Site, etc. creation programs---opinions?

[autumn_whispers2me]

Hi, not sure if I posted this is in the correct place or not, but I'm curious about the 'other' programs out there that are for web design and developement (and more), and thought some of you experts may be able to help me out.

I've seen other programs, like the one I'll never be able to afford (Studio MX) for example, and am wondering if these types of programs are overkill for someone not using their site to make money (their business, etc.)? Most of these programs I can't tell what they do, even doing an internet search the explanations seem sketchy to me.

Like Cold Fusion. What's that and what would someone like me use that for---or would I ever need it?

Fireworks, Freehand...??

Anyone use these programs for their own site (or someone else's), and do you have a link/example so I can see it in action?

I found a "student package" containing some of the programs above on ebay a while back and didn't bid on any of it because I wasn't sure if it was worth getting or not, and since I didn't really understand what those programs do... well, you get the picture.

Thanks.

[JohnMitch]

Well I would say Fireworks, ColdFusion, and Freehand are things you more than likely will never use. I only have Dreamweaver MX, Dreamweaver Developer Edition, and Flash MX. These programs can get everything that I need done done.

If you want to do animations for your website, games, cartoons, and a whole list of other possiblilities, then you will need flash.

Fireworks is not as powerful as Photoshop, but it IS interlinked with Dreamweaver and that has some great advantages. But as far as a graphics program Fireworks is mainly made for editing, not creating.

Freehand is made for creating graphics. This program has some usefull features that you will not find in Fireworks, but then again Photoshop still has the upper hand. Freehand also interlinks with Fireworks, Flash, and Dreamweaver which gives it a nice review.

As far as the Education edition goes, yes you can get it much cheaper. You will have access to most of the features, the only features that you will not have access to are those found in the professional edition. The catch with the Education Edition is that you are not supposed to use it for commercial use. (but I don't see how they can prove it.. lol).

[autumn_whispers2me]

lol I hear ya. Okay, so maybe the majority of the stuff is overkill for me---cold fusion, freehand... I have PS and Flash, so I'm probably okay with those. Still undecided if DW is going to be a major disaster for me or not. lol :P

[Webforumz Staff]

And, just to make this clear, Coldfusion is a server-side programming language, like ASP, PHP, etc.

[autumn_whispers2me]

Ahhh.. so, as the name implies, it's complicated stuff? programming. Yeah. that's me all right. :P

Thanks, Sirkent.