Adobe Dreamweaver or MS Expression Web?

[Kreskin]

I have tinkered with web stuff for a number of years. I learned the old fashioned way - notepad. I have exclusively used notepad for building and maintaining a website. I have tried really cheapo html editors in the past and found them to be more of a nuisance than they're worth. While notepad has served me well (aside from time lost) I'm wondering if I shouldn't invest in a premium web design program.

Does anyone have experience with either Dreamweaver or Expression Web and is either worth the investment? Do they come with built in templates for professional quick design?

 

[Kreskin]

To add to be questions, do either of these programs help create secure PHP login scripts on a web page, for example?

 

[#juan]

The only web editors I've used are Frontpage Express and Frontpage 2000. Express can be downloaded free off the net. 2000 is about three hundred bucks from Microsoft.. I haven't used either Dreamweaver or Expression Web but I know they are expensive.

 

[Kreskin]

Expression Web is about $300 too. Dreamweaver about $400.

 

[Praxius]

You can download a free 30 day trial of Dreamweaver (Last I checked) which allows you to use all of it's capabilities for that period of time.

I've heard nightmares about FrontPage, and I never liked it's apperance so I never got into it.

I've been educated in using Dreamweaver since 1998 and although seems a bit complicated, it's a hell of a lot easier then just notepad. Drag and drop pictures or flash, click and pick you colors, backgrounds, create tables, cells, frames with ease..... even has FTP capabilities which are also easy to setup.

With Photoshop and Dreamweaver, one could make some perddy web sites. Others I heard who have used FrontPage always hated it.... so my recommendation is obvious.

Trial:
http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/mmform/index.cfm?name=trial_notify&loc=en_us

Currently unavailable until July 1st for some reason. but check it out when you can.

 

[Kreskin]

I downloaded the trial version of Expression Web. You might want to ensure your children aren't reading this. It was a royal pain in the ****in arse from the get go. Notepad is faster than that bull****.

 

[Dexter Sinister]

First rule: do not use anything from Microsoft.

 

[L Gilbert]

..... unless you are of a masochistic bent.
Um, I have a friend in Montreal who's been making webpages for years and thinks Dreamweaver is worth the extra (if that's any help).

 

[acidcomplex]

Dreamweaver is the best by far, I have been doing webs for many years and wont use anything else, and I have tried them all

 

[Risus]

I agree, Dreamweaver is the way to go. I've tried Frontpage, and it just doesn't compare.

 

[Kreskin]

It better be better than Microsoft because their program is useless.

 

[Risus]

It better be better than Microsoft because their program is useless.

Lets face it, a lot of what Microsoft has is crap.