web guys...

[markD]

i want to develop a new website for my band. the last time i worked on one was when MS front page was cool. i currently have NO web design software. what is a decent new (or slightly out of date) program that is easy to use and gives good results? i am looking at MS expression studio 1 and front page '03 (since i already know front page to an extent). is there anything else out there that is good, afordable, basic, etc.?

i'd LOVE to do a flash site....is that hard and are there any decent programs for a good price?

thanks....

[rjohnstone]

Say no to FLASH!
Too much overhead and a pita to maintain.

I still use Frontpage 2003. I tried the new Sharepoint Designer that replaced Frontpage, but I didn't care for it.

[markD]

is 2003 much different than 98?

[Jacksons Shred]

The most mainstream web-design program today is probably Dreamweaver, it's a excellent program, but sort of pricey. Unless you know where to look for it .

Also, if it's a just a band website, why not just use a blog type program, like Wordpress. Many sites today use wordpress even if it's not for a "blog". It's simple, easy, free, millions of layouts on the net, and if you ever wanted someone to custom make it for you, there are thousands of emo kids willing to make a layout for like $10.

[Mordor]

I used NVU for a couple of times, it's easy but you cannot do lots of things like with Dreamweaver. Give it a try, it's free.

[jackson1]

Here comes a long sentence:
Want to make a fast loading, informative, user-friendly, Google-friendly, searchable (search engines), scalable (font-size) and easily accessible webpage, the way the web was intended? Then don't use flash.

Start using html, css and perhaps php.

I'm with Jacksons Shred. Find a suitable template and go from there. I can highly recommend this Swedish guy's work. Then find an editor you like. Dreamweaver is good, but you could also use a simple texteditor and skim through a few books on the subject. The template will get you started in no time.

[DonP]

http://www.w3schools.com/

[JacksonDean]

Visual Web Developer ( http://www.microsoft.com/express/download/ ) with some "how-to"s here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/beginner/default.aspx

[Newc]

www.coffeecup.com - used it for years, even though I neglect all my web sites

[rjohnstone]

is 2003 much different than 98?

2003 is much better.
Better CSS implementation.
The latest version, Sharepoint Designer, looks almost like Dreamweaver.
Which is why I don't care for it.

[Newc]

I tried Dreamweaver when it was new and found it to generate bloated code. Rather than a simple "center" tag it threw in 64 lines of "table" code to achieve the same result.