Can I migrate a Dreamweaver CS6 website to CC ?

[Garry Maclean]

Having lost access to my Dreamweaver CS6 website - due to various issues after reformatting my iMac Hard Drive and finding myself unable to reinstall CS6 - I am now forced to either abandon my website or consider upgrading my iMac and subscribing to CC.

Can anyone advise me as to any technical problems I might/will encounter if I was to purchase an up to date iMac and choose to go the Adobe CC subscription route ?

It's not a cheap option for me but the nightmare scenario is that I invest in an up to date iMac and then find I cannot migrate my existing CS6 website to an operational one in CC.

As things stand, without Dreamweaver, I currently have no way of accessing my website.

On the plus side my host has all my web files backed up for me to access and download when required. I also have all my web files, images etc., backed up on an external 2TB SSD accessible via Time Machine and also on my iMac.

Regarding the difficulties of starting afresh in Dreamweaver CC and downloading my web files from my host (MacAce) and connecting my Time Machine web files to get up and running again can anyone advise how hard this might prove to be ?

Might it be impossible ?

Many thanks.

[osgood_]

As things stand, without Dreamweaver, I currently have no way of accessing  my website.

By @Garry Maclean

Unless you have used code which is specific to Dreamweaver you can use any editor to access your website, maybe try Pinegrow editor if you want a visual interface, it will be much cheaper.

Have you used Dreamweavers .dwt templating option which is stopping you from exploring alternative editors?

[Garry Maclean]

Cheers for reply,

Negative regarding using Dreamweaver templates however I am really tied in to Dreamweaver and it’s style of “interface" for want of a better description.

I had a brief look at Pinegrow but I reckon I’d really struggle outside of Dreamweaver as it’s what I’m accustomed to and changing to something new at this late stage would most likely just fuddle my head - more than my head is already fuddled ;o)

I’m not particularly tech savvy and it's over 10 years since I started my website - it's just a hobby I've worked on sporadically - and in all that time I’ve only worked on just this one website.

It’s good to know however that I can edit CS6 in CC along with other alternatives.

Many thanks, much appreciated.

[Nancy OShea]

Assuming your computer meets the system requirements to run Creative Cloud (Big Sur or higher), get a 7 day free trial BEFORE you buy.

Create a folder for your site files on your primary hard drive volume.  C:\MySite\

Use Dreamweaver CC or free FileZilla FTP client to download the site files from your hosting server.

Once the site files on your hard drive, you can edit them with Dreamweaver CC or any other plain code editor.

[Garry Maclean]

Many thanks for reply Nancy !

I've pretty much decided - after much deliberation, to follow your advice - given elsewhere - bite the bullet and upgrade my 2013 iMac to one capable of running an OS earlier than Big Sur allowing me to move over to Dreamweaver CC.

Hopefully, by following your above advice, I will manage the transition.

When it is said that Adobe supports CC as opposed to no longer supporting CS6, can you tell me what this "support" with CC actually consists of ?

Does Adobe actually advise regarding "problems" I may encounter regarding coding issues due to my lack of knowledge or does it remain the case that my best port of call is here on the community forum ?

Kind regards,

Garry.

[osgood_]

When it is said that Adobe supports CC as opposed to no longer supporting CS6, can you tell me what this "support" with CC actually consists of ?

Does Adobe actually advise regarding "problems" I may encounter regarding coding issues due to my lack of knowledge or does it remain the case that my best port of call is here on the community 

By @Garry Maclean

I think what it means is Adobe are open to listening to CC issues which might be encountered on your operating system but they won't advise on coding issues, not that l know of anyway.

[Garry Maclean]

Cheers osgood - many thanks for clarification, much appreciated.

[Nancy OShea]

@Garry Maclean,

Paid members receive the following support from Adobe if needed:

• Free product updates/upgrades as new versions are released.
• Help with Creative Cloud Desktop App & log-in.
• Help with Creative Cloud billing & account activation.
• App installation & upgrades.
• Communication issues or sync failures.
• Performance problems with computer/software.

Adobe staff do not teach you to code or use the software. That's not their role.  You'll find plenty of tutorials online to help you with that. Your Dreamweaver Help Menu contains links to product tutorials, the Dreamweaver Help system & User Guide (F1), as well as this community of fellow product users. If you get stuck, we can usually help you or point you to a solution.

[Garry Maclean]

Thanks Nancy,

Much appreciated as always.

Kind regards, Garry.

[Garry Maclean]

Hi there,

After many issues in the past - all logged on this forum somewhere - including having spent a kings ransom on what transpired to be pirated Adobe products with serial numbers that were revoked by Adobe I now find myself at yet another crossroads on my “hobby" websites journey.

Having always received great assistance from you folk in the past I’m hoping you can once again offer some helpfull/constructive advice on how to progress.

I’ve had ongoing issues with my - now very dated - hobby website which was created using D.W. CS6 and a Vista Buttons navigation bar which is/was 32 bit and is now a dead duck, it still kinda works but cannot be updated or relied upon.

I’ve recently upgraded my Mac and OS to a 2017, 27” iMac 4.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 running Ventura 13.2

I also now subscribe to Adobe Dreamweaver C.C. and P.S.

My website was created using DW CS6’s fluid layout and from what I can glean from reading other posts here my only real option is to bin it and start afresh utilising Dreamweaver CC and Bootstrap ?

I do want to continue with Dreamweaver as despite having to relearn the new interface I at least have a rough idea as to how it operates.

Can anyone confirm that this is indeed my best route forward ?

