Expression 4 vs FrontPage

Question

I built a small website using Frontpage 2003 back in 2006. Although I have not update my website for about a year or so, I wanted to add a picture. To my surprise when I was accessing the web server I got an error message saying: "The Web Server at "...." does not appear to have Window SharePoint Services installed". I contacted the web server and they informed that they no longer support FrontPage Server Extensions. Apparently a lot of severs no longer support FP or will soon  no longer supporting FP.

So ... I thought about Expression 4. My site is small  with only pictures and text. So Expression should handle it okay.

But... will I be able to use my existing format (at least most of it) and my pictures?

Can I edit the web site locally (my computer) and then upload it overwriting the old version?

Or do I have to rebuild from scratch?

Thanks,

Pat H

Answer 1

FrontPAge and Expression Web both produce HTML - both can be used on the same website (with a few limitations).

 

Read the following page and thread:

 

Prerequisites (aka requirements) for using Expression Web:    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2511858

 

Scroll down to the Learning Resources here:

http://social.expression.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/web/thread/7fd16fa3-1944-4522-8848-a6a2926a253b

 

and go through the Basic Web Site tutorial listed there.

 

Get the Trial for Expression Web from http://www.microsoft.com/expression

 

IMPORTANT:  Before you open your site in Expression Web, use FrontPage to REMOVE all shared borders.

EW4 will destroy any pages that use shared borders.

 

Also remove or replace any FrontPage components listed here - they all require FrontPAge extensions on the server:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/281532

 

And remove VML graphics (WordArt, ShapeArt, TextBoxes, anything from the FrontPAge drawing toolbar) - these are not supported in Expression Web, and supported in most browsers, either.

 

Be aware that Expression Web and FrontPage are aimed at two different users:  FrontPage for "Office workers" who know a little about building web pages, Expression Web is aimed at web professionals

who have a great deal of knowledge.

 

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Ron Symonds
Microsoft MVP (Expression Web)

www.rxs-enterprises.org/fp

Answer 2

Ron,

Thanks for the reply ... I will follow your reply and see what happens.

I will be only working a back up copy on my computer, when I'm sure that I am going in right dieection then I

will upload it to the server.

I will report back in a few days (I hope!).

Pat H.

Answer 3

What is the current Microsoft product that is aimed at "Office workers"? 

thank you

Answer 4

Ron states that "FrontPage for "Office workers" who know a little about building web pages, Expression Web is aimed at web professionals". What does Microsoft recommend for web building software for these "Office workers who know a little about building web pages" and were using FrontPage?

Answer 5

Sharepoint Designer 2010 - though this can only be used for SharePoint sites.

It is a free download.

 

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Ron Symonds
Microsoft MVP (Expression Web)

www.rxs-enterprises.org/fp

Answer 6

Microsoft produces SharePoint Designer for "Office Workers".  However the latest versions (2010 and 2013) can only be used for SharePoint websites. The 2007 version is a little better than FP2003,

but requires knowledge of HTML and CSS to get the best from it.

There is no replacement (from Microsoft) for FrontPage at the FrontPage level of expertise.

 

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Ron Symonds
Microsoft MVP (Expression Web)

www.rxs-enterprises.org/fp