Review: KompoZer–A Capable Web Editor for Mac

KompoZer is an open-source application based totally on the vintage Netscape Composer. The open-source method the programming paintings is accomplished via volunteers is completely unfastened (although donations are time-honored).

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You might see some references on Mac websites to an HTML editor referred to as NVU (reported N-view). You would possibly even see some references to an editor known as Sea Monkeys. These are all primarily based on the Composer element of the Mozilla Application Suite and Gecko 1.7 (and all of them have a Mac version).

What’s the distinction between them? KompoZer is the most actively updated and most bug unfastened. (In fact, Nvu has now been discontinued.) I have tried all 3, and simultaneously, as the interface of the 3 packages could be very comparable, KompoZer works satisfactorily in my experience.

The situation around KompoZer is something like that of NeoOffice, which is an up-to-date model of OpenOffice (lately renamed LibreOffice). OpenOffice got here first, and NeoOffice became spun off of it by using other volunteers. Unlike NeoOffice but, that’s completely for the Mac, KompoZer is a go-platform and runs on each mac and PC.

If all this appears puzzling, that’s due to the fact it’s far! All you have to recall is that for open-source workplace programs for the Mac, NeoOffice is the way you want to head, and for open-source HTML editors for the Mac, the fine preference is, without a doubt, KompoZer.

KompoZer is a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) HTML editor, which means that that you create your page in a word processor-like interface. The HTML coding is completed robotically in the background through the software program. You can view and edit the HTML code if, as an instance, you want to add Google Analytics code or some other piece of code that adds more features to your website by using clicking on the HTML Tags tab at the bottom of the KompoZer window.

KompoZer is remarkably capable (but not perfect) at studying HTML and decoding it efficiently. You can actually open any webpage you may locate in KompoZer, and it will look pretty much similar to it does in your net browser.

In fact, KompoZer even has an “Open Web Location” command under the File menu that allows you to kind within the URL of an internet web page, and the program will download and open it in its personal window, prepared for editing. This way that you could paintings with sophisticated templates you locate online without trouble.

The characteristic is right; however no longer ideal. For example, open Apple’s homepage in KompoZer, and it’ll appearance fairly correct in preview mode; however, the formatting will get tousled when you switch to modifying mode. On the opposite hand, KompoZer is standards-compliant and would not upload atypical tags to the HTML it creates, in contrast to older HTML editors you may be familiar with if you’ve been around website introduction for some time.

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Just because you can open a complex template, however, does not mean that you will edit it to your liking. A beginner may additionally discover it is impossible to discern the way to add and remove columns, sidebars, or different factors without destroying the overall formatting of the page. If you want to start your internet site from a template, you will be properly cautioned to test it thoroughly to make certain you could make the modifications to it through the years that you will need to.

The KompoZer interface is rather Windows-like; however, not overly unintuitive. I discovered the web guide for the software program to be usually suitable. A lively message board staffed by using passionate volunteers to be had you get your questions responded to.

KompoZer can open multiple tabs simultaneously, so you can see paintings on specific web pages (as an example, to replicate and paste elements from one page to some other) without having a group of separate home windows open and cluttering your display. It has limitless undo, the ability to add tables and forms and boasts a guide for cascading fashion sheets (CSS).

CSS is trendy, allowing net designers to set diverse fashion elements and fonts, colorings, indentation, and another formatting without adding character HTML tags. Similar to the fashion sheets to your phrase processor, you can set a heading to be boldfaced and a positive size. Then you could observe this formatting to all applicable parts of your website for regular consequences. If you convert your mind approximately the fashion traits, you can edit the fashion sheet, and all instances of that fashion that you have described to your website will be changed for that reason.

Although KompoZer is actually a development on NVU and SeaMonkey, similarly to the problems commencing some web pages, and honest variety of bugs nevertheless mar the interface. For example, the amount of space it adds among lines on the web page is regularly inconsistent and may require pretty a chunk of suffering to get the web page to seem like what is wanted. After ultimate all windows, it once in a while refuses to open every other, unless you quit and relaunch the program. Sometimes making use of a headline fashion to selected textual content does not do anything, and once in a while, some keyboard commands forestall operating till a relaunch.

KompoZer also lacks features and the ability to create picture maps. The software program doesn’t come up with an awful lot of help in selecting go-platform fonts or available on maximum computers. However, you can’t beat the rate. If you need an HTML editor that allows you to effortlessly look at and edit the underlying code for the greatest flexibility, KompoZer is your pleasant unfastened desire.

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KompoZer also has a domain control feature but does not allow the call to fool you. This is just a built-in FTP application. If you’re looking for a function like the one found in Adobe Dreamweaver that allows you to change your site’s company and flow pages around among diverse folders for your Mac without breaking any of the inner links (often useful for operating with templates), you might not locate it here.

And as far as FTP is going, I favor paying a bit more money and use the economic program Transmit, one of the great FTP packages available for the Mac (Panic software program – $34). Transmit functions an intuitive -panel window that makes it clean to add your website and perform different FTP operations. On the left side of the interface is a panel that works much like a Mac Finder window, and on the left side is a panel representing your FTP space. Uploading or synchronizing your site is a simple drag-and-drop operation from the Mac aspect of the interface to the FTP facet or by clicking the Sync button. A bookmarks function helps you shop the login details for all your websites to make the login technique as smooth as clicking a button.

Timothy Washington
Hardcore internetaholic. Social media nerd. General writer. Freelance travel junkie. Music practitioner. Twitter guru. Alcohol maven. In 2008 I was writing about wooden trains for fun and profit. Earned praised for my work researching fatback in Los Angeles, CA. Spent 2001-2006 lecturing about walnuts in Cuba. Earned praise for analyzing tattoos on Wall Street. Uniquely-equipped for deploying wooden horses in Jacksonville, FL. Spent a year lecturing about tar in Salisbury, MD.