As I’ve mentioned it’s just a hobby website, I’m more in my comfort zone in a fishing boat out in the North Sea than I am feeling all at sea behind a computer but it keeps the grey matter circulating and at 67 that aint no bad thing.

;o)

If Bootstrap/Dreamweaver is indeed the way forward then in all likelihood I would be happier keeping it “in house” so to speak and just using Bootstrap 4 which I understand is an integral part of DW nowadays rather than using some kind of add on of Bootstrap 5  .  .  .  if this is a big mistake please advise.

I guess that's all for now.

Kind regards, Garry.

[osgood_]

My website was created using DW CS6’s fluid layout and from what I can glean from reading other posts here my only real option is to bin it and start afresh utilising Dreamweaver CC and Bootstrap ?

I do want to continue with Dreamweaver as despite having to relearn the new interface I at least have a rough idea as to how it operates.

Can anyone confirm that this is indeed my best route forward ?

As I’ve mentioned it’s just a hobby website, I’m more in my comfort zone in a fishing boat out in the North Sea than I am feeling all at sea behind a computer but it keeps the grey matter circulating and at 67 that aint no bad thing.

;o)

If Bootstrap/Dreamweaver is indeed the way forward then in all likelihood I would be happier keeping it “in house” so to speak and just using Bootstrap 4 which I understand is an integral part of DW nowadays rather than using some kind of add on of Bootstrap 5  .  .  .  if this is a big mistake please advise.

I guess that's all for now.

Kind regards, Garry.

By @Garry Maclean

Here is my opinion...its a 'hobby' website, correct? Preferably you should start all new projects using Bootstrap 5 as it's the most up-to-date version BUT if you want to continue to use Dreamweaver as your editor then Bootstrap 4 is perfectly ok to use if you feel more comfortable because Dreamweaver offers a set of Bootstrap 4 components as default. Officially version 4 reached EOL - End of Life - back in Jan 2023. However that means nothing, apart from it isnt getting anymore love. It will still work for the foreseeable future.

You could of course just grab the similar Bootstrap 5 components from their website and create some snippets in Dreamweaver.

In the end it wont make much difference to the outcome of your website if you use version 4/5. You dont care if version 5 uses vanilla js instead of jQuery or its  easier to customize, has a better grid system etc, only professionals care about such things.

Use Bootstrap if you must, I don't care much for it myself but I dont expect someone who is a hobbyist to go and learn the better way of producing a responsive website.

[Garry Maclean]

Understood Osgood and much appreciated !!!

Kind regards, Garry.

[Nancy OShea]

As I’ve mentioned it’s just a hobby website, I’m more in my comfort zone in a fishing boat out in the North Sea than I am feeling all at sea behind a computer. 

By @Garry Maclean

========

Unless you're a developer who does this professionally, you don't need coding software anymore.

Most hobbists have switched from using standalone coding software to online web services like Squarespace, Wix or WordPress.  It liberates them from tedious coding to spend more time doing what they do best, creating content.  And because the site isn't dependant upon a particular software or platform, you or your helpers can manage the site from any location on any device with Internet access.  Something to consider.

[Garry Maclean]

Cheers Nancy,

I don't know  .  .  .  I guess I must get some perverse pleasure from struggling away in Dreamweaver - mostly in the dark - and then getting something right.

;o)

I reckon I'll continue with D.W.C.C. + Bootstrap and see where I can take my website idea as I have all the main components.

I have previously cobbled together a website using Squarespace for my partner, she's a painter/artist and it works okay but found it rather clunky .

Winners never quit, quitters never win  !

Onwards !

Many thanks.

Kind regards, Garry.

[BenPleysier]

For 16.40 Pound Sterling per month, you can use Wappler, no contracts. This means that there is no coding required and you only pay for the time that you use Wappler.

[Nancy OShea]

@BenPleysier,

Do you know if Wappler requires proof of eligibility such as school enrollment or 501c3 tax-exempt status?

[BenPleysier]

This is what I am told:

[Nancy OShea]

So it's similar to Adobe's Student/Teacher requirements.

https://www.adobe.com/offer-terms/student_teacher_eligibility.html

Adobe also partners with TechSoup where non-profits & charities can obtain discounted software.

https://www.techsoup.org/

[Nancy OShea]

This is in follow up to your direct message(s). 

Apart from Responsiveness, you have more to consider.

1) MouseOver/Hover doesn't do anything on touch screen devices as there's no mouse.  Tap & click triggers are essential for usability.  See Bootstrap Navbars.

2) Mobile users interact differently with their devices.  They need to see less content up front and have ready access to streamlined navigation with large targets that are easy to reach with an adult-sized finger.   Also, ditch the scrolling boxes.  They're awkward and difficult to use from mobile devices.   See Bootstrap Cards.

3) All sites should be friendly to search engines, language translators and screen readers.  In some regions, accessibility is a legal requirement as many people rely on assistive web technologies.  Use semantic HTML tags (h1, h2, h3, p, etc...)

4) No table-based layouts please.  Use CSS to style content.  If you must use a table for tabular-data or spreadsheets, use Bootstrap Tables.

Hope that helps.

[osgood_]

I'd consider the Pinegrow editor which includes Bootstrap 5 - a one time payment, currently as of writing this,  78 pounds. Got to be good value if youre creating simple static websites as a hobbyist.

[Garry Maclean]

Many thanks for all the replies, it's always good to have options in life, I'll explore all the suggestions carefully and then make a balanced decision on which route to travel that best suits my needs.

Kindest regards, Garry.