Goodbye FrontPage, Hello Expression Web
I decided to check out the brand new Expression Web after someone asked the question “Is it even worth it to learn FrontPage now?” I can’t resist a challenge and love to always check out new software. Funny how FrontPage came up last week too. You probably thought based on my response that I’m not a big fan of FrontPage… actually that’s not true.
It is true I’ve stopped using FrontPage for years simply because I like to hand code (Oh! Lynette is such a masochist 😉 ). I started creating web pages in 1998 and the first tool I used was FrontPage. Back then, there was such a thing called FrontPage Express – a free, watered down but sufficient product. I also learnt to hand code while learning FrontPage – I had a very good teacher who insisted I do both. Even though I knew how to hand code, I always pulled up FrontPage because it’s easy to slap up a web page.
But as time went on and me and hubby started our very own web site, I hit several brick walls. For one, our site was growing from two to three pages to many many many pages. I also wanted to journal then which today what people would call a blog. Oh boy how I envy you guys and gals just starting to build sites and blogs these days. Needless to say, every time I try to change something in the header, footer or menu of our site I would literally tremble and put it off, put it off, put it off. In those early FrontPage
versions, included content was not part of the features.
This was the catalyst for me to abandon FrontPage and pick up PHP and create dynamic web sites. Many years past, despite the included content and shared borders, I still found it inadequate because, if I wanted to change the position (not size) of say my Adsense, I still have to edit every single page by hand. So when XsitePro was released, I jumped and I love it.
Now, Microsoft has announced FrontPage will no longer be updated and soon to be phased out. In it’s place is Expression Web. I downloaded the Beta 1 and guess what I did? I pulled up that ancient web site I started building in 1998 with FrontPage, I am already enjoying it. I am finally going to finish what I started almost 9 years ago. Using the brand new and very neat feature they call “Dynamic Web Template”, I’m updating all my sites to reflect one design without a lot of work it’s really cool.
Dynamic Web Templates are – well a template. The idea is, you create a template, with all the design elements you want to be consistent throughout the whole site. Then you tell Expression Web which are editable elements. This means when you convert or create your new web pages, all the stuff in your template is already there. You cannot edit those template elements from the page view directly which make sense and it’s also good because if you and several other people are creating web pages on the site, you don’t
want them to mess around with your design just add content. Dynamic Web Templates ensures that.
The only gripe I have with this feature now is, when I update my template it doesn’t necessarily update all your web pages unless they are currently open. So that is not very good. But maybe I’m just missing something. I’ve only had this thing for 45 minutes and already changed a bunch of pages. Will keep testing.
Now – what about code? From what I can tell Expression Web certainly creates much nicer better codes (better even than XSitePro). I actually didn’t have to edit out any junk code for once. And, I love it the CSS editing features. I’m already sold and am putting in a pre-order for the upgrade.
What about XSitePro? It still has it’s uses. I think having both is a good idea. I’m going to reserve it for small to medium content sites.
Is it still a good idea to learn Frontpage
from FrontPage. If you know FrontPage, you have a better understanding how to use Expression Web. But if you can wait, learn Microsoft Expression Web
it creates better pages and sites than FrontPage.
Technorati Tags: FrontPage, Microsoft, Expression Web, technology, web development, XSitePro
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Lynette-
When I tried using the beta of Expression, it kept hanging and would not FTP properly. I have a few sites for clients that I still use FP on, but not enough to spend another $250 for the product. I use Dreamweaver 8 on the rest of my sites, and some hand coding, too, and like that much better.
Just curious, you have any feedback or opinions on Adobe’s GoLive CS2? I have toyed around with the idea of using that as well, but I really need an honest opinion from you 🙂
Pauly
Lynette-
When I tried using the beta of Expression, it kept hanging and would not FTP properly. I have a few sites for clients that I still use FP on, but not enough to spend another $250 for the product. I use Dreamweaver 8 on the rest of my sites, and some hand coding, too, and like that much better.
Just curious, you have any feedback or opinions on Adobe’s GoLive CS2? I have toyed around with the idea of using that as well, but I really need an honest opinion from you 🙂
Pauly
Yes, admittedly the FTP absolutely does NOT work. I am crossing my fingers they will fix it. I am naturally comfortable with my handy Filezilla so it doesn’t bother me that much to use an external program but then again, a program should do what it says on the tin.
The upgrade will cost me $98 so it’s pretty fair considering the number of years (prior) I’ve got out of FP.
I think site builders are like browsers and operating systems. You either love it or hate it and everyone develops a special liking to one. I never believe there is one software for everyone but rather what suits your work habits after all everyone works differently.
Oh, sorry. I haven’t tried GoLive so can’t comment much there though I’ve heard it’s very good.
Talking about site builders, my Mac friends recently highlighted a nice piece of software and very easy on the wallet too. I haven’t tried it because I use NVU on my PowerBook and don’t do that much design on my Mac (horrors!).
It’s called RapidWeaver. Any of you Mac folks use it? How do you like it?
Yes, admittedly the FTP absolutely does NOT work. I am crossing my fingers they will fix it. I am naturally comfortable with my handy Filezilla so it doesn’t bother me that much to use an external program but then again, a program should do what it says on the tin.
The upgrade will cost me $98 so it’s pretty fair considering the number of years (prior) I’ve got out of FP.
I think site builders are like browsers and operating systems. You either love it or hate it and everyone develops a special liking to one. I never believe there is one software for everyone but rather what suits your work habits after all everyone works differently.
Oh, sorry. I haven’t tried GoLive so can’t comment much there though I’ve heard it’s very good.
Talking about site builders, my Mac friends recently highlighted a nice piece of software and very easy on the wallet too. I haven’t tried it because I use NVU on my PowerBook and don’t do that much design on my Mac (horrors!).
It’s called RapidWeaver. Any of you Mac folks use it? How do you like it?
Lynette,
I am thinking of getting Expression Web. Are you still enjoying it and would your recommend it still? You know I always value your opinion ;).
Thanks so much!
Jen
Lynette,
I am thinking of getting Expression Web. Are you still enjoying it and would your recommend it still? You know I always value your opinion ;).
Thanks so much!
Jen
Hey Jen,
Yes. I use it all the time these days. One thing I never thought would happen is, I am slowly using less and less of XSP.
Hey Jen,
Yes. I use it all the time these days. One thing I never thought would happen is, I am slowly using less and less of XSP.
Jen-
Even though it is more money, you may still want to take a look at Dreamweaver 8, although the Expression Web in my opinion is a pretty close knock-off.
Hi Lynette:-).
Paul
Jen-
Even though it is more money, you may still want to take a look at Dreamweaver 8, although the Expression Web in my opinion is a pretty close knock-off.
Hi Lynette:-).
Paul