Web design S/W

[doubleR]

Hope someone can help.
I’ve never designed a web site before but have to make a start. Dreamweaver was recommended to me, but, having tried the trial version I don’t have a clue where to start. Any recommendations for S/W that can be used to produce a pro’ looking site but can be driven by a learner.

Comments appreciated.

 

[richie]

If you want to make a decent site, you need to do the time. Dreamweaver is good and if you take some time to learn how it works it'll do a good job for you. The trial version is complete and with 30 days you'll have enough time to finish the site.
Go to PCWORLD and pick up the Peachpit Press Dreamweaver quick start guide and read the chapters you need.

Taking any other program will just create a site the same as every body else has already got. By the way if you want a site for free I could send you one and you change the contents with your own.

Good luck...

 

[doubleR]

Thanks Richie

Actually starting the first page is the problem. Seems you need photoshop or similar for generating the backgrounds, so that's another piece of S/W I have to get into.
Will take a look in PC World later today.

 

[adamski49]

NetObjects Fusion is a good piece of 'novice' software as you don't need any html knowledge, there is a wizard to get you started and it's easy to place graphics, text, menus etc.

Look here

If you go for a hosted website with 1&1 I believe you get Fusion for free as part of the bundled software - I did a few years back.

HTH

Adam

 

[snodog]

Homestead.com host my website and I used their Sitebuilder to build it.

My pc skills are nearly as legendary as my mechanical ones, so if I can do it, I reckon anyone could.

 

[doubleR]

Thanks for the info, I don't get any free S/W with Skymarket.
I'll take a good look at Netobjects.

 

[Steve B]

I agree with Richie. I kept plugging away with Dreamweaver including doing a 10 evening course at the local University. I also bought "How to use Dreamweaver MX & Fireworks' by Lon Coley. Very user friendly. £21.99 from Waterstones. ISBN 0-7897-2725-0.
It's great software if you know your limitatin and just want to produce your own site.

Steve B

 

[Andy80F]

Adobes GoLive is a reasonable alternative to Dreamweaver and might be easier to master if you are used to Photoshop, Indesign or any of Adobes programmes due t a common interface ethos. In agreement with other though its all about knowing the software and if starting fresh Dreamweaver is the "industry standard". Get a good book thought the manuals are uninspiring when it comes to actually using the products.

 

[doubleR]

My problem is getting started with Dreamweaver. Start the S/W and its ermm urr Doh. Went into PC world in case they had a book on getting started, didn’t have Peachpit Press but did have around 30 other titles (including Dreamweaver for Dummies) so am now completely baffled.
Just awaiting a copy Netobjects to check ease of use.

 

[richie]

I got mine from PC world.

Visual Quick Start Guide
Dreamweaver
Peach Pitt Press

Probably the best SW book I have ever tried, and I teach SW for a living...

 

[tazwick]

DoubleR.

Persevere with Dreamweaver.

It is a very good piece of S/W for beginner and professional web designer.

I used a book called 'Dreamweaver 4 visual insight' by Greg Holden and Scott Willis (Coriolis publishers).
This helped me a lot when i built my 1st web page, but you do have to plan a bit, read a bit and do a bit. It will not suddenly appear but when it does you end up with quite a professional looking web page.

Check mine out below

I am lucky that I also had Photoshop which again was a big help in creating thumbnail and enlarged photos ready for the web.

Start small and build up when your confidence grows.

Regards

Tazwick

 

[doubleR]

Thanks all.

Think I will have to get going on Dreamweaver. I only have time to learn one piece of S/W, so hope it’s the right decision. Also trying Fireworks instead of Photoshop as it may be easier to use in conjunction with Dreamweaver.

I’d better get on with it as the kids want to become experts over half term.