HTML Program Recommendations?

[Brangwen]

Fellow Members:

I am now the "webmaster" ( ) of an organization. I must update information on a 6-7 page site.

I am asking for recommendations for a HTML program, e.g., Dream Weaver, Frontpage, etc. (I have heard of the aforementioned programs but have never seen nor used them.) I began by using Notepad, but it is way too slow to manipulate text and images, and I cannot see what I'm doing until I convert it to an htm file and open it in a browser.

I require a program reasonably priced with a realistic learning curve that will look nice, as I am extremely busy with my real job.

Thanks for your considerate recommendations ...

Brangwen

PS: I do not particularly care for MS Word, and I do not own it as I'm a WordPerfect user. It would be great if, whatever program is recommended that I end up purchasing, can be purchased and downloaded for immediate use, even a trial version till I get the retail box.

[Droppyale]

Dreamweaver is the answer...

you can download the trial version here www.macromedia.com

[Brangwen]

Droppyale:

Thanks ... I was just viewing that when I decided to check my email. Am I stuck with using MS Word if I choose Dreamweaver? Or is there an alternative built into the program on which to set up pages?

Because my word processor is Word Perfect, do you know if documents produced in WP Office 11 can be utilized for HTML with Dreamweaver?

In fact I was viewing DreamweaverMX ... Have you any idea what the learning curve is like? How steep is it? Will I require a seat-belt?

Have you used the "MX" flavor of Dreamweaver?

Brangwen

[OuTpaTienT]

I can understand how you feel about WordPerfect. I was a die-hard WP5.1 user for many years. I even stuck with it through their versions of WP6.x (which sucked btw).

But when WP was turned over to Corel, then it just fell off the map as far as I'm concerned.

I use Word now. It's no big deal. They are not all that dissimilar. It's not the end of the world having to Word. And it's certainly not difficult. My advice: Deal with it.

[Brangwen]

OuTpaTienT:

I must disagree ... heartily. I too began with WP5.1 (was that the DOS based version?) and I have used v. 8, v. 9, v. 10 and now v. 11. I have tried "migrating" over to MS Word a couple of times (I cannot remember why ...) and after much too much frustration I always come back to WP. With Word, I cannot manipulate the text as I can with WP, and Word is SO bloated with impossible code, etc, etc, etc. At least in WP I can "reveal codes" and make necessary changes quickly.

I suggest the differences may be (1) I am so used to WP and (2) I produce text documents more than anything else, i.e., I do not use WP for graphic work, newsletters, slideshows and so on, though it has those capabilities.

Interesting to point out that WordPerfect is the most popular word processing program for attorneys, and frankly I can see why. But to each his own.

Thx for the feedback.

I just now downloaded the DreamweaverMX and I'll try it for 30 days.

Difference of opinion re: word processors, but wish me luck anyway.

Brangwen

If you want a free HTML editor, and not a WYSIWYG editor like Dreamweaver, try a little prog called HTML Kit.

It is small, neat and quite user friendly. Not as many tools as Dreamweaver or Homesite of course, but does the job a little easier than notepad as it has an inbuilt viewer and a few neat extras. And it's free.

Cheers
Mick

[OuTpaTienT]

Yes that was the DOS based version. I always worked in the "reveal codes" mode. It's good for impressing other people that have no idea what you're doing.

I guess you're right about WP. I'd forgetten how much control it actually gives you. I remember now a few legal documents and forms I once created using WP5.1. There were extremely complex. I don't know if I could the same thing with Word or not.

But I just don't have a need for doing that stuff anymore, so I wasn't thinking along those lines. Well, at least it's nice to know that WordPerfect is still there if I should ever need to go back down that road.

[Droppyale]

I've used dreamweaver 4 and MX versions.... I started as early as 3.

Learning it is not hard at all, the interface is very simple and the program iself has good tutorial and samples included....

dreamweaver is the #1 program for web design... it has been for a while...

U cant go wrong.

there are a lot of websites with tutorials, and resources..... many support forums etc....

what else can u ask for

[Droppyale]

btw... dreamweaver should be able to open websites created in word perfect and WP office 11...

THe only problem is that those programs add unnecessary tags and junk to the code... you could clean it up with dreamweaver.

[VHockey86]

I've used Dreamweaver 3, 4, and MX and I've absolutely loved them. Can be a little tricky but I've had no training/teaching of html and I've been able to figure out how to edit basic code and use the dreamweaver quite well. (dont really know much about php/asp/ etc but whatever).

I've tried using frontpage... and to tell you the truth I hated it, maybe it was just b/c i was so used to dreamweaver but it felt like I was using MS Word with some different tool bars and menus (didnt really seem like a web editor at all). The only downside to dreamweaver is that its quite expensive. A strickly code based editor, such as homesite are good programs too, but if you're just looking to maintain and update a website WYSIWYG editors are going to be much nicer for you.