What do you use for skin construction?

Prior to 4.8 I simply used front page to make aspx files using tables, sometime I would hardcode minor styles and even text into the skin. ( I know but . .)

With 4.9 and an xhtml doctype I decided to begin making all my main sites xhtml compliant and also begun using css menus for SEO reasons.

I suspect that for many people the move to divs and correct css will be problematic so I thought I would write this post about MS Expression 2 which I find to be an excellent skinning tool.

1: You can tell it to open a skin folder as a website. It will load the correct style sheet and you can see the effects of any changes you make.  Like FP MS expression will allow multiple windows and "websites" to be open at the same time so in a  multiple monitor setup you can have the css in new window. Very fast way to work

2: MS have got the interface just right.  It does not mess up any header code like (the bloated and no good for aspx) dreamweaver.
Expression can also be used to work on fragments of html without needing to load an associated website.
It does make Photoshop a bit "sticky" when both are open but that is probably just an XP not enough memory issue.

3: There is a very good upgrade path to anyone with FP, DW, GoLive and others.
There is no proof or original media required and MS do a 30 day trail version.
It cost me just £87 from amazon. (Note if you are in the UK don't buy trough MS as they work in Euros)

I have found that I can get things done quicker. I have also learnt a lot about css and how flexible and powerful divs can be.

When I get some time I am going to see if it can be used to run a local host dnn install. Not to code modules in but it would be useful when modifying modules layout etc.

Its the best software I have bought for ages. You could even use it to make a normal asp.net site!

Hope this is of interest

Happy New Year

Ian