MAC Users - Basic Web Design Program, Frontpage Alternative?

simmonsmike7 · 11-21-2009, 01:50 AM

For all your MAC users out there, what's a *BASICS* web design program that you can recommend to me?

I've been using good ole' Microsoft Frontpage on Windows so far and have made the switch to MAC.

Please make your recommendations below, thank you

Jay Jennings · 11-21-2009, 01:59 AM

Rapidweaver, hands-down.

I've been creating web sites since AOL was the big cheese (yes, sonny, they were actually a dominant force online at one point) and can create a professional web site with a toothpick and a morse code key. And have fun doing it.

Yet I *still* grab Rapidweaver to crank stuff out most of the time. Including last night, I rebuilt the Article Architect Learning Center with RW while I watched a movie at the same time.

RapidWeaver 4 - Powerful Web Design Software for Mac OS X

I believe they have a trial version so you can give it a shot, risk free.

Jay Jennings

simmonsmike7 · 11-21-2009, 02:58 AM

Just tried it and I have to say this program is TRASH - just my opinion

Any others??

Paul Schlegel · 11-21-2009, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simmonsmike7

Just tried it and I have to say this program is TRASH - just my opinion

Any others??

In what way did you consider it trash? If you can specify that, maybe the next suggestions will be more appropriate for you.

Jay Jennings · 11-21-2009, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simmonsmike7

Just tried it and I have to say this program is TRASH - just my opinion

Any others??

Uh, yeah, right.

Well, good luck in your search.

Jay Jennings

Brad Gosse · 11-21-2009, 08:20 AM

I would have to second the mention of Dreamweaver. You need this application if you want to make good html/css pages.

11-21-2009, 08:56 AM

I have been building websites before AOL even became the big cheese (used to be a beta tester for AOL 2.4) ... I code everything by hand though, I use no software to build any of my sites. They are all coded in SimpleText.

But why not just checkout download.com

webdesign software downloads for Mac - Free Mac software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

James

Jason Stepp · 11-21-2009, 09:40 AM

I'm just like James and code just about everything using a text editor for mac called Text Wrangler.

I do have Dreamweaver installed on my system, but RARELY ever use it. If you don't want to invest a few days into learning html (That's all it will probably take to learn the basics), then go for Dreamweaver. It's an expensive piece of software though.

I.M.Retired · 11-21-2009, 10:08 AM

When I started designing webpages in the last century, I always used Netscape Composer. It did the job quite nicely at the time. Since then, Netscape has morphed in to Nvu and now Seamonkey.

I have used Nvu and didn't find it quite as intuitive as the old Composer program. However, it did the job. Sometimes I had to edit the code a bit using Text Wrangler or Taco, but the finished sites always looked nice.

I use a Mac exclusively, and am off to download Seamonkey to try it out. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

SeaMonkey: Download & Releases

Here's the link to Nvu: Nvu - Download

However, having said all that, I still think Dreamweaver is best.

TimP · 11-21-2009, 10:48 AM

I have to say that rapidweaver also works very well for me. The problem with rapidweaver is the built-in templates are somewhat limited. To really make the program useful, you should buy some of the plugins that expand it's capabilities. You can see some of them here.

One word of warning when using rapidweaver. Do not use the contact form template. It will produce a page that is vulnerable to a cross site scripting attack, and can put visitors to your site at risk.

As far as hand coding (I use both rapidweaver and I hand code), I would highly recommend checking out BBedit. It makes it much easier when dealing with nested parenthesis, brackets, and can prevent many html syntax problems.

Jay Jennings · 11-21-2009, 02:29 PM

Okay, if we're going to bring hand-coding into it, check out Panic's Coda. That's my main text editor. I probably do 60% Coda, 40% Rapidweaver.

Panic - Coda - One-Window Web Development for Mac OS X

As far as Rapidweaver's templates go, it's not that hard to add your own. This site was done using Rapidweaver and it looks like a "normal" sales letter site:

Product Creation Station

So while the template nature of Rapidweaver can be constricting, it's open enough that I find it useful very often.

