What programs do you use for Web Design?

[CrazYmonkeY159]

I am currently learning XHTML and CSS (maybe later JScript) for some foundation because I want to learn how to design satisfactory websites (at least for now) and increase my design skills as i go along. my main resource for learning is of course www.w3schools.com.

Question 1 : what programs do you recommend for someone in my position(starting off with static web pages)?

Question 2 : what programs do you recommend for someone who is trying to move from designing static web pages to designing more dynamic web pages?



Thank you

crazymOnkey

 

[Drake2007]

You have a webhost yet and what is the target server platform Windows or Linux? It does kinda make a difference.

Some tools so far:
Total Commander ( mainly for FTP )
Firefox and javascript debug pluggin, Google Chrome
Notepad++
The GIMP

 

[InnerException]

Either Crimson Editor or Notepad++. In the end you are going to be using one these text editors anyway, so might as well start from the beginning.
If by dynamic you mean changing the content on the fly like Joomla or wordpress, you should look at learning PHP (also available on w3schools, iirc). Its not difficult to pick up if you already know programming or scripting (I learned it on the job).

EDIT: Drake's post reminded me, get firebug for firefox. Not only is it practically essential for debugging javascript, it actually helps you sometimes with checking the css for all the elements.

 

[RSkeens]

I would recommend getting a decent graphics package instead of a WYSIWYG editor and using a text editor, but it depends on preferences.

I agree, FireBug is really useful.

 

[IceBlade84]

I use http://www.pagebreeze.com/. I mostly use it just to do the layout of my pages. I find it easier to do that with a visual interface. I'm using version 4.0b and it's code is really sloppy, so it needs to be cleaned up. And it adds an add for itself at the bottom, but that can be easily removed After that I just use notepad

 

[CrazYmonkeY159]

Im currently actually working on my Windows 7 PC, I have wamp running and tested it, and it works locally, which means i can start practicing.

Sorry by dynamic i meant changing content on the fly like a CMS would do AND having some sort of webform which processes data automatically

 

[Drake2007]

Im currently actually working on my Windows 7 PC, I have wamp running and tested it, and it works locally, which means i can start practicing.

Sorry by dynamic i meant changing content on the fly like a CMS would do AND having some sort of webform which processes data automatically

ok WAMP you're targetting a linux host,
Netbeans +PHP would be a help there and it handles some basic CSS ( as in a small gui ) and javascript code highlighting.
On the fly you'll be looking into Ajax techniques and possibly jQuery.

 

[Leostar]

Any one using Adobe dreamweaver?? What do you think of it as I am thinking of using it. I did a training course on it.

 

[semiautomatix]

Any one using Adobe dreamweaver?? What do you think of it as I am thinking of using it. I did a training course on it.

Great for an initial frame, as it were. But eventually we all return to code.

 

[Drake2007]

Any one using Adobe dreamweaver?? What do you think of it as I am thinking of using it. I did a training course on it.

I guess it has its place in so far as getting a static website up quickly but IMO it's bloated software that creates bloated html. Friggin tables all over the place makes it really difficult to add dynamic stuff to it.

 

[Leostar]

I guess it has its place in so far as getting a website up quickly but IMO it's bloated software that creates bloated html.

So what must one use? I have used two free software packages so far and they are limited in functionality and ease of use.

I am helping a charity "Hospice" and took over an existing web page. Needs some work still.

The websites are to convey information. They must have a form for submitting information. Nothing as interactive and fancy like this one. No shopping carts either.
However, the only way I can get the site to accept “Donations” and submissions is via a blog page that accepts comments.

Can I post a thread to that web site and to the (One page) that I "wrote" using the free software. They are looking for donations R20.00 a globe. and it is for a good cause. Or will that be seen as commercial advertising and frowned upon?

I saw another asking for comments on his website here. I do not want to transgress rules etc. Or is it ok to open a thread?

 

[Drake2007]

I think open a new thread in this subforum. Also be specific about what your target webhost is, it does make a difference.

 

[Leostar]

I think open a new thread in this subforum. Also be specific about what your target webhost is, it does make a difference.

Target webhost? The service provider? Currently on Heztner. Thanks will post thread with a bit of a story as well.

 

[SilverNodashi]

Dreamweaver is good if you're starting out, and don't know too much about web development.

For a more powerful development environment, take a look @ Eclipse, other NVU (free) is a good small program to use

 

[bradrap]

The editor: Notepad++
The design: Fireworks & Flash CS3 (throw in Colorcop to help get those colour id's quickly)
The server: Wamp
The testers: Firefox with Firebug & IETester
The browsers: Chrome, Opera & Safari
The transfer: Filezilla

 

[semiautomatix]

The editor: Notepad++
The design: Fireworks & Flash CS3 (throw in Colorcop to help get those colour id's quickly)
The server: Wamp
The testers: Firefox with Firebug & IETester
The browsers: Chrome, Opera & Safari
The transfer: Filezilla

You have to test in IE, as well. Lets not forget 70% of the world still use that browser - and it is the one that will give you the most k*k.

I develop in FF because of the plugins. I would also find Greasemonkey useful for testing some scripts on the fly.

 

[bradrap]

Yeah that's kinda what IETester is for, and it's only really IE6- with problems.

 

[FarligOpptreden]

Seeing as the anti-Microsoft brigade has already swamped this topic, I'll make some alternative suggestions:
- Microsoft Visual Web Developer (Free Download for static or dynamic pages)
- Microsoft SQL Server Express Edition (Free Download for hosting your data)
- The GIMP (Open Source for photo editing and graphic design)
- Blender (Open Source for 3D modeling and rendering)

 

[Murdoc]

Im in the same boat as the OP
Ive been designing for 7 years and want to change over to web development/design
Ive been playing around with Dreamweaver for sometime but eventually got frustrated because of the static table blocks of boring.

I then taught myself flash thinking it would open up the door to interactive design but it too left me knowing how to draw a block and add a fill and move it on a time line....
So im pretty confused as to what i want to learn , simply because everything i learn, i seem to struggle to apply into a really job/professional work.

Here is my 1st site ,i bought the template
www.murdoc.co.za
Its incomplete

Ultimatly i wish to know how to make the previewer pan like that or any thing that isnt so fking static maybe something that revolves pics as you mouse over.

Am i correct in starting with HTML-CSS then javascript sort of path to develope something like this

 

[RSkeens]

HTML and CSS is the way to go for building blocks.