Web Design Software

James123_2

I was wondering what software might be serve as a good introduction to web design for my son. He has mentioned Dreamweaver, but I can see that this is not for the novice. He's 13. If possible, it would be something a semi-computer-literate person such as myself might be able to have a go at. It would be good if Adobe did a cut-down version of Dreamweaver in the way that they do Elements for Photoshop. This would help with any migration to the 'real' package at a later time.
Thanks if you can suggest anything.

RobTang

You dont really need anything to do html, apart from a text ediot (eg notepad)

Everything else out there is just to save time or make the coders job easier.

Of courser web design is bigger topic area then just html, but your moving into far more specific tools than Dreamweaver (tbh seriously overrided tool)

There are loads of good free IDEs out there, but knowing the code is more or less essential after that your ide choice comes down to preferencfe really.

rmg1

Microsoft do a reasonable free one. Just can't quite remember what it's called but Google should find it.
It's quite basic to start with, but you can add to it as your proficiency improves. It's also drag-and-drop for buttons, etc. which helps.
We used it at work, and have now added an SQL database to the back end for storing information entered on a web-form.

James123_2

Yes, remember attempting html myself (unsuccessfully) years ago. Will google for Microsoft offering!
BIG Thanks for the replies!

spud17

I've recently done a very basic website from scratch, using HTML, just to see if I could.

I found these 2 videos really helpful, (I'm no young'un), ran through them, then adapted them for my own use.

Create a website from scratch

Home server

James123_2

Thanks Spud. These look good for an oldie like me! At least I might understand what my son is attempting to do!
Thanks!

spud17

James123 wrote: »

Thanks Spud. These look good for an oldie like me! At least I might understand what my son is attempting to do!
Thanks!

Good luck!

Just to expand, I worked though the video, copying it exactly, so that I knew I'd done everything correctly.

Then adapted it, using the links provided, to customise e.g background colour, embedded some stuff and put on a load of pictures (boring ones).

Also, I made sure I saved at every opportunity.

One of my bosses was throwing out an old PC, so I converted that to a server, initially using the dyndns.com links, then bought a .co.uk for around £7 for 2years.

Opened up my router, and everything works just great.

Passed the site address to family/friends/workmates.

Everything was worked out from those 2 videos I linked to, and would like to add, I have no connection to Tinkernut whatsoever.

oldtoolie

Another approach if he is mainly interested in designing rather than coding is to use blogging tools such as Wordpress. Complex and good looking websites are made with these tools including the one in my sig.

James123_2

THANKS ... checking this out now!

boliston

Amaya http://www.w3.org/Amaya/ might be worth looking at

Marty999

rmg1 wrote: »

Microsoft do a reasonable free one. Just can't quite remember what it's called but Google should find it.

Could you be thinking of FrontPage?