Reformat or Dreamweaver

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Reformat or Dreamweaver

NeedScripts

10:41 am on Jan 14, 2003 (gmt 0)

For some reason I am unable to open FrontPage XP on my computer. Becuase of this error I am *totally* blocked from doing work - as I create/update/delete? ;) all the sites using FrontPage - but now? :(

So I am faced with 2 options

1) Reformat the HD (45GB) and reinstall FP with all other softwares (what a pain in a bu*t)

2) Open up Dreamweaver and start using it. (or try to learn)

What would you guys do? I have tried all what I can do to make FP work, but I think there is some problem that I cannot fix :(

is Dreamweaver worth the switch? or I should continue with the Reformat of the HD?

NeedScripts

10:45 am on Jan 14, 2003 (gmt 0)

Can mod please update the description for the post

Reforma -> Reformat

Thanks. :)

BlobFisk

10:52 am on Jan 14, 2003 (gmt 0)

This might be an obvious question, but have you tried just reinstalling FrontPage again? There may not be a need to reformat your HD.

NeedScripts

11:04 am on Jan 14, 2003 (gmt 0)

I have tried:

1) Detect & Repair Office
2) Delete FP and Install FP
3) Reinstall Office

But nothing good happen :(

BlobFisk

11:12 am on Jan 14, 2003 (gmt 0)

Ouch! I think that leaves you with the tough decision of whether FrontPage is necessary to you (do you make use of FP extensions on your site?). If you already have Dreamweaver on your machine and everything else is working perfectly (is it?!) then it may save a lot of hassle making the transition. Please note, I am biased towards Dreamweaver!

It's very much a personal choice on your own needs: Do you have the time to go through the learning curve of a new app? Is FP a requirement, or can you do without it? I'll bet you have a lot of files to backup before you can reformat!

But, yes, Dreamweaver is worth the switch! What version do you have?

Andrew Thomas

11:13 am on Jan 14, 2003 (gmt 0)

Ive used both Frontpage and Dreamweaver, but once I used Dreamweaver i never went back to Frontpage - Dreamweaver isnt to hard to learn, and I much prefer it to frontpage - but that only my opinion...

limbo

11:26 am on Jan 14, 2003 (gmt 0)

Go for DW needscripts!

I first learnt frontpage when I began to tinker with the web. Then I got a job with an AD agency - the only used DW - I learnt it and have not looked back. I went so far as to uninstall frontpage from my PC at home and replace it with the Dreamweaver suite.

Go get it!

NeedScripts

11:57 am on Jan 14, 2003 (gmt 0)

I guess I can surely try DW and see how things are going :)

It seems like DW is pretty good, but I have some questions, I was wondering if you guys can help me out?

1) How to remove image preload js code. I mean, I don't want on anypage, how do I do it?
2) Also, FP lets me include/insert page (similar to ssi, but without ssi), can I do the same with DW?
3) And last but not least, I use FP Extentions for form mailer, I don't thin DW has such feature, but please say that I am wrong ;)

BlobFisk

12:15 pm on Jan 14, 2003 (gmt 0)

I don't think that you'll regret the move to DW!

How to remove image preload js code. I mean, I don't want on anypage, how do I do it?

If I read your question correctly, you can just manually remove any code that you don't want in the Code View screen within DW. It;s hard to guess what format your code is in, ie within the <head></head> tags or in an external .js file. It's just a matter of removing all traces and calls of and to that code. Often, rollover code is present in the <body> tag too (onLoad="preLoadMyImages()"), as well as on the <a> tag.

Also, FP lets me include/insert page (similar to ssi, but without ssi), can I do the same with DW?

You can indeed! 2 ways:

By hand coding in:
In DW go: Insert>Server-Side-Include

Don't forget that you will need to alter the file extension to one that supports includes (.asp, .php, .shtml...)

And last but not least, I use FP Extentions for form mailer, I don't thin DW has such feature, but please say that I am wrong;)

Here's where it gets tricky! DW (AFAIK) has nothing like FP extensions for handling form mail. However, don't panic! You can get a number of free scripts (cgi, asp, php etc.) that will handle this for you withou much trouble.

If you run into any trouble with any of the above, just ask in the WYSIWIG forum [webmasterworld.com] (for Dreamweaver stuff) or Website Technology Forum [webmasterworld.com] or ASP Forum [webmasterworld.com] (for the form mailer stuff), and you'll get pointed in the right direction quickly!

NeedScripts

12:29 pm on Jan 14, 2003 (gmt 0)

I don't think that you'll regret the move to DW!

Since my first post of this thread, I am working on DW, and it seems pretty good :)

About Preload Code
Is there any option in preferences, where I can say that I don't want this code to appear anywhere on any pages. I understand, I can edit/remove it from sourcecode, but I dont' want it for good, can I do this from preferences or any plugins?

Also, FP lets me include/insert page (similar to ssi, but without ssi), can I do the same with DW?

Hum... I guess, FP is better then DW in this case. Cuz, if you use Page Include function in FP then you are not actually using ssi or any server side stuff, and, I am pratically using this function on all my sites for different navigation and similar content - I tried doing this with templte, but it seems like Page Include is the best way to this - I hope DW also have such feature.

About Form Mailer
I guess, if DW don't have it, then I will have not other option but to use other scripts - but that is not a problem.

Laisha

1:42 pm on Jan 14, 2003 (gmt 0)

I think a combination of #1 and #2. :)

I am of the opinion that a good reformatting never hurt anybody. In fact, I suggest doing so at least three times a year. I just finished my ritual New Years reformat.

I would also opine that Dreamweaver is the best route to take. I am a fairly recent convert, and I remember well that I was befuddled by the learning curve, but it was indeed well worth it, IMHO.