Product Review: HomeSite/TopStyle

HomeSite 4.5 keeps the program on top of the heap with the same usability it has had in the past, a few new items, and a comfort level of use that is second to none. Further, its tremendous speed is heaven-sent for us hyperactive coders.

In fact, only those html programs offering included collections of DHTML scripts, javascript and java applets, remain on the same planet with HomeSite (which doesn't offer said collections).

Version 4.5, in addition to offering support for HTML 4, stands as one of the more customizable html editors. For example, not only can you move the resource bars around, you can move the elements on those bars to different bars, have one element on several bars, or whatever combination you choose. Further, you can create your own toolbars with ease.

For those who can't remember the various tag functions, HomeSite provides tag insights, tag completion, tag color coding, and tag snippets so that you can easily save and recall those items you frequently use. A click of a button will also convert all coding to lowercase or uppercase (your choice).

HomeSite also has a Collapsible Text feature that can make repeated coding a breeze. Simply select the coding or other text that you want to reuse, click the collapsible text symbol and the code is then symbolized by a button. When it comes time to reuse the code, simply insert the button.

Split-window editing is now available, enabling you to edit two parts of your document at the same time. If you prefer, you can edit full screen in one window. Another option is to use the split screen to edit on top and view the results on the bottom.

It also allows you to preview your work internally in 640- or 800-pixel width, and it provides a ruler in the browser view window to see exactly where items are located.

The program now includes an image map editor to eliminate the need for purchasing a specialty program to handle that single task.

HomeSite offers the many wizards that html junkies have come to expect: tables, forms, and frames, and it also provides that same type of help for DHTML, JavaScript, and streaming media. HomeSite also supports ASP, JSP, Perl, CFML, VBScript, XML, and XSL. And for those who like even more acronyms, it has excellent integrated FTP and CSS capabilities.

Because HomeSite maintains html integrity so good, builders are able to fine tune their creations with relative ease. It's built-in browser is second to none, and the added feature of having a built-in design view (which is basically a WYSIWIG editor that also shows such things as table lines) is particularly helpful when it comes to figuring out what was done wrong when things did not come out just right.