I have been a FronPage user since FP-97 and currently use FP-2003. Not long ago I decided to purchase MS Expression Web-2 (EW-2). Here are some thoughts about it...
The program stresses CSS and standards based code. EW-2 has some great tools for managing CSS. It does not suffer from the 'code bloat/FP Specific Code' that plagued FP users.
If you have FrontPage, you do not have to uninstall it. Expression Web is a completely separate program and is not tied to FP.
Sites developed in Expression Web web do not depend upon the FrontPage Server Extensions. Caveat: If you have a site that uses some of the bots from FrontPage, your server will have to have the extensions in order for them to work. Also, if you have a such a site, you should leave FP on your system so that you can easily edit it. Some of the features for FrontPage sites are not supported by EW-2. (I am keeping FP2003 on my system for just this reason)
EW-2 has built-in FTP capapbility, or you can publish using HTTP if your server has the FP extensions. You can also use a third party FTP program such as WS-FTP.
EW-2 can make use of Dynamic Web Templates. You can design a template and attach your other pages to it for a consistent look, and for ease of maintenance. You can also design ASP and ASP.NET sites.
A development server that resides on your machine is included. This makes it very nice to preview your pages in multiple browers without having to save your site to your hosting server on the Web. This allows you to do all your development and testing on your local machine rather than edit a live site.
The interface has all the tools you need to develop a site and has a Code View, a Design View, and a Split View that shows your WYSIWYG editor and your code at the same time.
Installation: My install went without a hitch, although problems have been reported. Be sure your OS is up to date with all fixes and SP's have been applied. Turn off your antivirus program. Be sure you have enough disk space and that your machine and OS meet the minimum requirements. Follow directions!
Purchacing: You can either download your copy or buy it in the box. The upgrade price is $99 if you have FrontPage, any MS Office product, or a host of Adobe Products.
Learning and Support: There is a ton of info on using the program and there is a forum at MS, as well. Go to the link below for more info on EW-2:
All-in-all I like this replacement for FrontPage. You might want to check it out if you are looking for a highly capable website development program.
-P
Posted by Terry Sohl on August 12, 2008 at 1:31 PM
I too switched from FrontPage to Expression Web. My web host was beginning to discontinue support for FrontPage extensions, which partially drove the decision, as did the realization that my website was growing out of control, and I needed a better way to manage it.
There's definitely a learning curve associated with making the switch, primarily because much of it is a different paradigm, in terms of using CSS and DWT's. I also found it a bit overwhelming at times due to the complexity. But once things start to click, it's certainly more powerful.
Discussion
1 repliesI have been a FronPage user since FP-97 and currently use FP-2003. Not long ago I decided to purchase MS Expression Web-2 (EW-2). Here are some thoughts about it...
The program stresses CSS and standards based code. EW-2 has some great tools for managing CSS. It does not suffer from the 'code bloat/FP Specific Code' that plagued FP users.
If you have FrontPage, you do not have to uninstall it. Expression Web is a completely separate program and is not tied to FP.
Sites developed in Expression Web web do not depend upon the FrontPage Server Extensions. Caveat: If you have a site that uses some of the bots from FrontPage, your server will have to have the extensions in order for them to work. Also, if you have a such a site, you should leave FP on your system so that you can easily edit it. Some of the features for FrontPage sites are not supported by EW-2. (I am keeping FP2003 on my system for just this reason)
EW-2 has built-in FTP capapbility, or you can publish using HTTP if your server has the FP extensions. You can also use a third party FTP program such as WS-FTP.
EW-2 can make use of Dynamic Web Templates. You can design a template and attach your other pages to it for a consistent look, and for ease of maintenance. You can also design ASP and ASP.NET sites.
A development server that resides on your machine is included. This makes it very nice to preview your pages in multiple browers without having to save your site to your hosting server on the Web. This allows you to do all your development and testing on your local machine rather than edit a live site.
The interface has all the tools you need to develop a site and has a Code View, a Design View, and a Split View that shows your WYSIWYG editor and your code at the same time.
Installation: My install went without a hitch, although problems have been reported. Be sure your OS is up to date with all fixes and SP's have been applied. Turn off your antivirus program. Be sure you have enough disk space and that your machine and OS meet the minimum requirements. Follow directions!
Purchacing: You can either download your copy or buy it in the box. The upgrade price is $99 if you have FrontPage, any MS Office product, or a host of Adobe Products.
Learning and Support: There is a ton of info on using the program and there is a forum at MS, as well. Go to the link below for more info on EW-2:
Expression Web Home Page
All-in-all I like this replacement for FrontPage. You might want to check it out if you are looking for a highly capable website development program.
-P
There's definitely a learning curve associated with making the switch, primarily because much of it is a different paradigm, in terms of using CSS and DWT's. I also found it a bit overwhelming at times due to the complexity. But once things start to click, it's certainly more powerful.