Which website design package should I go for?
Discussion
Hi All,
I wanted to have a go at creating a website, but I am an absolute beginner. Though not a complete computer numpty, I need something user friendly and not too pricey. Doesnt matter if what it kicks out isnt up to the standards of these hallowed pages
Also, are there any good books to go with said package to help me through it?
ta
Jaker
I wanted to have a go at creating a website, but I am an absolute beginner. Though not a complete computer numpty, I need something user friendly and not too pricey. Doesnt matter if what it kicks out isnt up to the standards of these hallowed pages
Also, are there any good books to go with said package to help me through it?
ta
Jaker
jaker said:
I wanted to have a go at creating a website, but I am an absolute beginner. Though not a complete computer numpty, I need something user friendly and not too pricey. Doesnt matter if what it kicks out isnt up to the standards of these hallowed pages
What level of application would you be looking for? Something that does the job for you but perhaps doesn't give you all the control or something that lets you have access to the HTML to do what you want, but with the associated learning curve? I'm more techie than designer, so switch between Notepad and Dreamweaver depending upon what I'm doing, obviously you've got Notepad, but that leaves you with a big learning curve, while Dreamweaver will leave you with a dent in your wallet - so I wouldn't suggest either of those routes.
If you've got MS Office installed you may already have FrontPage available which could be worth a go, but I'd imagine there are much better packages out there that makes things easier and provide templates etc.
Alternatively you could give Microsoft's Expression a go, it's currently at Beta 1, but I've heard some good things about it. It's free for download at the moment.
Dreamweaver is a great package, but IMO it's a bit OTT (both feature and price wise) for just knocking together some pages and it has features that can obstruct you at times even if you understand them.
But if you've got a copy, it's a damn fine bit of software to have in your skill set and one of the few web design packages that enjoys a following of both designers and techies.
But if you've got a copy, it's a damn fine bit of software to have in your skill set and one of the few web design packages that enjoys a following of both designers and techies.
nvu - www.nvu.com/ is very good for a free tool. Definately worth a go before splashing out on the superior but expensive Dreamweaver.
Personally, I think you'll get a much greater sense of achievement if you learn HTML (easy, peasy with lots of good, free tutorials online). This will also reduce your need for fancy-pants software, as you can start off by using Notepad, or even better, a free turbocharged version called Notepad++, which is a bit more swift!
Once you are capable you can then go on to something like Dreamweaver. Learning to built sites straight off with Dreamweaver is a bit like learning to drive in an automatic!
Once you are capable you can then go on to something like Dreamweaver. Learning to built sites straight off with Dreamweaver is a bit like learning to drive in an automatic!
slapmatt said:
Personally, I think you'll get a much greater sense of achievement if you learn HTML (easy, peasy with lots of good, free tutorials online). This will also reduce your need for fancy-pants software, as you can start off by using Notepad, or even better, a free turbocharged version called Notepad++, which is a bit more swift!
Once you are capable you can then go on to something like Dreamweaver. Learning to built sites straight off with Dreamweaver is a bit like learning to drive in an automatic!
Once you are capable you can then go on to something like Dreamweaver. Learning to built sites straight off with Dreamweaver is a bit like learning to drive in an automatic!
I already know html code, seems a bit backward to me when your arranging a page with several sets of tables that are several tables deep
- a WYSIWYG editor is what im after, plus i have to pass over the work to my other half so she can meddle with it. Is it a web designer thing to want to write html code by hand and avoid (religiously) commercial software?
Edited by scorp on Wednesday 27th September 13:55
scorp said:
Is it a web designer thing to want to write html code by hand and avoid (religiously) commercial software?
Not really - it's about the right tool for the job. If your page has alot of tabulated data, say financial figures, then editing it in the WYSIWYG editor of something like Dreamweaver is idea.
However, I'd never build a page from scratch in a tool like that.
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