Should I switch to Expression Web????

C

carlben

Hello, all you experts. I need help.

I am somewhat of a novice at web design. However, I used Frontpage 2002 to
build a nice web at http://serenityonlinetherapy.com/. My website is simple
but really all I need. It requires frontpage extensions for four forms and my
sitemap page. I asked my web hosting company (iPower) if I needed to upgrade
to Expression Web. They reported that I didn't need to because even when
Microsoft stops supporting frontpage extensions, they will continue to supply
it. Since I really don't understand how all this works, and since I've read
in the discussion groups that some web hosting servers are saying you must
upgrade, I' m just not sure what to do.

I hate to have to learn Expression Web when Frontpage is all I need and is
familiar. On the other hand I don't want to be left out in the cold one day
if I can't get frontpage extensions.

I am asking you experts out there to give me your opinions. Should I trust
my web hosting company (iPower) and not worry about it, or should I download
the trial Expression Web and begin learning how to use it now.

Thank you so much for any informed advice you can give me.

Sincerely,

Carl
 
T

Thomas A. Rowe

Expression Web will continue to publish with the FP extensions and to use features already in your
site that depend on the extensions, you just can not add new item that use the extensions.

There is no reason to stop using FP even if the web host removes the extensions unless you want to
upgrade for the new features/functions.

--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe
Microsoft MVP - FrontPage

http://www.Ecom-Data.com
==============================================
 
C

carlben

Thanks, Thomas:

But if the web host no longer supplies extensions, doesn't that mean that my
forms which require extensions to transmit the data will not work, and my
sitemap page will not work?

Carl
 
T

Thomas A. Rowe

Correct, however Expression Web only allow you to maintain existing feature/function the use the
Extensions from prior versions of FP, but does not allow you to create new functions that use the FP
extensions.
--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe
Microsoft MVP - FrontPage

http://www.Ecom-Data.com
==============================================
 
C

cschiller1

This is what I find confusing. If FP forms require the extensions, and
the web host removes the extensions, won't the forms stop working?
What's the remedy for this?

Craig
 
C

carlben

What I think I am understanding is this: As long as my web host continues
using extensions, my website will continue to function just as it has been,
but if the web host drops the extensions, then my forms and other
extension-dependent items such as sitemap page will not work. At the point I
could upgrade to Expression Web and Expression Web would maintain (for lack
of a better way to explain it) just the extensions to keep my forms working,
but I would not be able to modify the forms. If I needed to modify them, then
I would have to make them anew in Expression Web. Is that correct??? And what
about the sitemap, which I really like in Frontpage - if I had to upgrade to
Expression Web, would the sitemap still work - you know, updating itself as I
add pages, etc.?
 
T

Thomas A. Rowe

Only the functions that use the run-time extensions will not work. You would be able to edit the
forms, just not create new forms, etc. that would use the extensions. The site map is a design time
tools, so if you already have it inserted in your web it should still continue to work.

--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe
Microsoft MVP - FrontPage

http://www.Ecom-Data.com
==============================================
 
C

cschiller1

Then what is the remedy? Will it no longer be possible to create and use
forms and the other capabilities now served by the extensions?
 
T

Thomas A. Rowe

Correct you will not be able to use things that requires the FP extensions. You will have to user
server-side scripting to process forms, and other 3rd party applications, etc.

--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe
Microsoft MVP - FrontPage

http://www.Ecom-Data.com
==============================================
 
C

cschiller1

Well, that seems like a giant step BACKwards, doesn't it? Or am I
missing something?
 
T

Tom Willett

If your host drops the FP server extensions, upgrading to Expression Web
will not make any difference. The forms will still not work. They require
the extensions.
 
D

David Berry

Not really. Some might consider it a step forward. Now you don't have to
rely on the web server having the FrontPage Extensions installed. Using
Tom's suggestions you can move your site to any Windows Server and it will
function fine. With FrontPage components the site needs the server
extensions. And what happens when your web host stops offering them?
 
C

cschiller1

Well, I must still be missing the point. How then does one implement
items that currently require extensions, like forms (and perhaps,
include pages, etc.)?
 
T

Thomas A. Rowe

You don't.

Expression Web will only let maintain features/functions that use the extensions, that are already
on the page when it is open in Expression Web.

--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe
Microsoft MVP - FrontPage

http://www.Ecom-Data.com
==============================================
 
R

Ronx

Includes, like the Table of Contents (site map), are design time and do
not require extensions on the server.
Forms will require form handlers written in whatever technologies the
server supports - asp, asp.NET, PHP, Perl/CGI etc. These have the
advantage that they can be customised to do what YOU want them to do
(example - send email both to yourself AND the user), and they can be
moved to any similar server. These are much more flexible than any form
handler provided by the FP extensions.
--
Ron Symonds - Microsoft MVP (FrontPage)
Reply only to group - emails will be deleted unread.
FrontPage Support: http://www.frontpagemvps.com/
http://www.rxs-enterprises.org/fp
 
C

cschiller1

Okay, same question: how then does one create forms in one's website?
Will no Microsoft program do that any longer?
 
C

cschiller1

Okay, thanks for the explanation. But it seems like that's going to make
things much harder for those of us who cannot/do not program in asp,
PHP, etc. Again, seems like a giant step backward for something that's
supposed to be a consumer, or at least, a prosumer product.

Craig
 
T

Thomas A. Rowe

You can still create forms, however you will have to use ASP, ASP.net, PHP, etc. to process the form
(requires writing a custom server-side scripted page)

--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe
Microsoft MVP - FrontPage

http://www.Ecom-Data.com
==============================================
 

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