Dreamweaver, GoLive vs text editor?

[Stefan]

Hi,

Is anyone using Adobe GoLive or Macromedia Dreamweaver? I'm trying out Adobe's GoLive right now and I haven't looked at DreamWeaver yet. I haven't a clue how to evaluate and decide which software I'd buy and pay for. It would help me a great deal to hear some opinions or thoughts.

I like how GoLive lets me use Photoshop files. Using QuickTime for animation works great. That means I could stop fiddling with some of the rinky dink smil stuff from real. Sometimes GoLive seems to have its own opinion what's what i.e. recognizing my files. I keep forgetting that the thing really likes everything being dragged into it. But that might be windows being ms-centric. Annoying.

I wonder if software like GoLive is really overkill considering I'm using it for personal use. I guess I like the idea having everything in one place (software) for once and maybe cut down on all that typing. Learning the technology is another reason. Are GoLive and DreamWeaver mostly geared/used for industrial strength production? Stefan.

 

[theKeeper]

I've used GoLive for a very short time. Not mine though. I use DreamWeaver and HomeSite myself. I've always hand coded and DW is/was mearly for more detailed construction template creation. But i'm finding my way over to using it more often now... now that i've gotten used to how it screws up my code to no end. But unless you're a hand coder, you won't know or care about that. That's just me being ME. [oops]

Of the 2 apps... i'd recommend DW over GL. It's better designed, easier to understand and learn and they have an excellent support group too. Plus the free scripts by other users is cool. Plus, since Flash is getting more popular, DW is the best option there since it's MM's code, and they've weaved it into DW quite well now.

I wonder if software like GoLive is really overkill considering I'm using it for personal use.

That would depend entirely on whether you can justify the cost. Both are not cheap, and both are slightly overkill for just a casual user. But if you enjoy doing it and plan on getting into it more, then that may be your justification. [honesty]

 

[AppleCider]

I use GoLive and BBEdit. I'm using BBEdit more and more now since I'm mostly building pages based entirely on cascading stylesheets. When you don't have to code tables, it's a LOT easier (Life is too short to hand-code tables!)

That said, I like GoLive, because of its tight integration with Photoshop & Illustrator (and I understand that will be even more so when CS comes out). However, Dreamweaver has its very vocal fans, so I'd suggest you try both out before buying.

As for cost: The cheapest way to go is to do a search in ebay; get a lower version for very low cost (v. 4 & up) and upgrade. Naturally, as with anything else with ebay, do research on the seller, including emailing him/her.

 

[Joy Foraker]

Julie - that's a good tip in e-bay I never thought of that. If you purchase on ebay can you take over the serial codes, etc. and have no problems upgrading?

Stefen - I started using DW because all my web instructors recommended it. Now I am up to DWMX and of course have added FWMX (Fireworks) as a companion art and web program.

Its a dynomite combo because you lay the foundation in PS7(or any graphics program including Fireworks) and move into Fireworks mx, FWmx changes it to png files. Now you can make disjointed rollovers, rollover menus, animation, almost any thing you want to do is possible.

You next slice and save in either jpg or gif and FWMX writes the html necessary to insert all into Dreamweaver MX. Later its easy to correct errors and graphics because of round trip. Also you can adjust the source code DWMX writes if you want to make some changes. They explain their code to you. good support. if you intent to design websites, I recommend this as a timesaving program. You can actually make a complicated web site in very short time. And additional js you need can be added to DW source code. Easy.

Besure to try it before you make a decision

 

[AppleCider]

Julie - that's a good tip in e-bay I never thought of that. If you purchase on ebay can you take over the serial codes, etc. and have no problems upgrading?

Joy, I've never had a single problem upgrading (this is how I got Photoshop in the first place). But... it's important to do some research. Read the product description carefully...look for "new in box" or something to that effect. Also, be sure you're not bidding on an academic version. If there's any doubt, email the seller before bidding. Also, look at the seller's feedback.

