I was just curious to see which one people prefer. As for me, I have been programming HTML in notepad for a long time. I've tried using frontpage and dreamweaver a while back ago and i wasn't really too impressed. I'm not sure if recent versions are a lot more nicer to use, but I just wanted some input from people with experience in both coding HTML and using WYSIWYG applications

Myself, i use a WYSIWYG editer, i find it easier to edit something visuly instead of using lines of text. IMO, Dreamweaver all the way!

I started off with a WYSIWYG editor because didn't know a thing about html, as time went on I learned html somewhat, but still use both (Notepad).

Like Giselle, I started with a WYSISWYG editor (I can't remember it's name now - must be getting old!) but quickly got frustrated by the limitations and extraneous code appearing from nowhere! Bought a book, learned HTML properly and moved to Notepad - never looked back

Well thats a lie cuz I did try Dreamweaver UDev 4 but had the same problems with it adding code I didn't want where I didn't want it!! Grrrrrrr.

Ian.

Well, I started with Netscape Composer, then just used it for laying out tables. (Way back in 2002).

Then I tried 1SITE, it was awful! I tried HOTDOG. The codes were bloated. So I learned HTML and has been handcoding since. I have 6 sites in all and had re-coded them all by hand. It's hard to make handcoded sites very complicated - but so long as I can get my message across with a quick load time, I'm happy. I also find that hand coded sites are more search engines friendly. I always managed to cut at least 5kb - 7kb of file size by just re-coding the pages.

I no longer want to use a WISYWIG software because I get tremendous satisfaction just coding by hand. I make use of NOTETAB, which is more flexible than Notepad - and it's free.

I use Namo WebEditor 3...Quite good but as mainly using PHP now so mainly just using Notepad..

But i hate Frontpage..Just crap

-James

This thread has been so interesting and informative for me....

Over a year ago I almost purchased the Hot Dog Software, downloaded the free trial, for some reason I just deleted the software although appeared to be a nice Software.

Are you all learning the handcoding from w3 place? or books? I have two books on html but they are back from mid 90's, the information doesn't seem to coincide...

Last night I was at the w3 place studiying the tutorials, also took the 20 question test for fun, I got 80% which suggested I go back and study somemore, quite frankly I was surprised I did that well....

I believe there was a similar thread before, and I'll say the same thing - I do my stuff in Dreamweaver, but always go through the code myself in code view. I often find myself doing a bit of tweaking, or adding in stuff, by hand, but Dreamweaver just makes things a lot quicker and easier.

Giselle,

I learnt through books. I have several books on HTML & Javascripts, some are easier to follow while others are more elaborate and serves as good references. I'm more a visual learner and needed pictures - but it's the thick reference types that gives more info. that I need. Basically, the basic things will stay. But now, the browsers are supporting more features and of course there's more that we can do.

Shenz

Thanks Shenz for your response. I guess the best thing for me to do is keep studying, perhaps purchase some newer html books...

Thank you again, much appreciated.....

I definatly like dreamweaver because of the code highlighting for php and I use it because it makes building tables and select boxes etc. so much quicker and easier. Not that I don't know html and could not code it by hand I just preffer to code php so I get the html out of the way as quick as possible.

I love notepad, though lately I've been just using SSH to directly modify the files on the server. Used to use Frontpage but I've grown to hate it.

FrontPage 2003 "split-screen" does both. Code at the bottom, while viewing WYSIWYG changes at the top, OR make changes to the WYSIWYG at top while code updates at bottom.

I learnt HTML first, and so started coding in notepad, but this time when I designed my company site, I thought I'd try using Dreamweaver. I found that in some respects, it is very handy as it shortcuts a lot of typing, but that it also leaves a lot of redundant cr*p lying around that you have to clear up later - and you need a good working knowledge of HTML to do that.

So as a labour saver I would recommend wysiwyg editors, and I like the fact that you can see your changes (in the split view) without constantly havign to check in a browser) but I still think you can't beat knowing the code...which basically is the same kind of thing that Nemo said above, but that's my 2 cents!

The web designer has to deal with one problem: "the other side of the brain". Some people like to see graphically what they are doing so they can experiment, or simply "draw" what they want without having to deal with code. I'd say this is the best method, because what you have in your head, you can put it in the page, with almost no intermediates steps. But some people just don't feel comfortable with that and get the notepad, and that's fine too.
What you have to do is ask to yourself:
Am I a "programmer" type or a "designer" type?

I believe I am just in the middle of those two. So what I especifically do is make everything in Dreamweaver, and then catch the code and clean it as deep as I can. I also use CSS, wich is a great thing if you want to see the page coding clearer.

And Giselle: You don't need to buy any book to get to know HTML, or CSS, or whatever... You just need to practice playing with Dreamweaver tools and watching the modifications in the code structure. It's not that hard. I learnt all I know of HTML doing that and navigating a few sites of HTML reference. If you want to buy yourself a book or some kind of tutorial, that's probably a good thing too.

Anyways, that's it.
Sorry for my english, I'm trying to get better at it

I used frontpage 95, netscape composer, and dreamsweaver. I find dreamweaver to be the best