Which Website Design Software is Best?

[jamesglewisf]

I'm trying to find some new website design software. I currently use FP2000. I'm pretty happy with it because it lets me write my own HTML and preview it. It also writes pretty clean HTML itself, at least compared to the books I have.

I'm thinking about the following products. Do you have any opinions? Have you used them?
Macromedia Dreamweaver 3
Adobe GoLive 5
Microsoft FrontPage 2000
NetObjects Fusion 5.0
SoftQuad HoTMetaL PRO 6.0

[RoadRunner]

I've read that Dreamweaver is pretty cool and has lots of add-ins.

[unseen1]

Hi,

I'm stuck in the past somewhat but I prefer to use Adobe Pagemill and Imagestyler. I think Golive has replaced these products, so it may be the one to go with. Dreamweaver is also good, I just prefer the interface on the Adobe products.

I prefer to do the grunt work within the Pagemill GUI and tweak the code from there, much faster. Imagestyler is nice for text graphics/effects, it will also automate some javascripting (roll-overs, ect.).

Later,

Jason

[jamesglewisf]

Thanks Jason. Most of what I have read lately extolls the virtues of Macromedia's products, but I like Adobe stuff too. I'm really torn. I was hoping more people might have an opinion.

[TWTCommish]

Everybody seems pretty high on Dreamweaver, but I like FrontPage. I do not, however, recommend using some if it's "features" - like shared borders, their search feature, their discussion board, their form bot, or any of those other little things that require FrontPage extensions. I just use FP so I can create tables and layouts and modify them easily and see the changes quickly and simply.

[theyeti]

I'd DEFINITELY say Adobe GoLive. I'm very happy with it. You can do so much more than frontpage, and its very easy to navigate. It takes a little while to learn, but the manual is written in terms anyone can understand. Certainly worth it. If you already use other Adobe software it'll be a snap.

[utah007]

I've used Net Objects Fusion. Its a decent program, however I did have some problems with it when it came to adding in Java. Dreamweaver on the other hand is supposedly pretty awesome, however I've never seen it. Those that I've talked to that have used both tend to favor dreamweaver.

[keithster]

LOL. As an oldtime UNIX programmer, I'd suggest vi. {toothy}

[Anat]

I use 1st page 2000. It's not a WYSWYG software - you do need to know some HTML to use it. But it's a very editor with lots of nice built-in features. Oh, and did I sat it was totally free?
http://www.evrsoft.com/

[TTP]

Dreamweaver4 is pretty cool. It is very easy to use and does basicly all the work for you.

[TTP]

Originally posted by keithster
LOL. As an oldtime UNIX programmer, I'd suggest vi. {toothy}

Although it is fun, it takes forever! I just got done editing my page via telnet to the campus server...had to use vi...I've seen quicker processes...{toothy}

[DarkInHere]

NetObjects Fusion 4 is my tool of choice - take a look at http://www.thetrainwhine.co.uk to see what it can (or can't) do.
Sorry - shamless plug there ;) I'm not sure about v5, and v6 is supposed to be out soon, but v4 does everything I need.

[dreuby]

I go with Anat - 1st Page 2000. It's really great - and a new version due soon.

[Alec]

I like Dreamweaver Mx.

[jamesglewisf]

I settled on Dreamweaver MX when it first came out. Before then I was still using FrontPage.

[TTP]

EditPlus2 is the only thing I have installed at the moment.

I have Dreamweaver MX sitting back here on the desk waiting to be used though. I'm all for Dreamweaver myself, 4 sold me.

[keithster]

Personally, I use a vi or notepad editor. I find that tweaking things is difficult with all the junk that these programs throw into the html files.

And with php, javascript, and asp files, I haven't found anything that does a great job.

[TTP]

I really agree with keithster on this one. Trying to find something in that mess of code these programs spit out is almost impossible.

keithster, have you tried EditPlus2 for php, javascript, and asp files? I haven't worked with asp, but for the other two it color codes things real nicely for you; and you can also create your own templates if the preset ones don't do it for you.

Of course, you get clean code (as long as you code cleanly), because it is basically a color-coded notepad. :)

[keithster]

I've been using VIM, which is a freeby. It also color codes and allows you to set up the coloring. I'm a unix hack from way back and like programming with a vi editor.

http://www.vim.org/

[ian_28]

what i would like to know is when the newest version of 1st page 2000 is going to be released.

[dreuby]

Until recently, I'd have said "Never!" :(

But the forum Admin has reappeared from the Black Hole, and there may be hope ... :D

[dreuby]

Evrsoft have updated their website, and are talking about 1P3 ... but we've been there before. Still, we can hope!

[rock]

I have been a holdout, building pages by hand. But with the Composer component of Mozilla v1.4, I may change my mind. It has been buffed up a lot.

I like control of details, and Composer offers it. Bottom tabs let you quickly select one of four page views. Normal, offering a view of the page with outlines around all components
HTML Tags, adds named tag icons to appropriate spots of the Normal view
<HTML> Source, raw, editiable text view of the page
Preview, uneditable view of how the page actually looks
... and you can't beat the price! :)

-- Rich