Windows Live Essentials Updates + Microsoft Expression Web

charcamil

New Member
Messages
4
Does anyone know why Microsoft canceled support/discontinued Microsoft Expression Web and why Windows Live Essentials, especially Windows Live Writer hasn't been updated in years? Both are great products but Windows Live Writer is my heartbeat but I stopped using it as i realized that Wordpress' dashboard is easier to work with now as it has been updated and I can upload my image galleries for a post flawlessly in WP's dashboard.

Windows Live Writer can't upload WordPress galleries to the WordPress site directly. It can only work with Picasa and OneDrive and the files are stored on those accounts while only the thumbnails get publisher to my WordPress site. I can't get the thumbnails to work in this manner anymore either as when i try to upload galleries using Windows Live Writer I get error messages saying it won't go through. That's why I stopped using Live Writer.

Expression Web seems okay but Adobe Muse can do better effects but I don't use Muse right now as it is problematic. If Muse and Expression Web were somehow fused, not by a company merger but shared the same features I would be all up for buying software like that. But my cousin who is a techie purchased Muse and Expression Web several years ago and was using them briefly and regretted using Expression Web as it is so basic and primitive. Adobe Muse is too tricky and the items never stay where you place them. I have seen people work with Muse at work and in tutorials but unfortunately all my web design friends are too busy and have no time to teach me. So I'm stuck. But right now I'll stick to WordPress.

I just wish Windows Live Writer could be updated with a more modern and impressive interface and set of features. Is the going to happen in the near future? If so what is Microsoft waiting for to do this upgrade? Are they going to update Windows Essentials in the near future or are they waiting to do so when Windows 9 is released or near to be released? Or will Microsoft replace Windows Live Writer with a new product which they did with Frontpage when they changed it to Expression Web? I just need an alternative to what we have now with Live Writer and Blogjet is a joke. Plus Microsoft Word 64 bit, which I own and tried blogging with isn't good enough especially when you are working with images and I don't even think you can embed videos from YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion and other service, even Facebook.

So what I am looking for is something new especially with Expression Web which needs to be an effective alternative to Adobe Muse so with its discontinuation we need something new to work with in terms of creating websites and it should also work with WordPress and be user friendly to those like me who don't know code and want drag and drop even if it comes in more than one version where one if more drag and drop friendly to non coders and one for those who want to work with code and do more powerful activities.

So with all this off my chest, finally after many months, what do you think or know is coming as factual? Speak to me...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
Expression Web is still available, just has been made free with little or no support. Microsoft seems to do well in reducing costs when things don't sell well due to competition from third-party products. As with all software one has to consider the advantages and disadvantages for their needs. I had to drop FrontPage when I went with the 64-bit version of Office 2010 and Expression Web is fine for my need. As for WordPress that was recommended by my Domain Host, I just couldn't get around the blogging part so do not use it. Serif has a product called WebPlus [ WebPlus X7 - Easy to use and professional web design software from Serif ] that seems useful but since they've moved all their offices to the UK my MasterCard and Visa cards get blocked by the card company 'due to high card fraud from the UK' so I'll keep my eyes open for alternatives.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WinXP, WinVista, Win7, Win8.1, Win10, Linux Mint 20
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2 Customs and 12 OEM/Brands
    CPU
    AMD and Intel
Okay, I know about Serif but it doesn't impress me from the video tutorials. I tried Corel and I tried Expression Web. Does anyone know how to make the interface and controls in Adobe Muse CC keep from locking down the objects in one place. Corel and Expression web when combined equal the greatness of Muse and they move around objects easily especially Corel but it';s not as cool as Muse. If Muse isn't locking down objects and preventing them from moving around freely on the page I would start building websites again in addition to blogging of course. Would never give up blogging. It's my passion, it drives me. I would put up the links to them here but I don't know if that is allowed. I'll leave it up to the administrators of the forum to give me the go-ahead of the red light.

What about Windows Live Writer? Will that be updated soon or any at all or will it be replaced like Frontpage? I want to see more features and less plugins. I want the capacity of the WordPress dashboard in a software application such as WLW. It's cool and when I blog about the CW's Flash on my TV blog I want to use Windows Live Writer to blog. It gives me defined boundaries on how to place the pictures. I can't get that in the WordPress dashboard.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
Back
Top