Freeway 5.5

Freeway
1

Dear FreewayTalkers

The news:

Softpress Releases Freeway 5.5 Preview with Showcase Gallery Application

  • Published on 08/04/10

UK based Softpress Systems today released Freeway 5.5 Preview, a free
evaluation version of its upcoming paid-for upgrade to the award-winning
web-design products, Freeway Express and Pro. With its visual design
model and powerful new features, Freeway makes it easy to create
beautiful sites and email newsletters without the need to write code.
Preview versions of both Freeway Express and Freeway Pro are available
from the Softpress website.

Oxford, United Kingdom - Softpress Systems today is pleased to release
Freeway 5.5 Preview, a free evaluation version of its upcoming paid-for
upgrade to the award-winning web-design products, Freeway Express and
Pro. With its visual design model and powerful new features, Freeway
makes it easy to create beautiful sites and email newsletters without
the need to write code. Preview versions of both Freeway Express and
Freeway Pro are available from the Softpress website.

“We are delighted to release the Preview of Freeway 5.5,” Softpress
Managing Director Richard Logan said. “With several groundbreaking new
features, it’s now even easier to create modern, leading-edge websites,
email newsletters and presentations in Freeway. Both professional and
novice web designers will benefit from the innovative and improved tools
for the creation of rich, dynamic and standards-compliant pages.”

Freeway 5.5 New Features
Alongside Freeway’s extensive existing feature set, Freeway 5.5 has a
compelling range of new functionality including:

Freeway Showcase:
Showcase offers even absolute beginners thousands of fully-customizable
options so that they can effortlessly build professional, feature-rich
galleries and slideshows from scratch in just minutes. Import images for
use into the application, via drag-n-drop (from the Finder, or from
iPhoto/Aperture libraries displayed in the app itself), or by direct
import. A wide variety of appearance and layout options are available
including borders, shadows, reflections and more. Supports common web
image types as well as TIFF and native Photoshop files.

Relative Page Layout (Pro-only):
Users can create complex CSS layouts that respond appropriately when
content on the page changes in size or is added/removed dynamically -
without needing to learn CSS. Simply visually design page layouts and
have confidence that they will work properly every time.

HTML Email Generation:
The Create Email Action allows users to design emails and newsletters
with fewer restrictions. When the page is published, Freeway will
convert it into “email-friendly” HTML that can be opened up in Apple
Mail, or dropped into a sending service such as MailChimp or Vertical
Response.

Site Search (Pro-only):
Easily add a simple yet powerful search facility to your sites. With no
server-side technologies used, this effective search functionality can
be used on all sites, even those hosted on MobileMe.

Search Engine Sitemaps:
The Site Mapper Action will keep search engines up-to-date by
automatically generating Google-friendly XML sitemaps, and Yahoo! URL
lists, each time you update your site.

Amazon Affiliation:
Connects your site up with Amazon sites that will pay you cash for all
sales originating from your site. Amazon USA, UK, France, Germany and
Japan are all supported.

Improved Upload:
Freeway now supports secure uploads through SFTP and FTPS, in addition
to existing upload methods (FTP, MobileMe and File Copy).

New Templates:
New and improved templates - all of them free and designed by world-
class designers exclusively for Softpress and Freeway. The preview
version includes three new templates - more will be included in the
release version.

About Freeway:
Freeway, famous for its visual design model, ease-of-use and clean
efficient standards-compliant code generation, is the tool of choice for
professionals and home Mac users who prefer to focus on their design,
not the code!

System Requirements:

  • Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) or above, and runs on both Intel and PowerPC
    machines

Pricing and Availability:
Freeway 5.5 Pro and Freeway 5.5 Express are both available for pre-
release purchase from the Softpress Store. Full versions of Freeway 5.5
Pro can be purchased for $229 (USD), and Freeway 5 Express is $69. Pre-
release upgrades from earlier versions of 5 to 5.5 are offered at prices
starting from $25 for Express or $49 for Pro. Those who qualify for
education, senior or non-profit discounts will receive a coupon for a
full 20% off any listed Freeway price. For discounts on multi-seat
installations, contact sales.

