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Web Design Software and Text Editors

I have found some programs that are FREE (please download these direct from the suppliers sites):-

 

  1. Mozilla Composer. The Mozilla Browser package can be downloaded from http://www.mozilla.org/
    Mozilla Composer is built into the Mozilla browser system and it is fully WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get). The composer is accessed by an icon at the bottom of the Mozilla browser screen, it has WYSIWYG, it looks good, and the reviews for it are good - and it's free. I quickly tested it and you can make tables, alter the columns, insert pictures, etc. It produces normal html code, and seems excellent. (it was formerly Netscape Composer). The download is, however, about 12mb, but it may be available on Magazine free CD's. (I have found differences in how Dreamweaver and Mozilla code addresses) Suitable for PC's and Macs and many other operating systems. (you don't need to use the browser part if you don't want to, though it has some good features like stopping pop-ups)
  2. Amaya web editor from W3C. From http://www.w3.org/Amaya/ This is open source software, it is fully WYSIWYG, and available for many systems I tried this and it looks good, except it dealt well with pre-existing tables, but may not be able to create them except by using code. Otherwise, it dealt with text very well.(download is about 5.5 mb). Produces standard html. Suitable for PC's and Macs
  3. HTML Kit from Chami. Looks OK, download from http://www.chami.com/html-kit/ With this you can preview the page as you type the code. Not WYSIWYG, but code view is quite good (3.1 mb download)
  4. Web Edit 2002. This one is free, but not WYSIWYG. http://www.colin.harman3.btinternet.co.uk/Webedit.html You only get code view and preview, and it would be difficult to find your place in the code easily, but not impossible. (4.4 mb download). It did not behave perfectly for me in my test !

You can buy the following software :-

  1. Dreamweaver. This is the Rolls Royce of web design software, but it costs $ 200 for Dreamweaver MX 2004, which seems a lot to me. Their 'Design View' window is the perfect tool for this, and you can also see the html code. But, you can get a free trial for 30 days from http://www.macromedia.com/ (20 mb + to download)
  2. Enhanced HTML. This looks OK to me. It costs $ 45, and again, you can download a free trial for 30 days from http://www.ehtml.com/. There is a code view, preview, and WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get), which is similar to Dreamweavers (7.5 mb download)
  3. Web Weaver. This also seems OK, costs only $ 20, and you can get a free trial from http://www.mcwebsoftware.com/ However, there is no WYSIWYG (5.4 mb download)
  4. Serif WebPlus. If you like DTP-type software, you may like this, but it will NOT open html pages like I produce. You can get a free trial from http://www.serif.com/webplus/webplus8/index.asp It costs $80

These all seem to be free of viruses, spyware, and other nasty stuff.

     

My Recommendation. (for PC's and Macs too)
I would get Mozilla Composer.
If you find you don't like this, I would take advantage of all the free trials, first Dreamweaver, then Enhanced HTML, then Web Weaver, then, if you have 'got the hang' of how html code works, you could use Web Edit.
I think it would be unrealistic for anyone without broadband (or a very fast modem) to download these large files - however, there are often free trials of these and other editing software on the free CDs with computer magazines. (If all else fails, I can send them to you on a CD)

Tutorials In the Develop your Site Section, I describe how to create new pages from existing ones, and how to edit, adapt and improve your existing pages.

However, there are many tutorials for learning html out there on the internet, and many useful resources, such as :-

Please let me know if you find any better than these - Thankyou !
     
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