RapidWeaver 5.0.1
If you’re disappointed that Apple’s latest iLife update neglected iWeb, here’s some news that may cheer you up: Realmac Software has released version 5 of its award-winning Web design software RapidWeaver. New in version 5 are a Projects Window, a Bookmarks Manager, six new themes, stat-tracking support, HTML and XML sitemap generators, integrated Safari Web Developer Tools, and what Realmac calls a “bucketload of UI refinements.” Also new in this version is an Addons area to make managing RapidWeaver plug-ins much simpler—see the Realmac Software site for a full list of additions. ($79 new, $39 upgrade, 34.0 MB)
I still use Rapid Weaver for a couple of my sites, but I, for one, will not be upgrading. I think I bought it new for $40 and now that is what it costs to upgrade! Too expensive!
Given the upgrade costs for other site design packages, a $40 upgrade is not out of line for a major release of a product like RapidWeaver. A Dreamweaver CS5 upgrade will run you about $200, for example; a Freeway Pro upgrade from v4 to v5 is about $100.
$40? mmm, I don't know . . . I've been trying to use this software for a while now and it seems a bit thicker than it needs to be.
I've yet to be able to put out a site using R/W. Not really happy with the learning progress so far.
Is there any rationale for printing the manual in Landscape mode and then not using the unconventional orientation to enhance the images?
I'll download the trial and give it another chance.
It'd be nice if this version is more what I'm looking for.
FWIW, I do use D/W but I'm looking for something smaller in scope and cost.
I use version 4 and the stacks plug in and some 3rd party stacks. Version 5 has no manual, just some website posts for support. If you go to the RMS website you will find many unhappy users. Tidbits should do a new depth review of web creation software. And not just "print" the press release. RapidWeaver if looked at as a system with 3rd party themes and plug ins can be quite useful. As much power has other programs and easier to learn. Version 5 needs more testing and debugging.
william
Please don't confuse a TidBITS Watchlist item for a review - in a three-sentence article, we're attempting merely to share the news that the program has been updated and some of the changes. If we were to write a review, it would be significantly longer and more in-depth. They're entirely different forms of coverage, since there's no way we could review all the programs we cover in the Watchlist.