FCK Editor & Static Pages

Banging my head on my keyboard...

[SusanSJPR]

I am frustrated beyond belief! I did not build my website, but have always maintained it with Front Page. Since Front Page has not become a dinosaur, I felt it was time to update the site.

Our web developer talked me into a "database" site with "static pages." He assured me that this is the way websites are now done and told fairytales of how much easier it would be to maintain my site.

Well, I am completely lost. I went from being able to easily see my site at a glance in Front Page, to seeing a list of static pages. When I upload an image, the only choice I am given is to "Upload to server." I have no control over where it is being saved. If I am linking text, I am not given a choice to search the server for the file that I blindly uploaded, so the result is that I can't link the text.

To create a thumb nail image that will open into a larger one in the public pages of the site, I have to upload the image twice and then link it to itself. SOOOO much more work than Front Page!

I also find the functionability of FCK Editor really flawed because if you happen to hit the X (delete) button, that is strategically located RIGHT NEXT TO the edit button, your page/site is lost forever (it doesn't have a safe page that asks if you are sure you want to delete something).

I am really at a loss. Does anyone know of an easier way (program) to edit my new, "improved" website? Can a website built with static pages be edited with Dream Weaver?

Any help would be appreciated!

[vincevincevince]

It sounds like your database site with 'static pages' is poorly designed. Your developer was right in terms of direction though; you should not be building a large site in FrontPage, Dreamweaver etc. (although they are fine for prototypes and small sites).

Perhaps put together a list of things you would like to see changed or added, and see what your developer is able to help you with. Some of the frustrations you have listed should be easily fixable by an experienced programmer, and make your life somewhat easier!

[SusanSJPR]

Thanks so much for the suggestion, Vince! I appreciate your taking the time to reply.

[vincevincevince]

Re: the easy delete with FCK Editor, I should think you could bypass this by having an automatic backup before any change is made, and a facility somewhere in your control panel to roll something back to its previous state.

[SusanSJPR]

I guess I don't know enough about FCK to know if it has the auto back up capability...

[vincevincevince]

The editor is just a way to provide rich text style editing; the programmer (your developer) builds the bit which does save, create, backup, etc. So; that is under his remit to instruct the server to keep backups.