Like others, I am a frustrated beginner with RSD. I see the value of this software. I also understand that it has a learning curve. I am more than willing to invest in that curve. But I need a better way to get started from ground zero. I am not inexperienced at HTML or design (and I've used VSD very successfully for a long time), but I am self-taught and not a professional.

For many of us who have evolved from starting at Page One of a manual to working things out on the fly, this is what would be more helpful to me:
A step-by-step tutorial in creating a simple front page of a sample website that includes several of the most basic elements that a designer would use, e.g:
"okay, People, put your header here. Add an image in this column with text that wraps and a different sized image in this other column with text to the right. Add some HTML somewhere and a bullet list somewhere."

I just want to play around a little bit from the get-go and need some specific direction. If I just had this type of (very simple) starter, I could begin to work on my own, figure out what my problems are and do the research from there. I don't want to have to slog through piles of documentation before I even have some sort of working experience. I am willing to put in that kind of time AFTER I get to an issue that I need to figure out.

Does this make sense to anyone out there? RSD Developers or fellow strugglers? Thanks for listening.

Hey Debra,

We can understand. RSD is very different than VSD, but, the article you are asking for we already have. A couple in fact.

You can follow along in this four part article: http://www.coffeecup.com/help/articles/ … -with-rsd/ which walks you through creating the Kit&Kat.org theme.

Or, you can walk through this two part article: http://www.coffeecup.com/help/articles/ … -designer/ that takes a Wix Theme and converts it to a fully responsive site using Responsive Site Designer. (Videos included, and a full spoken video to come soon).

Another thing to keep in mind is that we are here to help, so if you have questions, feel free to ask!

Debra is spot on. The way all of these tutorials and instructions are laid out, it is MINDBOGGLING. I think that the people in the company know all of this stuff very well, which may give them a skewed point of view as how to present a ground up instructional experience for the beginner. If people get frustrated and abandon the process, I guarantee this is not helping the company going forward. Afterall, Coffee Cup Softwares goals would include developing users going forward that want to continue with their products for years to come. An Adobe type business. After spending some months trying to grasp this, I'm still having trouble. Yes I watch the videos and things come in to view a pc at a time.
You guys need a very basic ground up instruction manual, with videos that cover each and every term, point and example and you need to constantly update it. How about a step by step build that gives even the most basic instruction along the way. Is it here? I can't find it if it exists. This softwares great, but the learning curve is way more complicated and time consuming than it should be. Coffee Cup Software needs to address this and soon. I can tell you, you have lost customers. Customers that get a trial and just figure, forget about it, I dont have 2 years to learn it. You need some very basic and complete instructions for the non tech newbie. I'd be more than happy to discuss it with someone from coffee cup. I think you need a better viewpoint on where to go with educating people on the software. I have purchased RSD and the layout software, the content slider......those aren't even on my radar yet....if I did figure out what the layout designer is for I might use it. Why do you need layout designer? Are not most of these capabilities right inside RSD? Why would you make an add on like this? That I do not understand that AT ALL. I also have no idea how to use all of these add on apps and incorporate them into an RSD file....its madness.......

Hey Jim, the articles Adam referenced above are actually step-by-step guides that create a fully responsive site from scratch. We also have a video that creates something more basic, but helps you get started faster: http://www.coffeecup.com/help/articles/ … tutorials/

Here's an overview of all the articles we created: http://www.coffeecup.com/help/articles/ … lp-manual/

But yes, the controls on the Design pane are a visual representation of CSS, making Responsive Site Designer very flexible and powerful. Just like driving a powerful of a car, mastering the powers takes some practice. The best advice is to enjoy the improvements I am sure everyone can make by just tinkering with the controls and seeing what happens. I know I do


We are currently updating our themes for the V1.5 release and instead of using filler text we are actually describing how the design has been constructed. Together with a new Theme Chooser I am confident this will get newbies up to speed fast. In addition we are writing a series of tips, I added an example below.



There are many customers like Mansour, Steve and Eric that are creating videos and tutorials to help people getting started. If you would like to contribute we would be more than happy to support you. One of the things we should not forget is that there are also a lot of people — many with some level of understanding of CSS — that are up to speed with the app in literally no-time.

In defense of the CoffeeCup team and all those who lurk on the forum, I have asked some half baked question and have found nothing but this huge outpouring of support.
So I continue to ask and continue to learn, I learn better by pushing lots of buttons and seeing what happens so I'll watch some of the tutorials and push a lot of buttons and see if something happens.
I have been able to step up my game after 15 years of DreamWeaver, I am now able to look at code and even manipulate code and get things to work.
One of the best things I did was sign up for an online course that was on sale and help as it walked me through the different codes and made it possible for me to put modals on my site so I can keep the footprint down and still have content.

Thanks Rick


CSS Modal are on our roadmap, just so you know

And as I mentioned before, we are a small team. Our product is adobe territory but our team size for sure is not. Time spent on documenting simple steps is not spent on adding cool things to the software (like CSS Modals) for more advanced customers. So we are working day, night and weekends trying to do both...and make that available in a cool V1.5 free update....hope you all do understand, appreciate and support what we are doing here

I got RLM and was in the middle of two jobs so I was learning it when I had 10 or 15 minutes of brain dead time, I watched as the question was asked over and over again, when is RSD rolling out and can't count the time I read "Soon".
I for one am excited about the RSD and look forward to the bells and whistles as time goes on.
I actually bought the large 17 software package and still have plenty to learn once I get this one project up and running with something acceptable till I can add the bells and whistles to it.
Thanks again,
Rick

Bob V. - VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!!

I find more answers on this forum to my questions before I have to ask them.

Participation and support by both the developers and the up-to-speed gurus makes it almost feel like a family.

For example, today (in the midst of a blizzard here in NJ), I discovered how to independently adjust the size, shape and color bullets and text in an un-ordered list, just by scanning the forum as I do every time I sit down to work on one of my website projects... something I never thought about, but actually applied today