Can't Use FrontPage: Need Another Option

[Aurelius]

I know a little about using FrontPage 2003 as that's my first webdesign software. I bought some eBooks and some CD-ROM's on how to use it. Now that I'm starting to understand more, my webhost company will stop supporting FrontPage extensions this coming July. I am now in need of a new webdesign software to do my development. :td:

My first thoughts were to try MS Expression Web 2 as it's still a MS product hoping the interface will still be similar.

My second choice was to see what Dreamweaver is about. I never viewed it or tried it, so I'm a the mercy of your opinions.

What do you think of these 2 choices and which one do "you" prefer to use and why?

I know how to FTP and set up folders, etc, but that's about it. I can publish sites and the usual smaller easier stuff. Beyond that then I go to forums to get help. LOL!

Your thoughts on these to webdesign software programs is much appreciated.

Thanks,

Aurelius

 

[regan]

Dreamweaver is little complicated than Frontpage, but is very powerful and amazing software for web designing. You will have to look around for a while to get used to it. Well, I think you can do it,if you try.

Good luck!

 

[shockie]

i'm also a fan of dreamweaver (i have both).

 

[nasaboy007]

Dreamweaver, hands down. It has many more features, and it has really useful things like the whole site ftp integration, where you can automatically connect via ftp and it will sync your files for you (basically what frontpage extensions did, without the need of any serverside installations/setting changes).

the code coloring is also extremely useful for when you become more advanced and start doing scripting, etc, and i also believe the WYSIWYG part of it is much more standards compliant than any ms product.

 

[Morph]

NVU is a reasonably good free alternative, dream weaver has a free trial you can get.

 

[SeanPreston]

Well, you have 2 choices...

1) Change Host, there are many that support Frontpage.

2) Use a program like Dreamweaver, Many don't realize how easy it is to export a HTML page in Photoshop. I'm a web designer myself and a few years ago my main method was to design a page in photoshop slice (google it) it and then export as HTML, you can then open the page in Dreamweaver.

Sean

 

[BrianOconor]

Yes I even feel Dreamweaver is more complicated than Frontpage. U can try changing the host and make sure it supports Frontpage. But Dreamweaver is available in trial, thats a real boost!

 

[JasMate]

If you can afford dreamweaver go for it! Simply put I have been using dw for 5 years now and there is no substitute. I did try others but nothing has the power & simplisity of dw. You may be able to get your hands on an older copy for cheap. I use 2004 version today and it still good.

 

[domaintrader85]

if you just want to change minor things, front page is an excellent tool..If you want to do some serious web designing and you do not have much skills in it, then dreamweaver works like magic..give a shot to it

 

[Aurelius]

I absolutely forgot about posting this here. LOL! Sorry.

Thank you very much for the feedback. The host company said they won't be supporting FrontPage "extensions" anymore. They went on to say, 3 different times!..., what exactly what that meant, but I didn't understand them.

So I got someone higher up in their support system to have a look at the script/code in some of my sites and he said I'm not using extensions. I explained I do simple web design and am doing nothing fancy.

He said I could keep using my sites as they are. I also found out several host companies are doing the same with FrontPage.

Thanks,

Aurelius

 

[ARonald]

The webhosts are switching away from frontpage server extensions. So you do not have anything to worry about.

Just for information sake,you can upgrade frontpage to Microsoft expression web 2 for $99. You can try the trial version of both the softwares before choosing one. Expression Web 2 is much more sophisticated than frontpage.

 

[simpsons]

If you are used to Frontpage, You should try Microsoft Expression Web. It's like Frontpage but includes much more and does NOT need frontpage extentions but you can if you wish.

 

[BadBoy House]

i went from Frontpage to Dreamweaver a few years ago - and it was a great move. i wouldnt use anything else.

 

[lizmarcus7]

Dreamweaver here also.
That's what we're using here.
We studied dreamweaver and for me it is very user friendly.

 

[dalex]

Dreamweaver is the best wysiwyg editor available in our opinions. Dreamweaver is made by the same company "Adobe" as flash, photoshop, fireworks, illustrator and the likes.

We use to use front page several years ago however found it too limiting to our capabilities. The code is not always clean however can be fixed with the knowledge of html, xhtml or what ever your preferred coding language is.

NVU is probably your best bet if you are looking for a free alternative.

Microsoft Expression Web is a newer product similar to dreamweaver however we have heard that dream weaver still gets the best award.