Should Web Designers Learn Frontpage?
December 22, 2006
Though Frontpage is dated (the last release was in 2003) it is still a widely used piece of software.
It has enough attention in fact, that many new web designers ask:
‘Is Frontpage still a program that you should to learn?’
The short answer: no
WHY NOT LEARN FRONTPAGE
The major reasons are:
- Frontpage generates dated code that is not considered acceptable these days by most web designers.
- Frontpage has just been replaced by Microsoft’s new web design software: Expression. As such, Frontpage will not be updated and Frontpage users will be left in the dust.
- Most professional web designers use Dreamweaver – that means most web design companies use Dreameweaver.
Of the above reasons, I think the fact that Frontpage has essentially been discontinued, is reason enough to not get into it.
WHAT SHOULD A STUDENT OF WEB DESIGN LEARN THEN?
This really depends on where you see yourself going: if you plan on working for a web design firm, then you probably need to learn Dreamweaver.
If on the other hand, you are more or less working for yourself, then any web design software will probably do – or even none at all!
That brings me to my last point: learn to build web sites by hand.
BTW: there was a little chatter about MS Expression on the forum recently.
CIAO,
Stefan Mischook
www.killersites.com
www.killerphp.com
