Just wondering what you guys use/recommend as far as software for building/designing websites as well as a good forum/messageboard software to use.

I'm currently using Frontpage for site creation and phpbb for my forum software. I HATE Frontpage and while I think phpbb is great for free software, it's very limited as far as its functionality. I thought about it last night and decided I'd like to use something better.

The two I was thinking of upgrading to are:

- Dreamweaver

- vBulletin


What to you folks think of these programs?

I use dreamweaver MX its cool as it rights in HTML, PHP and asp also it helped me learn alot of coding as you can view code and layout at the same time so when you add something in the layout you can see what code you should of writen for it.
Am after fireworks to go with it but bit hard up at the mow

Dreamweaver is probably the besy WYSIWYG, but hand codeing is much better if your serious...

why do you need more features than phpbb?

what about post nuke or php nuke ?

Originally Posted by slayerx

what about post nuke or php nuke ?

Haven't considered those two... will check them out

Thanks for the replies so far!

your welcome if you need any help just ask im fimilar with both

Originally Posted by slayerx

your welcome if you need any help just ask im fimilar with both

Ok, well I went to the "nuke" website but it's hard to figure out. It looks like you have to host your site there. Is this correct? I found their website to be kind of confusing and not very helpful. Could you give me a little more info on how the software works?

Originally Posted by jread

The two I was thinking of upgrading to are:

- Dreamweaver

- vBulletin


What to you folks think of these programs?

IMO, those two are the best in their respective fields.

Dave

Does your current host have PHP and Mysql support? If so Nuke and post nuke are pretty simple to install just a quick and then install

dreamweaver ... is the best for what is needed!

Above hand coding which i agree for all database backed sites, dreamweaver is easy to pickup to use and theres a ton of support out there for it. We have sent many sites out of our studio here inc. stuff for honda, subaru, canwest global media, on and on... and all of them are used with dreamweaver by the clients for changes and by us here in the making.

Originally Posted by slayerx

Does your current host have PHP and Mysql support? If so Nuke and post nuke are pretty simple to install just a quick and then install

Yes, it has php and Mysql as well. It is used for the current phpbb forum I have. Good to know that these are easty to install! Will have to look into that soon

I'm also glad to hear everyone saying good things about Dreamweaver. I found out that I can buy it for only $99.00 since I'm a college student (academic discount). Yay!

For websites i would consider the following:
-Photoshop (to make the layout)
-Dreamweaver (to code it and whatnot)

As far as message boards go:
-VBulleting (if you plan on a community with high amounts of members)
-phpBB (lower sized communites + its free)

I would agree with the above posts Dreamweaver MX is by far the best editor on the market. I would also agree hand coding is for the more serious or for database/server sided scripting. Get a copy of Dreamweaver if you can afford, and you won't be sorry!

Photoshop or Fireworks is also essential for doing any kind of graphic design or for even adding pictures to your sites.

Oh, a free HTML editor that you can download a ton of plugins and options for is HTML Kit. It is great for designing basic sites.

Good Luck,

KaimanStorm King Design

P.S.

Stay away from Micro$oft Frontpage, it is clunky and awkward compared to Dreamweaver.