Web designers: How many of you actually use WYSIWYGs?

Question

I learned HTML on my own when I was about twelve. In high school, I took a single HTML class. Now I have my first job, managing two websites for a realtor. I thought I had sufficient experience, but it turned out I had to learn to use two different programs: the free Joomla editor and Adobe Contribute. Contribute so far seems like a pretty sweet deal. My only problem with Joomla is that I can't directly edit the codes, so scripts are pretty difficult to add.
Some people are saying that web designers are becoming less needed these days, what with all the programs that will do everything for you. I've always maintained that raw code is the best way to make a website, though. These programs may boast control and flexibility, but you can't possibly have more control than if you write the codes yourself.

So I'm just curious... those of you who make money by designing websites, or pay for your own personal website, how do you edit? WYSIWYGs, or raw code?

Answer 1

The trend is that advanced, highly skilled web developers and designers spend time building frameworks (Joomla is a good example), which non-technical people can use to manage their own content. The space is shrinking for people who are in-between - that is, people who know some HTML and a little scripting, but couldn't build a Joomla-type system on their own.



When the internet was still finding its legs, the difference between the pros and the amateurs was smaller because everyone was still figuring out how this whole thing should work. Now the industry is maturing and stabilizing. There are defined processes and patterns emerging, just like any other older field like architecture, engineering, etc. And just as with any other field as it matures, it is beginning to segregate into narrow competency slices served by experts.



We are closer now to the time when an amateur or hobbyist web designer/developer can be taken about as seriously as an amateur or hobbyist architect - there's no room for such people to get paid doing real work. At best, you might be able to nail an internship.



And to answer your final question, professionals code by hand. WYSIWYG editors are like jackhammers, coding by hand is like a fine scalpel. Anyone who disagrees just hasn't done any work advanced or sophisticated enough to understand the difference yet. Many just think they are professionals because they've managed to get paid for what they do.

Answer 2

Russel, looks like you've answered your own question. If you are a pro and your customer needs/wants a "sophisticated and dynamically rich web site" then you might begin with the WYSIWYG editor, and as it takes form, switch to the hand coded process. Either way, I guess I'm missing your point as long as the customer is amply satisfied with what is created for him - unless you are a beginning web designer trying to decide which way to go in starting out. Many designers maintain a file of finished designs and sometimes take a portion of one then add to it to create a uniquely different one yet save some time. Years ago I was a color matcher in a lab for a huge corporate giant in the printing ink field. Rather than match each individual color from scratch, I kept a file of finished colors. When a new match came in, I'd simply compare it to what I'd already done to find a good starting point and save time, and not reinvent the wheel. Of course this was long before PC's.

Answer 3

What with php, Ajax and javascript, a WYSIWYG editor is more of a pain than a help. I've pretty much settled on a very customized version of Edit Plus for just about all my web editing needs. (Although I'll still use Notepad for a quick change, and QEdit [which is probably older than most people reading this] if I need macro or columnar capability.)



I have DW (have had it for years), but I really can't see using it any more. Maybe it comes from years of programming on the bare metal, but I still prefer writing my own content and code. Then I know exactly what's in there, and I'm not limited to what the site builder allows me to do.

Answer 4

Raw code definetly. It's much more sufficient.



UPDATE:

Yes because WYSIWYGs is much more user friendly, so more people are using that. Although when it comes to bigger corporations, you will have to know how to edit raw code otherwise you probably won't get hired.

Answer 5

I won't touch a WYSIWYG with a ten foot pole. They're worthless and the code they spew out is a mess. If you want a site done right, do it yourself. :)

Answer 6

No one likes ugly websites, and plain text does not do it anymore. I use Adobe CS3 for designing websites.



Web/Graphic Designers will continue to be important, however they need to be able to work with interactive and multi-media technology.