It’s hard to think about HTML editor software and not think Adobe Dreamweaver. Macromedia originally created the product in 1997, but they surrendered control of this web design standard when they were acquired by Adobe Systems in 2005. The difference between the program from the current era and the Macromedia incarnation are like night and day. Adobe kept some of the best elements of Macromedia’s version while tweaking it slightly to become a complementary player for Adobe Photoshop, their unsinkable photo editing juggernaut. This top-rated HTML editor is interesting because it both fits into the CS4 collection of Adobe programs while having the capabilities to stand by itself.
Adobe Dreamweaver has a little something for everyone. Coders can code every aspect of a page. Designers can hide the coding, input their design into the program’s window and let the program do the rest. People who don’t choose sides can keep both the coding and design parts open and complete their website that way. This is only a fraction of what the program can really do. It also allows you to code in all the major programming languages (HTML, ColdFusion, PHP, CSS, JavaScript, XML, etc.). Anything you can think of, Adobe Dreamweaver has it functioning at a high level.
Standout Features
- Subversion Integration
- WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) Editor
- Supports Several Types of Coding
- Streamlined User Interface
- Unparalleled Finishes
Coding Languages - Adobe Dreamweaver allows you to design web pages using the following coding languages HTML, XSLT, ActionScript, CSS, JavaScript, XML, ASP JavaScript, ASP VBScript, ASP .NET C#, ASP .NET VB, ColdFusion, JSP and PHP. Adobe Systems offers a lot of the commonly-used languages along with others that aren’t so common, which helps keep designers who like to venture off the beaten path from jumping ship.
Site Types - Users can either create a blank page, blank template, page from template, page from sample or other. In the other category, you’re given the option to generate elements that plug into the pages you design.
User Friendly Features - If you’re not experienced with coding a webpage, don’t worry. Adobe Dreamweaver helps every step of the way by giving you the ability to insert common elements into your webpage. All you have to do is enter the information and the program will generate the code for you. This program is advanced enough to cater to users in the higher experience levels of coding. That’s the reason Dreamweaver has withstood the test of time and a transition from one company to the next. It does a superb job of satisfying users from both ends of the web design spectrum.
Finished Products - You will be consistently pleased with the finished products you get from Adobe Dreamweaver. It provides the tools to create web pages that look like they were designed by an expert, but were really done with ease by someone who may never have designed a website before picking up this program.
Adobe Dreamweaver has a streamlined interface that cuts down on the time you would usually spend looking for a specific design tool. While other programs get very technical to cater to a more experienced crowd, this one has the goal of making the art of designing web pages accessible to anyone who wants to take part. You don’t have to be a coding expert or a graphic designer to be able to design polished web pages with this industry-leading program. It gives you all the tools you need to create the best website possible.
For being such a large company, Adobe Systems definitely doesn’t shortchange their customers in terms of customer service. You can contact them through live chat or over the telephone. If you can’t find a solution in either of these areas, they have an in-depth knowledge base and FAQs section available with additional information.
The company offers support plans which provide the customers with a lot of benefits they wouldn’t otherwise receive, but these plans can often cost more than the program itself. There are plans for enterprises, developers, workgroups and individuals. Their Bronze Support plan is available for Adobe Dreamweaver users. The only difference between this plan and the higher end plans is response time and hours of availability. Based on the amount they are charging and the limited benefits that go along with the plan, it’s likely not worth what you’re paying for it. Luckily, Dreamweaver doesn’t pose too many problems and there are large communities of other users out there ready to help whenever you do have a question.
Summing up the all of the benefits you get from choosing Adobe Dreamweaver is difficult. Never before has a program done such an amazing job at opening previously closed doors in web design to people who were otherwise shut out of the craft. From start to finish, it helps you during every step of the design process. To top it off, you will be satisfied every time you decide to create a website using this excellent HTML editor program.
