[Volusia Norm]

First, I would like to thank Peter and also pick his brain. I have been using Microsoft Front Page 2003 since it came out and there has been no upgrades to it. In those five years I am sure there are some improvements they could have made. Is there an alternative to using Front Page for our web design that any of you use or recommend. I am mostly looking to the near future of a re-do on the site and trying to get new ideas. The "publish site" feature is easy to use in Front Page but I would like to see other web page design features. Thanks in advance.
Norm/Volusia Region AACA Webmaster [img]<>/smirk.gif[/img]
www.aaca.org/volusia

[Moepar]

I do a website for our local Mopar club (not a part of AACA). There are lots & lots of opinions about what programs are good, better & best.

I had started off with MS Frontpage, but now use Macromedia Dreamweaver 8 (there is now a newer version out as I have been using this one for a few years). I like certain aspects about it better, like the Macromedia Fireworks (their photo editing program) will fire up once you tell Dreamweaver you want to edit a photo in the site your building. Pretty cool.

But, like anything else, it's something you need to play with to familiarize yourself with it.

The only thing I see about Frontpage is that not every server will support certain MS extensions. However I never ran into a problem with that when I used Frontpage.
If you know anyone who uses Dreamweaver, I would suggest looking at it on their computer before I decided to give the MS program the boot. If you really really like the Frontpage, maybe consider getting an upgrade to the newest version (mine is older than yours - 2002 - so I couldn't offer a comparison).

[R W Burgess]

Let me say that I know near nothing about web sites, although here's a rumor going around that I will be studying hard on this subject after the New Year. [img]<>/frown.gif[/img]

That said, may I add that my son Mike took a college level class in web design and finished with the opinion that "Dreamweaver" was hands on the favorite when compared to "Front Page". I've done a couple minor things to the Northern Neck Region's web site and after working with it, I'm not pleased with the backgrounds(wall paper), the link setups, and other things that escape me now.

Did someone say the meek shall inherit the earth? You sure, in my case, that wasn't the ignorant? [img]<>/smile.gif[/img]

Wayne
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[novaman]

There is no "new" FrontPage, 2003 was the last for it. Microsoft had replaced it with Microsoft Expression Studio. If you keep the site simple, Frontpage still works fine. Although you may want to complimwnt it with other things. For the NC Region site had used Flash to greate .gif files for antimation. I could have done the whole site that way put anyone visting the site would have to have a flash player installed. Therefore I stuck to the .html format of Frontpage.

[stock_steve]

Originally Posted By: novaman

...I could have done the whole site that way put anyone visting the site would have to have a flash player installed. Therefore I stuck to the .html format of Frontpage.

I agree. I think that *content* is way more important than flashy visual features.

It is also my opinion that antique auto folks (well, speaking for myself anyway!) can sometimes not be quick to upgrade to the latest computers, computer browsers, etc., and therefore, a simpler format may allow more people to be able to take advantage of the information you're presenting.

[R W Burgess]

Good point Steve!

Wayne

[Moepar]

Also, keeping the flash to a minimum allows for faster load times. Especially important if your in a more rural area (like my area) where your members may not have dsl (in my county, about 1/3 to 1/2 have some form of dsl - the rest of the county its dial up only). All sizzle with no steak is not appealing.

[R W Burgess]

That's better than our Region, Dawn. We are in the area of 20% membership that even have a computer.

"Web Site? What's that???" [img]<>/blush.gif[/img] [img]<>/smile.gif[/img]

Wayne

[imported_bill pritchett]

Wayne,
Don'y forget to connect with the Ethernet via spiritual means.

[Jim Bollman]

I like simple and cheap (free). I use NVu for major changes, it allows multiple tabbed pages in the editor so you can cut and paste between pages easily. Also has source editing mode for fine tuning when needed. I use the editor built into the SeaMonkey browser for quick updates, it is the same interface as NVu but doesn't have the tab features and it is easier to maneuver to a specific problem since it is full function browser, then just turn on editing when you get in the right spot.