All purchasers after June 1st, 2010 will be eligible for a free download
upgrade to 5.5 when it officially launches. Proof of purchase will be
required except for direct sales. Please contact email@hidden for
more info. Reviewers are encouraged to download and assess the Preview
version. For a full NFR serial number or to receive permission to use
any version of this software for covermounts, please contact Softpress.

Softpress Systems: http://www.softpress.com
Freeway 5.5: http://www.softpress.com/tour/new-in-freeway-55/
Download Freeway: http://www.softpress.com/downloads/freetrial/
Purchase: http://www.softpress.com/store/
Media Assets: http://www.softpress.com/press/pressroom/

Softpress was founded in 1993 to address the emerging needs of
professional publishers and designers for cross-media authoring tools.
Freeway, and its extensive feature set, result from Softpress’ ongoing
efforts to identify and meet the real needs of web designers in today’s
environment. Softpress creates tools that many people rely on for their
day-to-day business, so they listen carefully to their customers. Future
upgrades and product offerings will continue to demonstrate Softpress’
commitment to quality, leading-edge innovation and customer service.
Copyright (C) 2010 Softpress Systems. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the
Apple logo, and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the
U.S. and/or other countries.

Link To Article: News Archives - prMac

–
Richard Logan
Managing Director
SoftPress Systems Ltd

“You supply the creativity. Freeway handles the code.”

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2

Congrats Softpress… From what I can see it’s another major step forward, with a nice balance between ease of use and new tools… especially the relative page layout email output.

Well done all round to everyone involved at SP

All the best from Max and the crew

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3

Hi there

Once again another well thought-out and sensibly priced upgrade from Softpress. Certain monolithic ‘others’ should take note.

Does this upgrade fix the problem that stopped the widespread use of Weaver’s SuiteFX library of actions in a Freeway document? It was last metioned in this thread http://www.freewaytalk.net/thread/view/74023

Now that really would be the icing on the Freeway cake!

Thanks

Gordon

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4

Hi Gordon,

We hope so, yes. It was one of the things addressed so we’d welcome any feedback regarding it.

Joe

On 4 Aug 2010, at 16:07, Gordon Low wrote:

Hi there

Once again another well thought-out and sensibly priced upgrade from Softpress. Certain monolithic ‘others’ should take note.

Does this upgrade fix the problem that stopped the widespread use of Weaver’s SuiteFX library of actions in a Freeway document? It was last metioned in this thread http://www.freewaytalk.net/thread/view/74023

Now that really would be the icing on the Freeway cake!

Thanks

Gordon

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5

A couple of features (search and sitemap.xml) would be really useful but my main computer can’t run Leopard. When I can afford it (not this year) I plan to upgrade, but I have several “Classic” apps that will also need to be replaced. It’s going to be a steep learning curve and an expensive one.

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6

On 08/04/2010 11:26 AM, Kefala wrote:

A couple of features (search and sitemap.xml) would be really useful but my main computer can’t run Leopard. When I can afford it (not this year) I plan to upgrade, but I have several “Classic” apps that will also need to be replaced. It’s going to be a steep learning curve and an expensive one.

This is also a reason that I won’t be upgrading to 5.5 anytime soon as
Mac OS 10.5 won’t run on my Dual 800 MHz G4 Tower. Is there a reason why
the 5.5 needs Mac OS 10.5 or newer?
Tony

–
“They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety” Ben Franklin 1759

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming…“Wow! What a ride!” Author unknown

Patchwork Acres in Southeast Missouri
http://web.fastermac.net/~abailey/

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7

On 08/04/2010 11:26 AM, Kefala wrote:
This is also a reason that I won’t be upgrading to 5.5 anytime soon as
Mac OS 10.5 won’t run on my Dual 800 MHz G4 Tower. Is there a reason why
the 5.5 needs Mac OS 10.5 or newer?

