HTML Editor Reviews

Homesite

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Homesite V2.0 - Bradbury Software

Found at: http://www.dexnet.com/

Overview:

• MS-Windows 95/NT
• Stand alone program
• Text Based Editor
• No HTML validation
• Very Stable
• Cost: $25 USD
• Screen shot
• User Comments

Nice features found in this package include:

Nice preview browser built in - or use IE!

Many packages include a built in preview application, but Homesite makes using it very convenient. Two tabs on the editor window move you between "Edit" and "Browse". This setup makes checking your work almost as quick as a Graphical editor! Also, if you want the latest capabilities, you may uses Explorer 3.0 or greater as the internal browser used for preview. (Since I use Netscape, I wasn't able to see how well this integration actually worked)

Graphical Table and Frame creation

A wizard steps you through creating Frames and is capable of creating frame sets of medium complexity. Also, a simple table editor is included. Although the editor allows you to define spans (COLSPAN, ROWSPAN), it doesn't show them in the spreadsheet dialog where you enter the data elements. I also found a quick table insertion button which creates the structure for nearly any sized table. This works similar to the way you define tables in Microsoft's Word.

Support for the latest Explorer and Netscape extensions

The package includes a number of the latest extensions found in Explore and Netscape. You'll find dialogs for applets and ActiveX components, and scripts (just the tag, no support for creating the scripts). Also, it includes some support for styles found in Explorer. Of course, the new attributes for images are included, tags for background sound, and marques. I also like how the program clearly identifies specific extensions with the Netscape or Explorer icons as part of the dialogs.

Multiple customizable button bars

The package includes a familiar tabbed button bar which separates the tag button bars logically into different sets. A number of user tabs are provided (most editors include only one). Also, the user can pick which tabs are shown or hidden. Homesite goes a step further and allows users to assign images and tool tips (the text displayed by the pointer when you move over a button) to your custom buttons. Also, there's an "Apps" button bar to define applications to call when you click on the button. You can call up your favorite validator with the current file in this way.

Button bars for Active Server Pages (ASP) and Cold Fusion

ASP's (MS-IIS) and Cold Fusion (bundled with Website and others ) allow you to use special tags that the server will interpret and add dynamic content (similar to SSI's, but geared toward database interaction). I was pleasantly surprised to find these in the package. I would like to see a SSI button bar added to this mix!

Drag and drop links and images

Homesite includes a directory listing on the side of the editing window. The user may create links simply by dragging a file over to the editing panel. The link generated is a relative one (no "file://..." ), which is very convenient. If your local directory structure is the same as on your site, your links will work without modification. Images are added with the appropriate IMG tag, including height and width information. You'll see this kind of attention to detail throughout the application.

Simple project management

The project manager allows you to define files as part of a project. This allows you to open them as a group and target them for a global search and replace. However, it does not provide any site management capability (such as checking links). Hopefully, future versions will improve this feature.

Inserting images from thumbnails

Homesite will build a thumbnail dialog which you can use to create IMG tags from. However, the process of generating the images (even after they are generated once) is slow and you may not edit the text while the dialog is open. I found it more convenient to either insert multiple images at one time, or use the "Quick Image" menu item, which also displays the image which is select for the IMG tag.

Other features

Homesite includes a spelling checker which you can configure to ignore the contents of HTML tags (Yes!!). The editor also includes a nice implementation of color coding of tags. Different colors are used for anchors, tags, images, and others. I also like the ability to select links from Netscape's bookmark file directly when creating a link. Finally, Homesite includes a multiple file search and replace operation. You can use this on open documents, in current directory, or a member of a specified project.

Missing/Poorly Implemented Features:

Color coding on load should have a cancel

When loading a large file, the color coding can slow down the process. An option to cancel during a load should be available.

Need some HTML help

Although there is a provision to include a HTML help file from another source, I believe the package should include some rudimentary help. Since it offers access to tags which will be unfamiliar to many authors, a few examples when discussing how to add them (using the button bar, for instance) would be very helpful.

Need to add more attribute dialogs

Homesite can modify the attributes for a few elements (such as BODY and A) by clicking the right button and selecting "Edit Tag". I would like to see universal support for each tag which has attributes under HTML 3.2.

Better form support

I would like to see Homesite add an editor for forms in addition to the simple dialog box provided. With support for cold fusion, this would be a natural place to add value for those creating database driven sites.

Allow moving of buttons between tabs

The way the tabs for the button bars are setup, I found myself constantly jumping between the "Fonts" tab (for the heading) and the "Quick Tab" (for links and images). I would like Homesite to allow you to move these buttons to different tabs.

Conclusion:

Homesite is a great editor which gives experienced authors many tools to make their job easier. New authors, who aren't familiar with all the tags and attributes may want to look elsewhere. If you want an editor which allows you to create many custom buttons (you have many pages with identical pieces), you should take a close look at Homesite. Although not as feature bloated as some editors, what you'll find is very well done. It was snappy and a pleasure to use.

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