Basic Website Software?

[ryant35]

I'm currently using MS Front Page and it's really easy, but when I want to do something simple like insert a thumbnail for a gallery and line them up like in Photoshop it acts too much like MS Word and doesn't let me do what I want.

It's time to find something better and revamp my website. I don't know HTML or Flash and don't want to learn.

I'm a do-it-yourself-er so I don't want to buy a template, I just want a program that is more involved than Front Page.

I mostly upload galleries created by JAlbum which are complete html files.


Is there program out there that is a little better than Front Page?

[Jonta]

I don't know HTML or Flash and don't want to learn.I'm a do-it-yourself-erBit of a paradox we have here, don't you think?

Seeing as FP is every Webdeveloper's nightmare, there are better programs out there.

Considered Dreamweaver?

Seriously: Best thing is to learn XHTML and CSS. Start at HTMLDog.com for instance

[Sp00ks]

I 2nd Dreamweaver but your probably going to have to at least learn some basic HTML. Just an idea but you could use some blogging software (Wordpress or similar) to create a front page. That can be a nightmare for security though.

[Moppie]

If you have your own webhost, but don't want to get involved with scripting your own site, then have a look at installing wordpress.

Incrediably easy to use, and infinitly customisable.

[Jethro790]

MS FrontPage, now known as MS SharePoint is horrible. Trust me, if you can get your hands on Dreamweaver you will be amazed at how much better and cleaner it is.

[dipps]

i have frontpage and dreamweaver, and while dreamweaver is the better package, i "grew up" on frontpage, and am more familiar with how it works, so it's the one i use most often for basic editing. i also use kompozer, which is free, and something you might want to check out if financials are an issue.

http://kompozer.net/

[Jonta]

MS FrontPage, now known as MS SharePoint is horrible. Trust me, if you can get your hands on Dreamweaver you will be amazed at how much better and cleaner it is.Hmm, never used FP (now SP (old marketingstrategy: Product bad? Change the name)) myself, but have read articles where you just knew the author was having severe brainhemorrhages because of using it. DW might get you cleaner code, but WYSIWYG will always try to add extra code to "help you". Get the cleanest and best from doing it yourself. After all; you are DIY..

[brecklundin]

Stop use the WYSIWYG UI in FP and edit and learn HTML.

The last versions of FP are just fine and you don't need the crappy FP extensions if you don't want them as once was the case. I forget where the setting is in FP 2003 but you just need to specify what HTML model and code format you want to use.

Dreamweaver is VERY nice, well before it was assimilated by Adobe, and I like but you have a perfectly good tool to build websites so why spend more money since it sounds as if you are not using it to edit the HTML directly, which is how one really builds pages. And it sounds as if you actually do not know how to layout a page in FP as it is, Dreamweaver will be no different since laying out a web page in any of these desktop tools does require some level of understanding of HTML. You can't have it both ways. Either a tool that makes the decisions for you or complete control via HTML itself.

Another GREAT option are the MS Studio Express Editions. 99% of what a casual developer is there in those tools and they are free on top of it, including a free version of SQL Server that works just fine on medium to low traffic websites.

FYI, Dreamweaver is a professional level tool just like Visual Studio and might overall be more than you want as you state you do not want to be bothered learning HTML yet expect complete control over the site/pages. And yes those two wants are sort of unreasonable and in direct opposition. In your case I would agree that one of the current blog-style CMS (content management systems) will be a reasonable option. Smugmug offers some nice features also with their basic theme/templates.

Still take a look at the MS Visual Studio Express Editions they are pretty darn good for free and a good place to learn from.

And just to clarify FP is NOT called MS Sharepoint but rather SharePoint Designer. MS SharePoint itself is an entire server base frameworks and technology/application that was supposed to make life easier for work groups and companies...well, yeah it is awful. hahahaha...but I felt you would benefit to know the difference between the two products.

FYI the new-ish MS product that is supposed to be the next evolution of FP is MS Expressions Web...tried it early and it did not "blow my skirt up" and never tried it again.

[brecklundin]

btw, I would hunt for a nice three column HTMP template and build from there. But you are still going to have to learn at least some HTML to really make it look nice. Otherwise you will never be pleased with the end product. That is why a lot of people will just buy a template that has a variety of skins, or better yet, a full site frameworks.

Oh, I also forgot to add you want to set it to render strict HTML 4.01 code in whatever editor you select, even a good idea in Dreamweaver, to keep out the crap FP likes to cram into the pages.

[ryant35]

Ok I downloaded the trial for Dreamweaver, & the replacement for Front Page from MS. I think it's Expressions.

I will also get an XHTML book and get started learning. I'll see how much I can do with a 6 week old baby at home.

[gfromky]

A free, simple, easy to use HTML editor is Coffee Cup Free html available here:

http://www.coffeecup.com/free-editor/

I've used it forever to design, update, and all the day to day tasks for our church website. It has tabs at the top so when you make a change you can click the preview tab to see it. Great for helping to learn HTML as well, as you can experiment and see changes as you learn.
Hope this helps

[brecklundin]

wow, I did not know Coffee Cup was still around. In it's day it was a really NICE IDE, glad to hear it is still going strong!

[IdahoPics]

I use a service called SquareSpace and LOVE IT!
Very easy to use, no software to purchase because it's all done online. Creating your site is as easy as sending an email (well... almost).

Many cool features built in and superior customer service. I've never waited more than a few hours to get a response back to any questions I've had.

There is link to SS on my site.

[Rayk]

If you want an easy life, why not try this? https://www.clikpic.com/ it works for me, saves all the hard work.

[brecklundin]

btw, I wanted to add that with SmugMug it is completely doable to setup your site to use pretty much any 3rd party payment processor, like PayPal. You can go the simple router with PP and use their basic cart and "buy" buttons. You are not locked into using SmugMug's system at all. But it will take some coding to make it all work. The nice thing about them is the whole unlimited space for images thing as well as a very customizable system. Still has issues though.

I never really gave Zenfolio a fair shot simply because at that point in time, I was tired of hunting for things..fast and 50% off minus another $5 was fine with me for the first year on the Pro account. I just wanted access to every facet of the service to see what I can do with it all. Not looking to sell photo's in any way. Might happen if a blind squirrel ordered a print though. :D

[Thalagyrt]

Notepad. Or something similar. :)