Hi Tony,

A couple of the features in 5.5 like the overhaul of the file upload system make use of some cool stuff only available in Mac OS X 10.5.

This allowed us to totally streamline Freeway’s ability to move files to your web server as well as add in support for secure transfers. This feature alone was highly requested in the past and came up again and again as a ‘must have feature’ in our survey we ran last year.

Regards,
Tim.

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8

Looks to be a worthy update. I think people will like the features, but let’s hope they get how to use them either through some great documentation or even a screencast.

BTW, what happened to the cool Softpress site? The new site is kind of a plain and dim.

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9

Some really nice and useful features. I can see me adding some of this new functionality to existing/older sites let alone new ones. Funnily enough, I have just been asked to include a search facility and Amazon Affiliation to one of the sites I am working on at the moment, and I was wondering how best to add the search (the ones available do have their limits / annoyances) - great timing guys!

Plus the upgrade price is a snip which is always good.

Nathan Garner

http://www.austinwellsdesign.co.uk

FW5 Pro | MacBook Pro | Snow Leopard

On 4 Aug 2010, at 14:28, Richard wrote:

Dear FreewayTalkers

The news:

Softpress Releases Freeway 5.5 Preview with Showcase Gallery Application

  • Published on 08/04/10

UK based Softpress Systems today released Freeway 5.5 Preview, a free
evaluation version of its upcoming paid-for upgrade to the award-winning
web-design products, Freeway Express and Pro. With its visual design
model and powerful new features, Freeway makes it easy to create
beautiful sites and email newsletters without the need to write code.
Preview versions of both Freeway Express and Freeway Pro are available
from the Softpress website.

Oxford, United Kingdom - Softpress Systems today is pleased to release
Freeway 5.5 Preview, a free evaluation version of its upcoming paid-for
upgrade to the award-winning web-design products, Freeway Express and
Pro. With its visual design model and powerful new features, Freeway
makes it easy to create beautiful sites and email newsletters without
the need to write code. Preview versions of both Freeway Express and
Freeway Pro are available from the Softpress website.

“We are delighted to release the Preview of Freeway 5.5,” Softpress
Managing Director Richard Logan said. “With several groundbreaking new
features, it’s now even easier to create modern, leading-edge websites,
email newsletters and presentations in Freeway. Both professional and
novice web designers will benefit from the innovative and improved tools
for the creation of rich, dynamic and standards-compliant pages.”

Freeway 5.5 New Features
Alongside Freeway’s extensive existing feature set, Freeway 5.5 has a
compelling range of new functionality including:

Freeway Showcase:
Showcase offers even absolute beginners thousands of fully-customizable
options so that they can effortlessly build professional, feature-rich
galleries and slideshows from scratch in just minutes. Import images for
use into the application, via drag-n-drop (from the Finder, or from
iPhoto/Aperture libraries displayed in the app itself), or by direct
import. A wide variety of appearance and layout options are available
including borders, shadows, reflections and more. Supports common web
image types as well as TIFF and native Photoshop files.

Relative Page Layout (Pro-only):
Users can create complex CSS layouts that respond appropriately when
content on the page changes in size or is added/removed dynamically -
without needing to learn CSS. Simply visually design page layouts and
have confidence that they will work properly every time.

HTML Email Generation:
The Create Email Action allows users to design emails and newsletters
with fewer restrictions. When the page is published, Freeway will
convert it into “email-friendly” HTML that can be opened up in Apple
Mail, or dropped into a sending service such as MailChimp or Vertical
Response.

Site Search (Pro-only):
Easily add a simple yet powerful search facility to your sites. With no
server-side technologies used, this effective search functionality can
be used on all sites, even those hosted on MobileMe.

Search Engine Sitemaps:
The Site Mapper Action will keep search engines up-to-date by
automatically generating Google-friendly XML sitemaps, and Yahoo! URL
lists, each time you update your site.

