FrontPage

Even after its replacement by Expression Web, Microsoft’s FrontPage 2003 remains popular Web design software.

Pros

Microsoft’s FrontPage is what-you-see-is-what-you-get (WYSIWYG) Web design software. WYSIWYG allows users to build Web pages without knowing HTML or other code. Users add text and graphics in the interface, and the program writes the code behind the scenes.

Intended for beginning users, FrontPage was designed to be intuitive and user friendly, and by most accounts, it succeeded. However, complaints arose about the inability to access the code the program had written, so in the latest version, FrontPage 2003, Microsoft introduced a split view, allowing users to see both the design and the supporting code. This version also included several other upgrades that made the program even more likeable.

Cons

The new view and more extensive coding options of FrontPage 2003 pleased Web designers, but they may overwhelm a true beginner. However, if new users can get past the look of the code, most will find that the interface is still intuitive and easy to use.

A bigger problem with FrontPage 2003 (and all previous versions, in fact) is the need for Web hosts to have FrontPage extensions installed on their servers in order for sites designed in FrontPage to be fully functional. Without these extensions, users may have trouble uploading changes, and certain features, like the counter, may not work.

The biggest problem with FrontPage, of course, is that it has been discontinued. Microsoft replaced the program with Expression Web in 2006, so FrontPage 2003 is the end of the line. It remains popular for now, but with no new versions to come, it will no doubt become obsolete.

The Gist

Microsoft’s FrontPage was, and still is, excellent WYSIWYG Web design software. As long as your Web host has FrontPage extensions, this software is an excellent choice. However, with FrontPage discontinued in favor of Expression Web, expect to change programs within the next few years.