There are few companies in the computer software industry that I respect as much as I do Adobe. From their graphics programs like Pagemaker and Photoshop to their video editing software Premiere, I have never had reason to be disappointed with the quality of their programs, and indeed, their software has helped me create some of my most complex and highly-acclaimed projects. For although I have some raw skill in what I do, many times to bring a certain vision to life, I have heavily relied on the tools provided by Adobe. In general each of their software applications represents nothing less than a work of art in itself. For these reasons, it was with a high amount of anticipation that I waited, upon learning that a copy of Adobe's latest Web development package, GoLive 4.0 was being sent over for review. Like a kid on Christmas eve, I waited daily for the FedEx guy to arrive with the box containing GoLive.

When the box finally did arrive, I no less than frantically removed the excess packing materials and had a look at what awaited inside. After a quick install, I also handed off the CD to my head designer, and had him do the same, in order that we take the opportunity to review it together. You could describe it as a bonding moment. So, the first thing we did after reading through some of the press materials was to open up the tutorial included with the application, and get to work on it. Just a note on the tutorial: Adobe also has a very good sense of humor with it, but manages to present the tutorial in an informative and educational manner, despite its humorous over-tones. If you're not sure what I'm talking about, then you'll find out the first time you take a look at it - First Strike Matches.

Some Web builders who are experienced on the Mac (don't worry, we forgive you) may already be familiar with the GoLive application, in its pre-Adobe days. Indeed, it was probably the leading Web development software for the platform. Now, all of us long-suffering Windows users have a chance to experience it as well. In general, the interface of GoLive has taken on some Adobe-esque features, but still has a persistent similarity to its Mac cousin. This was one of the first things I noted about it, even before reading the manual and learning it was originally a Mac program (e.g. the comment to my designer: Gee. Looks like Mac OS 8). This, surprisingly enough, didn't pose any problems though and I learned that everything needed to quickly and easily build a site was conveniently located, as well as fully customizable.

GoLive itself appears to be Adobe's attempt to provide an alternative to builders who use competing WYSIWYG editors such as Macromedia's Dreamweaver. Many of the features you would find in Dreamweaver are also available in GoLive with special emphasis placed on the implementation of dHTML in sites for non-programmers. Is it as easy to learn and use as Dreamweaver is? Although GoLive may be a bit more complex to learn in the early-stages, the average Web builder shouldn't find the learning curve too steep, nor is it in regard to the level of functionality it offers.

One of the unique features of GoLive that separates it from other editors in its class is the very user-friendly tabbed interface that allows switching between editing views seamlessly, and provides direct editing capabilities of source, as well as a kind of pseudo-direct editing mode that places the tags into an easier to comprehend format for quick location of certain elements and tag-sets. These views also include the standard debugging mode that highlights incorrect syntax, in relation to the latest rules of HTML. A truly innovative feature of this is that custom tags and changes to the rules of HTML implementation can be made within the program to account for newer HTML standards, and non-HTML tags. Lastly, unlike some editors which cater to more novice-level Web builders (i.e. FrontPage), GoLive doesn't have a tendency to change custom coding that is implemented through the source editor, meaning that even creating ASP pages within GoLive is a possibility.

In addition to the editing capabilities of GoLive, the package also includes a integrated and quite powerful site management interface that allows for most common site management tasks, such as changing links site-wide and FTP publishing to the Web. The only confusing part I encountered with the site management interface is with the publishing of pages within the current site, to the remote site located on a Web server. I initially had problems getting the local pages to appear beside the remote site's directory listing. The process wasn't the most intuitive I have seen thus far, but then again, it only shows that I should be more diligent in reading the manual.

Overall, as I had expected from the beginning, GoLive provides everything you would expect in an application released by Adobe, and does offer a very viable alternative to any other WYSIWYG editor available on the market. Ease of use and flexibility make it a superior performer for the rapid development and deployment of even complex Web sites, while other nifty features such as the QuickTime editor included with the package, give you even more reason to make it a part of your Web building arsenal. As Siskel and Ebert used to say "We give it two thumbs up".