CNET Editors' review
If you dislike that achy, bloated feeling that other HTML editors can give your computer, KompoZer may be the freeware cure you're looking for. An open-source Web development tool built on the NVU architecture, KompoZer aims to improve upon the NVU's bugginess.
It does a fairly admirable job of that, while not being bloatware. Major editing buttons live on the top three-tier toolbar, including a one-click Publishing icon as well as one-clicks for Image insertion and Table and Form creation. Font tweaks like Size and Style live in toolbars just below that, making for easy HTML editing. A Site Manager, including File tree, is anchored on the left, although it can be collapsed, and the WYSIWYG standard means that KompoZer can compete more than adequately with other, better-known editors.
Currently packaged with Portable Apps, KompoZer's exposure seems to be growing. While this is a good thing, the program lacks a certain finish, potentially making it visually unappealing to "professional" users. Judging from the smooth, bug-free way KompoZer tested for us, it's definitely aiming to play the same tune that its competitors are.
Publisher's Description
From KompoZer:
Kompozer is an open source web development tool built on NVU. The project strives to fix bugs in the NVU project and added new features to it. Both the HTML editor as well as the CSS editor has so far be fixed and updated as part of the Kompozer project - and many more changes are scheduled. Apart from that the main feature set is exactly as in NVU. And one of the most important features is still that editing take place in WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) mode allowing you full control of layout as you work with your web design.
Note: Beta or prerelease software is not intended for inexperienced users, as the software may contain bugs or may potentially damage your system. We strongly recommend that users exercise caution and save all mission-critical data before installing or using this software.
What's new in this version: 1
More Popular Web Site Tools downloads
- Adobe Dreamweaver CS5.5
5,920 downloads
- Sitoo Web
5,034 downloads
- Web Page Maker
2,609 downloads
- ZapGrab.net
1,594 downloads
- Nvu
912 downloads
-
All versions:
3.8 starsout of 72 votes
-
Current version:
4.0 starsout of 24 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"Good for the novice who wants to build a simple site,"
Version: KompoZer 0.7.7 beta
Pros
I would hardly say that it "lets you make websites like a pro." Unless of course you are proficient at writing HTML code. If I were I would use Notepad.
Having said that, it is very good if all you want to do is build a basic site. It even comes with a few decent page templates.
The price is right and it has more bells and whistles than most of the freebie WYSIWYG HTML editors.
Cons
If you have used either Dreamweaver or FrontPage, you will be disappointed.
I have only 2 real criticisms. First is that there is a very limited ability to adjust the formating of lines and paragraghs. Secondly, and most importantly for me is that you cannot embed plug-ins or ActiveX controls. So, if you want to show a video or have some audio on your page, you are S.O.L. unless you know how to code HTML
-
"Excellent Software!"
Version: KompoZer 0.7.7 beta
Pros
Easy to use, great html editor
-
"Great for simple websites"
Version: KompoZer 0.7.7 beta
Pros
I started with NVU then moved to KompoZer, which is similar but definitely better. The web sites I've created with it so far have been relatively simple - table based with a mix of images, text and links. KompoZer has made creating them pretty painless even for a non expert. I've now got them behaving almost identically across IE7, Firefox, IE6 and Opera. KompoZer is not perfect but is very good indeed for freeware.
Cons
A minor hassle was I had to hand code the target="_blank" attribute to make an image link open in a new tab/window.
-
"Sucks, deserves 0 stars but download.com doesn't give this option"
Version: KompoZer 0.7.7 beta
Pros
Seems nice
Cons
On startup the program tries to connect to the Internet, without asking, without option to switch this off. In other words, it looks like spy ware.
Doing not much more than opening and closing the style sheet file of my site, the program messes this file up. It changed everything I put in it to make it understandable. Tabs and returns were changed and, worst of all, all comments were deleted.
-
"Easy to Learn & Powerful Free Editor - Upgrade Ver 0.7.10 now Avail"
Version: KompoZer 0.7.7 beta
Pros
Very easy to learn Editor with many powerful features found in some $300 programs such as Adobe CS2 which am familiar with. New upgrade KompoZer Version 0.7.10 now available at kompozer.net has additional features not in Ver 7.7 + some bug fixes.
Cons
Wish had more image handling features, but am comparing with $300 Adobe CS2 so not really a fair comparison.
-
"macromedia is better !!!!"
Version: KompoZer 0.7.7 beta
Cons
macromedia is better
-
"Excellent product for the price!"
Version: KompoZer 0.7.7 beta
Pros
I am new to developing web site, this is a great program for a newbie
Cons
After uploading my changes, I don't see them right away. Not sure if that's the program or my hosting site though.
-
"Good software!!!!"
Version: KompoZer 0.7.7 beta
Pros
Easy to use with the guidance of help, even for beginers. Great WYSIWYG.
Cons
Pity, it hasn't got more features, templates, menus etc...
-
"Pretty good!"
Version: KompoZer 0.7.7 beta
Pros
Pretty easy to get things published, had a good set up and was simple.
Cons
The help section was rather innaccurate about some things and if you're not at least semi-experienced, it can be a bit frustrating.
-
"Seems good but didn't have enough trial time to learn it"
Version: KompoZer 0.7.7 beta
Pros
There seems to be a lot of tools to use, once you learn to use them.
Cons
Perhaps I'm missing more brain cells than I thought, but the directions were not clear enough for me to complete even one page before the trial ran out. Very frustrating since I'm trying to create a website for my Church.
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
Previous Versions:
