web designing free S.W. or web ?

[Ramon Gavin]

I need to do a normal web (imagine 5 simple pages with 6 sections. Inc.
Contact auto email).
I know Office (expert level), but havent designed, nor have the time to
learn. Therefore , it should be easy (intuitive) to use, edit, publish etc.
(With good templates?).
Which WEB DESIGNING FREE S.W. and /or FREE WEB (like Lycos, etc) do you
recommend me? Later on, I might ad Flash.
If I design in a FREE WEB, can I later on, download my web, and continue
with a certain design S.W. Perhaps its the easiest?
What do you think about starting with the copy in Word, then export it to
Powerpoint (and work more on the lay out, put colours, formats), and then
paste this in the web S.W. or Web?

(Where can I find what you recommend?)
Thks so much.

 

[DavidF]

Ramon,

This newsgroup is for using Publisher to build a website, but my comments
would be the same if that was your plan. Publisher is a DTP that has limited
web building capability. It is intended for those who want a basic, simple
static web site. You can produce a pretty good looking and functional site
with Publisher. While I am not familiar with the programs you are
considering, you are likely to have the same future problems that a
Publisher user can have. If your needs evolve beyond the capability of these
freebie web building programs, you will not be able to just move your site
into a more sophisticated and specialized program such as FrontPage or
Dreamweaver...you will have to start over.

Perhaps take a moment to carefully consider what you need in a website and
whether you as an "expert" with Office will be satisfied with what you can
produce with these freebies. As an 'expert', could you be satisfied with
what you could do with Microsoft Works, instead of Office? If you do not
anticipate needing anything more than a 'hobbyist' looking and functioning
site, then go with the freebies. If you want a 'expert' looking site, then
start off with the best tool for the job, and save yourself time and money
in the long run.

Just my two cents worth...DavidF

 

[DavidF]

Let me add something. If you have Publisher, it will have far more
capability than the freebies, and if you don't then as an 'expert' with
Office, use Word to build your site. I would imagine it also would offer
better capability.

DavidF