dk01 — Wed, 14 May 2003 06:39:55 +0000

As someone who actually taught kids for my school's website I would encourage teaching them html and not even bring up the option of WYSIWYG editors. I had to run around the class doing all this basic html that DW MX had messed up. Like megan said, making the "portable" will be better for them in the long run and will hopefully make them more employable. Sounds like a neat camp. looking for teachers??
-dk

Busy — Wed, 14 May 2003 00:04:19 +0000

instead of a graphics program, what about just using clipart - graphic creation/ layouts could be advanced class

have heard a few good things about arachnophilia, I believe it's freeware

brady.k — Tue, 13 May 2003 22:50:47 +0000

I started at the ripe old age of somewhere around 9 or 10. It wasn't that hard. If you are intimidated, though, find a friend who has a site. THen look at the code, and try to reverse engineer it. AFter you figure stuff out, then start going to stuff like webmonkey.com and such to learn exactly what everything means. Don't do the WYSIWYG editors, you will only be hurt in the long run.

nicora — Tue, 13 May 2003 20:40:58 +0000

Although I don't use DW myself, if it wasn't cost prohibitive - it would be my first choice. I have contacted macromedia per andy206uk's suggestion
(which was really a good idea - thx!), I will just have to see what they say. But if that falls through, then I think I agree with Megan in that simple = more.
I myself learned in Textpad and transitioned into CF Studio with ease.

I looked into Photoshop Elements 2, great deal - but again, I was really hoping to cut costs by using free software. I'm a Photoshop fanatic, and somewhat
of an expert. I would love to use an Adobe product to teach with, but if you really look into what "The Gimp" can do, it's quite impressive for a free
application. But, I am also going to contact Adobe with the same prposition as Macromedia. Hopefully I'll hear back soon, will keep you posted.

Thanks very much for the suggestions/ideas - keep them coming, they have been great!!

Megan — Tue, 13 May 2003 19:54:44 +0000

You also might be able to get something like Photoshop Elements or Photoshop LE for a low price. I dont' know how different the gimp is though - it could be fine for just learning.

I would say that if you can't go WYSIWYG for your price, go with a really basic text editor. Something like Textpad or Ultra Edit or even notepad would be fine. HTML kit is an okay program but may be a little too complicated (and specific) for beginners. If they learn some basic HTML skills they'll always be able to transfer them to any other editor. I think that teaching transferrable skills would be more important than anything in this case. It is too bad that there aren't more good, cheap WYSIWYG editors.

taff — Tue, 13 May 2003 18:47:38 +0000

I agree. If you're going to go wysisyg, go Dreamweaver. At least DW writes semi-decent html and the split pane option would allow them to learn both as they go. If you want to teach from a pure code perspective, HomeSite is a great little program - now owned by Macromedia also.

Graphics - I can't really advise you on this front since I'm using such a hodge-podge of old, dated (but comfortable and reliable) apps.

andy206uk — Tue, 13 May 2003 16:01:29 +0000

I personally think they'll benefit more from learning html, but its a long slog and some younger kids will stuggle.

If your going to use any product i'd say go with dreamweaver, its not cheap or free, but maybe macromedia would be willing to sponsor the course? If thats the case you could get fireworks as well. IMO i think these are the two industry standard peices of software for web design.