Web-design software

[SleestakSooner]

Have any of you built your own business web site? I am guessing at least a few of you have.

What do you guys think is the easiest to use software?
Which programs are both affordable and best for transferring your designs to the live site?

Any advice would be awesome as I am about to launch my first one and need help getting it set up.

TIA

[Vaevictis]

What do you guys think is the easiest to use software?

vi

(Yes, that is facetious.)


Which programs are both affordable and best for transferring your designs to the live site?

IMO, just use the ftp client built into Windows, or PuTTY for servers that support SSH.

Completely free, relatively small learning curve.

[SleestakSooner]

Thanks to google I now know what Vi is... glad you were joking!

[Sooner_Havok]

dream weaver, only way to go

[GottaHavePride]

If you want easy, Dreamweaver is the ****. And it handles the uploading for you - you don't need a separate ftp client. It is NOT cheap, though. Worth it if you can get the company to shell out for it, though.

[Sooner_Havok]

If you want easy, Dreamweaver is the ****. And it handles the uploading for you - you don't need a separate ftp client. It is NOT cheap, though. Worth it if you can get the company to shell out for it, though.

I got my copy for pretty cheap :D

[GottaHavePride]

Well, so did I. ;)

[SleestakSooner]

Gonna try building it with a MacBook Pro and still not sure where it will be hosted. Any suggestions?

[SoonerStats]

I use...

HTML Kit (http://www.htmlkit.com/) (free, built-in FTP)

FileZilla FTP Client (http://filezilla-project.org/) (free)

Compare Web Hosts (http://www.comparewebhosts.com/) (one of many host search/directory sites)

CrystalTech (http://www.crystaltech.com/)

Don't use WebHostPlus/1planhost.

[TopDaugIn2000]

I use dreamweaver for myartvideo. love it. easy to use.

[mdklatt]

Dreamweaver is the way to go. I have an older version that uses tables for layout in design mode (:mad:), but I stay in code mode so it's not a problem. Maybe newer versions have moved away from tables.

Whatever you do, do not choose anything from Microsoft.

[Vaevictis]

Because you asked, for very basic starter stuff:

http://www.w3schools.com/html/default.asp
http://www.htmlcodetutorial.com/

Also, do you know what kind of host you're going to be using? (ie, Linux/UNIX or Windows). This will impact how you generate dynamic pages. (ie, php/perl v. ASP)

As you move into dynamic pages, you'll probably want to learn about SQL, also. (Actually, if you're going to do programming at all, you'll probably want to learn about SQL... I can't even begin to describe to you how much easier it makes your life.)

[SleestakSooner]

Thanks guys and gals, I have acquired a copy of Dreamweaver for Mac and will play with it some this weekend. Thanks again Vaevictis for the info!

[TopDaugIn2000]

lemme know if you need any help

[SleestakSooner]

I use...

HTML Kit (http://www.htmlkit.com/) (free, built-in FTP)

FileZilla FTP Client (http://filezilla-project.org/) (free)

Compare Web Hosts (http://www.comparewebhosts.com/) (one of many host search/directory sites)

CrystalTech (http://www.crystaltech.com/)

Don't use WebHostPlus/1planhost.

I went ahead and setup hosting through CrystalTech as it was not expensive and seems to have all I will need.

Interestingly though I received the following email from them today...


We have recently noticed an increase in the number of CrystalTech customers who have been unable to purchase domain names shortly after checking their availability through certain domain name lookup tools on the web. It has come to our attention that one or more Domain Name Registrars may be reserving domains immediately after a search is performed on their websites and then requiring you to purchase the domain name directly through them.

In response, we would like to remind you that you can perform domain availability lookups-or WhoIs searches-through our website located at http://www.crystaltech.com. After an order is placed for new hosting at CrystalTech.com, you can expedite the registration of your domain by contacting the billing department at 1.877.323.4678, option 5 (602.263.0300 local and international). The billing department is available Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM MST. A credit card will be required in order to purchase a new domain name by phone.

Extra Domains (domain pointers) can be registered at any time through the WebControlCenterT as long as you have a valid credit card on file.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or 1-877-323-4678 (local customers may call 602-263-0300), option 2, at any time.

CrystalTech
www.crystaltech.com (http://www.crystaltech.com)

Careful where you do your searches for new web site names!:eek:

[Sooner_Bob]

Nvu (http://www.nvu.com/) is a free alternative to Dreamweaver.

I know folks who use Eclipse (http://www.eclipse.org/webtools/development/) as well.

I usually stick with Homesite or Dreamweaver when I'm writing code for pages here at the office.

Supposedly the new Microsoft web development product is better than FrontPage, but I haven't used it.

[SleestakSooner]

This may be leading to a big promotion for me here at work. The boss has told me he will pay me for as many hours as I want to put into creating new 'sister' sites for our main one. If I am able to start pumping them out he is going to make that my full time job and get me outta tech support!

Thanks to you all for the advice and suggestions! I'll be able to afford season tickets and buy basketball seats I'll never sit in soon!!! ;)

[Sooner_Bob]

Cool . . . I kinda stumbled into doing web design by default myself. I am by no means an expert, but I really enjoy it and learn something new with every new design project.