Andrew Brisbane - Expression Web Interview

Name: Andrew Brisbane
Country: Australia
WebSite: http://www.xzmedia.com/
Focus: Addin Development

Expression Web Interview with Andrew Brisbane

Q 1. Do you own and maintain your own FrontPage/Expression Web resource(s)?

A. As an addin and flash software developer, yep! Free and shareware addins usually based on what people email me about that they would like to see improved in FrontPage and Expression.

Q 2. Do you have a special tip for Expression Web you can share with our readers?

A . I wish I did! I am still getting used to a lot of it myself. I do a lot of web database application development in my "other" job away from addin development so usually have my head stuck directly into HTML code or making faces at SQL Servers. As a software/addin developer I find myself looking to Expression beginners as well the power users for what is missing or could do with a makeover.

Q 3. What feature would you most like to see available within the next version of Expression Web and why?

A . Not 100% sure at this point...

Q 4. What Expression Web Add-on would you most like to see available and why?

A. Something that would automate an old FP site, bots and all that rely on FP Extensions, to come over to today's standards. I've never used bots myself but have dealt with rewriting webs for older sites that have.

Q 5. As a ex-MVP you participate online and answer many questions on (FrontPage) Expression Web. What started you down this road and why?

A. I spent some time on newsgroups and forums when I could in days gone by, however don't get anywhere near the time I wish I could these days to keep up in the forums. The best part of it, and what got me into it, was the great community of people. I've made some great friends across the globe and learnt a lot myself along the way :) I still run through the email everyday, being sent addin suggestions/ideas or asked general questions. It's just a good feeling to be able to help when one can, and at the same time even the most experienced developer can pick up a trick or two from others!

Q 6. What Expression Web or Web design good practices do you recommend our readers follow?

A. Ensure that any site you develop is cross browser friendly. It has
always been the number one rule of thumb to follow I believe. Secondly, get a good eye for color combinations. Look around at nature, trees, flowers and how certain colors give varied feel and expression (no pun intended!).

Follow up by taking in advertising in newspapers, magazines, on the TV and finally on the web itself. Did it grab you, how did it make you feel, did you want to read on to the actual content? Color and it's combinations can often make or break.

Q 7. What five sites do you recommend should be in our readers web design arsenal?

A .
a/ https://www.w3schools.com/ (The best reference around)
b/ https://www.webmonkey.com/ (Great site...how to's and lots more)
c/ http://www.javascriptkit.com/ (Great resource for scripts.)
d/ https://www.developer.com/ (News, code and everything else under the developer sun!)
e/ http://www.instantfx.net/ (Flash in Expression the easy way!) and of course https://any-expression.com/ (Whoever said some self promotion was a bad thing.)

Q 8. Do you have any luminaries within Expression Web and the Web Design industry in general and who do you model your practices after?

A. I am truly guided by those that use products like Expression and
FrontPage more than me. Those that have the ideas of what can be made better and then let me know so I can hopefully create an addin or such to help. The users! They can spark an idea that turns a key in my programming head!

Q 9. What advice would you give to readers who are used to using the wizards and bots of FrontPage and want to move to Expression Web and a more user friendly site?

A. Start from scratch. Get a template together for the base site and then redevelop. Sorry to say, but a clean build is always best!

Q 10. Can you tell our readers of any upcoming Expression Web activities or just launched projects you have planned?

A. Bringing more addins across from FrontPage to also support Expression, and lots more Flash development software that integrates into FP, Expression and PowerPoint!