Just wondering how many people here actually use a program or a feature of some program (like Dreamweaver or HTML Kit) to code CSS for theier sites?
I have used Topstyle lite at times and sometimes a plugin for HTML Kit, but for the most part, I just code it in myself.
I use plain old NotePad, does that make me sad ?
I use the text-codeeditor I use for html and php (Macromedia Homesite), and code it manually.
If you study CSS (and HTML), you can make much cleaner and shorter code than programs that make them for you.
I mainly use Topstyle or just a plain text editor, although some of the HTML editors I've got have CSS support.
I use the ViM and code it manually.
| wumingsden wrote: |
| I use plain old NotePad, does that make me sad ? |
That makes you intelligent 
The same with all others who code it by hand.. programs may be faster but they sure as hell do a worse job of coding complex sites... programs cant work around problems any more than they have been programmed to.I agree with you all that you really should know css or at least know the basics in order to make a cascading style sheet that fits your needs, however, using somthing like dreamwevaer, which i love to death, could and usually does, make things easier and faster for you the coder. Im not saying its going to do things for you, but i mean, with small tools like knowing the DIV id names when you swtich from html to css, and of course the tag chooser, hels you out and if you get suck it will help you. And, if you miss a semi colon, or a colon or somthing else, you will be able to see it with the colorized syntax. Basically, I LOVE DW and would suggest it to anyoen and everyone who is serious about web development.
I use frontpage and Notepad sometimes. I use Dreamweaver someimtes but I really dont need a program to help me out when I'm doing CSS becuase to me its easy to code that.
i use html-kit, but only for the color coding and preview feature thing...other than that it's basically notepad to me..
I typically use something simple, like Araneae. I've recently taken a liking to Dreamweaver, not for the fact that it has a "Design View" function. I use it because I like its syntax highlighting, validation, and its opportunity for multiple document types (as in actually starts the document with doctype, the only part of any coding that I'm too lazy to do 
).
I hate HTML-Kit with a passion! I used it once, and uninstalled it because I was sick of its user-interface. Now, the Edit With HTML-Kit option is still in my explorer context menus for any html file. That's not even the worst of it! Now, ANY TIME I try to view a page's source, it says it can't find HTML-kit's executable to view it. THAT'S MORE ANNOYING THAN I CAN STAND!! I use DreamWeaver and Notepad also, unfortunatly. CSS seems to be the new PHP when it comes to easy-but-good sitemaking. It's too bad the style hasn't moved forward much in the past few years.
What's the point of an editor if it can't even code to standards? I haven't seen a single editor that doesn't write messy code, know how to save bandwidth, how to workaround common browser glitches, how to use CSS in favor of TABLES, how to code for accessibility and use CSS for rollovers rather than JavaScript. Heck, once you reach the top with your progamming skills, the idea of switching to a graphical editor doesn't even cross your mind any more -- even if your brother installs it on your PC. Graphics is the only thing worth getting a good editor for. Got money, get Photoshop, don't got money, download The GIMP.
| Quote: |
| CSS seems to be the new PHP when it comes to easy-but-good sitemaking. |
That is preposterous! CSS is used to style the webpage as an enhancement to HTML and is run on the user's browser.
PHP is server side and runs on the server and can do literally anything c++ can do from managing HTTP Requets, submitting forms, databases, IP logs, cookies, actual executable programs, interfaces... PHP even has something called PHP-GTK for constructing executeable applications to build software. Than you can even go as far as compiling your PHP!
The two, PHP and CSS, are not compairable. It's like compairing (C++)++ and CSS. Alright, I'll save the argument between C++ and PHP for elsewhere. But it seems C++ is the language for speed and PHP is the language for ease. Oh and PHP being free while buying a compiler to compile C++ is another factor. Mostly for CSS I use Dreamweaver. I do so, because it has cool auto-complete feature. Besides of it, dweaver has other features. Take for example it's reference on HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP and many other topics. It's very detailed and reliable. I find it very useful.
I use VIM but for special actions with CSS, a have a good helper Firefox EditCSS extension | wumingsden wrote: |
| I use plain old NotePad, does that make me sad ? |
Ouch, NotePad. I use OS X, and Smultron, which is a simple code editor. | riv wrote: |
| wumingsden wrote: | | I use plain old NotePad, does that make me sad ? |
Ouch, NotePad. I use OS X, and Smultron, which is a simple code editor. |
how comes you don't like it ? I've always used notepad for every single bit of coding that i do, except for my ControlPanel. Its simple. I have tried DreamWeaver and all of these other fancy programs but had no idea what-so-ever as to how to use them 
I use Notepad2 which is just as fast and simple as notepad (sometimes too simple) but it has syntax hylighting. I love it, it's a single executable that's only 540kb in size which means I can put it on a floppy or flash drive and always have it with me. I use it for all of my HTML, CSS, PHP and anything else that I might find the need to edit in there. For me Dreamweaver.....
I use it for all the works.
As always.. EditPlus 2 rocks for me and that's what I use for everything... in fact i use wine in linux to emulate EditPlus 2 and then use it.
