Greetings:
I am planning to purchase several programs to create a new website for our architecture firm [http://www.walshkrowka.com]. The one we have right now had been created by an ex-employee using MS Publisher about 8 years ago, and I understand Publisher 2010 won't support web pages any more. I'v had various people maintaining the site over the years, but would like to create a new one myself so I understand it all and can maintain, add, update items easily myself. Am also assuming this software is going to be around for a while. Nothing worse than learning multiple programs to do the same thing.

I read the "My website is better than yours" book, and understand the best way would be to write the HTML code myself but don't want to learn a new language at this time. Took Basic way back when, remember if..then statements and loops and all that, but spent too much time debugging. Would rather take the easy way out by buying Visual Web site, Menu Builder, style Sheet and site builder. What else would you recommend. We don't sell stuff on the website, don't need forms...

I use graphics programs and 3d/2d software every day so am familiar with this type of software. Was wondering if the individual programs link together into one big program, or each opens seperately and you transfer elements from one program to another.

Also, does Visual have an upload feature, or do I have to buy the FTP program as well. My web host has a FTP program which I assume will work..

Any comments are appreciated.

Thanks.

Tom

All of the programs you listed would work just fine to create your site. You would not need anything else unless you wanted to add flash, music, etc. (bells and whistles). All of the programs mesh well with VSD. But you should try before you buy, that way you can see how it all works.

CoffeeCup is a wonderful choice.

Just in case you weren't aware of this, Visual Site Designer doesn't work with existing sites because it can't load/import web pages. You would have to remake the site in VSD if you wanted to use that.

EDIT: Oops, by time I finished reading your post I had forgoten you were wanting to recreate the site rather than just modify it.

HTML and CSS are way less complicated than Basic. Basically CSS for page structure and HTML for the content. You can do it quite easily and aftwards say "Damn, that wasn't so hard".

Yea, I should advocate for CSS and HTML. There will come a time where things just wont "look right" or "feel right" and you will have wished you had that knowledge. But do not fret start with the VSD and slowly learn the language and then slowly implement them as you go.

Hi Tom,
Since there are some similarities in our respective backgrounds (in terms of A/E, familiarity with CAD/CAE and other graphics software, some programming knowledge from way back when...), maybe my humble start with web design may have some applicability.

Like you, I started by reading the CC book, which I found to be a very good overview and introduction to concepts and terminology. As for the choice of tools, after some initial 'stumbling', I ended up with what was then (July 2009) called something like "Super Pack" from CC, containing essentially all their programs for $249. A great deal! I don't seem to be able to find it now on the CC web site, so maybe it was just too good a deal. There are other "Packs" that will give you very good deals on multiple programs though...

In response to one of your questions, the individual programs are stand-alone modules and you transfer elements to the main editor. As for uploading, you can use the upload routines from within the programs or use the stand-alone CC Direct FTP program. I have been using the FTP utility provided by my hosting company (networksolutions), which gives me a directory window each for my local machine and for the server side by side, where I can simply drag and drop and easily see where everything is. I believe the CC FTP program has a similar setup.

I started out with the Visual Site Designer but after about a day or so, I realized that it was not for me so I switched to the HTML Editor, which I have been very happy with ever since. Don't get me wrong, VSD is clearly a great program as attested to by lots of users in these forums, and by their resulting web sites! It just wasn't for me. I agree with Tom's comment that "HTML and CSS are way less complicated than Basic" and I suspect that HTML/CSS will ultimately be the best choice for you.

You could start out using the HTML Editor to edit your existing pages, - just to see what it's like. With a split screen of "code" and "preview" you get instant, visual feedback of how the code affects the page. You may want to start out copying all your site HTML pages to a "temporary" directory and work from that, so you don't need to worry about doing any "damage". I think you'll very quickly get a feel for things and conclude, as Tom says, "Damn, that wasn't so hard"

I agree with most of what has been said here. One comment about forms, since you initially say, Thomas, that you don't need it:

With Form Builder you could make a contact form for your website so that you don't have to reveal your mail address. There are a lot of spammers sniffing around for mail addresses, and you wouldn't like tons of spam mails in your in-box, would you?

Yep, and to just reiterate the FTP issue, almost all of CC's programs have built in FTP features so you don't have to upload them with a separate program. And I also put in a good word for the HTML Editor.

BTW, I actually like your site as it is now with exception to the way you have your Portfolio images setup. I really really despise things that resize my browser on me and make me have to keep re-maximizing it. Anything like that that messes with my browser is irritating for that matter lol. I would suggest setting up a less intrusive gallery. Other than that it's actually quite nice. Love the rollover of the menu and the photos, works well together.

I quite like the way the larger image comes up in a separate pop-up window, which automatically resizes to the image. That way it does not mess with the original browser window at all. At least in Chrome 4.0 it works very well and looks good!

Thanks for all the comments. I guess I will go with the editor and style sheets....and see what happens. I like the idea of copying the old site.
Also, thanks for the good feedback on the existing site. It is my goal to basically copy it, but change the background now that I have a new logo and corporate colors. I hope I can duplicate the good things on the existing site.