Software Gadgets

I've used one version or another of Homesite as my HTML editor of choice since about 1997. While I've tried many other editors, none could win my heart. Not even Dreamweaver, which many web designers consider the gem of HTML editors. Unfortunately, Homesite hasn't received a major update in several years and with Macromedia now part of Adobe, I don't expect to see much in the way of updates.

The second version of Evrsoft's free HTML editor, First Page 2000, really tempted me when it appears a few years ago, but it fell short of what I was used to with Homesite. However, the third edition, First Page 2006, was released a few days ago and so far I'm very impressed. First Page 2006 includes many new features, including full support for HTML, XHTML, PHP, ASP, Cold Fusion, Javascript, CSS, SSI and Perl. CSS is fully supported, not only does First Page 2006 let you edit CSS, it tracks what CSS classes are available to a page and presents them in a popup list when you need to select one. One no longer has to remember 20 or 30 class names. It even has a WYSIWYG page design mode that does a fairly good job of generating clean HTML.

Here is a feature list copied from the First Page 2006 web site:

* Tag Insight with SmartHistory
* CSS Insight with SmartHistory
* CSS Class Support & Auto Detection
* Advanced Syntax Highlighting
* Tag Document Selection Tool
* Dual Preview Engine
* Online Webmaster Tools
* Tag Property Sheet Inspector with SmartHistory
* Tag Auto Completion
* Design View Engine, Powered by Microsoft®
* Anti-Intrusive Real-Time Visual Source Rendering Engine
* Dual Edit System
* One Click Html Reference Guides
* Asset Management
* Extensive Web Language Support
* Tidy HTML Power Tools (updated)
* Document Checking Tools
* iScripts (1000+ Javascript and DHTML scripts)
* Page color themes
* Popupmaker Deluxe
* Image Mapper
* CSS Style Sheet Designer
* Scrollbar Designer
* Powerful Server Side Includes Support
* Sitetree/ Link Checking Tool
* Analyze Document/Page Estimation Tool
* Extendable Toolbars and Interface
* Interface Designed for All
* File Management Tools
* Image Thumbnails
* Rollover Images
* Internet explorer preview integration
* Netscape Mozilla preview integration
* Powerful, Enhanced IDE Interface
* Powerful FTP client
* Extended Find & Replace In Files
* Photo Album Gallery Generator

I'll have to use First Page 2006 a while to find out if I really can replace Homesite after all these years (it can be really hard to change editors), but I've used it enough to know that is is one of the best HTML editors I've tried. Its price can't be beat: free.

Rating: 5 Stars
Operating System: Windows 2000 or later
License: Freeware
Price: Free
Version Reviewed: 3.0
Web Site: http://www.evrsoft.com/1stpage3.shtml
See Screenshots