HotMetal Pro 4.0
Article Abstract:
SoftQuad's $129 HotMetal Pro 4.0 HTML editor is both feature-rich and powerful, offering both a WYSIWYG environment and a View HTML option for looking at HTML tags. The new version adds a true text editor for manual code editing, global search-and-replace, site-management capabilities and a built-in image editor, increasing its appeal to professional users. HotMetal can directly convert popular word processing formats into HTML, which saves time with simple text files, but those working with large documents will want a dedicated conversion program. There is support for tables, frames and other advanced HTML features, and version 4.0 brings attributes together in a tabbed dialog box. HotMetal includes a useful validation feature that alerts users to tags not supported by all Web browsers, but is somewhat limited because it does not let the user know where bad tags are or suggest fixes. A new HotMetal FX feature provides clip art and predefined Java applets.
Publication Name: Publish
Subject: Publishing industry
ISSN: 0897-6007
Year: 1997
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Softpress Freeway 1.0
Article Abstract:
SoftPress Freeway 1.0 is unlike most HTML editors in that the program appears to be more like a page layout program. The software loads all installed fonts when it is started up, and then asks the user to choose a page size. According to the manual, the user can put images on pages in formats such as TIFF and PICT, and overlap them as well. Unfortunately, the software does not always live up to its promises of ease of use. The essential problem with the program is that it tries to treat the Web and print as if their were the same medium. Those building Web pages do not yet have support for the latest HTML features, including layers and Cascading Style Sheets. Users must live within the parameters the Web demands. Freeway will merely frustrate users by suggesting that the user can change the parameters. Those who find Freeway's approach appealing would be better off starting with a page layout program and converting pages to HTML.
Publication Name: Publish
Subject: Publishing industry
ISSN: 0897-6007
Year: 1998
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ObjectDancer 1.1
Article Abstract:
PaceWorks' $299 ObjectDancer 1.1 Web animation software can animate text and export animations as GIF files, Java applets or QuickTime movies. The program does not create vector animations the way Macromedia's Flash does, and it does not create content, but it is easier to use than Flash when animating objects along a path, and it can copy any or all animation characteristics from object to object. WAV, AIFF and MIDI files are supported, and precise controls are included for synchronizing sound. Also provided are automatic keyframes for drawing interpolated frames between those created. New elements are treated as overlays, and Bezier handles are included, which is a feature missing from Flash. ObjectDancer's lack of support for interactivity and lack of drawing tools are serious limitations, and its inability to support vector animation reduces its usefulness for frame-by-frame animations, but the program shows potential.
Publication Name: Publish
Subject: Publishing industry
ISSN: 0897-6007
Year: 1997
User Contributions:
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