Its
a sad fact that Microsoft's FrontPage series of software has over
the years been the brunt of apparent displeasure from various
"webmasters".At times when I have been on
forums that discus such matters as website design software, almost
no one will own up to using it. If someone asks for support they get
told to drop FrontPage and get some "real" software. I believe
this stems from a general distrust and dislike of anything
Microsoft. This is a shame as I am sure this puts of many from
giving the software a fair trial.
I have now been a very happy user of FrontPage for
several years and have been looking forward to the new 2003 version.
For those familiar with the previous version the will be little need
to result to any help files or manual. Give your self a weekend to
familiarize yourself with the new features and come Monday you will
be creating and managing websites with the ease you have come to
expect from the product.
I would however have liked to have seen Microsoft
introduce a forum feature similar to PHPBB forum, as this is the
only time I need to use none Microsoft software when working with
websites.
Plus the lack of any more
components, such as MSNBC news headlines is disappointing, it would
seem nothing has been added to the area at all.
FrontPage 2003 also runs noticeable slower than
the previous version. Sufficiently slower that some may well think
of upgrading their computer hardware. Our office PIII/800 with 256Mb
of ram would be on the boarder line and may well be upgraded to a P4
in the near future. I am however using FrontPage 2003 to manage and
maintain over 16 websites on a PIII/800, including this website.
Having said all the above ,Microsoft's FrontPage
2003 is still the software of choice for us. Demo trial versions are
available if you know were to ask. Our advice is give FrontPage 2003
a try, Microsoft is not the worlds number one software creator for
nothing. |