Is there an alternative to Frontpage for Windows Server 2008

[Kendo]

It's time for me to upgrade from Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008 but Frontpage extensions are no longer native. I've had a play with the RTR FPSE solution but doubt if I'll sort the errors before the evaluation period runs out... I don't need Sharepoint or .Net as all sites are Classic ASP.

So I am wondering what other options are available for editing html on Windows Server 2008 sites?

[dstiles]

I always used to use HTML-Kit on Windows - never used FP. For preference, use Filezilla to upload the edited sites to the server.

[Kendo]

Can any of these other apps download a page from the server, edit it and save it back to the server without having to login every time... maintain a session for live editing that doesn't time out while you take a breather?

[dstiles]

I have never found a reason to download a file from a web site to modify it. I've been creating web sites for 15 years or so. I ALWAYS keep a copy on a local server, test changes on that server and only upload via FTP when I know it's working.

If I have to work on a site previously written by someone else I download the complete site via FTP, make changes then upload it again.

[Kendo]

In that case I feel very privileged, because I have been editing online (live) since 1998 and find doing it any other way a tedious chore.

Imagine this scenario... something is not quire right on a page with layout or script, you load the page in Microsoft Sharepoint Designer from the web site, correct the code and click "save". Then you can view the updated page in your browser straight away.

The same WYSIWYG editor can list broken links, and you can change a link and have it updated sitewise at the click of a button.

I was depressed when I started this post as I wasn't looking forward to editing any other way. Microsoft bundled Frontpage extensions with Windows Server 2000 and 2003 but dropped it in Windows Server 2008. But now there's a third party provider for Frontpage extensions. Installation is not simple and hence my frustration, but after some tips from their support, I have it up and running better than I have seen it in previous versions.

The installer and support is provided from Ready To Run Software... [rtr.com...]

[JohnNZ]

Whilst the method dstiles suggests may be a longer process than editing on live. I would certainly hesitate in editing live code directly. You are effectively testing your changes in the live environment. You don't say what your situation is, working on your own sites, managing sites for others, etc. But whatever the situation you are leaving yourself open to a whole world of pain if you get something wrong.

I've worked for in web dev for quite a while and as a developer for others, I'm usually not even allowed near live servers let alone be able to update anything on them.

Anyway back to your query though. I occasionally use FileZilla to view files on my servers. I believe you can edit them through this with just the one login to start the session.

[Kendo]

I am editing both in-house and client sites and working live. Editing complex ASP functions is not a problem if you know what you are doing. If in doubt I create a duplicate of the page until it tests ok.

I also have sites on Linux servers and find it too tedious to work locally and then upload, that's if the design/layout is already established, in which I use the file manager in Webmin and edit the html onsite.

Either way there is no great danger as straight away you can see if it works or not and within 10-15 seconds undo what you did or correct it.

[Kendo]

Picture this scenario... you have 10 or more sites displaying the same content, such as a third party ad or iFrame, and that content needs changing. If you are not at the computer that has the latest backup of those sites, then editing locally and then uploading could be a catastrophe. Also locating the local folders, editing the file and then FTP uploading to each site is a huge chore, even if your FTP settings are optimised with local and online start folders, and mistakes can be easily made like uploading to the wrong site. Whereas it only takes a few seconds to log in using Sharepoint Designer, load the file, edit and save takes a few more seconds, while already thinking about which one to do next.

[bwnbwn]

Each as their own way of working what works great for you is see as a problem for others. No need in explaining how you do it you found the fix and posted it for others. Thanks for the info I am sure it will help others that edit as you do.

[g1smd]

FTP? How quaint.

I'd be editing a local copy of the files, initially testing changes via localhost or similar, then committing those changes to a local Git repository and pushing to remote, or else committing directly to a remote Subversion repository. The remote repository also doubles as the test or dev server for further testing. Once tests were complete, the code would then be copied to the live server.

With version control in place, all historical changes can be reviewed along with who made those changes.

[hal12b]

If you are looking at HTML-KIT, you may want to look at CoffeeCup's product also. I have downloaded it and tried it out about a year ago. It seemed pretty robust, but if you program in ASP.net, it won't work for you (HTML-KIT either).
But just an FYI, we are on Windows Server 2008 and have FP installed. We also just use FTP and can use Expression Web and Visual Web Developer.

[particleman]

No one has mentioned yet but Microsoft is pushing web deploy for everything new including Azure. It integrates with visual studio. I'm moved over to it and it does work really well.

[wingnut]

Try [pagelime.com...]

[Kendo]

Pagelime is just another CMS. It is not editing individual pages in the sense that MS Sharepoint does. With CMS you are merely adding/editing middle-page content like in a forum post.

[bill]

As mentioned earlier Expression Web was the successor to FrontPage. Microsoft stopped developing Expression Web, but you can download a full copy for free now. It's still a good WYSIWYG tool.

[wingnut]

Then use something like dreamweaver which has a good site management environment built in.

[dataguy]

I spent 10 years in FrontPage... In many ways it got me to where I'm at today, but I could never go back.

Dreamweaver will do what you want. In fact, Dreamweaver can be set to FTP the changes to your web server by simply hitting Ctrl-S, AND it will save a copy locally.

I live in Visual Studio these days, but I long for the days when I could just hit Ctrl-S.