WYSIWYG Web Design Program Needed

I need a better web site building tool. I used to use Netscape Composer, which worked well but is a little behind the times. I know basic markup language and understand the CSS concept though I haven't messed with it much.

I would like to know if there are any midrange programs. You know how there is Adobe Photoshop and then they have that Photoshop lite program that's called Elements or somesuch? That's the basic idea. I need a lite version of something like Dreamweaver.

I'm an artist who isn't trying very hard to sell anything (not trying at all actually) right now, but might a bit in the next year or so. My website sucks because I used WebBuilder2 which is none too friendly. I don't mind paying $100-$150 for a web editor, but I don't think I need something as full-featured as Dreamweaver.

 

I suggest Dreamweaver to my Web Design students. If you are a student, then you can get it at a discounted rate.

There is no point to spending 100-150$ on a program that ISN'T Dreamweaver. That is really the web standard. I guess you could find semi-free or free "solutions" on download.com. Sort the selections by rating to see what others are saying about the programs.

On Linux, NVu is a good WYSIWYG solution.

 

You could try Nvu, or KompoZer rather (unofficial bugfix, since Nvu hasn't been updated in over a year, and it's pretty buggy).
It's open-source.. I think it's pretty good; some people don't like it.

Dynamic HTML Editor might be decent, I dunno; there's a freeware version.

 

I'm not a student so that isn't an option. I was thinking of upgrading Photoshop to CS2 and getting Illustrator. I could step up to CS2 Premium and get Dreamweaver for an additional $250. That's $750 total for the upgrade and not only does that hurt a lot but also CS3 is coming soon and I can see them asking me for another $500-$700 to upgrade to that at a later date.

If it's the only good solution then I'm going to have to do it. I'm not sure I want to start with an open source program right now. Don't have anything against them, but would prefer something more standard. Would rather have a lite version- wonder why they don't make one?

 

There are cheaper alternatives (cough, cough)

 

@charlotte - I don't want to give you the impression that you HAVE to pay to make pages. When I started out, I was poor (and still pretty much am, as a student myself) and hand coded the pages. When you are looking into WYSIWYG editors, the good ones cost dough since the connection between the visuals and the code has to be tight. You also may not get the features you need on free versions.

Keep in mind that THERE are a lot of free programs out there for you. I know for windows, there are at least five, and for Linux, at least ten. Like I said, Download.com has a lot for your viewing pleasure. Read the reviews, and give a few a try. Remember that you should anyway edit the pages by hand, and validate them against the standard(s) of your choice.

Good luck! If you need a link to my class website, PM me. It has a few tools you might want to use.