And while it most certainly won't be the right solution for everyone, to call it TRASH after less than an hour with it says volumes more about the person speaking than about the software.

Jay Jennings

mgkimsal · 11-21-2009, 03:12 PM

Here's my list of suggestions:

nvu
netbeans
aptana

All of these are free programs.

Jill Carpenter · 11-21-2009, 03:34 PM

Have you opened up iweb on your mac? Or is that too simple for what you want to do?

Swastik · 11-21-2009, 03:36 PM

Um, I use Panic Coda. Pretty decent and even if you don't know a lot of CSS, it makes it helluva lot easier to edit your page's style etc.

11-21-2009, 01:50 AM	#1
simmonsmike7 HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 237 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	MAC Users - Basic Web Design Program, Frontpage Alternative? For all your MAC users out there, what's a BASICS web design program that you can recommend to me? I've been using good ole' Microsoft Frontpage on Windows so far and have made the switch to MAC. Please make your recommendations below, thank you

11-21-2009, 01:59 AM	#2
Jay Jennings Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Everywhere , USA. Posts: 1,204 Thanks: 46 Thanked 98 Times in 65 Posts	Re: MAC Users - Basic Web Design Program, Frontpage Alternative? Rapidweaver, hands-down. I've been creating web sites since AOL was the big cheese (yes, sonny, they were actually a dominant force online at one point) and can create a professional web site with a toothpick and a morse code key. And have fun doing it. Yet I still grab Rapidweaver to crank stuff out most of the time. Including last night, I rebuilt the Article Architect Learning Center with RW while I watched a movie at the same time. RapidWeaver 4 - Powerful Web Design Software for Mac OS X I believe they have a trial version so you can give it a shot, risk free. Jay Jennings
	Instant Video Web Pages - Create Video Sales Letters, Video Opt-in Pages, and Video Postcards, Instantly! Free Article: The Pros and Cons of Video Marketing Free Article: Why Use a Video Landing Page?

11-21-2009, 02:58 AM	#3
simmonsmike7 HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 237 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: MAC Users - Basic Web Design Program, Frontpage Alternative? Just tried it and I have to say this program is TRASH - just my opinion Any others??

11-21-2009, 08:20 AM	#6
Brad Gosse Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Orangeville, Ontario Posts: 2,906 Thanks: 1,312 Thanked 1,071 Times in 567 Posts Social Networking	Re: MAC Users - Basic Web Design Program, Frontpage Alternative? I would have to second the mention of Dreamweaver. You need this application if you want to make good html/css pages.
	Vegan Recipes \| Vegan Desserts \| Vegan Diet Click here if you want me to promote your product(s)

11-21-2009, 08:56 AM	#7
TheRichJerksNet Guest Posts: n/a	Re: MAC Users - Basic Web Design Program, Frontpage Alternative? I have been building websites before AOL even became the big cheese (used to be a beta tester for AOL 2.4) ... I code everything by hand though, I use no software to build any of my sites. They are all coded in SimpleText. But why not just checkout download.com webdesign software downloads for Mac - Free Mac software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com James
TheRichJerksNet Guest Posts: n/a

11-21-2009, 09:40 AM	#8
Jason Stepp HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Posts: 188 Thanks: 71 Thanked 81 Times in 40 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: MAC Users - Basic Web Design Program, Frontpage Alternative? I'm just like James and code just about everything using a text editor for mac called Text Wrangler. I do have Dreamweaver installed on my system, but RARELY ever use it. If you don't want to invest a few days into learning html (That's all it will probably take to learn the basics), then go for Dreamweaver. It's an expensive piece of software though.
	- Outsource Your Entire Offline Marketing Business Using Fiverr - Check Out Fiverr Offline Outsourcing Insanity

