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Frontpage Dreamweaver Word Free Programmes Frontpage Express Netscape Composer Others
There are many different webpage making programmes (HTML editors). I'll only mention here a few of the WYSIWYG programmes that I know of, but may not have experience of. (What You See Is What You Get - you create the page as if it's a word processor - the programme converts it into the web page)
Each programme is slightly different. I can only mention those differences in those I know - Frontpage and Word.
There are peculiarities associated with creating pages with Microsoft Word and Frontpage. Those are the only 2 that I have experience of, so others may well have their own issues. Firstly, Frontpage Express is the free (with Windows) and much more limited version of Frontpage (Frontpage 98 or 2000) - don't confuse them, as they are completely different programmes.
Microsoft Frontpage (98 or 2000) is a great tool, and an expensive one if you're just starting out. I wouldn't use anything else now. You can create a great web page in next to no time using this programme. While you're starting out, stick to a simple "one page web" then add pages afterward if you want to. For the first time I'd advise you not to use Themes or Frames. (I still don't)
Creating a webpage with Frontpage 98
If you want to take it further as you get more used to the programme, then Microsoft Frontpage has lots of extras and super duper gizmos to enhance web pages. Some of these use "Frontpage Extensions" - such as discussion boards, guestbooks, e-mail forms etc etc. To be able to use these, your website host also needs to have the facility. I know of no free web hosting service which will accept Frontpage Extensions. To be able to use them, you will firstly need to find a host company offering them. Valiant (see previous page) do so, but it is a paid hosting service.
Frontpage Themes means you choose a theme for your webpage, with banners, buttons, icons, bullets, backgrounds, headings etc. Frontpage will put these into a separate folder. That's fine if you have an FTP programme to upload your website. If your host company, or you, only have web page upload facility - then you will probably not be able to upload folders, and therefore your Theme will not work. I got around that problem by choosing a background and bullet that I wanted, then saving those images into my main website folder. Then rather than using Format, then Theme. I choose Format, then Background, then select image.
Frontpage also has it's own uploading facility - which they call "publishing". However, once again, many host services will not accept this method of uploading. (Similar situation to Frontpage Extensions) I use Frontpage, but with an FTP programme (or previously, uploading via a web page)
To be able to use all of Frontpage Extensions and Themes properly, you should use it's own Web Publishing tool. Before you do so, you'll need to contact the host company to make sure they can accommodate all the features.
I've no experience of this one, but it's probably Frontpage's main rival.
I used Word to create my first web page. It's relatively easy to do, but it does save files and images into a separate folder. When you upload your webpage, you also need to upload the folder. That's fine - if you use an FTP programme. If you have to upload via a web page facility, then you will not be able to upload folders. (Not at the ones I've used anyway) There is a way around it, but it's fiddly!
You probably have one of the following programmes on your computer already - just raring to go! Frontpage Express or Netscape Composer, or maybe Word (which isn't free, but you may well have it!)
This programme comes free with Windows. If you have Windows, then it's on your computer somewhere. On mine, it's listed in the Start Menu under Programs, then Internet Explorer, then Frontpage Express. You may also find it by clicking on the arrow button next to the Edit icon at the top of your browser (next to print in Intenet Explorer?) - NOT the "Edit" next to the file menu. This programme is a scaled down and much more limited to the full Frontpage programme, but you will be able to create a webpage!
If Frontpage Express arrives with Internet Exploer, then Netscape Composer arrives with the Netscape Communicator (I think - I don't have it so I'm not entirely sure! Launch Communicator, then Page Composer from any Communicator menu bar.
Building webpages with Netscape Composer
Web Page Construction using Netscape Composer
Other Free Webpage Programmes to Download
Here are some freeware webpage authoring programmes that you can download - I haven't used any of them, but there are reviews/ratings on the following pages
Web Weaver EZ Web Builder Homestead Sitebuilder Arachnophilia
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