HomeSite 5

HomeSite is an HTML authoring tool that provides Web site developers with both a visual development environment and a direct code editing view. Built around what the vendor calls a "WYSIWYN" environment (What You See Is What You Need), the editor includes such productivity enhancements as various HTML Tag related tools, Wizards for the quick creation of tables, frames, and common JavaScripts, and a style editor for CSS-based layouts.

A key feature of HomeSite is its claim to support "Pure HTML," that is, its ability to create HTML layouts with only the code necessary to produce the result and no unnecessary HTML. In addition, the product supports code preservation (it maintains the HTML in already existing HTML pages without rewriting) and includes testing features such as link/spell checking, document weighing and HTML validation.

Features of later versions of HomeSite include enhanced project management features (with support for virtual folders), a scriptable site deployment system allowing developers to customize and automate their site's posting process, and new editing technologies including a CSS editor and image map editor.

The most recent release (5.0) includes support for XHTML; enhanced code validation features including "Codesweeper," a tool that validates the formatting of code according to user-defined preferences; and support for integration with Macromedia Fireworks, allowing for the editing of images from directly within HomeSite.

HomeSite is available now with a retail price of $99. Upgrade pricing is available; and an evaluation copy can be downloaded from the Macromedia Web site.