Trying to switch from HomeSite (which is no longer being developed) to HTML Editor, but one thing I miss a lot is the ability to integrate programs like HTML Validator and TopStyle to validate and quick edit html and css files. In Homesite, you could click on say, ''validate with HTML Validator" or "Top Style" and it would open the external program with the selected page already there; you could validate, change whatever, save there, and it would change in Homesite as well. I don't love the validation in HTML Editor both because it is online and not as configurable as the external program, and I prefer using TopStyle for css because of it's easy guidance and code completion.

In HTML Editor, I immediately saw the "confugre external applications" choices and thought I was home free, but when I click on, say, TopStyle, the program opens but not with the current css file I have open in HTML Editor. I have to then open the css file in TopStyle, validate and edit

Am I missing something? Is there a way to open a file in HTML Editor, click a button, and have it open and interact in the external program? That would be awesome and is a feature I use a lot in Homesite.

Otherwise, I'm happy with HTML Editor (except I really prefer the easy "browse" preview of Homesite to the separate window "external preview" of HTML Editor, but you can't have everything). I actually like the deployment in HTML Edotr better than the one in Homesite!

It would have been great if you could select something in the Editor and then from within click and the editing programme would open with the selected file. You could make a suggestion to the staff, they do listen

yeah that would be an awesome addition to the program(s) to be able to do that. I would second that suggestion should you decide to put the suggestion in the HTML Editor suggestion thread. Feel free to do so! Good suggestion. I've had Topstyle for many years, I haven't used it in many years myself, and I really should take another look at it and see just what it's all about again. I used to use it quite a bit about 10 years ago or less, not sure when I stopped using it myself. I keep the license up, but don't use the program, how silly is that??!! LOL

Thanks, guys, I have made the suggestion to Scott. I love in my old editor (HomeSite) that I can click either HTML Validator or TopStyle in the external programs buttons and have it open with the current page already loaded, make any changes needed there, and when I save there, it updates in HomeSite.

But HomeSite is getting old in the tooth (no longer developed) and I'm moving soon to Win8, so looking for a replacement. This is the closest I've come, and I actually like the deployment in HTML Editor better than in HomeSite.

My only other peeves (besides the lack of integration) is that I prefer HomeSites integrated "browse" preview to opening an external preview in CCHE, and the awful geeky hoops I had to jump through to get the program, which I'd installed like a good girl in the admin. account (in XP) to work in my user account. Many hours of moving files, editing ini files, changing permissions, etc. to get it to work without having to do "run as". But it's working almost perfectly now!

As for TopStyle, JoAnn, it's great if, like me, you are a pro at HTML but still learning to plumb the depths of CSS beyond the basics.

ahh maybe that's why I stopped using it then. I didn't used to know much about CSS, but now I do pretty well at it. Not perfect, but getting better every day! I'll still take a look and see, might still save time with it.

When you do the Run as Admin, for any program, the easiest way is to set up the shortcut itself to always run as admin. That way you don't have to constantly do it from the right click menu:
Right click the shortcut,
choose Properites on the menu
Choose the Compatibility tab
And put a check in Run as Administrator and save it or say ok. That's it, no more hassle with it I'm thinking you did it all the very hard way, but now you know for future reference.

You can do the Preview window one of 2 ways, either as a separate window or you can do a split preview window which you can have show up under your code area so you have it all in one place. It works pretty slick either way, and of course with dual monitors is a wonderful thing with the external window.

Play around with it and feel free to ask any questions as you get to know the program. It really is a pretty nice HTML Editor once you learn more of it.

Thanks, JoAnn, I do know that about Run As Admin, but as an old Microsoft MVP in Security, I really don't want to run anything as admin, especially something I connect online with! Most programs let you install as admin but specify that the program should be available for all users. Just my liittle nutsy .

And without dual monitors at this point, the preview is just a bit less usable for me than the tabbed setup in HomeSite, but far from a deal-killer! There's a bit more hand-holding and ease-of-use tools in HomeSite even good for those of us who code HTML in our sleep but it's time to move on and this is the best contender I've found.

And the friendly environment here is a real plus! Thank you.