FrontPage: Revolutionizing the Web with Badassery Before It Was Cool

In the early stages of the internet’s evolution, constructing a website often involved manual labor with tools like Notepad and hand-coding HTML. While this method may seem rudimentary now, it offered a valuable learning experience. Each tweak and adjustment required hands-on engagement with the code, fostering a deep understanding of HTML and providing ample room for experimentation and growth.

In 1997, Macromedia unveiled Dreamweaver, heralding the WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) revolution in web development. Riding on the success of Flash, Macromedia paved the way for the democratization of web content creation. Although other WYSIWYG editors like WebMagic had existed, Dreamweaver’s release intensified the competition to create the ultimate HTML WYSIWYG product.

Dreamweaver emerged as a trailblazing tool, streamlining web development with its user-friendly interface. While users could still manually input HTML code and preview it within the application, Dreamweaver offered a potent solution for designing websites without the need for extensive coding knowledge.

As a youngster, I couldn’t afford the hefty price tag of Macromedia Dreamweaver, so I settled for the trial version, eager to learn as much as I could about this innovative tool.

Shortly after experimenting with Macromedia Dreamweaver, I discovered another web development tool: Microsoft FrontPage. In the late 90s, Microsoft, eager to solidify its dominance in the browser and Internet arena, acquired Vermeer Technologies solely for its FrontPage product. This move aimed to bolster Microsoft’s position by offering a tool for creating web pages optimized specifically for Internet Explorer, countering the influence of Netscape Navigator.

While I wasn’t particularly fond of Macromedia Dreamweaver’s interface, I found Microsoft FrontPage’s design language to be far more intuitive. Although I didn’t extensively utilize the FrontPage extensions, having them available for certain tasks proved to be quite convenient.

My initial experience with FrontPage came through a Microsoft promotion where they bundled FrontPage Express 2.0 with Internet Explorer downloads. This marked a significant shift from using Notepad for coding to working within the FrontPage interface. Subsequently, I upgraded to Microsoft FrontPage 98 on CD-ROM, and later opted for the Premium version of Office in 1999 to access the latest iteration of FrontPage.

Like many others, my journey with FrontPage began with exploring its menus, graphics, and templates. Eventually, I found myself preferring to work from scratch, although I still valued certain features over a plain text editor like Notepad.

One such feature was the ability to split-screen preview my changes in real-time, eliminating the need to save files and constantly refresh in Internet Explorer. This streamlined process significantly boosted my productivity, enabling me to experiment with code more rapidly and accelerate my development process.

I was able to efficiently divide large images and create separate links within those images based on their coordinates. This allowed me to design more visually appealing layouts without the need to manually locate coordinates in a plain text file. Instead, I could precisely divide the image using FrontPage’s built-in tools, resulting in pixel-perfect designs.

For years, FrontPage remained my steadfast companion in web design. Even as Microsoft rebranded it as Microsoft Expression Web, I remained loyal to the tool. However, my attachment turned to disappointment as the project approached its conclusion. Despite Microsoft’s efforts in the final versions to align with contemporary web standards, the eventual demise of the project left me with a sense of loss.

As I reflect on my journey through the evolving landscape of web development, I realize the true value of adaptability and continuous learning. Tools may come and go, but the skills and experiences we gain along the way remain invaluable. My early days with Notepad, Dreamweaver, and FrontPage taught me that embracing new technologies and methodologies is essential for growth. As the web continues to evolve, I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, knowing that each new tool and technique will offer fresh avenues for creativity and innovation. The key is to stay curious, keep experimenting, and never stop learning.