Recommendations for an easy to use HTML program

[Chunk-O-Funk]

I'd like to try my hand at a pretty basic website with a WYSIWYG HTML program. I really only know a few very basic HTML code, but do have a decent book as a reference guide. Not looking to do anything too elaborate. Maybe just a few pages with photos to start.

So far I've downloaded Pagebreeze, but this free version doesn't include an FTP client. Am I wrong, or doesn't this make their free version pretty useless. Can I upload each file and manually link everything together?

Just downloaded Kompozer. I still have to mess around with it, but I get the feeling it's not built for a noob like me. It claims to be easy to use and does include an FTP.

I was also looking at "HTML Kit" listed in the software sticky at the top of this forum, but I'd like to get some recommendations first.


Thanks!

[L-A]

FTP is not mandatory at all. Sometimes, you need a full-blown FTP client AND some code editor for top performance.

If you were on a Mac, I'd recommend you Coda, but since you probably run Windows, I'll go with notepad++ and the short tutorials at http://www.w3schools.com/ (look for HTML and CSS)

It's really easy if you're okay with logic.

[crispygoat]

I started on Windows' Notepad and went to (back then) Macromedia's Dreamweaver. If I'm correct, Adobe bought Macromedia? Nonetheless, like LA says, FTP is not required at all but if you want to use FTP there are several free FTPs out there.

All I had to do in Notepad is write the html lines and Save as document name . html (or htm). For a starter it worked perfectly and I didn't have to worry about all the fancy options! Concentration was on the code itself and not the program.

[Jimmy Bones]

I personally write my own html, but I used to know people who used Dreamweaver.

[L-A]

Dreamweaver generates gratuitous amounts of code, though. You won't learn how to code in a clean fashion with it.

[bongomania]

HTML is really easy to learn, anyone can do it. In addition to the w3schools link above, maricopa.edu has a very good easy HTML tutorial.

IMO you get much better results writing your own HTML than using a program like Dreamweaver.

There are several free ftp programs out there, and some OS (like Mac OSX) have a built-in ftp function. I use Fetch, which is not free but I like the way it works, and they have good customer service.

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by bongomania

There are several free ftp programs out there, and some OS (like Mac OSX) have a built-in ftp function. I use Fetch, which is not free but I like the way it works, and they have good customer service.

The FireFTP extension in Firefox works just fine for me, and was free.

[standupright]

check out some stuff here-

http://download.cnet.com/windows/web-site-tools/?&filter=licenseName=%22Free%22|&filterName=licens eName=Free|&tag=ltcol;narrow

[Chunk-O-Funk]

Thanks guys.

I was actually looking for more of a decent WYSIWYG program and avoid having to learn code. I tried doing HTML a few years ago. I did find it easy to learn, but didn't really give it a good run. I quickly realized that developing a website took a whole lot more than knowing some HTML code. The best I got out of it was a couple of pages that anyone hobbyist would be proud of,..........in 1995. This of course was around 2003-2004.

My thinking is get an easy to use program with some templates and maybe learn some code as I go along.



Thanks for the tips!

[fdeck]

In my view, everything depends on what kind of website you are interested in developing. There is no one-size-fits-all tool. For instance my website is basically a page with some links, and many of its "pages" are simply PDF documents. It gets the job done.

Any contemporary word processor can export HTML, and can handle hyperlinks.

[L-A]

Good point.

Are you looking for a way to have a blog? A personal web page about diverse interests? Your online portfolio?

Building a WordPress template can do wonders sometimes.

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by L-A

Good point.

Are you looking for a way to have a blog? A personal web page about diverse interests? Your online portfolio?

Building a WordPress template can do wonders sometimes.

And that's a good point too. For things like blogs, an online service like Blogspot or GooglePages might work just fine.

There was a brief period when people had to have slick Web pages with their own URL and server, in order to show that they were computer savvy. Those days are over, because anybody can design a web page, and I figure that it's more important to simply get the information out there. What you write more important than the formatting.

[Chunk-O-Funk]

Originally Posted by L-A

Good point.

Are you looking for a way to have a blog? A personal web page about diverse interests? Your online portfolio?

Building a WordPress template can do wonders sometimes.

This.

Pretty much just hobby stuff.

For instance, both Bass and Home Theater.
I like to be able to list gear, with photos. Links to the manufactures. Pretty basic stuff like that.

I just googled "wordpress" and "wordpress templates"

Do you think I should be looking at blog sites?

I've always thought of blog sites for people with,......you know,.......opinions.
I was just thinking a place for posting some gear, the tech specs and a photo or two.

[DigMe]

How about just using something like Google Sites?

bc

[fdeck]

One good thing about the blog sites is that you don't have to figure out how to make your site work on diverse browsers and devices such as iPhones, because the blog site has done that work for you.

[standupright]

Originally Posted by L-A

Good point.

Are you looking for a way to have a blog? A personal web page about diverse interests? Your online portfolio?

Building a WordPress template can do wonders sometimes.

+1

www.blogspot.com is a great free place to start.

[Chunk-O-Funk]

Originally Posted by DigMe

How about just using something like Google Sites?

bc

Sweet Jesus, that's cool.
Already got two pages up, albeit rough drafts.

Once I get something solid I'll post the link.



Thanks, Digme.

[Chunk-O-Funk]

Okay, here's what I got so far.

Pretty much just a place to display some of my gear. This one is for my home theater stuff. The only real purpose is so I can put a link in my sig over at the AVS forums. Eventually I'll do a bass related one.

http://sites.google.com/site/mattsho...tersystem/home



Tell me what you think.
I was looking at it from work today and the layout didn't exactly stay formatted. It was on an old 15" monitor and a real old version of IE. Also, I have to figure out why some of the photos in the slide show are displaying so small.

Anyway, it's pretty basic, but I may add things like a banner later on.


Thanks!

[anyonefortennis]

rapidweaver if you are on a mac

[DigMe]

Originally Posted by Chunk-O-Funk

Thanks, Digme.

Glad I could help.

bc