I don't know if this is a tall order, but assuming that a lot of members here must use a wide variety of software packages, I would like to find some html website design software that includes these features:

 

1. Ideally runs under Windows and Linux (I'm considering changing from Win to Linux, so are there two versions of the design software which runs under both OS, but allows me to access/edit the saved designs from either OS if I dual-boot, or am I asking too much here?)

 

2. 64 bit version

 

3. Supports non-Latin character sets

I sometimes design Thai language websites. Thai is an alphabet based system, but not all software seems able to cope with that.

(I know it's possible, as I used to use XSite Pro, which could handle this)

Another program I've used allowed me to add Thai to the page content OK. However, later on I realised that although I could add Thai navigational main-menus, sub-menus wouldn't display in Thai, neither would some html: <title> or metatags <keywords> and <description>

 

 

4. Supports dynamic navigation menus

When adding a new page, the navigational menu doesn't need every page to be updated, but just needs one file (maybe js/whatever?) to be updated, which is then referenced to by each page, in order to display the menu.

One website I maintain needs a blog page adding every week. When I upload the website, it uploads every one of the hundred-odd pages, to update the (static page) menu which appears on each page, after I've added the new page to the menu.

 

5. Needless to say, supports HTML5 (and ideally allows direct edit editing of html)

 

6. Ideally text pages, rather than graphical based. If a large website, it doesn't need to generate all the pages from graphics to html each time when previewing/updating.

 

7. Images when clicked, rather than opening a new page/tab will expand in a seamless window (I wanted to post a link to an example, but I can't seem to add a link, when I preview my post the link is removed.)

 

8. Visitor Comments option, either on a separate page, or can add to an existing page.

 

9. Page sizing & layout

Can set overall page width, plus, say, add columns to the design. Option for the columns to repeat the content on each page (say for example google ads, a navigational menu, or whatever you choose to add)

 

10. Auto-detect screen resolution, and resize page width (e.g. auto-adjust for mobile devices)

 

11. Free – ha ha! Well not prohibitively expensive anyway.

 

I don't know if I'm deluding myself here, or if there is something that would satisfy most of the above points?

 

All you need is a CMS and a text editor.

 

The CMS will look after all the functionality and you use the text editor to create the theme (the layout of the pages).

 

There are loads to freely available applications. Wordpress is very popular and relatively easy to use but not overly liked by many members here. I'm sure they will make their own suggestions.

Linux is 100x better than Windows...You have lots of software for Linux...for web designing. you have Sublime Text3, Brackets, Geany, Eclipse, GIMP, inkscape.... you can also run PhotoShop 6 using PlayOnLinux....Photoshop is the only the lacking feature

You have tons of browsers on linux and all programming languages are available on Linux

 

Your server paache will run better on Linux

Thanks for the two replies.

 

I'm pleased you're recommending Linux. I'm still trying to clear out and tidy up my Win stuff before I even attempt to try installing Linux.

 

Regarding the suggestion of moving to CMS. In a previous life, I once looked after a CMS website, but it was a locked-down installation and I couldn't do anything except what the web maintenance company allowed me.

Is there a specific application you might suggest for CMS, and is there also some other stuff you'd recommend pointing me to, in order to look into CMS a little deeper, to test the water, as it were?

You don't need any software to do the stuff you described, as a developer you should learn how to code these things from scratch, you will never, ever find site builders being used in a professional environment.

Have you considered OS X? This way you get the familiar *nix environment but a lovely GUI which is comparable to the quality of Windows. Loads of developers use OS X - this shouldn't influence your own choice alone but it does mean lots of tutorials are for OS X and there's plenty of cool OS X only software such as CodeKit (probably a bad example with people choosing to use JS task runners these days but great if you prefer a GUI).

 

In terms of the software, have you looked at Dreamweaver? I've not used it since around 2004-05 (I don't think Adobe even owned it at that point) but it could do many of the things you mentioned back then. I used the split source/design view to learn how WYSIWYG changes effected the source code and ultimately learn the basics of HTML/CSS. It's not free but is available on both OS X and Windows, not Linux unfortunately.

 

I do think you should consider moving away from WYSIWYG editors, your web design/development work will excel once you begin writing HTML/CSS/JS yourself - you'll have a lot more flexibility and this will lead you onto new things such as server side scripting.

Edited February 21, 201610 yr by MikeH

 

All you need is programming knowledge and a text editor.

Thanks for that comment citypaul. I was reluctant to say that myself, but now you've said it for me.

 

This sub-forum is called Web Design Scripts & Software, so if there are some more suggestions, I'd be pleased to see them.

 

Although I can edit html, writing it from scratch would be interesting, but very time consuming - for me anyway. I have no experience with javascript.

Thanks for that comment citypaul. I was reluctant to say that myself, but now you've said it for me.

 

This sub-forum is called Web Design Scripts & Software, so if there are some more suggestions, I'd be pleased to see them.

 

Although I can edit html, writing it from scratch would be interesting, but very time consuming - for me anyway. I have no experience with javascript.

 

Then learn

 

Writing in pure HTML is a LOT faster than using some point and click solution - and if you know it well it will be of a far higher standard. Semantic HTML is important for accessibility and SEO. These site builders create some of the most un-semantic HTML imaginable.

You can install things like Emmet to speed up writing HTML. For example

nav.main-nav>ul.inline-list>li*8>a.main-nav__item{Lorem3}

will get you

<nav class="main-nav">
  <ul class="inline-list">
    <li><a href="#" class="main-nav__item">Lorem ipsum dolor</a></li>
    <li><a href="#" class="main-nav__item">Lorem ipsum dolor</a></li>
    <li><a href="#" class="main-nav__item">Lorem ipsum dolor</a></li>
    <li><a href="#" class="main-nav__item">Lorem ipsum dolor</a></li>
    <li><a href="#" class="main-nav__item">Lorem ipsum dolor</a></li>
    <li><a href="#" class="main-nav__item">Lorem ipsum dolor</a></li>
    <li><a href="#" class="main-nav__item">Lorem ipsum dolor</a></li>
    <li><a href="#" class="main-nav__item">Lorem ipsum dolor</a></li>
  </ul>
</nav>

That saves a LOT of keystrokes. If you want to work as a professional developer you HAVE to learn how to code. It is essential.

Edited February 22, 201610 yr by rbrtsmith