Website Building

[lightng]

Current place are using sharepoint designer for some their customer facing pages. I was asked to take a look and add some jquery and ajax goodness. I passed the pages through a validator and got screens worth of errors and warnings.

They was shocked to see how their pages were rendering on different browsers. Some pages were just plain unreadable and don't even start me on the semantics of the underlying HTML. In particular IE6 rendered the pages in a way that could only be deciphered by a WWII cryptography expert (imagine my shock and surprise). I ended up re-writing almost every page from scratch.

Some of these pages had been live for a year and a half. Examining the google analytics browser spread, it was clear that they were poking out the eyes of over half of their huge customer base!

I don't want to disrespect sharepoint designer though as I'm sure in the right hands, its a great tool. I think the person using the tool makes all the difference; WYSIWYG web-development just isn't there yet, at least for a normal user.

If a company is going to publish to the web, and they're worried about how their presence is received, then they should hire some expert knowledge.

<Placeholder for business cards from Nickfitz and Durbs>

[Durbs]

<Placeholder for business cards from Nickfitz and Durbs>

I'm getting mine re-written to 'Painter & Decorator' after browsing Jobswerve this morning.

[Not So Wise]

Have they????? Grim one. Glad i got mine when i did as Expression Design is handy and VS is one of the main reasons i got the pack.

Just to update this, the MS WebsiteSpark program is giving Visual studio, expression studio, SQL server/Windows server web editions for free for 3 years* for qualifying companies (which we nearly all should be)

More info here

On the enrolement just select "Microsoft Contact" for your code and you should get an acceptance email a few hours later

*well it's not free exactly , you will have to pay $100 after 3 years to "exit the program" or get charged full price

[lilelvis2000]

Well, tired of Frontpage now and want to move on to Expression web. If one is cheeky - you can get it for about £25 if you have child in any form of education. I'm putting down my 4y/o who starts school in September.

[xoggoth]

Front page is really terrible and does the wierdest things. Avoid.

[lilelvis2000]

Oh yes, Incase any of you haven't been following. MS are creating a new subscription for developers. It includes a special version of MSDN. No more precise details. If you express interest before 24 May they'll send you a code for 15% off.
The information is at https://partner.microsoft.com/UK/40132997

[Sysman]

Current place are using sharepoint designer for some their customer facing pages. I was asked to take a look and add some jquery and ajax goodness. I passed the pages through a validator and got screens worth of errors and warnings.

They was shocked to see how their pages were rendering on different browsers. Some pages were just plain unreadable and don't even start me on the semantics of the underlying HTML. In particular IE6 rendered the pages in a way that could only be deciphered by a WWII cryptography expert (imagine my shock and surprise). I ended up re-writing almost every page from scratch.

I heard a good tale yesterday from someone who gives courses in team building, communications and the like. She did a cold call on a company based on what their web site said.

It swiftly turned out that the prospective client didn't actually know what their own web site said...

[OwlHoot]

Oh yes, Incase any of you haven't been following. MS are creating a new subscription for developers. It includes a special version of MSDN. No more precise details. If you express interest before 24 May they'll send you a code for 15% off.
The information is at https://partner.microsoft.com/UK/40132997

Roughly how much would this normally cost. I couldn't find prices anywhere on that site.

TIA.

[Durbs]

Roughly how much would this normally cost. I couldn't find prices anywhere on that site.

TIA.

https://partner.microsoft.com/40016455

"The Microsoft Action Pack Solution Provider download-only version costs £199 per annum plus VAT. If you would also like to receive physical media, the price is £273 per annum plus VAT. If you opt in for physical media in the middle of your annual subscription period, the additional cost will be assessed on a prorated basis.
Starting May 24, 2010, we will provide enhanced benefits to the Action Pack Solution Provider subscription and the download-only version will cost £259 per annum plus VAT. If you would also like to receive physical media, the new price will be £319 per annum plus VAT."

So wait until 24th when they release the enhanced Action Pack but at that price its a no-brainer given the huge amount of goodies you get.

[lilelvis2000]

Roughly how much would this normally cost. I couldn't find prices anywhere on that site.

TIA.

No details on pricing for the new developer pack - but I can't imagine it would be too much more than the enhanced Action Pack. Its not the whole MSDN - just some parts and only three licences. £100 over the action pack a guess?