I've put together a number of websites, mainly for friends, all done using free text editing software. I think that I have a reasonable grasp of html, php, css etc and the websites all work well, but I do realise that the page design could be improved. I'm starting to get a number of enquiries from potential paying clients and now may be the time to invest in some web design software. Big question is whether Dreamweaver is worth the cost and will it take forever to learn how to use it? Are there any cheaper or better alternatives? Annoyingly Dreamweaver costs $400 in the US, but to buy it in the UK costs £400 - approximately $800 (I have friends in the US who could send it to me though) On a similar topic, I currently use a PC, but a few designers I know recommend changing to a mac. They're more expensive, but are they really as good as Apple say they are, or is it hype? Jon
Ever since I was using dreamweaver and all I can say is it was a good software.. though I never tried any software except for this one.
Then Dreamweaver will be a step backwards. Dreamweaver will screw up your code (HTML) it has a poor PHP code editor, and a just above-decent HTML one. The designing is something you do in Photoshop, Fireworks, Illustrator, PaintShop Pro, Gimp, Paint.NET...whatever, Dreamweaver is for turning those designs into crap code.
Do you know any students? If so they can buy it for £75. I recently did an evening course and was able to buy it for this price. The price of the course and dreamweaver was still less than buying the standard version.
i agree. as soon as i found Dw i stayed with it and threw everything else away. when macromedia was in charge they had some great tutorials up in their site. i did them and that was all i needed to start working with it. i attached fireworks and flash and its all i need. pricey, but worthwhile.
Dreamweaver is one of the best programs for web design / web development it is well worth the investment.
Ever since Adobe bought Macromedia, DW turned into crap. It's so heavy and slow... I wouldn't pay to get it.
Dreamweaver is an excelent program. I want to see the CS4 version. And i hope it will have php code beautifier.
Dreamweaver is an excellent tool. You can customize it to suit your personal needs. I personally use it strictly as a text editor and a site and project manager. Also what is with all of the pro-piracy on this board? I'd like to think I'm in the company of professionals.
well what I recommend is that you 'download it' from a site such as...mininova (google it) and then pay for it later once you have the funds. It is a great program. Essential.