A review of 2 different types of web authoring software has been undertaken and this evaluation can be found below. It should be noted that these observations (of Netscape Composer and FrontPage 2000) are purely circumspect and represent only the opinions of the authors of this web page.
There are many considerations to be taken into account when embarking on web authoring, and not all software applications conform to the following criteria:
Affordability and availability.
Compatibility.
Tutorials and help facilities.
Upgrade integration.
Affordability and Availability.
Netscape Composer
The web publishing package Netscape Composer is free as part of the Netscape Online internet service software. It is downloadable from
www.netscapeonline.co.uk or you can send for the free CD-ROM, which can also be found on the front of computer magazines.
FrontPage 2000
The full version of FrontPage 2000 at the time of writing is £125.00. This full version comes complete with a full gallery of artwork clips. All the major computer equipment shops now stock this latest version of web authoring.
Compatibility.
Netscape Composer
Netscape Composer has the same drop-down menus as Windows and appears to be fully compatible. The software is easy to load. Pages tested on AOL and IE5 appear quite good.
FrontPage 2000
FrontPage 2000 being a Microsoft product is compatible with Windows operating systems and poses not difficulties on "loading the software onto the computer. All the windows are therefore familiar to the Windows user.
Tutorials and help facilities.
Netscape Composer
Free on-line and e-mail help is available from the 'Help' menu. A reference guide is available from
http://www.gettysburg.edu/training/traindocs/composer.htmlA good tutorial is available also from
http://wally.rit.edu/instruction/web/composer/. There is a 'getting started' button for those completely new to web authoring which is also on-line.FrontPage 2000
FrontPage 2000 has an easy to follow help facility with graphical examples and templates.
E-mail help is available together with an on-line help desk.
The on-line help is available at:
Upgrade integration.
Netscape Composer
Software updates are accessible from the 'Help' menu.
FrontPage 2000
FrontPage 98 was the first version of Microsoft's web authoring software, and FrontPage 2000 has upgraded this, giving additional templates and enhancements.
The benefits
Netscape Composer
Quick to learn and user friendly.
No need to write in HTML format - the software converts the text.
The pages still looked professionally designed when uploaded and downloaded.
The preview in the browser facility enabled a preview of the web before publishing takes place.
FrontPage 2000
The user can construct a basic web quickly following suggested formats.
A good selection of templates.
An easy method of publishing webs.
Integrates well with Internet Explorer.
Compatible with Graphical User Interface applications such as Windows.
The user does not have to write in HTML format, this software package converts the text instantly.
A WYSIWYG editor, a what you see is what you get functionality is excellent.
The drawbacks
Netscape Composer
Quite basic.
The software is slow to appear on the screen.
There are not graphic buttons.
FrontPage 2000
Some Internet Service Providers are not supporting FrontPage's extensions (fancy attributes and motion graphics).
In conclusion, FrontPage 2000
seems reasonably priced given the complexity of the product, launched at an
opportune time and compatible with the majority of systems. Netscape Composer is
a free, functional basic application.