Microsoft Expression Web vs. FrontPage

Microsoft's FrontPage 2003 is an easy way to put together web pages, but so is its successor, Microsoft Expression Web. If you are considering an upgrade to Expression, you should consider the features, interface and system requirements for each program. Both FrontPage and Expression can be used to create CSS, HTML, PHP and JavaScript. Both support a variety of publishing options.

Differences

FrontPage often relied on web components that generated proprietary code; Expression is much more focused on standards-compliant design. If you choose to upgrade from FrontPage to Expression, you can still edit your web components, but if you're choosing another program, you will not be able to add new components. Microsoft has chosen to emphasize standards-compliant code in Expression. Themes and shared borders, features supported in FrontPage, have been left out of Expression in favor of ASP.net master pages, dynamic web templates and improved CSS tools.

Expression and Code Feedback

Another plus to Expression is that it offers color-coded CSS, HTML, JavaScript and PHP. This makes it easier to spot code errors, though you don't have to rely merely on your own eyes in Expression. The program will give you real-time feedback on standards violations as you code, so that your final product is error free.

Support Options

Mainstream support for FrontPage 2003 was retired as of April 14, 2009, and extended support will end on April 8, 2014. Expression Web is actively supported by Microsoft, and it even offers free tutorials online for former FrontPage users to help them transition to the newer technology. You can download the tutorial at download.microsoft.com/download/f/f/2/ff2d736a-9ec6-4e3b-b094-d782aa7cda72/Microsoft_FrontPage_to_Expression_Web.doc.

System Requirements for FrontPage

The minimum requirements to run FrontPage 2003 are: Microsoft Windows® 2000 with Service Pack 3 (SP3) or later, or Windows XP or later; processor speed of 233-MHz or above, a minimum of 128 RAM and 180 MB of available hard-disk space. Note: You cannot download FrontPage 2003 as a standalone program. It is only available in Office 2003.

System Requirements for Expression

To run Expression Web you need Windows XP with Service Pack 2, Windows Vista or Windows 7 operating system, a 1 GHz or faster processor, 1 GB of RAM or more, 1.5 GB or more of available hard-disk space, the .NET Framework 3.5 with Service Pack 1, support for DirectX® 9.0 graphics with Windows Vista Display Driver Model (WDDM) Driver, 128 MB of graphics RAM or more, Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware, 32-bits per pixel, and Silverlight 2.0, Firefox 3.0, Internet Explorer 7 and AJAX Suite, which are necessary for some program features. Mac users should note that Expression is only available for PC users.

References

• Learn Expression Web
• Microsoft Expression
• Microsoft Support Lifecycle