| Bazza |
| (regular) |
| Fri Feb 02 2007 09:12 AM |
Am I using the best program for my limited skills?
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I've just set up with 1and1.co.uk and started using their website builder package. Although it has plenty of really good templates, I hate the way they all look like a long piece of paper in the middle of the screen (i.e. with gaps down the sides), so I want to graduate to something slightly more sophisticated.
I have pretty good Powerpoint skills and it looks like Dreamweaver might provide me with the PPT type experience, however I have a software bundle on the way which includes NetObjects Fusion 8, and a friend has recommended the control panel in e107.org (am I right in assuming I can use this and transfer the finished article via FTP to 1and1?).
What would you recommend:
a. Buy Dreamweaver (£370!!!)
b. Wait for NetObjects Fusion 8
c. Use e107 immediately
d. Other solution
Also, is the rest of the software bundle any good? They have:
Ulead® PhotoImpact 11 SE
NetObjects Fusion 8
Ulead® GIF Animator™ 5
Hello Engines!
Ranking Toolbox 4.0
WISE.FTP 3.0
Many thanks in advance for any advice.
Bazza
| Whizwrinkly |
| (regular) |
| Fri Feb 02 2007 10:12 PM |
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Re: Am I using the best program for my limited skills?
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Wait for the software and save paying for something you don't need. NOF and Ulead are excellent design and graphics applications. Although I don't use their templates I have built all my sites with these programs.
| Bazza |
| (regular) |
| Sat Feb 03 2007 03:32 PM |
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Re: Am I using the best program for my limited skills?
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Thanks WW.
e107.org is free and highly recommended and I have to wait for up to 3 weeks for the software bundle to arrive. If I load e107 will I be able to change over to NOF when it comes or are you committed to the route you take?
| Whizwrinkly |
| (regular) |
| Sun Feb 04 2007 11:12 PM |
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Re: Am I using the best program for my limited skills?
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No, it's almost impossible to change from one designer prog to another. They all have different ways of handling the HTML output.
There's nothing to stop you starting again when the software arrives, then choose which you prefer.
| Bazza |
| (regular) |
| Mon Feb 05 2007 03:45 PM |
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Re: Am I using the best program for my limited skills?
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Thanks Whiz, you've been very helpful.
| JMM |
| (new user) |
| Tue Feb 06 2007 02:34 PM |
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Re: Am I using the best program for my limited skills?
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Afraid I can't comment on the programs you have suggested as I use Dreamweaver and swear by it but agree it is a lot of money and un-necessary for somone just starting out. Wise-FTP is excellent though. I highly recommend that for ftp transfers (until you get Dreamweaver).
I would like to comment on the "long piece of paper" layout...
This is generally a common layout. The width of the 'page' is set to 800 pixals. This is done so that the site looks uniform regardless of the screen size of the user. You can design sites that look really good regardless of screen size (or even window size) but 1. it is very difficult and you may have to make comprimises and 2. is best done using CSS and not tables.
Text only pages generally work best with different screen/window sizes but introduce pictures or fixed width divisions / tables etc and it will either look terrible or worse, have horizontal scroll bars.
TheFatControlleR
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| (Forum Admin) |
| Tue Feb 06 2007 02:48 PM |
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Re: Am I using the best program for my limited skills?
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Quote:
... This is generally a common layout. The width of the 'page' is set to 800 pixals...
If one is aiming to cover the now decreasing 800x600 monitor market I'd recommend a page width of 765 to allow for browser furniture (window border/frame, scroll bars, etc).
| JMM |
| (new user) |
| Tue Feb 06 2007 04:18 PM |
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Re: Am I using the best program for my limited skills?
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That's a very good point.
I got so used to designing pages that fit on one full screen only (except damned IE always sticks a scrollbar on the screen even if it's not needed) I forget details like that. D'Oh! Brain now engaged.
| Whizwrinkly |
| (regular) |
| Wed Feb 07 2007 11:01 PM |
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Re: Am I using the best program for my limited skills?
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If you make your width 770 pixels wide it will fit exactly into an 800 window with a scrollbar.