Authoring/Edit software (newbie question)

They have: 8 posts

Joined: Sep 2001

Hi all,
with all the software available these days its hard to find one that's good for a newbie and produce quickly and that will also help him/her develop skills.
Has anyone any experience with Psylon Liquid FX ? I downloaded the trial and it looks good but I dont want to find later that it has bugs and stuff. I have used Coolpage and find it easy because of the drag n drop & WYSIWYG facility but I have my doubts whether I will actually learn to progress.
Basically, is Liquid FX any good and/or can anyone recommend software that is reliable, easy for newbies and helps me to progress.
Many thanks,
Cofton

The Webmistress's picture

She has: 5,586 posts

Joined: Feb 2001

A lot of people will say to learn to code by hand. I haven't and use DW so many would frown on me, although I do tweek stuff by hand!! How much can you afford to pay?

Julia - if life was meant to be easy Michael Angelo would have painted the floor....

Jack Michaelson's picture

He has: 1,733 posts

Joined: Dec 1999

Consider viewing this thread

Hope it helps

mairving's picture

They have: 2,256 posts

Joined: Feb 2001

Quote: Originally posted by The Webmistress
A lot of people will say to learn to code by hand. I haven't and use DW so many would frown on me, although I do tweek stuff by hand!!

We don't frown on you for that WebMistress. We frown on you for other things maybe but not that. Any way, I think that if you learn to code by hand then you are better off no matter which editor you use. Since there are times when hand tweaking is required. I used DW to learn how to build nested tables. Now that I have learned, I have no use for it.

Mark Irving
I have a mind like a steel trap; it is rusty and illegal in 47 states

The Webmistress's picture

She has: 5,586 posts

Joined: Feb 2001

Quote: Originally posted by mairving
We don't frown on you for that WebMistress. We frown on you for other things maybe but not that.

Now you have me worried Wink Like what??

Julia - if life was meant to be easy Michael Angelo would have painted the floor....

Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

A few programs that seem to be good for beginners are Cute HTML, HotDog (they have a "Junior" and a "Pro" version) and Coffee Cup HTML Editor. I haven't use them myself but I have heard a lot of good things about them from newbie types.

I started out with a program called Webwerx - they company doesn't seem to be updating it anymore but it had a nice simple interface and keyboard shortcuts which are a must for me. Now I use Macromedia's Homesite, which is very similar to a free editor called First Page 2000. These programs are pretty complex so they could be a little overwhelming for a beginner.

Just try a bunch and see what you like. Everyone has different opinions when it comes to HTML editors.

mairving's picture

They have: 2,256 posts

Joined: Feb 2001

Quote: Originally posted by The Webmistress

Now you have me worried Wink Like what??

I'm just teasing you, WM.

I started out using Notepad and advanced to Homesite. Notepad is just a simple text editor and doesn't have the advanced tools that HS does but it works. It is hard for most people to understand, but HTML is essentially text.

Mark Irving
I have a mind like a steel trap; it is rusty and illegal in 47 states

Keegan's picture

They have: 300 posts

Joined: Aug 2001

Cofton-

Thinking back when I first asked, why does it have to be named an index file? I looked for the very same thing.

I wanted something that would help me learn.

I figured if I had the right program I would be able to learn quickly.

What I would do if I were you now, is download as many demos as I could.

Just installing the many demos and opening the very same web page might show you some similiarities between the programs. Think of it like this, when you start seeing patterns you might find that you understand it on a larger scale other than what can one thing teach me. What it comes down to in developing is being able to take a step and adding to that step. Start broad, and see all of your options. Maybe one of those programs will show you a side of the web page that inspires you to dig further. I personally use Dreamweaver, notepad is a ascii editor such as Dreamweaver, but dreamweaver has management for absolute pathing throughout the entire site. You can manage many sites logins, and link management from one program. Copy and paste from one site to antoher etc.

The point to this reply comes from my truck driving days.

I used to be an oversized equiptment trainer. I had three simple rules to tying down a large peice of equiptment.

Take the weight, and divide it by 4, the result is how many chains or straps to put on the load.

Then, stand back. Does it look right? No? Put 2 more on it.

Does it look right now? No? put two more on it.

The point is to maybe step back and look at many of these programs opening the very same site, not getting enough of an overview? look for another program.

Keegan

Mark Hensler's picture

He has: 4,048 posts

Joined: Aug 2000

Quote: Originally posted by Keegan
The point to this reply comes from my truck driving days.

I used to be an oversized equiptment trainer. I had three simple rules to tying down a large peice of equiptment.

Take the weight, and divide it by 4, the result is how many chains or straps to put on the load.

Then, stand back. Does it look right? No? Put 2 more on it.

Does it look right now? No? put two more on it.

I have to ask... what unit do you use to measure that? can't be pounds.. to large numbers. Tons? Seems numbers may be a bit small.

Mark Hensler
If there is no answer on Google, then there is no question.

Busy's picture

He has: 6,151 posts

Joined: May 2001

Just remember there are as many good free editors out there as there are share-ware, dont be dragged in by a name.
Do a search even for WYSIWYG, or cruise downloads.com and/or tucows.com
There is always two sides to a coin, good and bad with everything in life, Keegan has the right idea, try as many as you can and find one YOU like the feel of.

good luck

Keegan's picture

They have: 300 posts

Joined: Aug 2001

Quote: Originally posted by Mark Hensler
I have to ask... what unit do you use to measure that? can't be pounds.. to large numbers. Tons? Seems numbers may be a bit small.

Was half asleep when I posted this morning.

5 thousands pounds for every tie down, so a 30 thousand pound load would need a minimum of 6 chains or straps. The point was if the bare minumum did not work, step back 50 feet and if it does not look right, put two more straps or chains on the load.

Man sleep will make you feel like a new person!

Keegan

Vincent Puglia's picture

They have: 634 posts

Joined: Dec 1999

Hi cofton,

I run cuteHTML (by GlobalScape) ver 1.2. It tends to be unobtrusive like Notepad, but has some nice features:
1) pops up HTML attributes/properties in a selection list
2) word wrap
3) browser color coding
4) runs the browser at the push of a button
5) doesn't muck up your placement of javascript code (something M$'s free Front Page Xpress does)
6) doesn't write pseudo-black box/magical/religious code like DreamWeaver (d=document, etc)

If you use a WYSIWYG editor, you are best served dropping it as soon as you begin to understand the program/scripting flow. Handholding is ok for a time, but eventually, an individual needs to break out on his/her own. Laughing out loud

Vinny

Where the world once stood
the blades of grass cut me still

Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

Those things seem to be pretty standard as far as HTML editors go. I like Cute's simple interface, but I don't like how they don't have extensive keyboard shortcuts. All of these editors are more or less the same really - they all have certain advantages and disadvantages but the basic features seem to be pretty standard.

They have: 25 posts

Joined: Oct 2001

I say learn code by hand. if you use a easy "Click and go" editor, you won't actually learn too much..
But if you insist on using an editor.
I say use first page 2000. It's nice and free too. If you're interested, do a search on google.com

(First page has four different levels. Easy, Expert, Hardcore and normal)

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