Review: Adobe GoLive 5.0
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Cracking
the 360Code
Probably the most important new feature for 5.0 is 360Code. Unlike
in previous versions, designers can now import and edit HTML,
ASP, JavaScript and even XML, without the worry of GoLive mangling
the code. However, it still lacks the capability of cleaning up
MS Word HTML or even basic HTML, which can be a real headache.
Hopefully this will be corrected in the next upgrade. On the plus
side, GoLive can now validate HTML according to browser compatibility
and W3C standards.
Editing
tags in GoLive documents has also been upgraded. The usual method
is to edit individual tags by clicking the 'HTML Source' code
tab button. But I prefer the 'Markup Tree', which is accessible
through the 'HTML Outline Editor Tab.' Here you can expand and
collapse tags, group or nest tags, and even assign/edit attributes
within tags via pull down menus. Objects can also be moved anywhere
within the code by selecting and dragging them to a new location.
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HTML Markup Tree
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All in
the Adobe Family
Taking a hint from Macromedia's integration of Dreamweaver,
Fireworks and Flash, Adobe can now do on-the-fly editing of
original files created with Photoshop, Illustrator and LiveMotion.
Once these files have been edited in their native program, GoLive
automatically reflects these changes without having to re-import
the new version. The "Save for Web" option in Photoshop has
now been implemented in GoLive, allowing designers to optimize
image files without having to open Photoshop. This is a great
time saver.
Holy
Dynamic Database Linking
Addressing the request of many GoLive users, Adobe has added database
publishing to its new toolset. Web designers can now connect to
OLE DB and ODBC-compliant databases. It's still unrefined and
limited to writing Active Server Pages but it is step in the right
direction. Building a database query is as simple as creating
a dialog box and linking content to chosen database fields. Hopefully
future upgrades will improve this much needed capability.
Customize
This
GoLive's IDE (Integrated Development Environment) enables designers
to extend the application. You can now edit the existing interface
or more importantly create your own custom palettes, objects and
menus. Also included is an Extended Script JavaScript interpreter
and debugger, which aides in the creation of JavaScripts. For
those of us who do not possess the ability to program, GoLive
includes a number of ready to use JavaScripts. One of my favorite
features in GoLive is the power to integrate video and audio files
within GoLive's on-board editor. I was able to combine a Quicktime
video and a Shockwave file with no difficulty. This is not something
you can do in Frontpage or Dreamweaver. Very powerful and very
cool.
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Quicktime TimeLine Window
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The Verdict
Compared to other WYSIWYG web editors like Macromedia Dreamweaver,
Adobe GoLive can hold its own in most areas. You can design
just about anything you can dream up. But it does have limitations
in a number of key areas. My biggest complaint is its weak implementation
of templates. GoLive uses something called 'Stationary Pages'
for creating templates. Dreamweaver has a very robust template
capability, allowing designers to create templates with editable
and locked regions as well as the power to apply a template
to thousands of HTML files with the click of a button. GoLive
also lacks some of Dreamweaver's more powerful and extensive
database support via its UltraDev software program.
Unlike
Macromedia, which offers a free, fully functional 30-day version
of Dreamweaver, Adobe does not as yet offer a trial version. The
Adobe Web site promises visitors that that will change, though.
I'm a firm believer in testing a program before buying it. So,
what's the final verdict? For the moment Dreamweaver is still
king for WYSIWYG web editors, but with this important upgrade
Adobe
GoLive has become a legitimate challenger to its dominance.
I can't wait to see GoLive 6.0.
