Which to Use now that FrontPage is a Goner?

I'm looking for recommendations on which Development Package to use

[Propools]

I'm looking for recommendations on which Development Package to use now that FrontPage has been given the boot. I'm really looking for just which package to use and why would you use it.

I've been pointed in the Direction of Dreamweaver 8. Should I also get Studio 8, which includes Dreamweaver?

[pulszar]

I would absolutely recommend Dreamweaver.. I use it daily and love it compared to anything else, but it all comes down to preference.

You can buy Dreamweaver as a stand alone product. Studio 8 includes Dreamweaver, Flash Professional, Fireworks, Contribute 3 and FlashPaper. If you just need a solid platform to develop web sites, DW will do just fine.

Check out Adobe's website for more info.

[Wlauzon]

Or perhaps even the successor to FP... Expression Web.

Unless you are one of those MS haters, then go with something else.

I personally always disliked DW intensely, but that is just me. IMO, it's CSS support is pretty bad.

[edited by: Wlauzon at 6:30 am (utc) on Oct. 10, 2006]

[Propools]

So if we're down to DW or EW, why would one be better than the other? My primary concern is that I'm not really fond of losing control of my site. I can't say that I've a fan or basher of either company, I just really don't want to be so tightly integrated that the ultimate control of the site is handed over to the "canned software company". Now, we could say that if that's the case, then code it by hand.

OK, no problem but I don't have the time. I'm just looking for something that more than anything else is RELIABLE. From what I've seen in the past w/ MS, it's not the most stable and/or secure platform to work in.

I wonder if this issue might be addressed in Vegas?

[SteveWh]

There's always the option of sticking with FrontPage. I expect the Extensions will be around for a long time, and even if they go by the wayside, that's just another excuse to get away from using them. FP itself can still be used for development. I expect to continue to use FP for quite a while but will switch to FTP publishing if necessary.

I know what you mean about stability, though. FP has some weird quirks that a program of its advanced age shouldn't still have.

As far as proprietary methods go, you can most likely assume MS will continue to try to steer users in the direction of its own proprietary methods that only its products support. I don't know anything about DW, but I don't know any argument why they wouldn't also do the same. Once upon a time we had the O/S wars, then the browser war (still ongoing); soon it will be the webpage development war, with each company not just looking for a big market share, but a monopoly, and doing everything they can to lock users in and prevent them from escaping.

[pulszar]

I probably don't use DW the way it was designed so my defense of it may not be of any help. I hand code from within the app, really just making use of auto-completing code, live data view, site management, file management, and a few of the quick tag edits. There is alot more to DW than my use of it but everyone kind of has its own style.

I haven't used FP in years but at the time I became a full on DW guy, FP was an atrocious program. I don't know what its like now, but I have no reason to switch.

If you really hate the idea of leaving the FP platform, I'm sure the next web development app from MS will cater to FP users with site integration or something similar. There are alot of FP users out there and though I'm no MS fan, I doubt they would leave all those FP users in the dust.

[Fortune Hunter]

I use DW and own the full studio. I love it and find it one of the best packages around for web development. I know there are purists out there that hand code and such, but I am in this for the money and for speed, ease of use, and a host of other factors nothing beats DW in my book.

I pretty much have DW and Fireworks open everyday all day long and have used both programs extensively.

Fortune Hunter

[ballada]

Hi, for my 2 cents worth, I've been using a program called Xsite Pro. It's not a bad program and has a number of features like breadcrumbs, sitemap, CSS etc.and it is really easy to use.

Dominique

[europeforvisitors]

FrontPage isn't a "goner"--it just won't have any new versions, since Expression Web is taking its place.

The most logical migration path (if you don't want to stick with FP2003) would be Expression Web, which is currently available as a free beta download and has received favorable comments in this and other threads in the WYSIWYS and Text Editors Forum:

[webmasterworld.com...]

[netchicken1]

I only use frontpage to hold my site for editing. I use the free Topstyle lite for the CSS, and still have yet to find a program that beats it. It has a great layout system.

Then I just refresh different browsers at once to see the new page.

I tried Expression, and although its good, nothing seems to beat Topstyle for the ease of use and the abililty to see all the styles at once.

So the end of Frontpage makes no difference to me.

[Mr Bo Jangles]

I have older copies of DW and FireWorks and I use DW *exactly* as pulszar says he does - 99% hand coding within DW.

I recently looked at the cost of upgrading my copies - OUCH! MacroMedia was never cheap, and Adobe are really expensive (and make crappy software if their awful pdf stuff is an example).

What about purchasing a not-too-old edition of DW on e-bay - that might be a good/clever solution?

Oh, and I use TopStyle for CSS.

[edited by: Mr_Bo_Jangles at 9:40 pm (utc) on Oct. 29, 2006]