Website Design Tools...

InsideOut · 02-21-2004, 07:52 PM

Well, it's up and running! The new WBCCI Denver Unit website:

WBCCI-DenCO.org

Come check us out...both online & in person!

Shari

2nd VP DenCO Unit

**jcanavera** · 02-22-2004, 08:47 PM

Shari, what software are you using to produce the site?

Jack

InsideOut · 02-22-2004, 10:14 PM

I use HomeSite 4.5.2 it's an older (discontinued) WYSIWYG program that is now known as Macromedia Dreamweaver. I prefer the older version without all the bells and whistles of Dreamweaver.

Shari

**jcanavera** · 02-23-2004, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by InsideOut
I use HomeSite 4.5.2 it's an older (discontinued) WYSIWYG program that is now known as Macromedia Dreamweaver. I prefer the older version without all the bells and whistles of Dreamweaver.

Shari

Looks good Shari. Dreamweaver is a pretty good product. Wish I had it. I'm using Front Page which isn't bad but it doesn't give quite the polished look that Dreamweaver sites do.

Jack

InsideOut · 02-23-2004, 09:52 AM

Quote:

I'm using Front Page which isn't bad but it doesn't give quite the polished look that Dreamweaver sites do.

I'd like to think there's a bit more than the software program used that determines the way a website looks ~

Shari

**jcanavera** · 02-23-2004, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by InsideOut
I'd like to think there's a bit more than the software program used that determines the way a website looks ~

Shari

Ah yes I do understand that (I was a mainframe computer programmer years ago). For some of us who do not know HTML and depend upon the software to transform our ideas to code, the software can make a difference in how it comes out in the wash. That's where I was coming from.

Jack

InsideOut · 02-23-2004, 01:09 PM

No problem Jack...it's just that some folks think website design is as simple as just pushing a button and voila' it's done. Even with a WYSIWYG program you have know some HTML to go in & "tweak things" to get it right and you have to be able to see something before it exists. Kinda like Brad's quote:

Quote:

"Only those who see the invisible can do the impossible."

Same thing I run into with AutoCAD in my business...just pushing computer keys doesn't design the building. I'm probably a little over sensitive to that "push a button" attitude...and besides, it's Monday! aargh!

Shari

**jcanavera** · 02-23-2004, 02:28 PM

My son is the local webmaster for Clear Channel here in St. Louis and takes care of 6 radio station pages plus a couple of others. I can tell you that it takes much more than 40 hours a week.

Jack

InsideOut · 02-23-2004, 02:36 PM

Jack & I got to discussing this under a different thread and I thought it deserved it's own thread...so I split it.

If you maintain a website, what program do you use???

Shari

**jcanavera** · 02-23-2004, 02:55 PM

I guess one of the things those of us doing web pages have to be aware of is the size of our web pages. Not everyone has high speed Internet service, so there is a fine line in keeping things in a form that won't kill the dial up person. Especially those who are either full timing or are snowbirds.

Front Page does give me estimates on download times which I take into account when I create a web page.

Jack

swebster · 02-23-2004, 04:00 PM

I make my living in the biz so it’s all commercial tools for me:

Visual Studio .NET for ASP.NET programming, Adobe Photoshop and Macromedia Fireworks MX for image/layout production, Macromedia Flash MX, SQL Server or Oracle for Database work. I'm a bit of a freak thought as I prefer editing HTML as text instead of in the WYSIWYG tools - more control over the final code.

Even though I don't use them regularly; Dreamweaver is an excellent tool for site development and maintenance, great product, easy to use and a world wide base of support. FrontPage has become much better in recent years and I think is the perfect choice for the budding web developer.

A lot of people really like Home Site as well.

Pahaska · 02-23-2004, 04:07 PM

I put DreamWeaver on my machines when I was working part time maintaining web pages for the Wildflower Center and I still use it. They paid for it! I don't think you can beat DreamWeaver, although I don't use a lot of the bells and whistles on simple pages.

One thing folks do is to make their pages too wide. Not everyone has their pages set at high resolution. Also, most folks have their favorites taking up space on the left side of the screen. I put everything in tables of not over 700 pels wide with the meat kept withing 640 pels. That way, anyone can see everything regardless of screen settings.

Here is the site for our unit: Highland Lakes Unit . I also have my own Airstream pages

idahosafari · 02-23-2004, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by InsideOut
...it's just that some folks think website design is as simple as just pushing a button and voila' it's done.

I know EXACTLY what you mean! I used to have a boss when I worked in the printing industry that thought SOMEWHERE on my keyboard there MUST be a "create art" button!

DreamWeaver is my favorite website design software.

- Charlie

InsideOut · 02-23-2004, 04:21 PM

Quote:

...SOMEWHERE on my keyboard there MUST be a "create art" button!

Yeah, it's right next to the "DUH" key!

Shari