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He's not at all technical right now, hence something he can drag and drop with - ie, work in a preview mode rather than code. I'm sure once he gets to enjoying it he'll want to do more and get into the code, but I want to avoid scaring him (and his dad) off at the start. He's a dogged enough lad I can see him getting right into this, given a chance.
I work in 1stpage myself, and haven't done much editor exploring in recent years... so would really appreciate any suggestions. Feel free to sticky me if more appropriate.
I know you're suggesting a possible wysiwyg tool, though IMO you can get a 100-page book that can teach you all the HTML you'll ever need to build a page.
They would be jealous of his clean, validating, non-redundant code. :) Sometimes these "drag and drop" tools can spaghetti-fy good HTML.
else, I would see if he can get a copy of dreamweaver, no doubt you can get this very cheaply as there are newer versions around now.
I'd suggest an older version of FrontPage that does the job. The newer ones are probably too complicated.
Sid
I'd suggest an older version of FrontPage that does the job. The newer ones are probably too complicated.
With all due respect I would suggest the oppisite...if you go the FP route. FP98 made me jump through hoops that FP2003 does not. Versions were also good at mangeling code prior to FP2K.
I would suggest FP2K so you get it on the cheap VS. FP2003. If teh $150 isn't an issue buy the current version.
However, IMHO, I would side with DW and a good online tutorial/FAQ on HTML/XHTML.
If you do go the FP route Pageone has a nice FP setup/tweak guide I am sure he would share ;).
Take care,
Brian
As for learning HTML...if you think he can do it, stick with coding. HTML is easier to learn than math. Just start him on basics like BODY, TABLE, IMG, HREF and then he'll grab everything else on his own. Plus being able to view everything in a preview browser is just as easy as WYSIWYG.
Just hold off on the JavaScript until after HTML is in his blood.
you all reminded me that I've actually got a copy of Frontpage 2000 that's not being used, so I guess I'll give Josh a go on that and we'll see how he copes. :)
You can enter HTML as an object, allowing you to alter it and learn in little chunks. So for example the HTML of an affiliate button is easy, you click "Add object - HTML - a litte box pops up, paste the HTML, click OK", done. Now on the main screen you have an HTML symbol you can just move around with the mouse like any other part of the page.
Annoyingly, my copy is in the UK and I'm in Borneo right now. I'm using the free version at the moment but it sticks adverts on your page. You can only buy it through some site or other now and that site doesn't recognise me as an old customer so cannot download it again without paying for it.
It comes in 3 levels, normal, a higher level that can handle frams and so on, and the webmaster version with various bells and whistles I've never used, though my UK copy is that version.
Standard level costs $28, so cheap too, except I'm skint.
I honestly think it's easier than a word processor - moving text or images around in Word is not so easy, with coolpage you can put them exactly where you want, including 'behind' or in front of other objects, re-sizing is easy.
Pages load fast too, plus it warns you if the page you're saving will take more than 10 seconds to download via a 56k modem.
It's worth studying the instructions for shortcuts and such. I built 200 of my 500 page website before realising that internal links can simply be "/page.html" instead of the full url.
I don't like people watching me update the site in case they see how easy it is! :)
BTW, this is my first post here *waves*
I would and have suggested Netscape Composer as a tool for those with no HTML experience. It is free and easy to use and doesn't load up all the crud in the code like Frontpage express or MS Word converted to HTML.
Easy as an easy thing.
Want to see it in your browser? Click the preview button.
Etc.
If they had an affiliate program I'd really push it, it's a great little program.
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[virtualmechanics.com...]
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