Download/HomepageHomesite 2.5 has come a long way from the
simplistic freeware version. Now it is more a web site creation
kit than an editing package, it contains literally everything you
could need to create and manage a web site. The layout is a
delight with totally customizable toolbars that snap tidily away
when you do not need them. The features list is endless and
includes rareties like Cascading Style Sheets and a Forms toolbar
with all the functions rather than a select few. There is a
really neat and simple link validator which runs through your
site for you to make sure all the links - both within and
external to the site - are valid. (to my shame it found no less
than three on mine that were dead). Project management and an
applications launcher are also built in to the comprehensive
package.
The current version is fully compatible with HTML3.2, the HTLM4
version is being worked on as you read this. Homesite is
configured to work seamlessly with CSE3310 HTML validator, to
ensure accurate and clean HTML, but you have to go and download
it separately, and also register it separately. It would have
been better to have it built in and let the two authoring houses
sort the royalties out between them. A good combination however,
in particular as Homesite includes a configurable spell checker
which means you have no excuse for poor coding or misspellings.
The Help file is a mini-tutorial in HTML for beginners, so you
can start using Homesite even if you have no HTML knowledge. If
you already know HTML then the Help will only enhance your
performance.
Homesite has a mass of very powerful and easy to use features,
and allows an HTML author to create the exact page required
without imposing WYSIWYG restrictions. However, the most
outstanding thing about Homesite is the trouble and care the
designers have taken to make it easy to use. Explorer view pane,
colored tags, tabs for each open page, built in browser or use
your own - the list goes on and on of small but essential touches
that turn a good HTML editor into an excellent one.
One tiny quibble - it needs a "repeat last action"
button!!
Homesite is 30 day/50 uses shareware, it nags you every time you
load it with a countdown of how many days/uses it has left. You
can purchase it by major credit card from the home site.
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