HTML and WYSIWYG editors

[reflexology414]

I could use some advice and input on a project I'm doing.

I've been out of the loop for some time, and I need to help someone with a web page (simple HTML). I want to make sure that the code I'm generating will work in current web browsers. The program I'm most comfortable with is an old version of FrontPage (I don't use any of the bells and whistles... just the basic table and font features). Can anyone tell me if this standard HTML code should hold up okay?

 

[His Divine Shadow]

HTML doesn't depend on the program you use to make it. The language is a standard that, if written correctly, will work in any browser. Where you will run into problems is using a WYSIWYG editor. They often generate HTML markup that is sloppy at best and badly written at worst. It may display correctly in some browsers but not in others. The only real way to be certain your HTML will be cross-browser compliant is to hand-write it to proper standards (such as HTML 4.01 or XHTML 1.0 Transitional).

 

[reflexology414]

...

Thanks for the thoughtful reply.

I'm in a bit of a bind, as the last training I had was in HTML 4.0 at least a few years back. I've been planning to take a class to get up to speed on the latest changes, but health problems have been a major issue (I'm still recovering from a brain injury).

Coding by hand isn't entirely practical for me (I really do need to use a program for some of this - it's just too much for me to keep up with when writing a page from scratch). Are there any programs that you like? I'm using an old FrontPage
program, and I'm not sure how well the code it creates will hold online. Also, do you have any sites or tolls that could help me clean my site code?

I really want to come through for this person (they've backed me up many time, and doing this site would be a nice way to return the favor). Any ideas you've got would be appreciated.

 

[Babyshambles]

Hi Reflexology,

I would recommend Dreamweaver.

I made the transition from front page to Dreamweaver, and I mastered the basics within a few days, thanks to the training videos from Lynda.com. I recommend signing up with them and viewing the Dreamweaver essential training series.

Thanks for the thoughtful reply.

I'm in a bit of a bind, as the last training I had was in HTML 4.0 at least a few years back. I've been planning to take a class to get up to speed on the latest changes, but health problems have been a major issue (I'm still recovering from a brain injury).

Coding by hand isn't entirely practical for me (I really do need to use a program for some of this - it's just too much for me to keep up with when writing a page from scratch). Are there any programs that you like? I'm using an old FrontPage
program, and I'm not sure how well the code it creates will hold online. Also, do you have any sites or tolls that could help me clean my site code?

I really want to come through for this person (they've backed me up many time, and doing this site would be a nice way to return the favor). Any ideas you've got would be appreciated.

 

[His Divine Shadow]

I use Dreamweaver as well (although only the code view; not the design view). If you're willing to examine some of the online tutorials (Lynda.com tends to be highly recommended) then, as Babyshambles says, you'll probably do well with it. Dreamweaver's WYSIWYG mode will produce better markup than Microsoft Word or Frontpage (with respect to Word that's a fact; with respect to Frontpage is my opinion alone).

 

[Babyshambles]

Dreamweaver just makes life very easy.

I tend to flick between code view and design view depending on what i'm doing.

When I bought Dreamweaver, I got a month's free pass at Lynda.com and within days I was proficient in Dreameaver, Photoshop and Flash.

Dreamweaver Eseentials on Lynda.com is made up of about 30 videos ranging in length from 1 minute to 8 minutes. They are broken into chapters and very useful.

To put it into perspective, I once bought a book on how to use Dreamweaver and just could not "get it". I needed to watch somebody actually doing it, and that is what the video tutorials at Lynda.com give you.

Just buy one months free pass and see where you get.

I use Dreamweaver as well (although only the code view; not the design view). If you're willing to examine some of the online tutorials (Lynda.com tends to be highly recommended) then, as Babyshambles says, you'll probably do well with it. Dreamweaver's WYSIWYG mode will produce better markup than Microsoft Word or Frontpage (with respect to Word that's a fact; with respect to Frontpage is my opinion alone).