Microsoft Expression Web Upgrade from FrontPage Review

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(More customer reviews)If you are using a Microsoft Web-building product for the first time and are going to use Expression Web to create new web sites that meet current Web standards and will display well in a most browsers, you will probably like this program--with its Dream Weaver-type interface and on-the-fly CSS--as much, if not better, than the competitors' programs. However, if you are upgrading from Front Page and are creating thousands of pages of computer-based training material for use on IE7 only (as we are at our company), you will miss a number of very handy features that were present in Front Page 2003. While, on the one hand, the Expression Web interface incorporates the excellent file management features from Front Page (much better than in Dream Weaver) and adds tremendous functionality, there are a number of omissions and quirks that can be extremely frustrating. Here are just a few of them:
1) Front Page provided menu commands for inserting video clips and Flash animations; Expression Web does not. All links to these items must be inserted in the code. Furthermore, there is no mention of this omission by Microsoft either in the help system or on line. The program does, however, include an easy-to-use Snippets tool where, with a little effort, you could store the code for these functions.
2) When you open Expression Web, the Folders view does not include a Title column, and there is no way to access it. I found out by accident that if you open a page in a new window, the Title column magically appears.
3) Microsoft still does not include the Paragraph command on the right-click button. This is one of the most useful commands. The keyboard shortcut + O + P can be used to expedite access to the Paragraph command.
4) When you choose to code CSS manually, the Format Painter is disabled. Sometimes I just want to avoid the extra styles Expression Web generates when in Automatic mode, but I want to be able to copy code using the Format Painter.
5) There is no longer a Preview mode. This isn't a big deal because I prefer to view my work in the browser.
6) The shortcut key for previewing in the browser is , which in almost every other program is reserved for the Save As function. What was Microsoft thinking?
7) If I manually change a link color, the underline shows in the correct color in Expression Web, but not in the browser (it adopts the default link color). This was not a problem in Front Page.
There is more, but you get the idea. This is typical Microsoft development: two steps forward, one step back!

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Item #: 44923G. Microsoft Expression Web gives you all the tools you'll need to produce high-quality, standards-based Web sites the way you want them. Take advantage of the best of dynamic Web site design, enabling you to design, develop, and maintain exceptional standards-based Web sites.Unleash your creativity and bring your Web sites to life with sophisticated CSS design features including visual designers, specialized task panes, and tool bars that give you precise control of page layout and formatting.Reduce complexity and ease integration of data by using powerful task panes and design tools, which allow quick incorporation of XML data. Seamlessly integrate Web design and development teams with Expression Web and Microsoft Visual Studio, by taking advantage of superior support for XML, ASP.NET and XHTML.Create dynamic, interactive pages and sites that leverage the power of the Web to deliver compelling user experiences. Easily design to standards and optimize your sites for accessibility and cross-browser compatibility with built-in support and validation for Web standards.
Product DescriptionMicrosoft Expression Web - upgrade packageCategory: Creativity applicationSubcategory: Creativity - web design / publishingLicense Type: Upgrade packageLicense Pricing: StandardLanguage(s): EnglishPlatform: WindowsDistribution Media: CD-ROMOS Required: Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP1 or later Customers also search for: Discount Microsoft Expression Web - Upgrade Package - CD - Win - English, Buy Microsoft Expression Web - Upgrade Package - CD - Win - English Wholesale Microsoft Expression Web - Upgrade Package - CD - Win - English, 0882224498005, UCQ-00475, Software Suites

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Microsoft FrontPage 2002 Review

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(More customer reviews)For the non-web-heads, for those who don't have the time to eat, drink and sleep HTML code, for those who have a life - Frontpage 2002 is an excellent choice for quick and easy web page construction.
I have extensive experience in graphic design but have neither the time nor interest to learn HTML. With Frontpage, I not only got two now popular sites running but I'm getting freelance offers to do small business sites for other people.
Granted, this is not a software for professionals. As a graphic designer, you couldn't make me use Microsoft Publisher at gunpoint. I'd use professional softwares such as Quark or Pagemaker. So I understand the "disgust" for this product by hard core designers. But I say again, it's not for them. They'd be happier if they stop trying to use it. It's for the rest of us, the average folks in the world. I love it. It let's me do quickly and easily what I do best: page layout and design without the mess of HTML.

