DreamWeaver vs WordPress capabilities

[madhaka]

I am being questioned on why I would want to switch from open source to proprietary software. 'Felt like a good idea at the time.' doesn't seem to cut the mustard. So I'm passing it on. Here you are. "What does DreamWeaver do that WordPress doesn't?"

[Ben M]

You're really comparing Apples and Oranges here.  I think you need to go download a trial of DW.  Dreamweaver can be used to create and/or edit something like Wordpress, but DW is not a content management system like Wordpress. 

[martcol]

SnakEyez02 wrote:

You're really comparing Apples and Oranges here.  I think you need to go download a trial of DW.  Dreamweaver can be used to create and/or edit something like Wordpress, but DW is not a content management system like Wordpress. 

I think SnakEyez02 has it.  Apples and Oranges.

Wordpress is out of the box a functional, comprehnsive CMS.  It doesn't suit everyone.  I have noticed quite a few people here who are quite disparaging of it.  For me, it has helped me learn quite a bit.  Once you start trying to build your own sites (themes) over the top of Wordpress it becomes far from straightforward.  The better knowledge a person has of PHP, CSS and HTML, the greater possibilities there are with it.

Dreamweaver isn't anything like Wordpress or any other paid for or open source CMS/blogging platform.  However, the same goes for it; the better your understanding of the technologies used in web development, the more helpful it will be.

Martin

[JoeDaSilva]

They're not related really. Dreamweaver is development tool, where as WordPress is Content Management System. I use both on a daily basis. I can't imagine why you'd want to go from a database driven CMS to static HTML pages though, if that's what you're doing.

[madhaka]

Okay

Say you have a bunch of architecture and design projects driven by environmental considerations, and you want to display images and concepts for architects, planners, developpers and laymen to appreciate the possibilities. Each project is essentially presented as a series of images with one-liner comments. A couple of projects are added in every year. You want to keep it sobre and simple. I have done the DreamWeaver tutorials and am OK with the capabilities. I'd have to relearn WordPress from a few years back. My colleagues are big on open-source. What are my advantages working in DW?

[John Waller]

In that case, the main difference is that your DW project can only be edited using a computer with Dreamweaver installed.

A Wordpress site can be edited from any computer with an internet connection since it offers browser based editing.

Wordpress is easy enough for laypeople to pick up limited editing skills quickly although presentation of the pages would normally be in a reverse chronological blog format.

DW requires far more training but the creative possibilities e.g. page layout, effects etc, are endless.

[Rob Hecker2]

John, It really isn't true that "your DW project can only be edited using a computer with Dreamweaver installed." I collaborate on websites all the time with people who don't use Dreamweaver. They may use ZendStudio or who knows what. If a project doesn't use Spry or DW templates, then you really are not forced to stick with Dreamweaver. I sometimes work on the same page in both DW and ZS. I switch to ZS when I need a more robust debugging environment.

Madhaka, this really isn't an open source/commercial software issue. You can build websites based on open source technologies and STILL use Dreamweaver for some or all of the development.

WordPress is like a prefab house and Dreamweaver is like a toolset (hammer, saw, etc.) so it doesn't make sense to compare them. You can, in fact, use Dreamweaver to work on the structure of a WordPress site.

WordPress is easy to use as long as you don't try to modify it very deeply. Then it can get frustrating even for someone who really knows HTML and PHP If you would rather not learn HTML, Javascirpt, PHP, etc., then Wrdpress alone may be enough to serve your purpose.

[davidpgt]

Here's a useful comparison chart, comparing Dreamweaver with other software/website builders: Website Builder Comparison Chart .

Compare that with the WordPress/other Open Source website builder chart:  Open Source Website Builder Comparison Chart .