Feedback on: Symantec Visual Page
Worth:
Very worth reading
Comments:
I think this review doesn't do right to the strenghts of visual page. I've been using it for a long time now and admit that it has many shortcomings, but The way it handles frames and tables make it a very interesting tool for the creation of static webpages. The lack of DHMTL is not a problem for those not wanting to spend time in writing IE and Netscape compliant code in one page and absolute positioning is something that for HMTL layout in general is just nonsense. As long as there's no kerning or other typographical rules within HMTL, it will stay a bland way for layout. VP will however make fairly fast content for those who do not want to make state of the art pages, but pages that are downloadable within some seconds.
Worth:
Worth reading
Comments:
That stuff about not being to create an inspiring page in VP is total BS. You just have to know how to use it. I created a totally awesome site from start to finish in five hours using VP. It's not about the editor, it's about your creativity and graphics capabilities. For me, this is the perfect tool, because the code is straight html, so there are no compatibility problems, and if anything ever goes wrong with the code (which it doesn't), I can open it up in a text editor, and easily tweak it and clean it up. I can do all of my graphics in Photoshop, and optimize and do rollovers in ImageReady, and tell it to generate CSS code. VP shows incorrect spacing between the slices, but it's really easy to insert a link tag on one of the slices, without screwing up the CSS code. But overall, my favorite thing is the way it hadles frames. Very easy to deal with, once you get the hang of the program. Just a side note, I use the macintosh version, and I have since 1996. I don't have experience with the Windows version.
Worth:
Not worth reading
Comments:
I've been using Visual Page v.2 for 2 years now. I have created several websites with it and I maintain them with it to this day. I have *no* complaints about the product and recommend it always.
"Your pages will be viewable by all common browsers, and will give you no errors due to their outdated nature." ---This is *far* from a negative, as the review suggests. It's actually a great advantage for the webmaster. Your e-mail will not be full of 'flames' and complaints.
"However, once you compare the site you have with the site your competitors have you will be very disappointed. Visual Page simply cannot produce inspiring pages..." ---'Visual Page' does not 'produce' any pages, inspiring or not. *It is just software*. The ability -or inability, as the case may be- to reach the web surfer and 'inspire them' lies *entirely* in the hands of the web-master/mistress.
"If you want to make a good web site you should ... hire a professional designer." ---This, hiring a professional, is *not* a realistic alternative for the "HTML hobbist", which I believe is Visual Page's target market, and whom is best served by the product.
Contrary to popular belief the web is NOT mostly 'inhabited' by ultra savvy tech-heads with super computers at their fingertips. Equiptment and browsers are on the whole of average capabilities. An overloaded site will wreck havoc and serves only to alienate first time visitors, not to mention destroy chances of any repeat visits.
**The heart of a good website is CONTENT.** If you have the content, then with Visual Page you will be able to get it out there, on-line, quickly and efficiently.
~*Ariadne
http://ariadnes.fictionworld.com/
Worth:
Not worth reading
Comments:
I've been using VP for a couple of years. I've tried many other WYSIWYG web design tools and I keep goping back to my Visual Page. Working with tables is very easy.
It seems however that Symantec has quit supporting VP and I wonder if I have the most recent version. I have version 2.0, build 220. Does anyone know if there is a more recent version and where I can get it?
Worth:
Very worth reading
Comments:
I am using Visual Page 1.1.a Test Version and would like
to buy the release version of this product - despite or just because of the "drawbacks" mentioned in your review.
However it has disappeared from SYMANTEC's Web Site.
Do you have any hints - or spare copies to sell ?
Worth:
Worth reading
Length:
Just right
Comments:
This review needs to be updated to mention that Symantec no longer produces, publishes, sells, updates or supports Visual Page any longer.