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Convergence seems to be the watchword for the Microsoft FrontPage 2002Web authoring system. Every new edition becomes a bit more like the othercomponents of the Office suite, while also increasingly tying in to relatedMicrosoft products and services. This is vaguely threatening to users who wantgreater freedom to edit HTML and other code directly or who want to call all theshots on their sites' designs, but for most users the expediency of FrontPage makes these sacrifices worthwhile or even unnoticeable. With new templates and smart tools ("bots") to help create a wide range ofintranet and Internet pages, version 2002 is even simpler and faster to use thanits predecessors. Users can draw with PowerPoint tools, drag and drop livecontent, and create photo galleries with a few mouse clicks. Publishing isincredibly easy. Beginners will love the wizards, and will find Web authoringmuch easier than expected.
Why do so many people have problems with FrontPage? The main complaint is thatthe output, which tends to be flabby and difficult to parse, can't be edited bythe user and is difficult to run on non-Microsoft servers. This is a problem forthose who've gone beyond using wizards and templates to create their pages, butmany other users are content with the results. The automatic direction toMicrosoft-related services is also somewhat troubling--it would be nice, ifunrealistic, for users to have easier access to the wide range of servers and e-commerce providers available. Still, for Webbies with fairly simple needs and no desire to spend monthslearning the ins and outs of HTML and XML, FrontPage 2002 is most likely the wayto go.

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OpenOffice.org Plus Updates & Support Review

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(More customer reviews)Tired of paying Bill Gates randsome and of dealing with the endless problems of documents, spread sheets and presentations? Open Office provides both free editions and helpful CD's which can easily be copied and distributed WHICH DO EVERYTHING MICROSOFT DOES AND MORE. It can easily convert any sort of document into another format, for instance, providing several advantages.
I have used it for years and encountered no problems. Freeware or low cost software, of the highest grade, who could ask for anything more?
(^_^)

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As an open source software program, OpenOffice.org is improved by a community of hundreds of developers whom work off feedback from end-users. Because of this collaborative nature of development, OpenOffice.org has a constant stream of software updates which add new features and functionality to older versions. Don't be left out of the frequent improvement cycle! Sign up with Flexiety Software Company for 1 Year of Updates, and not only get the latest version of OpenOffice.org once a quarter for 1 year from the date of registration but also receive a year of email support. Get everything you'd expect with this new approach to office productivity software! Create dynamic documents, analyze data, design eye-catching presentations and produce dynamic illustrations. If you're used to other office suites like Microsoft Office, you'll feel completely at home with OpenOffice.org. Whether you need to continue to use your old Microsoft Office files, exchange files with people still using Microsoft Office, or export documents to Adobe PDF format with one click, it's no problem with OpenOffice.org. WRITER: Create all types of documents, including reports, newsletters, brochures and even complete books with professional layouts. Integrate images and charts in documents, and even create and publish Web content with this powerful tool. CALC: Turn boring numbers into eye-catching information with this feature-packed spreadsheet. Utilize advanced spreadsheet functions and decision-making tools to calculate and perform sophisticated data analysis quickly and easily, and then generate impressive 2D and 3D charts with built-in charting tools. IMPRESS: Create effective multimedia presentations with special effects animation and high-impact drawing tools. DRAW: Produce everything from simple diagrams to dynamic 3D illustrations and special effects.

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WebEasy 8 Professional Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this software after reading product reviews as I currently use an online WYSIWYG web company that I'm not happy with and I wanted to have more control over my site design. Having now worked with WebEasy Pro 8 over the past two weeks here are my observations:
1. The manual is useless, so unless you're already familiar with graphics programs you will probably find the product frustrating -- I AM graphics savvy and I'm finding I have to dig and dig around the program to achieve what I want (I`m designing from scratch, not using a template). However, if you stick to the templates you'll probably have an easier time of it.
2. When using a Flash video, unless you have it set to looping, it will not freeze on your final frame; it switches to some god-awful image from one of the software's videos. This is a bug in the WebEasy software as this does not happen with a Windows Media File (but that had others issues).
3. The company's email help is slow and WAAAAY longer than their stated time of a 48-hour turnaround (if they answer at all: easy questions are answered promptly, more complicated ones appear to be ignored). It's better to phone BUT they don't publish the number on their website; you have to call their sales department first and then the number is given in their automated answer.
4. There is no easy and immediate way to replicate items from page to page except by copying and pasting. For example, if you create a website header with a website menu, it would be great if you could simply tell the program to repeat the items, including their links, on all pages or selected pages. No can do. I suspect you have to create your own style sheet to do that, which just complicates what really should be an obvious option.
5. The program does not distinguish between website background and page background. This distinction is important: the website background is an image or color which tiles to fill the viewer`s web browser, regardless of size; page background is fixed. So one way of eliminating that annoying box around your webpage is to have the website background and page background the same color BUT this only works in WebEasy if you use solid colors: if you set your background to a gradient or one of their stock patterns, it only fills the webpage: it doesn`t tile. This also means that you can`t create your own cool website background on which your page will sit. So if that is your wish, look elsewhere.
6. Despite their marketing suggestion to the contrary, you CAN NOT embed photo galleries in your webpage. What the program does is create separate webpages of galleries which you must then link to your site by creating a folder in your index. And how do you do that? The manual doesn't tell you and neither does their help file; you'll have to call them and hope they can explain it, or have someone who knows CSS adjust the code for you (which is possible in WebEasy if you know how). Also note that their web gallery is really AWFUL: it looks terrible and all the thumbnails are squished into the same TINY square format which renders them useless and ugly, and many of the thumbnails were corrupted, presenting as pixellated garbage. So if web galleries are your aim, you will need to look elsewhere, like Photoshop or Lightroom or Flash, or even something like Firestarter by Coffee Cup, or look into WebPlus X4 which may have a better web gallery module and the linking code already embedded (I can't speak directly to the latter; I'm simply reiterating what I've read). Note that ALL these web gallery modules and programs create Flash-style galleries that must be linked, not embedded, to your webpage; AND Flash galleries cannot be "read" by search engines. So if you want your pictures to be searchable by title or content, Flash is not an option. Also, the fight between Apple and Adobe over Flash abilities may result in your galleries (or any Flash content) being unreadable on an iPhone or iPad (though in my opinion Apple is unlikely to win this since so many existing websites use Flash modules and Apple may simply lose their customers over the frustration).
7. Another bug in the software is that Jpegs, when reduced in size to around 150 pixels or smaller, sometimes don't present properly when you check the page in your web browser. I found that I had to switch those images to the PNG format to fix the problem.
8. Another bug is that your page size sometimes arbitrarily changes. Meaning, for example, that I set the page size to 1500 pixels long but every once in awhile the program cuts off the bottom. I check my page size, it still says I have 1500 pixels, but I have to reset it to get my pixels back. Not sure if that's going to happen once the site is live. I hope not or I'm going to be seriously, seriously annoyed.
In summary, the program is "buggy," I`m not entirely happy, and the product is certainly not as easy as they make out: you will need to make good use of the Help tabs to get into the deeper details, you will need to play around A LOT before you`ll feel comfortable with the program, and you will have to be savvy enough to work around the bugs if you encounter them.

