to accept payments, but the above issues bug me
most.  My aim is to write, not learn programming or study thick
manuals.  I might also add that if you can suggest an affordable
programmer to basically craft a tool (master) I can use, let's talk
about that approach as well.

It's called Microsoft FrontPage.
I created these sites with it:
http://www.hyannisportcapital.com
http://www.doggiepro.com
http://www.theofficeexperts.com
http://www.vbaexpress.com
http://www.pigroast.net
http://www.virtualceoinstitute.com

I call that:
a) flexible
b) EASY (I'm a MS Word geek, not no darn coder!)
c) cheap! I think you can get FP for $100 or less.

If you don't want to spend any money I suggest you check out
NVU http://www.nvu.com/

It's a nice program that you can download for free for windows. If you
are a student or work for a school I believe you can purchase
macromedia's dreamweaver for a reduced fee. Dreamweaver is an
incredibly powerful program. I suggest you check it out.
http://www.macromedia.com/software/dreamweaver/

Also, try going to your local high school or college and see if you
can find a student willing to do what you need. You'll probably find
several who will do it for a good price.

shodekiagari

cereb...

Re: "...so that I can float plain text into a space and have
it converted into properly formatted html", here's a nice tool:
http://textism.com/tools/textile/

sublime1-ga