Free Web Design Software

[Chunky]

Now the problem with Serif software is that I've been stung by it before. Silly amounts of data stored in romain profiles and so on. Also issues depolying with Group Policy. Because of this it probably doesn't meet requirements 1 and 2. I'll add it to the end of the list.

 

At the moment Kompozer is looking good.

 

What was the last version you had, out of interest? It may be an idea just to get in touch with them.

If you show an interest, they'll send you a free standard version (not trial, full) of all their packages.

You've nothing to lose

 

Also, an email to them asking about nice "clean" deployment should get a quick response, if they want the business?...

 

 

Chunks

[cookie_monster]

It was a couple of years (so old version not sure which it was a previous job) ago but tbh I fell out with their support as they were no help with the deployment issues even though we had bought 30+ licences. I still see posts around complaining of the same issues now so I'm tempted to avoid it.

[Chunky]

When it comes to using software for pupils, (I know you're trying to save money, but hear me out - we're all looking at ways to save money so you're not in your own boat) we went for the Macromedia suite. I know it's expensive, (I think we paid £1600 for a site licence) but on the other hand, we see it from the view that when pupils go into the real world, if they choose to go on to Website Design, then Dreamweaver is pretty much what most people in industry use. (similarly with MS Office...)

 

As much as I'd like to move the whole school to FLOSS solutions, the real world has its favorite apps.

 

Maybe consider thinking of it this way -

When students leave your school and apply for a job, employers are more likely to spot and recognise Dreamweaver on their CV than n:vu, serif, etc, etc. Hence, possibly more likely to get the job.

 

I hope you can see where I'm coming from. Plus, see it as an investment.

When prospective parents see pupils at your school using Dreamweaver, some of them can connect with this, and see you're using industry standard stuff.

 

Just my 2p worth

 

Chunks

[cookie_monster]

I know what you're saying and that's exactly the reason that we put off our Open Office roll out so we still pay through the nose for MS Office. Unfortunately there just isn't the money to buy the industry standard software for everything and as this software is going to be used by <6th form most of the time for making simple sites I can't justify the price.

 

Cheers.