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Web Easy Professional 8
Top-Selling Web Design Software for Windows
Free! 3 months of hosting included
Create a Web site with drag-and-drop simplicity
Choose from hundreds of professionally designed Web site templates
No programming required with automatically generating HTML code
Easy-to-use tools for Search Engine Optimization
Free! $50 Google AdWords credit for new accounts

Why choose WebEasy Professional? Build a great website in one hour with WebEasy. WebEasy guides you step-by-step with built-in templates and e-commerce tools--no programming or HTML knowledge are needed. Everything you need to create an impactful website is included in every WebEasy package. In just one click, WebEasy publishes your website in minutes for the world to see.

Features
Select from 500+ Detailed Website Templates
Choose from over 500+ professionally designed website templates for business, club, team, organization, school and home use or create your own completely unique look.
Templates for business Web sites.

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Serif WebPlus X4 Review

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(More customer reviews)I always dreamed of having my own website but never had the courage to start learning how to do this.
One day i bought an excellent learning video on DVD about creating websites using Adobe Dreamweaver CS4.
After 12 hours of listening to these learning sessions i asked myself if there is no other way than programming houndreds of html-tags and css style sheets and making more cryptic manupulations only to get a first homepage.
I asked myself how long it would take to build a complete site using these tools ...
I decided to look a little bit around and i found Serif webplus x4, an all in one package for a very cheap price.
After running webplus x4 and reading some small online tutorials about it i told myself that this is the way i want to build my website by using this fantastic graphical toolkit.
The whole website was finished in only one day !
With webplus x4 you can now also insert html ond javascript code on your pages.
What is also very important is that you can have "Master pages" as a basic layout for the rest of the pages.
Publishing your site via ftp to the hosting server is also completely handled in a differential way by webplus x4.
Integration into the most popular search engines can also be done with some clicks and by inserting some authentification html code on the homepage.
If you want to build easily a website where graphical design is your focus and not spending days of coding html and css styles then this is your product.
I cannot imagine using another tool than webplus x4 in the future and therefore i give 5 stars.


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WebPlus X4 is Serif's amazing website creation software that combines power, flexibility, and intuitive ease of use, so you can create attractive, engaging websites--with no HTML or prior experience. Perfect for businesses, organizations, clubs, schools, and personal sites, WebPlus X4 includes everything needed for professional-quality results. This release brings together an easy visual page designer, forms, free online tools and services, PayPal and other e-commerce, search engine optimization, graphics tools, photo editing, analytics, publishing, maintenance, and tutorial videos.

