Hand coding vs FrontPage, et al

Which is easier or more reliable?

[gstick]

I started using FrontPage. I found that some browsers/screen combinations were not receiving things the way they looked on my screen. I also found that FrontPage seemed to use a hodge podge of code that I couldn't quite figure out.

I learned that by the time I learned all the FP work-arounds that I might as well just learn html and css and do it.

It seems to me that if you plan your style sheets and formats that you can simplify and reduce your coding work quite a bit. I am still hand coding everything but wonder what I might be missing.

Are the translaters really that big a time saver?

[ChadSEO]

gstick,

I think WYSIWYGs are a good way to learn HTML, but I use a text editor for everything I do. I probably takes a little longer, but most graphical editors seem to add a lot of unnecessary code. For compatibility, I always design everything for Firefox, then when I have it the way I want, test in IE/Opera/others. I find it's much easier to code for a standards-compliant browser like FF, then tweak for IE, than the other way around. Hope this helps, and good luck!

Chad

[TechnoGeek]

Hello, gstick.
The translators (as you call them--usually called WYSIWYG editors) ARE time savers. But, as everything in this life, you must pay for the time you save. What you pay in this case is that you are limited to accept what they have to offer. You said: "FrontPage seemed to use a hodgepodge of code that I couldn't quite figure out." When you use one of the things you must swear beforehand not to try to look what they do. You must relate with them through the interface that they provide. If you to try to peek what they do, then you are not the right client for this kind of things.
Best regards.

[frenzy77]

Hey gstick:)

It would probably be best to learn HTML programming and CSS programing. The reason is you will be able to control everything alot easier. Also those other programs create way too much code and that can slow your page loads. If you use CSS you can reduce the excess litter code and increase the speed of your pages loading. This way visitors will not need to wait as long for your pages to load and you will
keep visitors rather than lose them due to the long waits that can sometimes occur. Visitors don't like to wait around for pages to load and usually leave and find a better site that loads quickly.

Hope this helps:)

frenzy77

[Matt Probert]

I started using FrontPage. I found that some browsers/screen combinations were not receiving things the way they looked on my screen.

An important point to bear in mind first, is that ALL web pages look different to different users. The variety of web browsers, monitors, screen resolutions and viewport sizes, and font sizes means that it is futile to wish for a web page to look the same to any two users. Keep this in mind, and be content with pages looking OKAY to different users and you will save yourself a lot of uneccessary stress.

Matt

[gstick]

I hadn't quite realized that there are things called text editors, that is, besides Notepad. What can these editors do that improves on note pad? what's the best way to find out about them, just a Google search?

[Little_G]

Hi,

What can these editors do that improves on note pad?

Text editors designed for editing code usually offer 'Syntax Highlighting' which I find makes writing code much easier.
Personally I use Crimson Editor [crimsoneditor.com] for HTML and everything else.

Andrew

[TechnoGeek]

Hi, gstick.
Text editors are, as the name says, intended to produce text files but not of the word processing type: just plain, raw ASCII text. In this respect, they are similar to Notepad. However, they offer far more features that are of value to the programmer. They can edit very large files. Many files can be edited simultaneously. Text can be dragged and dropped between files, and to other applications. In addition to the usual cut and paste facilities, you can correct typing errors with commands to change case, and transpose words, characters and lines. Other commands let you indent blocks of text, reformat paragraphs, and insert whole files. Any change can be undone or redone. Frequently used combinations of commands can be saved as keystroke macros. Finally, your text can be spell checked.
You can look for text editors at popular download sites like "download.com".
Cheers.

[jbinbpt]

Something in the middle of WYSIWYG and a text editor is HTML-Kit. It's a beefed up text editor. Cool features, but shy on documentation.