Best web design software?

[Lydia123]

What easy program do you recommend for web design? Is there an advantage to buying something like Dreamweaver instead of just designing a whole site in Wordpress? What would be the limitations of using Wordpress for web design? The big advantage that I can see is that using Wordpress would enable me to design it "live," whereas with everything else I think I have to design it on my desktop, then upload it to see how it works, correct?

[felgall]

If you don't want to buy Dreamweaver then the next best alternative for an editor to run on your computer would be Kompozer or NVU (both of which are free downloads).

If you prefer to develop your site online then it is up to you whether you decide to try to push the limits of blogging software like WordPress or use a proper Content Management System such as Joomla or Drupal.

[Lydia123]

If you don't want to buy Dreamweaver then the next best alternative for an editor to run on your computer would be Kompozer or NVU (both of which are free downloads).

If you prefer to develop your site online then it is up to you whether you decide to try to push the limits of blogging software like WordPress or use a proper Content Management System such as Joomla or Drupal.


Is a CMS something that allows you to do full-blown online web design, then? I'm kind of fuzzy as to what a CMS is, I thought it was something that just allowed small management or tweaking of existing sites. I see Joomla mentioned a lot here, so it must be popular. Is there an advantage to using it over Dreamweaver besides it being free? Because I don't mind paying for a good, easy-to-use program.

[redsox9]

A content-management system (CMS) may be thought of as a "site in a box" that only requires the addition of content. As the administrator, you can choose whether to simply add the content yourself or allow other users to add additional commentary. Some of the more popular software options (like Joomla) have several design templates out there available for little or no cost that you can use or customize for your purposes.

I would recommend CMS software to someone who wants to get a site up and running quickly and isn't as concerned about having a total, in-depth knowledge of the inner workings, i.e., the nuts and bolts, of the site.

[Lydia123]

<< I would recommend CMS software to someone who wants to get a site up and running quickly and isn't as concerned about having a total, in-depth knowledge of the inner workings, i.e., the nuts and bolts, of the site. >>

Well, that's me. :) I asked this in a different thread, but I'll ask again here, would using a CMS enable me to work live, online, or would I have to do it all on my desktop and upload?

I assume I would have a folder named "Joomla" in my public-html folder and do all my website design in it. After I'm done, how would I get it to show up; would I have to move the sub folders out of the Joomla folder and directly into the public-html folder?

[felgall]

Joomla would sit in the public_html folder. Your content would be stored in a database where one of the fields would indicate what is published on your site and what is hidden from visitors because you are still working on it.

[JunkDraw]

Ive been having problems since installing drupal last week. constantly blowing through CPU limits. every 5 minutes it goes down. its become such a neusance because i got the site looking exactly how i wanted it with all the functionality i need. and i cant even have people visit it without it crashing after they view 10 images.

Drupal is wonderful, but combined with bluehost it counteracts its purpose; making site building easier.

[Travis Coats]

but I'll ask again here, would using a CMS enable me to work live, online, or would I have to do it all on my desktop and upload?


It comes with an admin panel, all site "tweaking" is done through this panel which is accessed through your browser. While Joomla is an excellent CMS, and can get you up and running fast, I hope you aren't picky with design because there are not that many "good" templates available for free. I've seen templates from $35-70. Not to mention that you need to pay careful attention to what you need as far as content on your site, otherwise you may have to tweak the modules on the template, which is done just like you would in a Dreamweaver code-view environment.

I would recommend downloading the manual for free on Joomla and reading it before hand. Although it isn't that hard it is a little intimidating at first with all the quirks, panels, settings etc.

:)