Which webdesign studio to buy? (heavy discount)

[fastz28]

Let's say I can get the following packages at the prices listed (totaly legit), which one should I buy? I've never used any of them before, just starting to do web design, so I have no preference whatsoever. Starting from scratch.

Web Collection 3.0 ($254)

Photoshop 6
Illustrator 9
GoLive 5 / LiveMotion

Design Collection 5.0 ($362)

Photoshop 6
Illustrator 10
InDesign 2
Acrobat 5

DW/FW Studio ($135)

Dreamweaver 4
Firework 4

Webdesign studio 4 ($180)

Dreamweaver 4
Firework 4
Flash 5
Freehand 10

 

[Ameesh]

what kind of pages are you gonna make?

stuff like msnbc.com? or stuff that uses flash?

 

[fastz28]

<< what kind of pages are you gonna make?

stuff like msnbc.com? or stuff that uses flash? >>



Right now, just personal pages and for a small business (technology commercialization) I'm starting. No plan to be a professional web designer at the moment. And if the business got big (I hope), I'll just hire one of you to design for me.

 

[rootaxs]

That's a tough call to make. I personally love doing graphics in Photoshop/ImageReady/Illustrator but when it comes to web integration i take the Macromedia route (Ultradev + Flash).

Given you're not thinking of going pro on this and your skill level isn't that high - yet, i'd suggest you save up the money and go for something more cost efficient to your needs. Then again, i don't know how you are but most people who i know are starting out with Design+Web find the packages you listed to be too complicated for a beginner.

 

[fastz28]

rootaxs,

What do you recommend then?

The reason I'm getting those now is I'm getting this discount from school and I'm graduating in about 3 weeks...

 

[rootaxs]

In that case, go for it (those i listed in my last post). You'll definitely be saving yourself a bundle anyway.

I wasn't very keen in suggesting something in the first place as i've met so many people who bought those same packages only to end up using something simpler (again due to the beginner complexity complex... or something like that )

Photoshop + Dreamweaver will definitely get you through in making some really fancy websites. Those are the two most used programs in my arsenal.

Just remember two key ingredients:
1) Imagination
2) Practice

Edit: Had to add this...

Doing any creative work should not be limited by the tools at hand. Don't let the tools dictate what you do.

 

[DefRef]

<< Web Collection 3.0 ($254)

Photoshop 6
Illustrator 9
GoLive 5 / LiveMotion >>



Photoshop 7 just shipped and it's very cool and has some new ImageReady rollover effects. Ill is up to v.10. No experience with GoLive. LiveMotion is like Flash.



<< Design Collection 5.0 ($362)

Photoshop 6
Illustrator 10
InDesign 2
Acrobat 5 >>



This whole package is aimed at PRINT production, NOT web. Pass.




<< DW/FW Studio ($135)

Dreamweaver 4
Firework 4 >>



I've got this and Fireworks is excellent for web graphics, but I have problems with it cuz I'm really used to Photoshop.



<< Webdesign studio 4 ($180)

Dreamweaver 4
Firework 4
Flash 5
Freehand 10 >>



They just release Flash MX (aka Flash 6) which has a lot more website goodies in it, but there's a steep learning curve, but this package has all the goodies for web work.



If you're just starting out and not gonna get too crazy with your designs, I recommend the DW/FW Studio. It has what you REALLY NEED at the best price. I prefer PS's tools, but this is a bit better for web design work.

 

[kt]

Sometime I think those HTML layout tools (Dreamweaver, Frontpage, etc.) cause more headache than they can alleviate. So, I find myself using Notepad more and more now. When I need to render images, I just Photochop them. That's about all you need to create simple pages as you mentioned.

 

[rootaxs]

I can't see why you say that, at least about Dreamweaver, though.

To me, i see Ultradev as a glorified Notepad. If i want code i edit in code and if i want to preview i change to layout mode. Everything is so much faster and if you use the program wisely you'll be pumping out 5x the amount of quality websites than if you were to manually do it in notepad.

The color coding also helps, especially when editing several hundred lines of code.

The added benefit? Once you move to ColdFusion everything will look awefully familiar.

 

[igowerf]

I agree with rootaxs. Ultradev is great.

 

[Wellcky]

Ultradev would be a wast for a beginner IMO, they use that for more database based sites. If you want soemthing really cheap and easy go for MS Frontpage, not my personal choice, but Frontpage virtualy comes with ever version of MS OS.

What I use is Dreamweaver 4.01 and Photoshop 6.0.

As a packaged deal I'd go for the DW/FW Studio bundle.

 

[Superwormy]

Ideal package for a beginner is something like as follows as far as I'm concerned:

Macromedia Homesite / UltraDev
Macromedia Dreamweaver / UltraDev

Jasc Paint Shop Pro

That should allow you to do most things you want, and is pretty scalable.

Photoshop is nice but has too many features for a newbie.
Homesite is almost a MUST when working with Dreamweaver, they work VERY VERY WELL together. MUCH easier than Notepad too
You won't be using Flash most likely, and its annoying to use and annoying for most users as well.

 

[JustinSampson]

Webdesign studio 4 seems to be perect. Photoshop would be nice, but this should get you by.

Dreamweaver: has a HTML editor witch I suggest you use. I only use the WYSIWYG part for creating complex tables, the rest is junk.

Fireworks: Much more amied at web graphics then photoshop (I my opinion, becuase it is mostly all vector design) and does have some bitmap editing for images.

Flash 5: There's only one way to do Flash, and that's with Flash. So you need this if you plan on using it.

Freehand 10: Never really used this much, but I'm sre it would be good for somthing.