I use jEdit. (Just another syntax highlighting+ program)
The best soft for coding is notpad++
TextMate makes any kind of programming much faster and less tedious. Just check out one of the screencasts. bluemental css is a very good things for coding css 
I absolutely code everything by hand. It's faster that way. And better.
I've been using WeBuilder.
It doesn't do anything automatically except indent and syntax highlighting, and it has a nice little validator built in (but I haven't tried that - I'd still suggest w3c )
I use it for all my coding... make s it easy to see what I'm doing, but lets me do it myself. Next best is notetab!
IMHO, of course. I acutally use dreamweaver sometimes if i'm looking for a specific feel. But sometimes it's alot easier to just hand code your site using notepd. TopStyle is another good program though.
Also I use TopStyle plugin for PSPad. That way I have all my programming and design in one program.
I use topstyle lite 3.
Is is the same as notepad but you write it faster because it helps you.
Also you can realise if you made mistakes.
ALWAIS USE EXTERNAL CSS!!
I'm wondering why anyone has not spoken about the Web Developer firefox extension... IMHO, one of the best tools, undispensable for webdesigners... and one of the best css editors, for me of course 
SURE!
I have it installed and I love it!
There is also the xml developer toolbar I use.
Another good developing program is the NVU. And better is NVU portable ([url]portableapps.com[/url])
I liek using topstyle, cos it asctually shows how it looks like, but sometimes when im trying to test it on a page, i get lazy, and then it just seems more practical to do it in Dreamweaver!
Once you get used to work in Dreamweaver you will stop typing the code manually. Dreamweaver works fine for me for both html coding and CSS.
I have used Dreamweaver, html-kit, NVU, Phase 5 and even Frontpage.
But I ended up using a simple Notepad/jedit/VI kind of tool that does syntax highlighting and some other simple tasks. It's called Proton and is now available in English. NotePad or online file manager with plain code.
Okay i'm just a newbie when it comes to HTML and CSS as I think it's really interesting and going to help me with a career change.
I'm currently reading and using help files such as those from Lynda.com to help me in both departments.
So far from my experience as a beginner, I would definately have to recommend using these programs to do your web programming. This is also considering that you can at least understand the absolute basics of web page programming, i.e. structure, basic codes, etc.
WYSIWYG Editor:
Dreamweaver, definately by far the absolute and most recommended editor. Will do pretty much all the coding for you so you don't need to get your hands into the nitty gritty of it.
HTML Code Editor:
Homesite + - Much more advanced than your plain old Notepad and much better for hard coding your site.
CSS Editor:
Topstyle Pro - This will definately help you with your CSS programming if you're definately new.
Unfortuantely there isn't any one program that I have read about or seen so far that can do the best at all 3 at the same time. In the end my recommendation is when you're all done, run it throught the validator at www.w3c.org. That is the absolute checker when it comes down to it.
Add:
Oh yeah don't forget that you just can't use all coding to make your page look beautiful and fully functional! You are gonna need to use graphics to help further enhance your webpage to the level of professionals so I also recommend these programs as they will become essential to take your page to the next level.
Photo Editing:
Photoshop CS2 - By far the absolute best photo editor I've ever seen! Used by just about every professional on the planet. It's not that hard to start considering there are a ton of wonderful plugins that you can use.
Flash 8 - A really cool program to make those wonderful animated buttons, movies, etc. Flash has really changed the way webpages are being done nowadays. I use Dreamweaver from time to time , notepad always helps as an easy and quick program
I must be the only one!
I use Coffeecup to edit my html, css and javascript. I of course type it all myself without using any of the features, but I like the highlighting that coffeecup provides. Makes things easier to see, and also to debug. It has lots of features that I haven't even checked out yet, but I bet that in some situations could be useful to a less experienced web designer like myself.
If you haven't tried it, check it out! I'd love to hear how it compares to dreamweaver or the like.
| Satori wrote: |
I must be the only one!
I use Coffeecup to edit my html, css and javascript. I of course type it all myself without using any of the features, but I like the highlighting that coffeecup provides. |
Satori, you definately aren't the only one using Coffeecup. I know at one point, Coffeecup was the reigning champion for HTML editing. Then it was eventually superceded by Dreamweaver.
Honestly, I feel that if you editor is at least of some decent quality, then use what ever is comfortable for you. Some are easier than others and some offer more features than others. You just have to feel it out for yourself. I practically always use Dreamweaver for my css editing. Mainly because it is taught on my course (Foundation Degree Multimedia Design), but also because I like the syntax colouring and autocomplete features it provides.
I do also understand however that Dreamweaver often generates unnnecessary and clunky code, which I try to avoid if at all possible, I have not yet had a chance to try out the developer tool extension for firefox, but have just installed and will try it out now.
The other useful extension I use a lot when designing and testing sites is the IEtab extension:
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/1419/
This allows you to check the results of your code in a firefox window, but interpreted the way Internet Explorer will display it, thus allowing cross browser checking without having two browsers open. VIM.
syntax highlighting and indenting works well.[/quote]
