RapidWeaver is a template-based website creation tool, from Realmac Software, available for Mac OS X.
It uses user-selectable templates to define a website's complete appearance. This enforces consistency in the website's appearance and function, although some may see it as too constraining.
The software can use third-party templates, and technically skilled users can also create their own. There are also plugins, which add new features to the application.
RapidWeaver can generate pages of different kinds, such as styled text, weblog, contact forms, image galleries, Flash slideshows and podcasts; it also has a built-in FTP uploader and integration with iPhoto and MobileMe.
The RapidWeaver workflow
RapidWeaver is modal, insofar as it is in either editing or previewing mode. Every page plugin has its own interface displayed in the Edit mode that allows users to change its content via typical Mac methods, such as drag-and-drop. Changes can be previewed in the Preview tab, which uses Apple's WebKit to render pages (the same rendering engine that Apple's Safari uses).
The pages are organized in an outline in a pane on the left of RapidWeaver UI. The structure of the outline reflects the structure of the web site (including the parent-child relationship for nested navigation). A site's navigation information can be changed by dragging and dropping pages within the outline.
RapidWeaver can also publish entire sites by transferring files from the user's computer to the web server.
Plugins included with RapidWeaver
- Blog
- Contact Form
- File Sharing
- HTML Code
- iFrame
- Movie Album
- Offsite Page
- Photo Album
- QuickTime
- Styled Text
Theme developers
One of RapidWeaver’s notable characteristics is its ability to use site themes that simplify the website creation process for the user. There are a large number of third-party developers who create themes for RapidWeaver.
Impact of Stacks
One plugin - Stacks[1] - has revolutionised[citation needed] the capabilities of RapidWeaver. By enabling drag and drop page formatting (e.g. adding multiple columns) it enables non-technical users to develop sophisticated websites.
References
- ^ http://yourhead.com/stacks/
External links
