Web Design Programs (what’s the best for beginners)

[Cap]

Ok I Have no idea about how to design a Web page but i want to:

So what would be the best program to help me setup a webpage with no background knowledge at all ?? (being a php based site)

(saying that what would be the best guide to get to assist in the process ??)

 

[nonchalance]

For someone with no knowledge whatsoever, FrontPage.

 

[rfctigerarmy]

Yep, I started off with FrontPage when I started.

 

[Poida]

Do you want to use a WYSIWYG editor such as Frontpage (which I wouldn't touch), or do you want to code the site yourself?

If you are more into doing the coding, you can look at http://www.w3schools.com to get a better understanding, and get into using CSS and XHTML/HTML. If it's going to be a PHP based site, and you know PHP, then it should be a snap learning CSS/XHTML. You may also want to have a look at http://www.cssbasics.com.

If you don't want to learn the code yourself, then I'd recommend using Dreamweaver MX, or you could use FrontPage if you really wanted. Don't count on your page being very accessible though.

 

[PAFC2004]

frontpage is garbage.
coffeecup used to be ok, but dreamweaver is the way to go for beginners and experts.

 

[jim boy]

If you're wanting PHP functionality, then your factoring in additional programming languages. Your best bet is to use a pre configured system such as mambo or nuke php, where you don't need to have any real specialist knowledge.

 

[mellowyellow]

If your determined to learn PHP then theres no better place then the official PHP website.

Countless tuts manuals FAQs etc,as well as help on getting a php server working on your pc.

http://www.php.net/

 

[melbournemartin]

dreamweaver all the way

forget front page, dont even bother

 

[Akalon]

Frontpage is absolute rubbish; it adds plenty of superfluous code to your pages. Dreamweaver is definately the best WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor around and it has support for PHP coding. Of course it does cost upwards of $500 but there are obvious ways to "minimize" the costs.

If you are looking to code in PHP, Maguma Open Studio is the best program out there.

There are some free WYSIWYG editors out there, but I've never used them so couldn't say how good they are:
http://www.nvu.com/
http://namu6.com/
http://www.bluevoda.com/
http://www.w3.org/Amaya/
http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/webPlus/default.asp
http://www.webphly.com/