Free Blue Griffon vs Basic Blue Griffon

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I have downloaded Blue Griffon with intentions of building a website. I have not installed it yet because I need to decide if I want/need the extras that come with the Basic Blue Griffon. Is the Basic package (not free) necessary to build an exceptional site or is the free version all one would need to compose a pretty decent website?

TIA . . .
Brent
 

pigoo3

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Reviews of BlueGriffon:

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/download/internet-tools/bluegriffon-23-3249513/
Five Essential HTML5 Editors | HTML Goodies

I think the keyword to your question is "exceptional". If everyone using the free version of BlueGriffon could make an "exceptional website"...then no one would purchase the pay-for versions...and the developer's of BlueGriffon would make no $$$.:(

I'm willing to bet that the free version is great for making a basic website (for someone that has never done it before)...and is sort of on "version 1" of their website. More than likely if you move up to version 2, version 3, etc. of a personally designed website (after you learn more about what exactly you want & need from a website)...this is where the pay-for versions come into play.

Now having said this I guess I could be wrong...since I have not personally used BlueGriffon. But I think that the basic rule of "You get what you pay for" applies.:) The free version (free sample) gets you hooked...gets it's "foot in the door" so to speak. Then if you like it (and want more powerful tools)...you buy the more advanced version (instead of someone else's product).;)

- Nick
 
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....definitely a believer in "You get what you pay for". :) I think I was just fishing for a little push to buy the Basic package. I don't plan on making a living creating professional websites...I just need to work on one for myself...a good one.
Thank you for your input, Nick. I'll probably buy it this weekend.
 

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Definitely give the free version a try. If you like it...then open the wallet.:)

- Nick
 
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....definitely a believer in "You get what you pay for". :)

I *have* used BlueGriffon. The "you get what you pay for" concept doesn't really apply to BG because it is Open Source software. That is, it is free for everyone because various members of the community pitch-in to develop the software for everyone's benefit. The project makes a bit of extra coin to help keep things running by selling extras, but I've never found any of them to be necessary. The extras are just about entirely for professionals who intend to make a living using BG. All by itself the free version of the program is phenomenal.

You can see for yourself what buying a license includes in the list on the product's home page under "What's Inside":
http://bluegriffon.org/
What is missing from the free version that you feel that you would ever need? (If you said "the manual", see below.) Are you going to be creating EPUB's or are you intending to become a professional Web site designer? If not, I don't see that you would ever need more than the free product.

But you don't have to believe me on this. It's a free program. Download it and use it. See if you need any of the extras that they offer for sale. What do you have to lose? If you don't find the program to your liking, trash it.

You don't even have to pay for the commercial BG manual. There is a free comprehensive tutorial (actually several) on YouTube:
(The tutorial does not use the Mac version of the program, but the program is virtually identical across platforms.)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC06B5890CFFF491C
Other free BlueGriffon tutorials:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bluegriffon+tutorials

Some tips for using BlueGriffon:

1. When you first open it, the interface will look terrible, with a black background. Don't get discouraged. Do this:
BlueGriffon menu --> Preferences --> General tab --> Theme -> enable "Light"
The interface will now be entirely Mac-like!

2. The sidebar in the program isn't active by default. In the Panels menu choose Style Properties, and you should instantly get a sense of the value of the sidebar.
 
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Thank you both for your input. Over the weekend I installed BG and paid for a Basic license. I sure wish I had seen your post sooner, Randy, because I plan to build a site for myself and that's it. Oh well, now I know I have all the proper tools. Now it is on me as to what I come up with using it. Thanks again.
Brent
 
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Thank you both for your input. Over the weekend I installed BG and paid for a Basic license. I sure wish I had seen your post sooner, Randy, because I plan to build a site for myself and that's it. Oh well, now I know I have all the proper tools.

I'm so sorry that I didn't see your post earlier.

If it's any consolation, folks who offer open source software with the quality of BlueGriffon are really deserving of financial support.

Now it is on me as to what I come up with using it. Thanks again.
Brent

One of the many wonderful things about BlueGriffon is that it can import existing Web sites in HTML format. That means that you can suck down the raw HTML from any existing site on the Web using something like:

SiteSucker ($5)
http://ricks-apps.com/osx/sitesucker/index.html

import it directly into BlueGriffon, strip out the existing text and graphics, and use it as a template/starting point for your project. Basically this means that you have access to an unlimited number of free templates!

Enjoy!
 
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Thanks, Randy. I have been watching the tutorials and playing around and I AM enjoying it. It's almost addicting...it's 12:42 a.m. on a work night and I have to be up at 5 a.m for work...I should be in bed (usually by 9 pm) but here I am messing with BG. I really like being able to throw stuff together and see just what I can come up with knowing I can do no harm. There have been changes since the videos and I realize he is using a Windows version. Further reading assures me they are basically the same. I have lots to learn, but from what I have seen thus far, I can do this.
Brent
 
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Thanks, Randy. I have been watching the tutorials and playing around and I AM enjoying it. It's almost addicting...
It's an amazing program, isn't it? I've used a bunch of supposedly WYSIWYG Web site creation programs, and none of them approach BlueGriffon. It's almost revolutionary. And on top of that, it's free. I'm not sure why so few Macintosh users have heard about it.
 
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Forgive me...I don't want to start a new thread since this one doesn't involve many people at this time.

@Randy...I don't seem to be able to get the tools/toolbars I desire. This is how it shows up for me:



Screen Shot 2017-05-12 at 6.38.09 PM.png



These are the tools/toolbars I see in my BG searches and the tutorials:



Screen Shot 2017-05-12 at 6.39.10 PM.png

When I right click in an empty place on the toolbar, Nothing happens. Are the toolkits hidden somewhere or will I need to download some?
Any help is welcomed. I am flying blind...but hey, I'm still flying!

Brent
 
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I don't seem to be able to get the tools/toolbars I desire.

Note that the actual tools in the toolbars in both of your screenshots are the same.

The interface for the latest version of BG has changed. It's now much sleeker and more modern. In fact, they just came out with a major update a few weeks ago.

If you go back to my earlier post in this thread you will see that I suggested: "Some tips for using BlueGriffon:". Try those, they'll help.
 

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