I use Windows Live Writer as a helpful tool for editing my websites. It is “WYSIWYG”, (what you see is what you get). You can see what the page formatting will look like as you create or edit webpage coding. This is as opposed to how I first learned html where you write the code in an html page, and then open the page with Internet Explorer to see what it looks like.
Windows Live Writer is not a replacement for knowing html, but it makes things quicker and easier. It is also not a replacement for webpage editors made especially for that purpose. (See bottom of page for a recommendation)
My website is not as complex as those by talented webmasters, so Windows Live Writer is suitable for my purposes. Windows Live Writer is available for free with Windows Live Essentials. I use Windows Live Writer primarily for small revisions, and for quick coding for things on the following list:
- Hyperlinks
- Tables
- Image Formatting
- General Formatting
These are just a few of the ways I used Windows Live Writer with my website. Writer is exceptionally helpful when creating tables, my least favorite task with html coding.
When I want to edit a webpage, I copy the source code from the html page into the “Source” view of Windows Live Writer (The tab is found on the bottom left of Writer). I then switch back to the “Edit” view tab, and start editing and adding to my page.
Once I get it the way I want, I click back to the “Source” tab of Writer, copy the code, and then paste it back into my html page. It is very handy! Then, finally, I can open it in Internet Explorer to give it a last look before putting it online and completing the process. I like finding ways of saving time. Getting more work done in less time leaves more time to play!
As I said, Windows Live Writer is not a replacement for knowing html, but it surly takes out the “tedious” factor of writing some of the coding. Writer does not take the place of a “real” website editor. But since I don’t have one, Windows Live Writer is helpful for me.
While I am on the subject, Windows Live Writer is also great for customizing your Windows Live Space! I use Writer to mock up what I want in my custom modules and html sandboxes for my space. One I get the look I want, I just copy the code into the text box. It’s a lot faster and easier than waiting to see what it looks like with the module’s preview button.
X
Edited to add: Greg Edwards, a swell guy, read this post and made a comment about it. He reiterates that a webpage editor is necessary for more complex webpage design. He shared that a good website editor, Microsoft Office SharePoint Designer 2007, is available for free online. Click the link to download it.
Thanks, Greg!
X
Sign up for alerts All Things Live Group
