Microsoft WebMatrix

welshdragon · 15 Jan 2011 at 16:56

Official blurb:

"WebMatrix is a brand new web development tool from Microsoft that includes everything you need for website development. Start from open source web applications, built-in web templates or just start writing code yourself. It’s all-inclusive, simple and best of all free. Developing websites has never been easier"

http://www.microsoft.com/web/webmatrix/

Just downloaded this as I'm looking to learn how to build/programme my own website. This seems a nice gentle introduction.

Anyone esle seen this and what do they think?

Beansprout · 15 Jan 2011 at 17:01

I've not tried it but haven't yet found anything which can beat Wordpress with a few plugins, good to see competition though!

welshdragon · 15 Jan 2011 at 17:14

This has wordpress as a sort of plug in and built in server functionality I think. They've gone down the partial open source route. Looking forward to giving it a whirl.

lemonade · 16 Jan 2011 at 01:12

Just installed it, seems like basically a local server for web dev like WAMP or XAMPP, but of course geared towards more MS line of software. Feels bloated with the user panel, interesting none the less, will try it out more in the day.

welshdragon · 16 Jan 2011 at 15:38

Nice as an intor though? Been wanting to learn some web development for a whiel and this seems a nice easu way to get started with coding/building a website and concepts regards hsoting etc?

Mr-White · 16 Jan 2011 at 16:06

I've been coding my own site for the last few weeks by hand in ccs & html. As i'm not a pro this could have come in handy. Is it possible to open up existing html files and continue ?

MW

GravyMonster · 16 Jan 2011 at 16:27

Not looked into this, but the code on the homepage looks a lot like the new Razor view engine for MVC3.

welshdragon · 17 Jan 2011 at 22:54

Anyone had a play around with this yet?

ZombieFan · 19 Jan 2011 at 13:50

I haven't used it yet, but I have found a tutorial on how to set up a wordpress blog using it. It seems to make it very simple and quick to get a new site up and running... Quite impressive - http://www.asp.net/webmatrix/tutorials/your-first-website-using-webmatrix

It even seems to automatically download, install and configure MySql for you if you haven't got it installed.

ZombieFan · 19 Jan 2011 at 14:00

Mr-White said:
I've been coding my own site for the last few weeks by hand in ccs & html. As i'm not a pro this could have come in handy. Is it possible to open up existing html files and continue ?

MW

Seems to be. There is an option on the main welcome screen to open 'Site from Folder' on the right...

WindowsLiveWriter_YourFirstWebsiteUsingWebMatrix_13C26_image04_4.png

welshdragon · 19 Jan 2011 at 22:05

ZombieFan said:
I haven't used it yet, but I have found a tutorial on how to set up a wordpress blog using it. It seems to make it very simple and quick to get a new site up and running... Quite impressive - http://www.asp.net/webmatrix/tutorials/your-first-website-using-webmatrix

It even seems to automatically download, install and configure MySql for you if you haven't got it installed.

Cheers for that. Also links to some other guides that have been duely bookmarked. Much obliged kind sir!

welshdragon · 2 Feb 2011 at 13:53

lemonade said:
Just installed it, seems like basically a local server for web dev like WAMP or XAMPP, but of course geared towards more MS line of software. Feels bloated with the user panel, interesting none the less, will try it out more in the day.

How have you been getting on with the mate? General opinions anyone?

welshdragon · 14 Feb 2011 at 17:18

Has anyone else bene using this and what are your thoughts?

UncleBensSauce · 14 Feb 2011 at 20:24

It seems quite nice, its clean and simple (but quite heavy!) - and it integrates nicely with MS Visual Web-Developer Express - which is probably all most people need.

I can see its advantages if your just starting out in web-design, but don't be under the illusion that you "need" it. Yeah sure this can get you up and running with a CMS in about 3 mins, but will you have any idea what its done for you?

6/10

welshdragon · 15 Feb 2011 at 21:25

Yeah I'm just getting started so its nice to have a package that holds your hand with most things while I get my head around many of the technologies. Thinking of it as 'training wheels' for now.