Website Design Software

markyb · 11 Mar 2007 at 19:18

Hey,

Im trying to design a website for a mate, ive done quite a few before and turned out really good. I really want a proffesional page but trying to get something decent out of frontpage is now turning out to be very hard.

I run a band fansite and is doing very well, although the site looks good im very picky when it comes to design and have loads of ideas but most of them are limited by the software I use at the moment.

Would anyone recomend a decent package which I can get to grips with. Ive tried Dreamweaver, but only touched on the surface. Should I continue? What about flash?

Graphics e.t.c. is not a problem. Im so used to Frontpage but really want to ditch it.

Please help, its driving me mad!

masslac · 11 Mar 2007 at 19:19

Dreamweaver, or Notepad++ if you actually want to learn a lot.

1337z0r · 11 Mar 2007 at 19:20

Dreamweaver and use photoshop for logos ect.

durbs · 11 Mar 2007 at 19:22

For web design, you cant beat Dreamweaver, its one of those pieces of software thats a joy to use.

I work with Visual Studio 2003/2005 all day but still keep a copy of Dreamweaver open to do the actual page layout work its just so much nicer.

masslac · 11 Mar 2007 at 19:22

GIMP is more than good enough for banners and buttons etc.

markyb · 11 Mar 2007 at 19:28

Thanks for the comments.

Ill have to have a proper play with Dreamweaver and get used to it. Is it worth creating style sheets?

Im using Photoshop for anything graphic wise.

Any good places to learn Dreamweaver on the net?

masslac · 11 Mar 2007 at 19:28

markyb said:
Is it worth creating style sheets?

Yes.

markyb · 11 Mar 2007 at 19:30

oh and what Version is of Dreamweaver is preferred?

masslac · 11 Mar 2007 at 19:30

The latest. Adobe are good like that.

durbs · 11 Mar 2007 at 19:33

markyb said:
oh and what Version is of Dreamweaver is preferred?

I stuck with MX Studio and havent needed to upgrade, see if you can get a copy of that anywhere - does everything you'll need.

buachille · 11 Mar 2007 at 19:55

i use adobe golive

Conrad11 · 11 Mar 2007 at 21:36

I suggest learning to code yourself.

I use Notepad++, its rather good.

Inferno99 · 11 Mar 2007 at 21:40

I'd stick with Dreamweaver. It's what a lot of web design companies look for in experience. :cool:

CSS definately.

markyb · 11 Mar 2007 at 22:32

Cheers guys, Ill start learning it

jbloggs · 11 Mar 2007 at 23:27

markyb:

Have used a couple of versions of Dreamweaver, very good indeed, use it in conjunction with Adobe Photoshop CS2 which works well.

It is also worth your time learning the code as well.

Do use CSS. O

Energize · 12 Mar 2007 at 00:01

Never use flash, flash websites are always awful.

masslac · 12 Mar 2007 at 00:36

Energize said:
Never use flash, flash websites are always awful.

This is seriously untrue.

Energize · 12 Mar 2007 at 00:37

I have yet to see a good one.

Syph · 12 Mar 2007 at 09:31

We ditched teaching Frontpage, as although it's very familiar to use next to other MS Office programs, it does have it's limitations. In a school environment, where we have to consider what the kids are going to need post-16, it simply has to be Dreamweaver.

I use sometimes use both though lol.

Cuchulain · 12 Mar 2007 at 09:36

masslac said:
This is seriously untrue.

Yeah flash web sites are fantastic, especially if you're stuck behind a corporate firewall and you're not allowed to install any plugins. They're also great for indexing in google because everyone knows that Google is SO clever it can read all the text content in SWF files. </sarc>