A true master page or template?
(Purchased FrontPage 10 years ago and SiteSpinner 4 years ago. Have not updated websites to SS yet, because no major release in years or master page, and no hurry.)
I have spent a lot of time doing web design software research this year. There are programs that have the master page feature and some have had it for years. At first I removed CC VSD off my radar screen because of all the add-ins that are not built into the software. As I continued my research I found that programs with many features built-in can have problems. One major problem being website size restrictions because of all the links and ties among other “stuff”. Having VSD as a base program and only adding in the features you need is a great concept from a programming standpoint. This makes for a much cleaner program, easier updates, to create new programs/add-ins and fewer bugs to fix. This process is somewhat inconvenient for the end user but certainly has the most flexibility for everyone with the least amount of problems.

You are all, doing a great job here, that’s for sure. When Scott or someone has time, a comment please. Surely others would be interested in having a true master page(s) as a feature to use. And for me, without a master page on the radar screen I will have to drink somewhere else, sorry.

Thanks a lot!
DB

A master page is a wish many VSD users expressed before, but I remember a quote from Scott that VSD 'never will have a master page'... I don't know why, it would be great to have reusable objects for sub-pages without the need to copy them to each and every page (a menu being THE example). Maybe the technical structure of VSD makes this impossible, I don't know. Any CMS works like this...

But: your remarks about VSD being rather 'base', depending on other Coffeecup software for advanced functionality, is quite true. I'm used to/using VSD for many (8?) years now, and I too think this is not a disadvantage, but a PRO. I insert functionality from other software with the HTML box very often (using an Iframe many times), and doing so I am free to use whatever software is best suited for a specialized task. I even use the HTML box to fake a master page.

And I can't imagine a faster way to set up a basic website than with VSD. 10 minutes, and the prototype is there, up and running...

Yet you are right. A master page would be great.....

"a quote from Scott that VSD 'never will have a master page'... "
So does this mean that VSD only uses HTML and no CSS and never will?
With nothing set in cement and the constant changes on the css front, not to mentionl the problems it can create I suppose I can understand not using it. There are other web design programs that are not using css. Will HTML5 work? What about a Master Page or changable template with css as an add-in? Maybe the VP will give us a clarification. Running late for work, thanks for your help John.
Donald

VSD can't run HTML5. But it does use CSS, and it's located in the head of the pages, not as an external file.

Wow!
I just did a search on "master page" and read thru the 11 pages. This horse had already been rode hard. Sorry! I downloaded the trial of VDS earlier today and the interface is fine and the user/help guide looks fine. I still think having a base program with all the apps that can be updated without reworking the main program is great. This forum is one of the best, also easy to read and navigate around in. I agree with others that a "pro" program(@$100-150) or css master page add-in(@$30-50) would be something I could live with. No problem.

I may have missed something but I did not see anyplace where the VP made a comment on this. It is very, very, very, did I say very? Yes I did, because it is very odd that such a group committed and "on the ball" as CC would not even consider or be working on a master page feature with all the chatter and requests. So I'll look around in VSD a little more, remove it and move on. It would appear CC VSD is for people that only want a website with a few pages or never plan to change their menu structure. If that seems harsh, you'd be right except for the other programs that already have a master page. And yes, there are some bugs and minor problems with some, but at least they're working on it. Sorry Scott no gold star on this one. Just disappointed and the one anchor that keeping my boat from moving with VSD and CC.

Donald