FrontPage Alternative

As a current FrontPage MVP, and Expression Web author, I get asked all the time about what's a good replacement for the venerable but discontinued FrontPage application.

That's a tough question to answer because FrontPage was used by so many users in so many different ways.  For some, it was just a GUI that they could rearrange pages in, apply themes, etc.  They were primarily hobbyists or small businesses that, for one reason or another, didn't use a professional designer/developer.

For the lack of a better name; the "hobbyist" group has a hard time transitioning to Expression Web, because it's a very "standards based" and professional level tool.  That's not to say that all of the hobbyists don't want to switch, there's a great percentage of them who really love working on their site and don't mind learning a little about code, practices and standards, etc.

But for those who absolutely must have the ease of use that came from "Navigation View" and it's corresponding FrontPage Server Extensions driven "Navigation Bars".  Those who simply don't want to learn a different way to do things I think the perfect solution is Office Live. 

Not only do you get the GUI bound familiarity and whatnot that you liked in FrontPage, you can do some things such as document sharing, online email, Web 2.0 type capabilities, etc. that you never could with FrontPage.

Below is the email from Office Live.  I've left the links active so feel free to try it out.  I've personally been using Office Live for quite a while and while its a good alternative for a segment of FrontPage refugees, it does open the door to some high-end development in the SAS space for those so inclined.

Microsoft Office Live