RapidWeaver
Realmac Software
Price: $24.95 (free 30 day trial)
Pros: Simple interface, single file site management, flexible design and layout, awesome iLife and .Mac integration.
Cons: Not as flexible as a traditional HTML editor.
by Gerrit Dalman
Apple is famous for making technology accessible to the average consumer. It's part of what makes the Macintosh experience great. When it comes to making web pages though, even Apple hasn't gotten it quite right yet.
.Mac does provide some awesome templates that are easy to complete and, combined with iLife, it's easy to get your movies and photos online as well. Editing them still requires a web-based interface however, and that limits their flexibility and performance. There are a few applications that fill the gap between those simple tools and the complex world of professional web development programs, but none is as popular as Realmac's RapidWeaver.
RapidWeaver applies a remarkable ease of use to the complicated world of web site construction. This is accomplished primarily by separating the content from the design.
The layout for any site is determined by selecting from one of the installed themes. Each is high quality, tested for compatibility, and features modern web features like CSS, RSS, and XML (for those who like three-letter acronyms). Since all of this is established site-wide and can be changed on the fly, the user need only worry about content.
New pages are added to the site by clicking the plus button on the one-window interface. A sheet then lists available page types - each formatted for a certain kind of content. Once you make a selection the working pane displays exactly the inputs required for setting up the desired page.
The preconfigured options include blogs, email forms, file sharing templates, and photo albums. If that's not enough, a styled text page will let you freely drop photos and compose formatted type while another page type lets you place your own HTML code for infinite flexibility while maintaining your sites overall themed appearance.
There are a lot of nice touches that make RapidWeaver an even more complete solution. You can buy additional themes from several vendors online or make your own to expand your stylistic options. The photo albums are integrated with iPhoto so you can organize an album and then simply select it for inclusion in your site. A "page inspector," though de-emphasized in the interface, provides access to metadata and other advanced features. To top off all of it's rich functionality, RapidWeaver even maintains the entire site in a single file so that the user doesn't have to manage multiple documents to have a complex website.
RapidWeaver is the epitome of KISS design. It's straightforward and accessible approach to tasteful web design has brought quality output within reach of the common consumer. If you want to blog in style (mp3 support even allows for easy podcast distribution), would like to show off your work in more creative ways than .Mac allows, or need to establish a simple business site on a low budget, you must try RapidWeaver. This app's for you.
"But you don't have to make my word for it..." The results speak for themselves.
System Requirements:
* Mac OS X 10.3 or higher