Sorry for this, which must be a very old question. But I am a new Freeway Pro user and also a brand new convert to Mac. I manage three websites though I am not a pro.
With my PC, using FrontPage I simply looked at the HTML code for any page I wanted to modify or emulate and copied or edited it while watching the effect of the simulated web browser screen. FrontPage is not available for Mac, but when I purchased Freeway Pro I took it for granted that I would be able to do similar HTML editing with it. But it does not seem so, and when I load up my previous web pages they don’t look or act much like they do on the browser. I understand now that Freeway may be great for creating whole sites form scratch, but is it useable to edit pre-existing sites??
The short answer is no. While it’s possible to import HTML and edit it through the FW UI this feature leaves a lot to be desired and is typically more trouble than it’s worth. The usual answer to this question is that it’s easier and relatively quick to simply rebuild the site in FW. Not the answer you were hoping for but there it is. Also remember that if you build it FW then edit the code in another program that those changes will not be reflected in the FW file so it’s best to think of it as a one-way trip; once you edit outside of FW then you’re committed unless you’re willing to go back and duplicate the changes in the FW file.
Despite all the design freedom FW offers this aspect is often a major stumbling block for those accustomed to having code access. If you give it some time you may come to appreciate the FW method of working or you may not but either way it can take some getting used to.
Todd
On Jan 11, 2008, at 1:57 PM, AllanCombs wrote:
I understand now that Freeway may be great for creating whole sites form scratch, but is it useable to edit pre-existing sites?
This is indeed not the answer I was hoping for, but it is the one I expected. So I have a decision to make, and I appreciate having the facts clearly before me.
There are many here who do know code, but prefer to let Freeway handle the basics, while we move on with more advanced stuff like writing Actions, JavaScript, PHP, etc. Getting those advanced code bits into Freeway is pretty straightforward once you know how.
As far as working on and recreating old sites, check this out.
Thanks Joe. This is very helpful. If I know what I am dong can I edit or add single pages to pre-existing sites without rebuilding the whole site from scratch?
Yes you can but then you’ll have some pages built/stored in the FW file and the rest of the site somewhere else. If you’re going to do that then you might as well rebuild the entire site so you have the everything in FW’s control. It would be easier to maintain instead of doing it piecemeal. Remember that everything you build in FW is kept in a single file and not until you publish do the actual HTML files get created.
Todd
On Jan 11, 2008, at 4:17 PM, AllanCombs wrote:
If I know what I am dong can I edit or add single pages to pre-existing sites without rebuilding the whole site from scratch?
Also, don’t forget about Freeway’s master pages. You’ll be sure to have a consistent look on all your pages if you use the master pages and have all the pages in the FW document. Using FW’s internal linking will make sure your links always work, too.
That being said, you could replace one page at a time with ones you create in Freeway, gradually moving the whole site to Freeway.
Thanks Joe. I am feeling more encouraged. One consideration, however, is that I am managing several online journals, which I am not the only one to post material on. Won’t this be a serious problem if I get serious using FW?
If you mean what I think you mean, you might be better served by a content management system (CMS), several of which people here have integrated with Freeway. A CMS will allow people to post without having to create HTML pages and code.
but also check out a thread called Big Ugly Crash and Heather’s
contribution which outlines the process in nice clear language. This
might get your sites adapted quickly.
Cheers
Pete
On 11 Jan 2008, at 22:17, AllanCombs wrote:
Thanks Joe. This is very helpful. If I know what I am dong can I
edit or add single pages to pre-existing sites without rebuilding
the whole site from scratch?
Yeah, take a look here Allan. Four great Actions to choose from to
suit any of your needs:
Joe
On 12 Jan 2008, at 04:32, Joe Muscara wrote:
What do you mean by online journals?
If you mean what I think you mean, you might be better served by a
content management system (CMS), several of which people here have
integrated with Freeway. A CMS will allow people to post without
having to create HTML pages and code.
Sometime around 11/1/08 (at 16:33 -0600) Todd said:
Yes you can but then you’ll have some pages built/stored in the FW
file and the rest of the site somewhere else. If you’re going to do
that then you might as well rebuild the entire site so you have the
everything in FW’s control.
Although this can be used as a way to get started with recreating a
site without having to do it all in one hit.
The caveat would be that you would have to make sure that, in your
Freeway document, your page FILE names (not the titles, which show at
the top of browser windows) match the file names that you’re
replacing.
For example, if you want to use Freeway to make a new version of a
page currently called “contact.html”, then make sure that Freeway’s
Inspector palette shows that that is what the page’s file name will
be. Then when you upload it to the same place, the original file will
be replaced with the new Freeway-made one, and all existing links
that point to it will continue to work.
Freeway will replace same-named items with its own output. This can
be used to rebuild a site incrementally. BUT I would also recommend
making a backup of your existing site before trying this. And make
sure you understand how Freeway’s Site panel structure (the folders &
pages) is recreated in your remote web site storage. And be sure that
you upload to the right place.
Practice a bit first. You may find that rebuilding the site from
scratch takes you rather less time than you think! It is certainly
MUCH faster than working in FrontPage.
Thanks K. Well, this is more like what I had in mind. I have complete mirror sites on my hard disk. I would want to take a page from one of these sites, rework it in Freeway, then move a copy of it back to the mirror site location with the correct original file name (replacing the file there), then just upload and replace from there. Is this a likely possibility?
Although this is possible with an experienced Freeway user, its just not the way Freeway works. Freeway wants to manage the whole site for you, not just one page at a time.
If you just need to tweak HTML on single (non Freeway) page on a server, try a product like ‘Transmit’.
Freeway, will do a lot more that just edit text, and move graphics around. It maintains the whole site, manages links, search and replace text on a whole site, manage styles, manage uploads, Create Page template for re-use, and much more. It will make your Web editing life easier if you take the time to learn the program. And invest the time re-building your site in Freeway.
David
On 12 Jan 2008, at 17:28, AllanCombs wrote:
Thanks K. Well, this is more like what I had in mind. I have complete mirror sites on my hard disk. I would want to take a page from one of these sites, rework it in Freeway, then move a copy of it back to the mirror site location with the correct original file name (replacing the file there), then just upload and replace from there. Is this a likely possibility?
David Owen
Freeway Friendly Web hosting and Domains ::
Thanks David. This is good advice. My plan at this point is to use Transmit in combination with a free or cheap HTML editor (I had no idea how many there are until I started looking around) to get thinks under immediate control, then rebuild the sites from the bottom with Freeway when time allows me to master its features.
Am I correct in assuming that if someone takes over one of my sites later on that they will be able to manage them with whatever software they want, since the final posted version will be in HTML?
Am I correct in assuming that if someone takes over one of my sites later on that they will be able to manage them with whatever software they want, since the final posted version will be in HTML?
There is a method where you create a snapshot of your >existing layout and use it as a template for a Freeway site. >Fast by all accounts. Here’s a link
but also check out a thread called Big Ugly Crash and >contribution which outlines the process in nice clear >language. This might get your sites adapted quickly.
I don’t get any results when I search either the new or the old KBs for articles with “big ugly crash.” Anyone know how/where I can find this article now?
