Had to get in on this one

...the never ending wysiwyg vs hand-coding arguement.
Some random points:
Dreamweaver is an excellent tool for what it does but it has ALWAYS created bloated code (best example is in the case of dynamic effetcs).
I HAVE USED it in the past and have seen the code it creates but will never return to this because coding by hand gives me so much better control over the code and I learn more about coding and how to troubleshoot problems.
But bloated code is not the biggest problem I see, it's over dependance on the program I think is the biggest problem. MOST Dreamweaver users CAN also code but I have met many users who CANNOT code and so the problem becomes over-dependance on the program, and every program has limitations. Coding by hand the only limitation are your knowledge and skill will which continue to grow anyway.
And what happens when you need to edit a site but don't have your program available? This has happened to me in the past but because I code by hand I could simply use textpad to make the changes, or edit the page directly online.
I'm not a fast coder and an expert dreamweaver user might be able to create a site twice as fast but why is speed such an issue? I enjoy coding, so IF it takes me a bit longer by hand so be it. And I know what output I prefer, my text editor!
Employers: if an employer listed knowledge of a wysiwyg editor as essential or even desirable i'd feel a little uneasy about working for them. I simply don't trust these programs,
personal opinion here
And what if an employer wanted an expert hand-coder (some do), would a wysiwyg user be so confident in their hand-coding abilities?
Just one comment that stuck out which I wanted to respond to:
"In a time when companies want fast and efficient, they rather have you work with a WYSIWYG editor and clean up the code "
do companies really want you working with a tool whose output you have to back and clean up?? How much time is spent cleaning up this code?
Would it not be best to write clean code in the first place? Would this not be faster and more efficient?
If you like working with dreamweaver then use it. I know Frontpage users who will argue till the cows come home that it's the best tool for web design. What do the professionals say about that!?!
As for using PHOTOSHOP for web design, if it works for you go for it but I personally don't think this can ever be an option. Photoshop if a fantastic tool for GRAPHICS not for designing a whole site.
Last point, i'm not a professional designer only a hobbyist but would be confident enough in my hand-coding abilities to go up against any wysiwyg user, IF the case every arose to do so. :-D
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%-)
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