Need good basic webpage freeware!

[optimalwebsite]

I need a good bit of freeware which would allow a client to download, alter a webpage's text and links, and upload onto the web. I use Dreamweaver (too complicated and expensive), they're using Frontpage (too buggy), and I need something better! Any ideas? Doesn't need to do formatting, just allow someone to edit their page's text.

Joel

[Dcrux]

There are a couple of options, depending on preference.

NVU (http://www.nvu.com/index.php) -- probably a good choice for clients doing simple edits.

Otherwise any code editor. One unusual choice you may favor is Arachnophilia (http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/WEB-Design/HTML-Editors/Arachnophilia.shtml), which just got an update. Why? You can completely alter the commands, toolbar options, folders, and interface. This would allow you to strip out everything but what the client might need. Using the built in macro language, you could create user input popups which could further cut down any direct code editing.

Finally, the third option everyone else is doing is a content management system. Most developers pretty much use it as a layout editor and not a CMS anyway. The advantage is the disadvantage -- online editing. Ideally you want an editorial process step for promoting an article to insure checking before something goes live.

[davebarnes]

"I use Dreamweaver".

Therefore, they should use Contribute which supports Check-In/Check-Out (a limited CMS).
$149 USD list price.

Works very well with DW. Don't waste your time looking elsewhere.

,dave

[nseidm1]

I recommend NVU, but the problem with all GUI html editors is that it scrambles the code. If you ever want to do a proper SEO job the beginning will be a nightmare. The GUI program will get your website off the ground, but if you really want to rake in organic hits you need proper SEO, which will require html skills, clean coding, proper attributes/titles, and a bit of meta tag action.