Visual Web Editors
So you finally decided to go for it. You will have an online presence. Is time for your very own webpage! But wait a second, what is this HTML code you are talking about? CSS who? img source what? And that’s when you remember you skipped those web development classes when in college. But not all is lost! there is hope.. a light at the end of the tunnel. In fact, even if you are able to move swiftly with hand coded html, sometimes we need to create a quick page for testing purposes (or for that family member annoying us with their great idea that will make millions! we just have to make them a webpage for free).
As you know, there is a very well known web development tool called dreamweaver. It’s a nice program that allows you to visually create websites and keep track and update every page on your site with templates. The problem is the cost. So to overcome this issue, I will present you with two free alternatives to web development that have many of the features found on dreamweaver. In other words: A dreamweaver alternative.
First we have this tool called “Kompozer”. A complete web authoring tool that includes local and remote file management, a visual and code editor, a css editor and much more. It was built on the Mozilla engine… you know, the same engine that powers the firefox web browser.
WYSIWYG editing of pages, making web creation as easy as typing a letter with your word processor.
Integrated file management via FTP. Simply login to your web site and navigate through your files, editing web pages on the fly, directly from your site.
Reliable HTML code creation that will work with all of today’s most popular browsers.
Jump between WYSIWYG Editing Mode and HTML using tabs.
Tabbed editing to make working on multiple pages a snap.
Powerful support for forms, tables, and templates.
The easiest-to-use, most powerful Web Authoring System available for Desktop Linux, Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh users.
And then there is this program called “1st Page 2000″. Evrsoft is the company that makes it, and currently they have a version 2006 as their flagship (trial), but version 2000 has similar features to kompozer, as in: split-view editing, online file editing, custom tags, spell checker, preview in multiple web browsers and more.
Access local and remote files
Insert and convert files
Easy tag selection
Supports proportional fonts and full color customization
Customizable Syntax Highlighting
Customizable Tag Highlighting
Ultra-fast editing facilities – line no# support, gutter, margin
View/disable Hidden characters
Insert/Overwrite mode
So there you have it. No more excuses about not being able to afford an expensive tool such as dreamweaver in order to finish your web projects. These two web development programs, although not as powerful as dreamweaver, will allow you to create complete sites with ease and without spending a dime for them.
Kompozer: http://kompozer.net/features.php (7.6 MB)
1st Page 2000: http://www.evrsoft.com/1stpage2_features.shtml (5.2 MB)
NOTE: 1st Page 2000 developer appears to have removed the free download to this editor from their site. Do a google ftp search for “1stpage2.zip” or you can use this active mirror: http://www.mediafire.com/file/wqvmtzjungm/1stpage2.zip
