I'm still a newbie and i have just got all my lovely new shiny hardware....

 

Only problem is i'm still undecided on the software i should use. I was originally going to get Dreamweaver but i have been told it's not really any good by some people while others tell me its the best thing since sliced bread.

 

Maybe a bit about me will help:

 

No previous experience

Initially want to design my own websites with a view of being able to do it as a career (if i so choose)

Need to start designing good websites ASAP (time isn't one of my luxuries)

Tall, dark and handsome (not really relevent but made you smile)

 

If im still confused by the end of the week ill prob just buy dreamweaver and see how it goes. I'm just not too keen on spending all that money for a product i might not end up using after a couple of weeks.

 

Can anybody give some words of wisdom??

 

p.s. - if i do end up purchaing dreamweaver, it's fine to purchase from USA right? that way it's only $350 instead of £350

I am asuming you have no knowledge of html/coding yes?

 

If that is the case, it would be better to learn that before buying a package like dreamweaver (You can build a site just using notepad) Dreamweaver builds it for you, that much is true, but if you need to tweek it, you won't know how (And Dreamweaver isn't perfect by any means)

 

Hope this helps, and questions, just ask

Dreamweaver is an expensive option for learning with - it's like buying a Ferrari to learn to drive in, then use it to do your weekly shop!

 

There are numerous excellent free or low cost HTML editors available - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_HTML_editors for a good list of them.

 

If you're planning on doing this as a career you will need to learn HTML and CSS inside out so the sooner you get started the better.

I am asuming you have no knowledge of html/coding yes?

 

If that is the case, it would be better to learn that before buying a package like dreamweaver (You can build a site just using notepad) Dreamweaver builds it for you, that much is true, but if you need to tweek it, you won't know how (And Dreamweaver isn't perfect by any means)

 

Hope this helps, and questions, just ask

 

Ditto

 

Helen>>>>HITS>>>>Nail On Head

okay guys, thanks for the advice.

 

Ferrari would be nice but ill just have to put the man hours in.

 

I've been reccomended webuilder 2008. I downloaded a free 30 day trial so i'm going to try that out and see how i get on.

 

If you have any comments on webuilder i.e. - crap or brilliant! then my ears are truely open.

If you have any comments on webuilder i.e. - crap or brilliant! then my ears are truely open.

 

I know I wrote the review on this site but WeBuilder is the best HTML editor I've every used. It loads fast, has got useful features like code auto-complete, syntax highlighting, and handles PHP, ASP etc with ease.

I had the luck of getting free software whilst at college. I used microsoft expression web which I loved to death real easy. I use dreamweaver whilst at work. I prefer to use expression web as it feels so much easier to use. Could be personal preferance. The first Site i made was in notepad so I could understand html so its always better to learn the code so you can tweak it if it goes wrong.

I guess a lot of it depends on personal preference - download a few trials, see what you like, see what you don't get on with. Something isn't always 'best' - if you don't get on with it who cares how many awards or users it has.

I'm still a newbie and i have just got all my lovely new shiny hardware....

 

Only problem is i'm still undecided on the software i should use. I was originally going to get Dreamweaver but i have been told it's not really any good by some people while others tell me its the best thing since sliced bread.

 

Maybe a bit about me will help:

 

No previous experience

Initially want to design my own websites with a view of being able to do it as a career (if i so choose)

Need to start designing good websites ASAP (time isn't one of my luxuries)

Tall, dark and handsome (not really relevent but made you smile)

 

If im still confused by the end of the week ill prob just buy dreamweaver and see how it goes. I'm just not too keen on spending all that money for a product i might not end up using after a couple of weeks.

 

Can anybody give some words of wisdom??

 

p.s. - if i do end up purchaing dreamweaver, it's fine to purchase from USA right? that way it's only $350 instead of £350

 

You can read a dreamweaver cs4 review.

Get Aptana. It's free and works exactly like Dreamweaver.

 

Although you should really be testing your skills by using something simple that won't help like notepad. But syntax hightlighting can be helpful.

Get Aptana. It's free and works exactly like Dreamweaver.

 

Although you should really be testing your skills by using something simple that won't help like notepad. But syntax hightlighting can be helpful.

 

I think the reason I didn't use Aptana was that I found it was rubbish at searching and replacing in multiple files. If they fix or have fixed this then I may give it another go.

 

After many installs, uninstalls and reinstalls of various prog trials, I too believe Webuilder to be the best. I used to use Dreamweaver but no more.

 

The new version of HTML Kit looks very good, but pretty hardcore (and the css support doesn't appear to be as good as Webuilder - though future plugins may make it so).

 

James

Hi,

 

I disagree if you're going to do Web design professionally I would get Dreamweaver, but I would still use the code part of it because it really helps you. The WYSIWYG part is okay but can really screw things up if you don't know what your doing. that's just my opinion though. I started on Visual page then went to Dreamweaver but that was way back when I just wanted to get a site up. I would definitely learn CSS and stay away from tables but that's another thread. :cheers: cheers mate! Dreamweaver is mucho $$$ if you're a student I would try getting at a place like journeyed.com or an educational retailer. you'll just need your student ID.

 

-Seth

Somone mentioned expression web. We have started using this as well as Dreamweaver. Expression is a hell of a lot better than FrontPage ever was. In a way its more like Dreamweaver.

 

I do also agree with Seth (that's such a cool name)... If your going to use Dreamweaver make sure you continually switch between layout and code view so you can remove some of the crap which the software puts in.

 

You can also get the student version - if you are going to go down that route, get the master collection... It was about £500 for everything - Not sure if its still the same though.

why thank you peachtree. You're the first person to say that. The student version of DW is the full version. That's what I'm using. It was $299USD for me here in the states. Oh and I hate front page it sucks hairy monkey... well you know what I mean.