i havent got it yet but, do you still need notepad when having dreamweaver? is it possible to build the website using only notepad?

you can successfully code any layout in notepad.

i'd suggest doing a quick google search to figure out the difference.

No you don't You can do the same in dreamweaver as you would in notepad.Just use the code view.

thanks for the replies. if i can build a site using only notepad how will i see the finished product(site)? do i need a webhost or domain to start building?

You save it as a .html, .htm, .php, whatever kind of file it is, that you are making it, then right click on it, and say open. It will open up in your default browser

if i were to use dreamweaver would i have more choices and become easier to build rather then notepad?

Of course. Dreamweaver is always going to be easier to make a webpage, becuase dreamweaver has all the capabilities of notepad, but not the other way around.

go to the macromedia site and get the trial version of dreamweaver so you could see for yourself how it functions.

dreamweaver will NOT show you exactly how your page will look (it's different from using geocities webpage maker where you just drag and drop pictures and text anywhere you want). also, elements on the page, ie div layers, would probably appear as an outlined, clear box on dreamweaver, when obviously that's not how it will look on your page.

there's an option on dreamweaver to see pure code [code], both coding and a "preview" of the page (as i described above) [split], or just the preview without the coding [design].

it's best to try it out for yourself so you could actually see what we're describing.

im a bit confused. in the second paragraph you said i cant preview the finished site and then in the third you i can???

is there anywhere on dreamweaver where i can drop and drag anything(that sounds a lot more easier)?

I suggest you get the trial of dreamweaver then you will understand what synkro is trying to say.You can preview your site in whatever browser you choose.You can't drop and drag as such.You insert.Its really quite simple.Give it a go & fiddle. I use dreamweaver & love it :) Or you could try coffee cup website designer CoffeeCup

Hope this helps ;)

^ agree.

@rail01: what i meant was the "preview" on dreamweaver is not an exact "preview" of how the layout will look. it's a different kind of preview, like i described in my second paragraph.

got it, i gonna keep browsing around. thanks for help and link guys

i personally learned all my dreamweaver tuts thtough youtube :]

after i build the site is it best to get the webhost and domain OR get PHPBB?