I am just getting into the web design industry, and I'm trying to figure out what software to use. I have had a trial version of Dreamweaver from CS4 and it has been super easy to use, and very helpful. On the other hand, if I want to buy that (and some of the editing programs I'd need), it will cost a lot of money! I have heard that Kompozer is a good web design tool, and that GIMP is a good Photo editing software.
Does anyone have experience with these, or other freeware software? Let me know - thanks!
Most of my work is done remotely (and with clients on the phone), so having my code editor automatically upload upload to the server on save is the biggest time saver. That's really why I keep it. I haven't heard of a good alternative that does this... ?
well I work live with my stuff on notepadd++ just hit save and its up on the server. I did like DW direct FTP option, it worked well, but again I just prefer the less bulky option. :)
If you're getting into web design, mess around for a little with a WYSIWYG "What You See Is What You Get" and see how it works... its obviously the most visual you'll find when making edits.
From there, learn from the ground up, straight basics, about HTML and CSS. While doing this, use only the code feature in DW or use a text only editor like Notepad++ so you learn WHY things are appearing the way they do in websites.
Doing straight coding will always be > WYSIWYG editors because that's all they are anyways... An easy way to put down code. Is it the best code? No. Do you have full control of the code? No. Why? Because you didn't actually CREATE it... The program did.
Thank you all for your suggestions. Just so you know, I have been using Dreamweaver, but I don't know any of the features of it, so I have no reason to stick with it other than the direct FTP connection. I code everything myself (before Dreamweaver, I used a the text editor that came on my computer and just saved my files as .html files). Anyway, I am possibly going to switch to a MAC as well, but mainly I enjoy having the FTP upload available with Dreamweaver, but the cost of it will be a lot to shell out for...
If you are going to switch to mac then there is no point shelling out a load of money now. You may as well wait and get Coda http://www.panic.com/coda/ along with your mac. In the meantime there are plenty of code editors for windows and a lot of them are free http://net.tutsplus.com/articles/web-roundups/22-neat-code-editors-for-windows/.
I am just getting into the web design industry, and I'm trying to figure out what software to use. I have had a trial version of Dreamweaver from CS4 and it has been super easy to use, and very helpful. On the other hand, if I want to buy that (and some of the editing programs I'd need), it will cost a lot of money! I have heard that Kompozer is a good web design tool, and that GIMP is a good Photo editing software.
Does anyone have experience with these, or other freeware software? Let me know - thanks!
As for a editor - Im on PC so I use Notepad++ I used to use DW but found notepad++ a lighter option.
but yea - notepadd++ is for PC only I think...
If you're getting into web design, mess around for a little with a WYSIWYG "What You See Is What You Get" and see how it works... its obviously the most visual you'll find when making edits.
From there, learn from the ground up, straight basics, about HTML and CSS. While doing this, use only the code feature in DW or use a text only editor like Notepad++ so you learn WHY things are appearing the way they do in websites.
Doing straight coding will always be > WYSIWYG editors because that's all they are anyways... An easy way to put down code. Is it the best code? No. Do you have full control of the code? No. Why? Because you didn't actually CREATE it... The program did.
Beyond that, Photoshop = number one!
Wait... so Notepad++ does have a direct FTP connection?
Wait... so Notepad++ does have a direct FTP connection?[/quote]
Yup :D and its surprisingly really quick :)
Wow... I've had Notepad++ forever... and now I love it. I'll definitely be trying to use notepad++ more. Thanks man.
In the meantime there are plenty of code editors for windows and a lot of them are free http://net.tutsplus.com/articles/web-roundups/22-neat-code-editors-for-windows/.