depends on the situation..i feel its easier to do make static files

Well if you like html sites then better you stick with doing the folder ways, it's more flexible that way and it seems those sites won't be updated that often, so anytime they are you just have to overwrite the files by ftp, quick.

On the long run programming will make your life easier... you might get to a point where static pages will not be enough for you. However, if they are now, there is no need of spending money on programming (funny thing to say as I am a programmer ). When time comes and your site grows beyond the possibilities of a static webpage then you have to consider making it dynamic however.

For example it might happen that you add 50 more articles in time, and then editing all files to add a new link, might be a hassle.

Programming something you described sounds really easy and should not take a lot of time.

I am not considering using something mixed between PHP and HTML. Will probably create static HTML pages, but use some php includes to make come global changes easier - that should help

If you have to do it multiple times, then program it. Otherwise better do it manually.

Programming something is efficient way to reduce repeated efforts