Transition? Kompozer/Site Central

Kerry · #1 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 05:07 PM

Hi everyone,

From what i can tell, if you start transitioning from site builder blocks to uploading your own pages...once you do it, can you ever go back to block building?

Maybe a silly question, but im finding block building sort of clunky...no easy way without learning more HTML to do alot of simple things like BOLDING etc.

I discovered Kompozer last night, and love it so far, really easy to make a new page (i even embeded a video!) but then i found myself cut/pasting source code back into site builder cause i was too scared to transition (and havent read all tutorials about it!

).

Any thoughts/knowledge on this?

Thanks!

nixwebo · #2 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 05:47 PM

Hard to beat Kompozer, for the price...LOL

Nothing wrong with copying and pasting, thats why there is a "code" view!

Hope it is working out for you,

Nick

lisa · #3 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 08:04 PM

I want to make sure a few things are clear...

You can still use the block by block builder AND another software program. As nixwebo said, you can copy your code from Komposer and paste it into the block builder when you're satisfied with the design.

That is not the same thing as I did when I completely transferred out of the builder and now manage my entire SBI! site in Dreamweaver. I can no longer use the block by block builder to edit existing pages because I have completely transitioned my site out of block builder and use the "Upload Your Own HTML" option in SBI!.

Because I'm using my own style sheet, includes, etc. if I tried to paste my code into the block then it would screw things up. But if you are just doing basic HTML and still using SBI!'s design layout then feel free to switch between coding inside the block by block and Komposer.

Does that make sense? I feel like I'm talking in one gigantic circle.

rohan · #4 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 08:22 PM

Hey, I made the transition to Kompozer like a month ago and it's the best thing I ever did. Funny thing is, with kompozer you don't need to know as much html as with blockbuilder. Kompozer is just so much easier as far as I'm concerned. Blockbuilder took FOREVER for me. If you have specific questions ask away.

Kerry · #5 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 08:27 PM

You know what...I bet Kompozer will be mighty helpful for me too...but I'm super scared

I am going to research some more...

Thanks for the note!

Jewel · #6 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 01:51 PM

Hey Kerry...I would love an update.

I just started looking at Kompozer with an open mind and would like to know if you ever took the plunge.

West · #7 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 02:07 PM

When I started using Kompozer I was very scared too. I made a lot of mistakes along the way, but I was surprised at how easy it was once I got the hang of it. Now that I know what I'm doing, I'm glad I made the transition.

I can just suggest to read SBI! tutorial and watch the video a couple of times. And play around with Kompozer before you start to actually build pages. If you are using C2, the SBI blog, or the mail out manager, make sure you read up on that as well.

And from personal experience, if you run into a problem and want to ask questions, you'll get an answer from this forum much faster that the SBI! forum. But you should still read the faq's and browse through the different post on the SBI forum. There's a lot of helpful information there.

Kerry · #8 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 06:44 PM

I did indeed take the plunge and alot easier than I had anticipated! I am so happy I took the training wheels off!!!

It might not be the same for everyone, but I felt the block by block building to clunky for me personally- there's alot more freedom with Kompozer

Again, not for everyone and of course, I waited until I had completed 30+ pages as I wanted to be comfortable with Titles/descriptions, keywords, etc and I am still learning new tricks every single day...but I highly recommend Kompozer for anyone looking to transition to a free editor!

Hugs,

webman · #9 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 10:19 PM

Thought with SBI you didn't need to know HTML,CSS etc?

That they would that care of it in the background like it should?

West · #10 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 05:49 AM

SBI does promote the fact that you do not need to know HTML to use their system, but you really do unless you want your pages to be extremely basic.
It's a good tool for learning basic HTML though.

Kerry: I agree. Kompozer is a great editor. It's free and easy to use. I can't wait to see your new design!

Jewel · #11 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 08:55 AM

Thanks Kerry and West...I think I will go for it then!

Webman..you don't need to know HTML, but you will probably want to do little things like bold, headings, etc., and will probably pick up some along the way...I did even though I never set out to do it! After learning a little and implementing it right into block builder, I realized that maybe it wasn't something that would be way over my head after all.

At some point you may decide the basic block builder is too simple for you and you would like to grow into creating and uploading your own pages. Some people have great success without every transitioning and continue with the block builder, focusing only on content...some decide they would like to transition and add building a site to their knowledge mix..either way you can have a beautiful and very profitable site, so don't worry about the HTML.

Jewel · #12 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 09:20 PM

I have another Kompozer question (actually probably any site builder question). Will I have to change the Look and Feel template I chose for my site?

Can I copy the header over?

If not, how does it work when the site is in transition and some pages are one way and some the old way?

West · #13 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 11:12 PM

SBI has a transition template that you can use if you want to keep your current L&F. When you click on the "upload your own HTML" button, you'll see a link for your transition template. you can use the transition template with any HTML editor.

Not sure what you mean by copying the header over. You can either keep the one you already have or design/choose a new one.

Unfortunately, you cannot upload all the pages of your site at the same time (at least not the very first time you upload them). So when you start uploading, you'll have to deal with some of your pages looking new and others looking old, until you've completed uploading all of them.

I thought about that when I started my transition. I purposely uploaded all my new pages late at night over the weekend because that's when I get less traffic. I also made sure all of my pages were exactly the way I wanted them so I could just do them all back to back. It took me about 2 hours to complete.

lisa · #14 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 11:20 PM

Same here West. It's a bit of pain uploading the very first time you make the transition, but after that, you can just use the Quick Upload feature to upload multiple files.

webman · #15 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 11:48 PM

Thanks West & Jewel for your impute.

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