December 29th, 2004
One of my Christmas gifts arrived today. FrontPage 2003. The version of FrontPage I’m presently using is 2000.
But Laurie has been blogging about Dreamweaver. I wonder if I should try that? Any suggestions? I’m not a webdesigner by any means. Cut and paste is about the extent of my talent and I don’t really need to do anything besides minor updates. In fact, FrontPage 2000 was getting the job done just fine.
Still, I’m all for making the job as simple as possible. 
Oh, stand back and let me gab!
I tried every web authoring program /or/ HTML editor there is [a weird hobby of mine], ranging from a freebie [e.g. 1st Page] to Dreamweaver, and from Arachnophilia to GoLive.
FWIW, sorry, but I seriously dislike FrontPage because it’s such a bloated program, bloody infectious FP extensions and — *clearing voice*
Judging by your web needs, I think Dreamweaver would be far too expensive in terms of usage. For a web site like LLB’s it makes sense for her to have Dreamweaver. But for you it doesn’t, not if you only want to use it to create and upload some minor updates. It’d be like having a world-class yacht in a small pond.
There is no doubt, however, that Dreamweaver is a world away from Front Page in terms of quality and ease, but my heart is with GoLive. 
Anyway, stick with what you have. It’s fine. When the day when you’ll have to make regular updates to please your readers comes, go for something like Macromedia’s Contribute. That would suit your needs a lot more. It’s still pricey but a better investment if you only want updates as well as to share an ability for the others to update certain bits of your site.
OK. I will shut up now.
Sorry about that. 
It’s a weird hobby of mine, testing and playing with those programs. I do web design, but I’m strictly a hobbyist. I mean, I don’t have any online because it’s just a theraputic hobby for myself alone. 
by Maili December 30th, 2004 at 2:50 amOh, my god.
I didn’t realise it was that long. I’m really sorry. 
by Maili December 30th, 2004 at 2:51 amDreamweaver girl here.
by Alison Kent December 30th, 2004 at 6:49 amPerfectly fine, Maili. Both the blog and message board are meant to be interactive, so I like long replies!! It’s one of the things I like about WP too. It allows people free rein in their comment length!! LOL Thank you for the info. I agree. I don’t want a program that has tons of bells and whistles I’ll never use. (More stuff for me to mess up.
) Genevieve has a hard enough time as it is with me.
I do however like the split screen in FrontPage 2003. With FP2000 I had to tab between to see what I did. (Important for a cut and paster like me.
)
by SylviaI’m with Maili…I’ve never liked Frontpage either. Never tried Dreamweaver (someday) and I’ve tried a lot of the ones that Maili has–not really a hobby but just finding something affortable that has what I want. I use CoffeeCup. It’s very basic and it does what I want.
I learned HTML by literally staring at it (I used to volunteer on an adoption registry) and I’m a very hands on learner (and yes one of those people who puts stuff together while GLARING at the destructions
and cries and kicks things). It took me FOREVER to figure out CSS 
I know I should be so ashamed…..but I guess that’s why I’m so resistant to “bells and whistles”
Not that they’re bad, I just don’t work like that.:roll:
by Cece December 30th, 2004 at 10:48 amThanks, Sylvia, for making me feel better.
Almost all authoring programs have the split screen [HTML/preview] these days, including free ones - 1st Page, Arachnophilia, HTML Kit and many more.
If you ever get into a mood of trying one out, go for 1st Page. Or indeed, Cece’s suggestion, CoffeeCup. I think my problem with that one is if it’s free version, you get a CoffeeCup logo embossed, I think? Paid version isn’t that expensive. Its biggest advantage is it offers a wide range of products - you name it, it has it.
Cece - CSS … *scweam* I’m having fun with it, but the biggest problem is figuring out how to put an image where I want it to be. I love what CSS has to offer, but after two or three years, I haven’t got quite the hang of it, which is *really* annoying.
by Maili December 30th, 2004 at 11:18 amMaili~ I have GoLive, but I have no clue how to use it!!!
I am a web dummy for sure, as both Sylvia and Cece can attest to since they help me step by step every time I need to do an update. I now use CuteFtp professional to do my udates. It seems pretty basic, but I still cringe every time I try somethign becaseu I’m worried about messing something up.
by Sasha December 30th, 2004 at 12:11 pmSasha…..back up before you change anything
Maili by the time I master CSS it’ll be pseudo obsolete knowing my luck LOL….coffee cup is reasonable and comes with a built in ftp program….
by Cece McScrooge December 30th, 2004 at 8:15 pmDon’t waste your money. I made your site without it!
by Genevieve December 30th, 2004 at 10:52 pmI got a brand new Dreamweaver 3/Fireworks 3 (this is an older version that came out in 1999/2000 I think) on ebay for less than $30 including shipping. The company has tons of them and requires that you be a student or teacher. I am a student, and the listing says they require a fax of some proof of that. However, they never asked me for the proof. They just shipped it right out.
I have had it for a few months, and I’m supposed to be teaching myself how to use it (yeah, right!). It did come with a training manual that looks pretty good.
by Toni December 31st, 2004 at 1:25 pmIf you’re uncomfortable with HTML or, more importantly, a busy interface, stick with Front Page. It may produced bloated code, but it’s easy to use and sometimes that’s all that matters.
I’ve been using Dreamweaver for about two years now, and I’m still not fully accustomed to the program and its features — but it was available for PC and Mac so it was the best option for me.
by Mariann January 1st, 2005 at 5:44 pm