Blogs, Web design layout, software.

[Miguel]

Hi Guys,

Wondering if you can help... Just trying to find out a couple of things. 1) what software do companies use to make website? Do most of them including big ones actually use dreamweaver? 2) Do web designers actually make blogs from scratch or do they use like word press and then transfer it to there site? can word press be transfered to dreamweaver? if not how would they make one site with all different software? 3) when starting a web site do you design the whole theme(background colour, layout, pictures) in photoshop to the exact px then put it as a background image in dreamweaver then css on top or are you actually creating each picture for each div with a seperate css? example http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.reencoded.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/clear_website_layout_black.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.reencoded.com/2009/06/10/45-awesome-photoshop-website-templatelayout-tutorials/&h=510&w=600&sz=151&tbnid=xrLLtfFzCOD1lM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=106&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dwebsite%2Blayout%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=website+layout&docid=DIki7695IqiitM&sa=X&ei=1uCLTtqLIa7RmAXQwqHHBQ&ved=0CEEQ9QEwBA&dur=1919 besides things that have hyperlinks or move is that whole layout just a picture?

 

[Phreaddee]

Hi.
Firstly, software.
This depends on your skill level, budget and preferences. A competent web developer can adapt and use any software available to them, a beginner might prefer something visual, but as you progress youll want to get dirty with the code. Dreamweaver is good, and used by a lot of people, but it isnt cheap. Notepad++ is free and awesome, but daunting if you dont understand code 100%. Some on here have mentioned aptana, but it doesnt really do it for me.what you need to understand is it isnt the software, but your imagination, knowledge and skills thatll make or break you.
2. Psd layouts, many people swear by them, but for me its just wasted productivity. It is an old school way of doing things and not flexible at all. Again imagination, knowledge and skill is the key. Sometimes a pen and paper yields much more creative, and faster results.
3. Blogs, each to their own here as well, but there is no great need to reinvent the wheel, particularly when there is good platforms to build from.
Perhaps the greatest investment you can make is your time, and study until it makes sense. Never ever think you can do it all, but always strive to that goal, learn from others, and grow a thick skin. Technophobe clients may piss you off, and not understand the complexity of what you are creating, but they sometimes come up with innovative ideas...and then its up to you to make it reality...
Good luck with it all.