Ok guys, here's a question.

I'm jumping into the OOP world. I've always used Dreamweaver for layout purposes. I NEED a wysiwyg tool so that I can conceptually see how my site looks and how to create it....

Some people are saying, use Zend studio/Aptana/Eclipse...but I look at these tools as more of an IDE and for real backend PHP work....

I guess my question to you guys is, does anyone really design very nice looking websites like this one(TalkPHP) without using a WYSIWIG??

Hmm. I think the best way is to design your website first using Adobe Photoshop, or a similar application. You then give that PSD (Adobe Photoshop file format) to somebody who is able to concert it to (X)HTML. They will be able to make it look just as it does in Adobe Photoshop.

I think most would code the designs from Adobe Photoshop in an IDE of some sort. I prefer Zend Studio for all PHP work and HTML work alike. You just then keep refreshing your layout in your web-browser to see how it's looking.

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The man who comes back through the Door in the Wall will never be quite the same as the man who went out.

Unfortunately I am the Photoshop guy as well.

I've always used a mixture of PS/DW for my work. They seem to be a good combo. Although I am not up on the latest DW because it's just WAY too expensive now....way to go Adobe! Thanks for buying out Macromedia and changing the price 10 fold....

I've heard that ZS is slow because it's java based? Is that true?

Do you use the $99 version or the pro?

I take it that you used Photoshop to design the look and feel of this website along with it's colors?

I use Zend Studio for Eclipse.
Sure it's a bit slow, but I have a really bad computer right now cause of mine is broken.

I've used dreamweaver in the past, and for HTML and CSS I think I'd go for the dreamweaver. As far as the PHP side of your website, I'd definitly use Zend. No questions about it.

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Ok what is the difference between regular Eclipse and ZS for Eclipse?

I see it everywhere and I still can't figure it out...

Did Zend buy Eclipse? Or is it some kind of plugin?

And if it is a plugin, why would they want to do that? Isn't Eclipse a competitor of them because it's free?

My Zend Studio is actually still running on the license that was bought for me buy a company I worked for in Nottingham. I began working for them and they were all using Notepad+, I think it is, and so I put in a request to use Zend Studio, and so I demonstrated the application to them on my laptop -- I had the most basic license possible, at the time, and they absolutely loved it! So they bought a huge bundle of licenses for the entire workgroup.

Zend Studio can be slow because of Java, you're right. However, I really don't notice much delay at all. It is a normal application delay, as far as I can see. Although on my previous computer, Zend Studio would run quite slow due to a lack of processor and/or RAM speed. I think as long as your hardware is reasonable good, it will run perfectly well and you won't even remember it was Java based after a while.

I didn't actually design TalkPHP. I am able to design, but certainly not to the extent that TalkPHP is designed. It is far too good! But yes, the guy who designed it used Photoshop.

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The man who comes back through the Door in the Wall will never be quite the same as the man who went out.

Oh gotchya, I don't know why, but I thought this was your website. Maybe because you were the first to say hello to me...

Who is the guy that designed it?

And how new is this forum? It seems pretty new, but I like it.

This is my website. Although not being a designer, somebody else designed it It has been around for many, many months. We have a nice and loyal community.

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The man who comes back through the Door in the Wall will never be quite the same as the man who went out.

Ok, so you are a PHP developer, but not a "web designer" is that correct?

use zend studio (+/- for eclipse) or Nusphere phpED [better for me]