Everything You Need
NEW! Photo Editing Edit photos for your website without leaving WebPlus X4 using the new PhotoLab. Remove backgrounds using the Image Cutout Studio or enhance images by adding one or more of over 70 effects and adjustments.
Professionally adjust and correct photos
Easily add amazing effects
Quickly remove blemishes and scratches
Apply adjustments with single clicks
Edit or undo changes at any time

IMPROVED! Site Navigation Use one of the customisable Flash navigation bars and impress visitors with the look of your website.
IMPROVED! Graphic design Create tailored graphics for your website with the built-in drawing tools, shapes, effects, styles, and more.
IMPROVED! Word Processing Not only can you create and edit text just like a word processor but you can now import Word documents too!
Incredibly Easy to Use
NEW! QuickBuilder Bar It's now even quicker and easier to build websites with the new QuickBuilder Bar. Easily drag and drop a text frame, image, Flash photo gallery, and more from the QuickBuilder Bar onto your page for fast website design.
Easy as 1-2-3!
Create websites from professional templates
Design and edit with the QuickBuilder Bar
Publish pages instantly with Quick Publish

No HTML or other programming required The desktop publishing-style approach allows you to design your website to look exactly how you want it. All the coding is done for you behind the scenes!
IMPROVED! Video tutorials and learning Get support easily. Videos, PDF tutorials, our online knowledge base, and active community forums can all be accessed from the new Learning Zone.
Powerful Web Gadgets
Forums, Blogs, Forms & More Make engaging and interactive websites by adding forums, blogs, polls, online forms and more--all provided and hosted for free by Serif.
NEW! Online bookings Your customers can book rooms, tables, sporting facilities, services, or anything you can think of using the new interactive Resource Booker.
NEW! Google Maps Put your business on the map--literally--with Google Maps. Ideal for Find us or Contact us pages.
NEW! Content management Edit the content of your site from any computer with an internet connection. Fantastic for quick updates and news.
Secure members' areas Create individual login details for selected users and grant them access to specific areas on your site.
Secure e-Commerce Stores
IMPROVED! Sell securely online Using e-commerce to sell online has never been easier. Not only can it display an unlimited amount of products but now you can have up to 10 options (like size, colour, etc.) for each item. We've also teamed up with the top shopping cart providers so you can be sure that all your transactions are 100% secure.
Easy wizard to setup your online store
Choice of providers including PayPal
Security for you and your customers

NEW! Google AdSense Increase your revenue by placing targeted ads by Google on your website, earning you money whenever your visitors click on them
$50 Google AdWords included Attract new customers using our free gift to you--$50 of free Google advertising. Promote your business and reach potential customers. Terms and conditions apply.
Media-Rich Websites
IMPROVED! Animated photo galleries Show off you pictures in all their glory in one of the 36 highly customisable animated photo galleries. There are 12 new Flash galleries plus all the old favourites so there will always be one that's perfect for your pictures.
The photo galleries in WebPlus X4 can now handle 1000s of images, multiple albums, and link to RSS image feeds (from sites like Flickr) so your latest photos can appear online without updating your site.
IMPROVED! YouTube videos Your friends, family, and customers can now enjoy high definition YouTube videos on your website--now with extra features like autoplay for instant viewing.
Audio & podcasts Host or stream music on your website and get your fans to subscribe to your podcast updates via iTunes so they never miss out on what's new.
News feeds Create your own RSS feed for people to subscribe to or show feeds from other sites and make your website a place with up-to-the-minute news.
Flash animations Easily add Flash animations to your website to engage visitors and give your site a more professional look.
Perfect Websites--Fast
IMPROVED! Professional templates With over 40 professionally-designed, fully-customisable templates and themed layouts included, there's plenty to choose from to create your perfect website.
NEW! Quick publishing Make updates to individual sites pages with just one click thanks to the new Quick Publish option. It's great for speedy updates and adding news to your site
NEW! Google Analytics Discover who your customers are, and a whole lot more, with Google Analytics. WebPlus X4 makes it easy to integrate this industry-standard tool into your website.
Search Engine Optimisation Make sure your site can be easily found by popular search engines like Google and Yahoo! by taking advantage of the simple SEO tools in WebPlus X4.
New Feature Highlights
QuickBuilder Bar The QuickBuilder Bar makes creating websites faster by providing commonly used web elements.
Photo Editing Now you don't need a separate photo editing program thanks to the powerful photo editing features.
Online Bookings Take customer bookings for rooms, tables, events and more with the new Resource Booker.
Google Gadgets Add cool Google gadgets including Maps, Adsense and Analytics to any site with just a few clicks.
Flash Navbars Navigate around your website in style with one of the new animated Flash navigation bars.
Pro Photo Galleries Your pictures will be beautifully displayed in one of the high-quality Flash photo galleries.
Quick Publish Update sites instantly! It only takes one click to update a page with the new Quick Publish feature.
New Learning Zone Watch video tutorials, print PDF guides, or view the knowledge base from the new Learning Zone.
Colour Scheme Designer Create a unique colour scheme for your website to make it stand out from the crowd.
Content Management System Make quick edits and updates to your website content from any PC with an internet connection.

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