Web Page Generation
The table below compares what can be viewed and edited, link support, and HTML generation quality for some free or low cost programs, when used to make a web page. The table is best viewed when window is full screen.
WYSIWYG refers to the rendered view of the code, often using a standard browser. The three Link Support items refer to whether the link in the WYSIWYG view is live, whether it is underlined, and whether it changes colour when the mouse cusor is over it. If the WYSIWYG viewer supports text-decoration, then the simple link underline can be switched off.
The most useful web page generator is one where you can view not only both the WYSIWYG and HTML code, but also edit both the WYSIWYG content and the HTML code. Except for Word, the following are free.
Program |
Mode |
WYSIWYG |
HTML Code |
WYSIWYG Link Support |
HTML Quality |
||||||
Source |
Name |
Ver |
|
View |
Edit |
View |
Edit |
live |
decoration |
a:hover |
|
MS |
OE |
v6 |
Create Mail |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
Out dated |
MS |
Word |
v10 |
SaveAs |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Cluttered, complex. |
MS |
Word |
v10 |
Web Page, |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Modern code with style sheet in header. |
toniarts.com |
Easy HTML |
v2.2 |
split screen |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Its what you write. |
evrsoft.com |
First Page |
v2.0 |
|
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Its what you write. |
openoffice.org |
HTML Editor |
v1.1 |
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Inline styles |
Netscape |
Composer |
v6 |
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
Inline styles. |
W3C |
Amaya |
8.2 |
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Modern inline styles. |
Strouds CWS
Apps rate the top best Advanced HTML Editors as:
Macromedia (formerly
Allaire) HomeSite 5.5,
http://www.macromedia.com/software/homesite/ ,
HotDog Professional 7.03,
http://www.sausagetools.com/professional/ ,
NetObjects Fusion v7.5,
http://www.netobjects.com/
Adobe GoLive,
http://www.adobe.com/products/golive/ ,
and
FrontPage 2003,
http://www.microsoft.com/frontpage/ .
These are
not free products.