 

[Stefan]

Wow, thank you.

Hey there,

was in the middle of writing back. will get back to you tomorrow some time, I'mving mysterious glitches in my pc..the keyboard actuallya..stefan.

 

[MsOz]

You can also call Adobe toll free to verify if the seller has a registered version before you buy it.

Beware. Not everyone has glowing success stories buying from e-bay. I've heard more bad than good, myself.

 

[Erik]

Problem with applications, if you may call them so, is that the code they produce is meant to be working for everyone. When you hand-code, you can do exactly what you want to do,and when using an app like GoLive or Dreamweaver, the code can sometimes be a bit longer and not taking the shortest way from A to B, but that is because it has to be written for the most bizarre users also. If you understand what I mean.
Personally, I need to see what I do, so hand-coding is not my cup of tea. I change/add/delete sometimes a bit, but I like Dreamweaver a lot. I've always said that there are only two things I don't like about Photoshop. The first is ImageReady integrated with it, and the second one is that it isn't by Macromedia because I love the MX interface.
The other side: DW can do much more than I'll ever need, and all US companies now charge 20% extra (VAT) to European downloaders.
So I won't ever upgrade anymore. Pity.

 

[Stefan]

Thank you.

Hey there,

so glad I asked.

Mark you mention the handcoders. I feel I'm being hijacked by GoLive's hand in things. Actually I don't even know some of the brew that's in the source. It's not true html, proprietary markup? I'm pretty sure it'll take some time getting used to. Having access to support by a tech support (pun intended) is one huge plus right there. So is an exchange among users.

AppleCider(?) or am I too tired to think? CSS was really the thing that got my attention and interest in html javascript and web technology. CSS and the W3C. For one, I immediately disliked tables knowing very well that when I'm creative my brain gets hyperactive and I'd have a hard time keeping that thing in one piece. (the table that is)! I suppose tables at one point reflected the type of data the browser was expected to render. I suppose tables are efficient in displaying spreadsheets and similar types of data. The static stuff. Before the time a picture could be turned into this gadget to link somewhere. Not all that long ago!! So, CSS, big reason I didn't get into authoring software sooner. BBedit I think I remember something, it's for Mac?

Joy I didn't think about Fireworks but will try it out before too long. At least get a feeling for it. PS and the integration with Flash is of course a potent mix. I have Flash 5, use it rarely now, great go between for XaraX and Photoshop. Great when I'm in the mood for strangeness, using render on a perfectly sunny day type picture. But I got PS now and much better distortions. I think someone mentions MX and it's interface. Flash5, I always thought it's inconsistant. I didn't like the way I have to use it. Pitty, it turned me off somehow. MX would be great to do... My problem sometimes is that I think I'm a programmer who shouldn't be fiddling with gradients and selections. Truth is, I can't get enough of both "worlds." Who knows, finally getting the authoring and scripting organized, streamlined whatever, might just be the ticket to be both worlds.

Just one comment about the cost. I held back about buying Photoshop until last year(?) sometime. PS Elements2 was all I needed. So I thought. And I did work around the lack of channels and QM and a bunch of functions. PS, huge step for me. Not sure why, but the quality of what I create improved, the amount increased, and I suddenly needed to keep a log for new ideas. Maybe because I take myself more serious? This process, yes, I take that serious in a non-serious way. That much I know.

Thanks again. You've helped me a lot. I don't feel I have to rush things now. I'll do DreamWeaver and Fireworks next. Maybe even Illustrator ... oh the PC malfunction yesterday, something happend and the audio interfered with the keyboard and other stuff. I was using WinAmp receiving a rather fast paced audio stream. Only have it since last week. Windows/RealOne they weren't this bad about that. Need to research. Or not stream, Photoshop and do this'n that at the same time. But, who's got the time to do one thing and then do the other? And icq is a memory hog even the new version.

bye for now. Stefan.