FrontPage Tips

FrontPage Overview

I have used FrontPage 2000 since it came out and I keep finding ways to use it more effectively. When I started using FrontPage, I did so it because it was one of the least expensive WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) HTML editors. I have used and occasionally still use HomeSite to work with the raw code.

Using a WYSIWYG editor speeds up the design of a site, at least for me. I especially like FrontPage for creating tables for a page layout. The rows and columns are easily created and modified to get the exact look I want. Yes, it takes some work because FrontPage does not automatically resize the cells in a row to agree with the table’s total width. So while the table looks good and usually displays well in major browsers, the code is not correct but this is easily corrected by adjusting each cell to the proper width based on the table’s width.

FrontPage will allow you to design a reasonable site without any HTML knowledge but it isn’t a good idea. First, learn some of the high points of HTML so you understand what the program is doing. Also, while FrontPage does a good job of creating the HTML code, the code does need "tweaked" to be the most efficient. This is especially true when using tables with images.

FrontPage should only be used as a design aide not as the final authority. Use FrontPage to assist you in creating the web page, how you want it to look, and the majority of the HTML code. Before releasing the page, review the code and make sure all tags are closed and other minor details that may not show up in Internet Explorer but may show up in Netscape 4.X or Opera.

FrontPage does provide some components that can make life a lot easier but your site host must have FrontPage extensions installed. However, you can design a great site, using JavaScript and CSS (cascade style sheet), without invoking the extensions. The extensions provide ways to simplify some tasks and add features to the site but they are not required for designing a site.

FrontPage is no different than most web design tools. Each tool has its own usage problems. Some problems can be easily handled while others may require some effort. It is up to you as the designer to decide how heavily you wish to rely on any tool.

Don’t let anyone tell you FrontPage is only for amateurs. A good designer can use almost any tool to create great results but a poor designer will only get mediocre results with the best of tools. If FrontPage suits the way you work and the way you think, then use it without guilt. Yes, you can move up to Dreamweaver and to other more expensive tools but if the tool doesn’t feel right your results will reflect that feeling. This is why some designers still insist on using text editors or NotePad because they work better in raw code. Perhaps their imagination and visualization are better than mine. I prefer to see what things look like as I create the design and layout. As I modify the site’s color scheme, I get to see the result immediately. Any tool only assists the designer, it cannot replace the imagination and skill of the designer.

I will post other FrontPage tips as I think of them. If you have suggestions for future articles or any other worthwhile comment, please use the e-mail link on the left to contact me.