Hi all. I'm new here and relatively new to web design and am now looking to take my skills onto a new level.

 

As a budding new web designer, I'm now considering which software is best. My assumption was that I'd have to go with Adobe. However, after reading a few comments on here, there are some who consider it to be too expensive given that there are other options out there which could also be better.

 

I was hoping for advice from experienced people who could let me know if you think Adobe is the way to go or recommend any other software.

 

Thank you and grateful in advance

Buy cheap, buy twice...

 

You get what you pay for. You pay a premium for Adobe because it's quality.

 

So many people use it that support for it is really strong. Say you do a Google for "something something tutorial", it's most likely going to be using an Adobe product.

 

It's worth every penny in my opinion.

 

If you're worried about breaking the bank, get an older version. I only update about every 2/3 years myself. You don't need to be super current.

 

You'll get an older one on the bay of e for a nice price and I'm sure you wont be dissapointed.

been using dreamweaver for years and just changed to aptana, its a free one and very good, worth a look!

I use Photoshop and Dreamweaver.

You could save yourself a fair chunk of money, leave Dreamweaver out of the equation, and download yourself a free version of Notepad ++. This has 2 benefits, one being its free, and the second being it will improve your coding skills ten fold. If in a few months you decide to splash out on Dreamweaver, go for it, but the chances are you won't bother, and you'll be a lot better off for going at it in a more manual, hand-coding manner.

 

I use Photoshop on a near daily basis, and I would say if you can stretch to getting yourself a copy, go for it. As TomCash said, it is the industry standard, so will put you in a good stead if and when you decide to start applying for website designer jobs, and most tutorials you will need to find will likely use Photoshop. Saying that, if money is an issue at the moment, GIMP is a free alternative. I haven't used it, but I have heard good things.

 

 

Kyle

You could save yourself a fair chunk of money, leave Dreamweaver out of the equation, and download yourself a free version of Notepad ++. This has 2 benefits, one being its free, and the second being it will improve your coding skills ten fold. If in a few months you decide to splash out on Dreamweaver, go for it, but the chances are you won't bother, and you'll be a lot better off for going at it in a more manual, hand-coding manner.

Notepadd ++ is awesome! Been using it a couple of years now. Could never use anything else now.

 

Don't make websites in Dreamweaver, it's the devil.

When you say don't make websites with Dreamweaver, Do you mean don't use it as a WYSIWIG editor or don't use it as the code editor.

When you say don't make websites with Dreamweaver, Do you mean don't use it as a WYSIWIG editor or don't use it as the code editor.

 

Don't use it as a WYSIWIG. At least, not when your first starting out.

When you say don't make websites with Dreamweaver, Do you mean don't use it as a WYSIWIG editor or don't use it as the code editor.

Don't use WYSIWYG full stop. You'll become a better developer and designer if you understand the code you write fully.

For graphics buy Adobe (or what you are use to), for coding don't buy anything.

Been using the whole suite of Macromedia/Adobe products for years and am more than happy with the extra productivity i get out of them. However if you're starting fresh then there is no reason why you couldn't go for something such as Notepad++ (another excellent programme), your best bet is to get the programmes (there are free trials available) and road test them all until you find the one you prefer and the one that ups your productivity and efficiency.

 

Of course it goes without saying that you should always learn to code using a simple text editor then add a more complex programme later on as you do not want to be learning to code and how to use a programme at the same time.

 

Don't make websites in Dreamweaver, it's the devil.

 

I take it you mean in WYSIWYG as the code editor, productivity tools, integration and support are top notch.