Amazon Affiliation:
Connects your site up with Amazon sites that will pay you cash for all
sales originating from your site. Amazon USA, UK, France, Germany and
Japan are all supported.

Improved Upload:
Freeway now supports secure uploads through SFTP and FTPS, in addition
to existing upload methods (FTP, MobileMe and File Copy).

New Templates:
New and improved templates - all of them free and designed by world-
class designers exclusively for Softpress and Freeway. The preview
version includes three new templates - more will be included in the
release version.

About Freeway:
Freeway, famous for its visual design model, ease-of-use and clean
efficient standards-compliant code generation, is the tool of choice for
professionals and home Mac users who prefer to focus on their design,
not the code!

System Requirements:

  • Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) or above, and runs on both Intel and PowerPC
    machines

Pricing and Availability:
Freeway 5.5 Pro and Freeway 5.5 Express are both available for pre-
release purchase from the Softpress Store. Full versions of Freeway 5.5
Pro can be purchased for $229 (USD), and Freeway 5 Express is $69. Pre-
release upgrades from earlier versions of 5 to 5.5 are offered at prices
starting from $25 for Express or $49 for Pro. Those who qualify for
education, senior or non-profit discounts will receive a coupon for a
full 20% off any listed Freeway price. For discounts on multi-seat
installations, contact sales.

All purchasers after June 1st, 2010 will be eligible for a free download
upgrade to 5.5 when it officially launches. Proof of purchase will be
required except for direct sales. Please contact email@hidden for
more info. Reviewers are encouraged to download and assess the Preview
version. For a full NFR serial number or to receive permission to use
any version of this software for covermounts, please contact Softpress.

Softpress Systems: http://www.softpress.com
Freeway 5.5: http://www.softpress.com/tour/new-in-freeway-55/
Download Freeway: http://www.softpress.com/downloads/freetrial/
Purchase: http://www.softpress.com/store/
Media Assets: http://www.softpress.com/press/pressroom/

Softpress was founded in 1993 to address the emerging needs of
professional publishers and designers for cross-media authoring tools.
Freeway, and its extensive feature set, result from Softpress’ ongoing
efforts to identify and meet the real needs of web designers in today’s
environment. Softpress creates tools that many people rely on for their
day-to-day business, so they listen carefully to their customers. Future
upgrades and product offerings will continue to demonstrate Softpress’
commitment to quality, leading-edge innovation and customer service.
Copyright (C) 2010 Softpress Systems. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the
Apple logo, and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the
U.S. and/or other countries.

Link To Article: News Archives - prMac

–
Richard Logan
Managing Director
SoftPress Systems Ltd
http://www.softpress.com

“You supply the creativity. Freeway handles the code.”

freewaytalk mailing list
email@hidden
Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options

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10

You might have a look at this: Mac OS X Leopard - Wikipedia

There’s a couple of ways around this, and I would imagine it would
work pretty well on your computer.

Walter

On Aug 4, 2010, at 12:56 PM, Anthony Bailewy wrote:

I won’t be upgrading to 5.5 anytime soon as Mac OS 10.5 won’t run on
my Dual 800 MHz G4 Tower.

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11

This sounds wonderful! I’ll second the idea of putting together some video screencasts that can walk us through these significant enhancements.

Softpress, you really do rock!

Laura

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12

This looks a great upgrade.

Can I clarify:

Will “Relative Page Layout” do away with having to use the ‘box model’ - can we create CSS pages as if we were designing non-CSS pages, and the pages won’t break if the end user increases the text size??

Thanks

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13

On 4 Aug 2010, at 21:20, Mark wrote:

Will “Relative Page Layout” do away with having to use the ‘box
model’ - can we create CSS pages as if we were designing non-CSS
pages, and the pages won’t break if the end user increases the text
size??