11-21-2009, 10:08 AM	#9
I.M.Retired Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,215 Thanks: 768 Thanked 262 Times in 158 Posts	Re: MAC Users - Basic Web Design Program, Frontpage Alternative? When I started designing webpages in the last century, I always used Netscape Composer. It did the job quite nicely at the time. Since then, Netscape has morphed in to Nvu and now Seamonkey. I have used Nvu and didn't find it quite as intuitive as the old Composer program. However, it did the job. Sometimes I had to edit the code a bit using Text Wrangler or Taco, but the finished sites always looked nice. I use a Mac exclusively, and am off to download Seamonkey to try it out. Nothing ventured, nothing gained! SeaMonkey: Download & Releases Here's the link to Nvu: Nvu - Download However, having said all that, I still think Dreamweaver is best.
	Last edited by I.M.Retired; 11-21-2009 at 10:12 AM. Reason: Not enough coffee in my system yet!

11-21-2009, 10:48 AM	#10
TimP Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 61 Thanks: 3 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: MAC Users - Basic Web Design Program, Frontpage Alternative? I have to say that rapidweaver also works very well for me. The problem with rapidweaver is the built-in templates are somewhat limited. To really make the program useful, you should buy some of the plugins that expand it's capabilities. You can see some of them here. One word of warning when using rapidweaver. Do not use the contact form template. It will produce a page that is vulnerable to a cross site scripting attack, and can put visitors to your site at risk. As far as hand coding (I use both rapidweaver and I hand code), I would highly recommend checking out BBedit. It makes it much easier when dealing with nested parenthesis, brackets, and can prevent many html syntax problems.
	Free online GED classes information

11-21-2009, 02:29 PM	#11
Jay Jennings Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Everywhere , USA. Posts: 1,204 Thanks: 46 Thanked 98 Times in 65 Posts	Re: MAC Users - Basic Web Design Program, Frontpage Alternative? Okay, if we're going to bring hand-coding into it, check out Panic's Coda. That's my main text editor. I probably do 60% Coda, 40% Rapidweaver. Panic - Coda - One-Window Web Development for Mac OS X As far as Rapidweaver's templates go, it's not that hard to add your own. This site was done using Rapidweaver and it looks like a "normal" sales letter site: Product Creation Station So while the template nature of Rapidweaver can be constricting, it's open enough that I find it useful very often. And while it most certainly won't be the right solution for everyone, to call it TRASH after less than an hour with it says volumes more about the person speaking than about the software. Jay Jennings
	Instant Video Web Pages - Create Video Sales Letters, Video Opt-in Pages, and Video Postcards, Instantly! Free Article: The Pros and Cons of Video Marketing Free Article: Why Use a Video Landing Page?

11-21-2009, 03:12 PM	#12
mgkimsal HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 242 Thanks: 17 Thanked 37 Times in 31 Posts Social Networking	Re: MAC Users - Basic Web Design Program, Frontpage Alternative? Here's my list of suggestions: nvu netbeans aptana All of these are free programs.
	Michael Kimsal http://heywords.com/srv - take our 2 minute survey

11-21-2009, 03:34 PM	#13
Jill Carpenter aka Avenuegirl War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Right where I want to be... Posts: 5,424 Blog Entries: 23 Thanks: 1,337 Thanked 1,872 Times in 1,079 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: MAC Users - Basic Web Design Program, Frontpage Alternative? Have you opened up iweb on your mac? Or is that too simple for what you want to do?
	IS YOUR WORDPRESS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE INVISIBLE? And more about Jill Carpenter and life on Nantucket [Designer Wanted] Click Here For Details

11-21-2009, 03:36 PM	#14
Swastik Magic Powers War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: India =) Posts: 1,073 Thanks: 427 Thanked 157 Times in 118 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: MAC Users - Basic Web Design Program, Frontpage Alternative? Um, I use Panic Coda. Pretty decent and even if you don't know a lot of CSS, it makes it helluva lot easier to edit your page's style etc.
	[FREE] Site Flipping Reloaded = Awesome