HTML Development Tools

[Matt Ion <mion -at- DIRECT -dot- CA>]

The question of HTML authoring tools (and markup/hypertext tools in general)
has been common recently.  Here's a little combination I've been using and
loving.  All very tightly integrated and offering probably about the closest
thing you'll find to WYSIWYG HTML authoring.

The following message was originally posted in assorted comp.os.* newsgroups
by IBM Vancouver's Duncan Strong.

(Additional note: the forwarded post below doesn't mention it, but in addition
to HTML, SphyDir will by default also save files as .IPF format, which can
then be compiled into OS/2 .INF files and, with minor tweaks, Windows .HLP
files (I think the first byte or two are the only differences between the
two).

------------------------------------------------------
>>Be aware that although there is no "official" IBM package for designing,
>>testing and deploying WWW sites with OS/2 Warp  (although the rumours are
>>very strong!), several inexpensive (free, in most cases) tools exist today
>>which position OS/2 Warp as an excellent platform for developing and serving
>>HTML documents.
>>
>>------------------
>>Web Site Authoring
>>------------------
>>
>>The best tool on any platform (in my humble opinion) for developing Web pages
>>is the SPHyDir tool available from "PC Lube&Tune". This tool puts clunky
>>solutions like HoTMetaL and Microsoft Internet Assistant to shame with its
>>slick object-oriented, drag-n-drop environment. Creating links between pages
>>is as simple as dragging an URL from your WebExplorer hotlist onto an icon on
>>the page. The same goes for graphics and forms. It's almost too easy.
>>
>>SPHyDir is unique in that it shines at both simple and complex HTML projects:
>>the interface is easy to learn, yet the feature set is robust, pervasive and
>>deeply object-oriented.
>>
>>The best part about SPHyDir is its tight integration with both IBM
>>WebExplorer and the GoServe WWW Server from IBM (see below). SPHyDir can
>>automatically transmit "works-in-progess" to the WebExplorer (or NetScape)
>>for instant previews. These documents are "live" and can be tested on the
>>spot. Users can also drag-n-drop Web pages directly from the WebExplorer onto
>>the SPHyDir workspace, allowing easy linking of disparate documents.  In the
>>same vein, SPHyDir is very aware of the GoServe WWW Server's requirements for
>>forms support and generates REXX (CGI) handlers and filters automatically.
>>
>>SPHyDir is free as long as pages built with it display a small "plug" for the
>>SPHyDir author, Howard Gilbert. Commercial licenses are available.
>>
>>Check it out at http://pclt.cis.yale.edu/pclt/sphydir/sphydir.htm
>>
>>------------
>>Web Serving
>>------------
>>
>>As mentioned above, IBM's GoServe WWW Server is available for serving HTTP
>>requests on the OS/2 Warp platform. Along with the robust 32-bit TCP/IP stack
>>built into OS/2 Warp Connect, GoServe transforms OS/2 Warp into a high-speed,
>>incredibly efficient HTTP server.
>>
>>GoServe can be locally administered through a graphical WorkPlace shell
>>interface, or it can be remotely controlled through a Web browser. It
>>supports user limits, caching, and can even serve double-duty as a Gopher
>>Server! It supports REXX scripts for forms support and image-mapping, making
>>the learning curve for building complex Web sites very short. It leverages
>>the multi-threaded architecture of OS/2 Warp by dispatching separate threads
>>for client requests. Translation: high capacity and high speed. The best
>>feature is the price: it's free!
>>
>>GoServe was developed by Mike Cowlishaw, an IBM Fellow (ie. really, really
>>high-bandwidth!) who also happened to design, develop and evangalize the
>>cross-platform REXX programming language.
>>
>>Find out more at http://www2.hursley.ibm.com/goserve/
>>
>>------------
>>Web Browsing
>>------------
>>
>>IBM's WebExplorer is included for free with OS/2 Warp, and its tight
>>integration with both SPHyDir and the OS/2 WorkPlace shell make it the
>>browser of choice for Web authors. Any graphic from any page, whether
>>specified by the author as downloadable or not, can simply be dragged off the
>>page and dropped onto the WorkPlace shell, where it is saved in its native
>>format. The same will soon be the case for entire Web pages....this feature
>>is currently in beta. The WebExplorer can launch up to 8 "worker threads",
>>allowing it to receive, decode and display data in parallel rather than
>>serially. Think of the difference in throughput between a serial port and a
>>parallel port and you get the picture. The faster your link to the 'Net, the
>>more you'll notice this feature. WebExplorer is a modern browser that
>>supports HTML, Gopher, Mailto, FTP and News in a seamless, integrated fashion.
>>
>>To get the latest production-level or beta-level copy of IBM WebExplorer,
>>anonymous ftp to:
>>
>>ftp://ftp.ibm.net/pub/WebExplorer
>>
>>------------------------------------------------
>>The Whole *IS* Greater than the Sum of the parts
>>------------------------------------------------
>>
>>Taken individually, each of the tools mentioned above is a competent
>>performer. Taken as a whole, they become a powerful suite that positions OS/2
>>Warp as an ideal WWW development and deployment platform. Do yourself a
>>favour: Get Warped and Get Webbing!


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