I use several applications designing Web sites. Personally, I rarely use any type of WYSIWYG tools such as Frontpage, NetObjects Fusion, or Dreamweaver. I code almost everything I do by hand using Homesite or Cold Fusion Studio (almost the same thing). Both are raw coding editors with lots of nice built-in tools, wizards, and help. However, make no mistake, these are not drag and drop tools.
Creating a Web site starts on the creative end, where you develop a site map, look-n-feel (Graphic Design), and navigation. I use Photoshop to do the design work, along with Image Ready and Fireworks. I then slice up the graphic work into seperate images that will make up the layout in HTML. I then code the HTML utilizing the individual image from the design work to recreate it in HTML so it works on all browsers (hopefully) 3.0 and up. I also code any Javascript and CSS (Style Sheets) needed at that time also. Next you move into the back end coding, assuming your site has function to it or applications. CGI type development may be in a variety of forms, such as Perl, Cold Fusion, ASP, JSP, Java, or other type of CGI type language. I also code this in Homesite.
For those who do not have an extensive programming and HTML layout and design background like I do, a WYSIWYG tool may be a good short term option. However, I don't feel it is a substitute for learning how to actually code HTML, Javascript, and CSS for yourself in the long term.
Simply put, you just can't get the level of layout control that you can by hand coding. They also spit out lots of spaghetti code.
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Dan McClain, Editor
The Mustang Works Magazine
1991 Mustang GT - NOVI Supercharged 377 Stroker
1999 Ford Lightning SVT - Supercharged 5.4L Triton
[This message has been edited by Dan McClain (edited 12-06-2000).]