Anyone have experience with a simple website design app? A friend of mine wants to create a website, but does not have computer skills.

There's so many apps out there, I have no idea which to pick.

Homesite!!

Oh wait....ummm...I think Dreamweaver is still popular, as well as Netobjects Fusion. There are decent free tools available too. Amaya isn't pretty (last time i checked), but is strict with standards compliance. The Seamonkey browser has an editor built into it. I thought there was a Firefox extension, but not sure about that.

I think if you're talking about WYSIWYG, everyone is going to have his own idea of what is best.

probably the easiest is frontpage, anything with some preset templates or free templates.
dreamweaver isn't for a noob unless he's gonna keep it simple.

I didn't mention Frontpage because I always hated the way it writes code (this is according to what it was like 10 years ago...haven't seen it lately). It seemed like its main purpose was to obfuscate and make use of as much Microsoft-specific technology as possible. Dreamweaver wasn't much better, but it was a lot easier to edit by hand...it at least vaguely resembled standard HTML.

frontpage is still shit, but for a newbie, it'll get the job done.I prefer dreamweaver and golive. in that order

If you love your children don't use Frontpage. We don't need to go back in time.

Otherwise.. notepad?

They don't know HTML code. They need to be able to enter in text and pictures and see what the wesite will look right away. Real simple stuff. I just hope they have a PC. I don't deal with Apple.

Dreamweaver is all I can really recommend today, there are basic templates that can be used. DW's interface has gotten a little feature cluttered but eh, well, he/she just needs to ignore most of it, follow help/tutorials found online and just dive into it.

I think I'll go the Dreamweaver route. Still haven't found out what their computer is.

notpad & w3schools.com
is the best way to go

Notepad?!? HA! I laugh at your puny, sniveling, point-and-click, no-syntax-highlighting-or-any-other-useful-coding-features-having editor! Once again I say HA!

VI for the win!

LOL best way to learn is with a plain jane text editor
if the quest is to learn
if you need to just get a page up quick & don't know a thing then some editor other then front page will do

I agree with that.

I also agree with Dangerman, except that I use Vim....there are some vim features missing from vi that I use frequently (love split screen and visual block editing). I find it difficult using a mouse-controlled editor now, and often end up adding ":q" to text files.

My first web page was made with Notepad. It was a frustrating but rewarding learning experience.

Notepad isn't fully featured, that's why I like it. Usually when I use it it's just for writing a little something. For the heavier syntax highlighting/split pane needs I like Notepad++.

Another vote for Notepad++

What about Bravenet?

indeed.

For a GUI editor, Geany is really nice. It may be a little clunky on Windows since it's Gtk-based.

Well, his motivation didn't last long. People are just so lazy these days.

build your template interface in Fireworks
and the site in Dreamweaver
you'll also need photoshop a bit

fworks and dreamweaver are integrated well
copy paste works between them with layout

I've stuck with this combo over 10 years

dreamweaver is really the best tool