Hello all.

I have a site that was created with Frontpage. Unfortunately, my ISP will no longer be supporting Frontpage soon, so I need to convert my old site to Coffee Cup Visual Site Designer. Is there an easy way to do this?

Thanks.

You would have to recreate it from scratch. Have you considered trying Visual Web Developer 2008 Express?
http://www.microsoft.com/express/vwd/

I use many CC apps but not the Visual Site Designer. Someone will be along shortly to answer your specific question.

Just to point out:

Front Page is not dead. Front Page server extensions are dying, Drop the themes and bots (players, slideshows, rollover buttons {css buttons/menues are the way to go}, forms, and the insert .js, .swf, etc). Upload via ftp rather than http. A rebuild in FP would be required but knowing the program would make it fairly simple. FP will be usable via FTP uploading for years to come.
This would allow time to look into all options and not feel hurried about jumping into any particular developement tool. At some point in the future you will want to change, and that change should be to a technologically advanced developement tool. Otherwise it will obsolete itself with in a few years.

Most bots have free replacement scripts available on the net or excellent 3rd party software that can be used. I favor CC software. Especially Form Builder, Jukebox, Slideshow, Sitemapper, and Web Access Manager.

Front Page as a developement tool will be viable for years. Especially FP 2003 that has DWT (easily replaces themes) and CSS support. Any new choice of developement tool should include these, and write W3C compatable code.

FP does not write W3C compatable code. If you choose to write compatible code you may want to look at MS Expression Web, which has a steep learning curve but once you're over the hump, many folks like it better than FP. Their help forums are very knowledgeable but a bit "snooty". You can import your existing site into EW. However the bots will not be editable, and the code will not be W3C compatable, thus you will still need to replace them (bots) with 3rd party software as I did. If you go this way, take the few hrs to go through the video tutorials, and online tutorials...especially DWT and CSS styles and stylesheets. EW developement is based on styles, not attributes. If you attempt to dive in and use it as you did FP, you will become very frustrated. It is a new program, not a FP upgrade, however the interfaces are familiar.

Best of luck, I faced the same issues about 1 year ago. CC did not get my business on VSD, but I picked up 6-7 apps to replace the old FP Bots. Their software is great and I couldn't be happier with my decisions.

Thanks for the replies. i would still use FP, but my host (IX) will no longer support it after June. I guess I'll have to reconstruct the site in CC.
Thanks again.

I think you may have misunderstood J. Storck's reply. When hosts say they won't support Front Page, they are talking about support for its unique server extensions. You can do without those and still use Front Page for your development just as you would any other editor. Your host wouldn't even know or care if you were still using Front Page.

Robert

If you have a normal website created in Front Page with no special Front page extensions then you have nothing to worry about. I still have old front page websites on hosts who no longer support front page extensions.

Can you tell us what you have used front page extensions for?

If it is for instance a contact form then you do not have to redoe your website but only the contact form and CC form builder is perfect for that.

I have to admit - I don't even know what FP Extensions are! I'm a musician, not a webmaster.


I tried to get a list of extensions from Microsoft, but no luck. I did find some info on turning off FP extensions, and I did that and updated the site.

I believe that the extensions are related to calendars and the like, but I'm not sure. Can anyone explain this to an idiot like me?



Robert

Robert,

Check the link below and you can search google for more info,
This will explain some of your question.

The following components require the FrontPage Server Extensions:

1. Http: File Upload
1a. Use Front Page FTP

2. Custom link bars
2a. Use one of CC apps or many free and paid DHTML programs on the web. Also many free css scripts available.

3. Shared border background properties and Themes
3a. Build a .DWT (FP 2003) and FP Page properties.

4. Usage analysis reports
5. Top Ten List Web Component
6. New security features (user roles)

7. Nested subwebs
7a. Insert a web (another index.html plus pages, etc) in another web folder.

8. Lightweight Source Control (document check-in/check-out without Microsoft Visual SourceSafe for Windows)
9. Categories component
10. StyleSheet links to multiple files or Active Server Pages (ASP) files

11. Discussion form handler
11a. Replace with SMF or one of the other free php scripts. Many hosts offer "forums" in their Cpanel

12. FrontPage-created server-side image maps
12a. Replace with CC Image Mapper??

13. Hit counter
13a. Google Analytics or one of many free scripts available on the web

14. Registration form handler
14-1 Save Results form handler
14a. Replace with CC Forms

15. Search form
15a. Free Google site search available for download, CC Flash Search, etc

16. Slideshow/Gallery Components
16a. Replace with CC Photo Gallery

17. Insert Media Player Components
17a. Replace with CC Juke Box, Video Player, etc

18. Field set


More here : http://www.webworkshop.org/frontpage/wi … nsions.htm