What is the best Website creation software?

LFG · 11-12-2006, 12:40 PM

I need to buy a PC software package that will allow me to create a cool looking website homepage, and a couple of sub pages for a portal site, mmoflames.com. Absolutely nothing will change on this site because of that, just want to link here and from other game site(s) I'm working on.

Please keep in mind that until this site came up, I'd never had a web site or used software like this. Actually, I don't know a Gigabyte from a chiggerbite. I want something powerful that will do the coolest things possible but is easy to use without being so easy it's lame or like "web site design with Barney."

I just want to buy the best software package for that and begin using it.

Suggestions please.

Calthine · 11-12-2006, 01:20 PM

My experience is strictly limited to HTML, but I'm told that's weak now and everyone who;s everyone uses CSS (Cascading Style Sheets, dont' ask me) The last package I used was Dreamweaver. It was very powerful, and you could do a lot with it without ever utilizing it to it's full capabilities. There's also good second-party books for it.

Of course, it was a pirated copy which has long since gone to the Dead Hard Drive in the Sky.

My other advice: MS Frontpage blows. You could of course, code a basic HTML page in most word processors.

edit: I was just looking for the last websote I designed for someone... the bar changed hands and looks like they didn't take the site too, and Bob didn't renew the URL....

Niber · 11-12-2006, 01:32 PM

Dreamweaver is a pretty good starting point.

But to create anything professional you're going to need to learn a plethora of languages. (HTML, PHP, maybe Flash.) Some of the best designers I know use only notepad to design sites.

Nurta · 11-12-2006, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niber

Dreamweaver is a pretty good starting point.

But to create anything professional you're going to need to learn a plethora of languages. (HTML, PHP, maybe Flash.) Some of the best designers I know use only notepad to design sites.

It's scary but he's right. Many of the better desingers I know just code it all in notepad and make it look wonderful. If you don't know allot Dreamweaver is great for starting out but if you want to do better you're going to need learn some coding. PHP is good to learn as it allows you to many "functions" as in code functions and there's a huge vault of knowledge and premade scripts already on the net.

Sqee · 11-12-2006, 02:51 PM

I code in notepad ++

It gives you the color changes for coding - Now.. "Designers" would do dreamweaver.. "Coders" do notepad...

least.. in my experiance. I dont do any design in notepad because i dont have the pretty graphics, and it dosnt give me the right feel.

Personally, i'd swipe a page you like, and modify it to fit your needs. Just make sure you arnt swipping a page with copy writes.

Thelounge · 11-12-2006, 03:54 PM

I used to use coffeecup, I Doubt it is still around though lmao. DHTML FTW

Calthine · 11-12-2006, 04:06 PM

Eh, you could learn coding, but if you just want a portal page, like MMOFlames.com with lnks to the various game flame sites and maybe a copy of the rules, HTML would do. Shoot, I could probably whip up something that didn't suck too bad in OpenOffice. Go to Downloads.com or Shareware.com and see what's free out there, lol.

Illuminator · 11-12-2006, 05:02 PM

Notepad is fine for last-minute touchups, but syntax highlighting, auto-indent, and virtual whitespace are too valuable to do without. I use Crimson Editor for PHP. Ever since I used Frontpage Express years ago, I haven't trusted graphical HTML editors.

Personally, I would avoid Flash like the plague unless it's absolutely impossible to do otherwise.

My advice for LFG...regardless of which package you use, it would definitely not hurt to buy HTML for Dummies or something similar. It's good shit to know if you want an online voice, and it won't necessarily bog you down in PC internals.

Lamil · 11-12-2006, 11:57 PM

I use dreamweaver / notepad. I just messed around with coding and figured a lot out, and between online tutorials, and just changing random things to see what happened. I write my own code for the most part, but I like being able to preview everything every once in a while with dreamweaver. Lets me know when i'm really fucking up a design haha.

http://www.gooutandskate.net

thats my website right now.

edit - if anyone would like to formally help me out haha, and tell me what I need to do to make things better, feel free. aim = kevkevsnowskate or pm. welcome to anything =p

Cupcake · 11-14-2006, 11:59 AM

Notepad, or possibly Ultraedit.