I think that’s what’s supposed to happen. I’ve not tested it
thoroughly, but I sketched some boxes out on a page, added some
content, applied the new action to the page and it Just Worked™.

Whether it works with more complex layouts, I haven’t had time to test.

=o)

Heather

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14

On 4 Aug 2010, 3:07 pm, Gordon Low wrote:

Hi there

Once again another well thought-out and sensibly priced upgrade from Softpress. Certain monolithic ‘others’ should take note.

Maybe I’m the only one who feels this way - but $49 to go from 5.42 to 5.5 seems like a lot to me considering I’ve had the product for less than a year. I am still in the “experimental” stages of using it - and if this is typical of the pricing strategy may never go beyond that.

If the upgrade is really worthy of this price tag then why is it not a full release rather than a point release?

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15

Make sure you first understand what you’re doing with the Relative Page Layout action. Documentation is a must read.

What I would also suggest is to understand that while it simplifies the process of box-model style sites, put more significance into understanding how box-model work in the first place if you plan on building these kinds of sites for the future.

I value my profession and web experience enough to put immense value in understanding what I’m doing rather then letting an action lead me to think I can do something I really can’t.

Should be fun to see some results now that the guard is lifted.

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16

On 4 Aug 2010, at 21:27, Jon Paris wrote:

but $49 to go from 5.42 to 5.5 seems like a lot to me

Okay, that’s fair enough.

Then again, from what I can see, FW 5.5 is giving me a whole extra
program free (Gallery), as well as all the bug fixes and extra
actions. I can’t actually remember the last actual paid-for update to
Freeway - was it 5.2 or earlier? That was a while back now.

I don’t think paying what amounts to a decent meal at my favourite
restaurant, or a round of beers, for all the extras I will get, plus
this great list and free support is much to ask for?

=o)

Heather

(Who has been using Freeway since version 1, and happily paid upgrade
prices to keep Softpress making Freeway insanely great since 1997.)

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17

Make sure you first understand what you’re doing with the Relative Page Layout action. Documentation is a must read.
What I would also suggest is to understand that while it simplifies the process of box-model style sites, put more significance into understanding how box-model work in the first place if you plan on building these kinds of sites for the future.
I value my profession and web experience enough to put immense value in understanding what I’m doing rather then letting an action lead me to think I can do something I really can’t.

I totally agree with Dan

but $49 to go from 5.42 to 5.5

The new Site Search tool alone is worth it

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18

On 4 Aug 2010, at 21:27, Jon Paris wrote:

but $49 to go from 5.42 to 5.5 seems like a lot to me

Okay, that’s fair enough.

Then again, from what I can see, FW 5.5 is giving me a whole extra
program free (Gallery), as well as all the bug fixes and extra
actions. I can’t actually remember the last actual paid-for update to
Freeway - was it 5.2 or earlier? That was a while back now.

I think you just part way made my point Heather - I paid full price just over 6 months ago - you’ve had a lot of use for your $s. To have to pay the full upgrade price after such a short period seems unreasonable to me. I would have expected some kind of price break for recent purchasers.

If the upgrade is as good as you say it is then it may well be worth it - but that won’t kill the bad taste in my mouth.

I have to admit I chuckled over the fact that you included bug fixes in the list. Not sure I should really be paying for those .

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19

I agree with Heather - Freeway is great.

  • It allows me to create websites without having to learn boring code.
  • I actually find the software easier, more intuitive and more enjoyable to use than InDesign or Quark.
  • It allows me to prototype websites incredibly quickly
  • And the support is fab

The “Relative Page Layout” could be a massive step forward

Mark

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20

I think you just part way made my point Heather - I paid full price just over 6 months ago - you’ve had a lot of use for your $s. To have to pay the full upgrade price after such a short period seems unreasonable to me.

Of course Jon you don’t have to upgrade yet. Why not wait a bit until you feel the extra features justify it. Meantime carry on as you have been.

FWIW - I have spent my $49 without any qualms!

David

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