NetBloke.com - Coding the Web site - Part Three
Publication Date: 11/07/2001
ISSN 1445-1360
Publication Date: 11/07/2001
ISSN 1445-1360
G'day!
I have to start this week's issue off with a big thank you to Robin Seaver from South Carolina. She drew my attention to the fact that the new easy to remember domain names I set-up had broken links in the menu. I have now fixed the problem and added another so feel free to use these links:
http://newsletter.netbloke.com (for the latest newsletter issue)
http://webcam.netbloke.com (for the pictures from my Webcam)
http://tellafriend.netbloke.com (for telling family and friends about NetBloke. Remember you can win a few bucks for telling your friends about me!)
I have also decided to change the order of the building a Web site series I am currently running. Last week I asked you all what Web Editor you liked using and I got so many replies I thought that it would make more sense to talk about them this week. This will put the Designing a Web site issue back a week. So anyway here is the new order:
When trying to decide on what sort of editor you should use to code your pages, my tip is basically one that tells you to use your common sense when deciding upon that editor.
Don't go out and spend $300+ on DreamWeaver if you are simply going to build one Web page. Likewise don't use Notepad if you want to manage a 400 page Web site.
Have a look at your Web site plan, and have a think about how much time and effort you want to put into your Web site and this will tell you how much you should spend on your editor!
WYSIWYG is an acronym for What You See Is What You Get.
In the world of Web editors this means that you basically have a view of what your Web page will look like, and you can drag and place the contents where you see fit. The editor will write the HTML code for your page without you ever having to code a line!
The problem with these types of editors is that they normally put in a lot of unnecessary code.
This weeks site recommendation is more of a program recommendation, however you still need to go to the Web site to have a look!
What I have picked out are three Web editors that I would consider using in three price ranges (free, moderate, expensive). So without further ado here are my picks:
HTML-Kit
For a free Web editor HTML-Kit is great. It has lots of features and supports various Web languages. The down side is that support is provided through user groups rather than a dedicated support team. You get what you pay for in this respect.
http://www.htmlkit.com
HotDog Professional
Yes I have a soft spot for the dawg (as it is affectionately known), but it really is a great HTML Editor. With over one million registered users how can I be wrong? HotDog has all the basic tools and functions you will need, plus professional site management tools and built in FTP for uploading your Web site. Like HTML-Kit it supports various Web based languages. It is available on the Web for US$99.95 (and I can tell you we have great Customer Support!)
http://www.sausagetools.com
Macromedia Dreamweaver
Dreamweaver has one major feature over the likes of HotDog Professional and that is a WYSIWYG editor. This allows professionals and amateurs alike to quickly create a Web page. With a US$300+ price tag though it is only for the serious Web Professional.
http://www.dreamweaver.com
This week I am using this spot again for myself! I want ask you what you use to design graphics for your Web site. So what program do you use?
I will list your responses next issue.
Answer
Last weeks question was from me and I got lots of responses so I will have to edit the answers so this issue isn't too long. Thanks everyone for your replies!
"What is your favourite Web Editor or HTML editor?"
Paul Lutus uses Arachnophilia which is Careware.
Notepad in conjunction with HTML Validator, CSE HTML Validator Lite (which is freeware) are Bruce Perdue's picks
NoteTab Pro (http://www.notetab.com) is Glenn E. Lanier's choice after toying with other editors.
Steve Crane uses HomeSite, TextPad or Cooledit.
Bean alternates between:
Jenny who uses Dreamweaver also supplied me with the following joke for this week!
Why God Loves Blondes
A blonde woman named Susan finds herself in dire trouble. Her business has gone bust and she's in serious financial straits. She's so desperate that she decides to ask God for help. She begins to pray... "God, please help me. I've lost my business and if I don't get some money, I'm going to lose my house as well. Please let me win the lotto."
Lotto night comes and she does not win. Susan again prays... "God, please let me win the lotto! I've lost my business, my house and now I'm going to lose my car."
Lotto night comes and Susan still has no luck. Once again, she prays... " Dear Lord, why have you forsaken me?? I've lost my business, my house, and my car. My children are starving. I don't often ask for help, and I have always been a good servant to you. PLEEEEASE just let me win the lotto this one time so I can get my life back in order." Suddenly, there is a blinding flash of light as the heavens open and Susan is confronted by the voice of God himself...
"Susan, work with me on this. Buy a ticket."
