Suggest some web authring/publishing software and tools

Haven't built another site before.

Currently I have MS FrontPage 2003, have some basic knowledge about XML and CSS, and can edit images in Adobe Photoshop CS3. I don't want to get into flash authoring.

1. Which is the best WYSIWYG software in webpage designing?

2. Which FTP software is most effective?

3. What do you suggest for building a pleasant website that is easy on dialup visitors?

It really depends on what scripting language you plan on using to build your web pages. Microsoft has developer tools for most languages available for free download (VB Express, C# express, etc..). I use an old copy of Asp Web Matrix. Many people have been talking about Macromedia Dreamweaver especially if you like PHP. You can always try Hot Dog (but its unconventional).

CuteFTP makes the best FTP client hands down.

As far as dialup servability - Keep your page small in size and use a server side scripting language.

1. Dreamweaver if you want a lot of options and a lot of stuff done for you and/or at your fingertips to use. If you want a faster and/or lighter piece of software, you could go with Geany (though I think that's only for Linux, not sure). Otherwise, there's always Notepad.

2. WinSCP is the simplest and smallest I know of. SmartFTP is nicer looking and probably has a few more features and security, etc.

3. Pages should be small and simple. You could also use CSS, PHP and maybe a little Javascript to make your pages clean, neat and attractive. And if you must have images, make them either small in dimension or low in quality (like 6 or under on the quality scale in Photoshop when saving a JPG).

Thanx guys. I really appreciate your inputs. I checked out your recommendations. CuteFTP seems to be good. Also I'd like to use Dreamweaver specially because its compatable with Photoshop CS3 which I already have. Btw, Adobe has baught Dreamweaver from Macromedia. As for images, I intend to use non-interlaced PNG format for maps, charts and tables, while JPG for other images. I need some more help.

Although I am a computer graduate and know basic Html, XML, C# etc, I am looking for a program which does not require much programming skills. I want a software which completly works on GUI, with scripting as an option for advanced users.

1. How much/many skills you need to effectively use Dreamweaver?

2. Does Dreamweaver have its own FTP or similar tool?

3. Can I use CuteFTP to upload files created with Dreamweaver?

1. Not sure.
2. I'm sure.
3. Sure.

Cuteftp is almost like transferring files from one folder to another in your "my computer". Websites run a directory that is hosted by a server running IIS or Apache (most of the time) with a static IP. To upload your website you just copy the entire directory or whatever photos you want to upload to their respective folders on the host. I would also encourage you to download SQLExpress and setup a database on your machine as well as the java development kit (JDK) if you plan to do client side scripting.

Dreamweaver does have it's own FTP or "Site Managing" tool built into it. You don't need any programming knowledge to work it. Dreamweaver makes creating webpages simple. My favourite feature is in-fact the site managing. You create a folder and Dreamweaver treats that folder like the site architecture.

So for example, let's say that you have a page with a navigation across the top, but you are not using frames. If you were to create a template for the site and base all your pages off of it, when you make changes to that template, it will make those changes to all the pages based on it. So let's say you add something to that navigation across the top. Normally you would then have to go through and edit every page to reflect the update. Dreamweaver does it for you.

There is a learning curve to do things like that with Dreamweaver, but overall it works just like a word processor.