BlueGriffon - WYSIWYG HTML Editor
The Diminishing Options for Desktop Web Builders
The availability of desktop web builders is limited, with few options currently on the market. Furthermore, those that offer robust functionality often come with a substantial price tag.
The inherent complexity of website creation also presents a challenge for many users. Consequently, the recent announcement from Apple regarding the discontinuation of iWeb’s development is particularly disheartening.
iWeb's Legacy and the Search for Alternatives
iWeb provided an accessible platform for individuals with limited technical expertise to construct visually appealing websites with relative ease. Its removal from Apple’s development roadmap intensifies the difficulty in locating a complimentary, free web building solution.
However, the landscape isn't entirely barren. A new application, BlueGriffon, has emerged as a potential alternative.
Introducing BlueGriffon: A Multi-Platform Solution
BlueGriffon is a free, cross-platform WYSIWYG HTML editor. It’s designed to be user-friendly for those new to web development.
Despite its accessibility, BlueGriffon also provides the tools and capabilities required by more experienced web designers. This balance makes it a compelling option for a wide range of users.
Key Features and Benefits
- Ease of Use: BlueGriffon offers an intuitive interface, simplifying the web building process.
- Multi-Platform Compatibility: It functions seamlessly across various operating systems.
- WYSIWYG Editing: Users can see their changes in real-time, without needing to write code directly.
- Advanced Capabilities: Experienced users will appreciate the powerful features available for complex designs.
BlueGriffon represents a viable path forward for those seeking a desktop-based solution for website creation, particularly in the wake of iWeb’s discontinuation.
A New Dawn for Web Creation
BlueGriffon utilizes the Gecko rendering engine, the same core technology powering Firefox. Like Firefox itself, this web development application benefits from extension support, allowing for customized functionality. It also embraces contemporary web standards, including both HTML5 and CSS3.
The application is designed for cross-platform compatibility, functioning seamlessly on Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.
Intuitive Webpage Editing
As a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) HTML editor, BlueGriffon simplifies webpage construction. Users can effortlessly add, remove, drag, and arrange webpage elements with ease. A convenient starting point is the "New wizard" found within the "File" menu.
This wizard guides users through the initial setup of their project canvas. The process involves selecting a document type, inputting relevant properties, choosing color schemes, and defining page layouts.
Tools for Building Your Vision
The core web building experience begins after completing the wizard’s guidance. BlueGriffon provides a comprehensive toolbar equipped with all the necessary tools to facilitate the construction process.
For instance, audio files can be integrated into a webpage by selecting the "Insert or edit audio file" icon. Users can then browse for the desired audio file and confirm their selection with a click of "OK".
Dual Editing Environments
The editor’s interface is structured around two distinct layers. The first is the "WYSIWYG" area, offering a visual arrangement of webpage objects.
The second layer is the "Source" area, enabling direct manipulation of the webpage’s underlying HTML code. Switching between these views is accomplished by clicking the corresponding tabs located beneath the editing area.
Preserving Your Work and Deploying it Online
The process of web development encompasses numerous components, making a comprehensive discussion of each aspect impractical within this context. Further independent exploration is encouraged to gain familiarity with the application’s full capabilities.
The subsequent action involves publishing your completed project. However, prior to making the page publicly accessible, it is necessary to save the document locally on your computer.
Select a suitable filename for your webpage and…
Specify the desired storage location for the saved file.
To make your webpage available globally, access from anywhere, you will require both a web hosting account and a registered domain name. Your hosting provider will furnish you with account access details, and you will then utilize a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) client to upload your document.
While numerous FTP clients are available, integrating one directly into BlueGriffon offers a streamlined workflow. The “FireFTP” extension can be found on the “Add-ons” section of the BlueGriffon website.
Following the extension’s download, installation is achieved by navigating to the “Tools - Add-ons” menu, and…
Select the “Install Add-on From File” option within the “Extensions” area of the “Add-ons Manager”.
Restarting the application after installation will make FireFTP accessible through the “Tools” menu.
Once logged into your hosting account, files can be transferred between your local computer and the remote server (and in the opposite direction).
Additional extensions can be incorporated into BlueGriffon using the same procedure. While the current selection of extensions is limited, it is anticipated to expand over time.
Currently at version 1.0, the software doesn’t yet pose a significant challenge to established commercial web builders such as DreamWeaver. However, as the only actively maintained free option currently available, BlueGriffon possesses the potential for rapid growth and improvement.
Have you experimented with BlueGriffon? What are your impressions of the application? Do you believe that desktop web builders remain relevant? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
