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Web Editing Tools

With the explosion in popularity of the World Wide Web, users now find themselves with the ability to self-publish. For example, a professor can develop a home page which provides interested "surfers" the opportunity to peruse the professor's research papers. Or perhaps a graduate student wants to share their work with the world. With a little time devoted to learning HTML (HyperText Markup Language), that same student can announce their findings to anyone with a Web browser. However, there's one problem with the above scenarios. What if you don't have time to learn HTML? Is there a shortcut which allows one to turn a simple text document into an online resource? Fortunately, not one, but literally dozens of software developers have answered the call for such a shortcut. That shortcut exists in the form of HTML editors, many of which are available as shareware.

Among its many functions, an HTML editor allows one to take a document, say in Microsoft Word format, and convert it to a document containing HTML tags, ready for use on the Web. But which package to use, with so many available? This article evaluates several of the better known programs available commercially and on the Web and points you towards resources for obtaining these programs. The evaluations in this article are based on the reviews in

• Dueling Tools (Gus Venditto, Internet World, April 1996, pp 36-49)
• HTML Toolbox (Douglas Sigler, Internet World, April 1996, pp 51-52)
• Carl Davis's HTML Editor Reviews http://www.techsmith.com/community/htmlrev/index2.html

COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SOFTWARE

Microsoft FrontPage
http://www.microsoft.com/frontpage/
~$100-$150
Unlike the other software profiled here, FrontPage goes beyond being a mere HTML editor. Instead, FrontPage provides tools for authoring HTML code, managing your Web site, and setting up your Web server. While that versatility comes at a cost (generally between $100-150), this package receives the highest marks for those interested in pursuing full-fledged Web page development. However, if you are only trying to convert simple text documents to HTML, you're better off considering some of the free and shareware software below. By following the link listed above, you can download a beta version of FrontPage 97 for free.

WebAuthor 2.5
http://www.qdeck.com
$49.95 suggested retail
Unlike FrontPage, WebAuthor is not a stand-alone program. Instead, it is designed to turn Microsoft Word into a Web editor. Naturally, the program doesn't exhibit the versatility of FrontPage, but for the user intent solely on converting documents or creating simple Web pages, WebAuthor is probably a better buy. However, as an HTML editor, WebAuthor is limiting. There is no preview mode to allow viewing of a page before posting it to the Internet, and the program does not allow direct editing of the HTML code.

HoTMetaL Pro 2.0
http://www.sq.com
$195 suggested retail
Veteran users of the Web may recognize the name HoTMetaL. The program is probably the oldest of the Web development tools and represents a happy medium between the above packages. While it is stand-alone software, HoTMetaL Pro doesn't feature the same versatility as FrontPage. Additionally, it features the same restrictions as WebAuthor, namely no preview mode and the inability to directly edit HTML code. However, it is given high marks for its ability to convert text documents to HTML, supporting Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, and Ami Pro file formats directly.

INTERNET AVAILABLE SOFTWARE

Microsoft Internet Assistant 3.0
http://www.doh.dot.state.nc.us/network/developers/InternetAssistant/IAInstall.html-ssi
free
Like WebAuthor, Internet Assistant is designed not as a stand-alone package but as a supplement to Microsoft Word. Internet Assistant not only allows you to convert documents between plain text and HTML formats, but it also features a limited Web browser. Additionally, you can change between the three features (Microsoft Word, Web browser, and HTML editor) without closing your existing document, allowing you to simultaneously work on more than one file. However, the one drawback to Assistant is its inability to perform rules-checking on the HTML code, a feature found in commercial packages.

HotDog
http://www.sausage.com.
Standard version: $30, Professional version: ~$99
HotDog actually comes in two versions, the standard and professional editions. Despite its lower profile than big names like Microsoft, Hot Dog is considered one of the best editors available. As might be expected, the professional version is more fully featured, including HTML rules checking. However, the standard version still provides enough tools to keep the novice user busy. Carl Davis's reviews of both programs list them as "friendly to the new user."

The above recommendations only represent a sampling of the packages available on the Web. By accessing Carl Davis's page (listed above), you can see reviews of numerous other programs, as well as follow links to each program's source. If the packages listed in this article don't peak your interest, try finding software through this page. Download an evaluation version, test it to your specifications, and make a decision for yourself.

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