FrontPage 2003

FrontPage 2003's more open and standards-based approach to general web publishing is welcome for the average standalone user, but Microsoft also targets its office-based strongholds. For sites hosted on Windows Server 2003 with Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services installed, a number of options are opened up, including the ability to set up web logs, issue tracking lists and news and reviews sites with the minimum of fuss.

More importantly, you can build data-driven sites based on XML, Web Services and OLEDB data sources. Once the link is made, you can apply pre-built Data views or you can manually format your data using any of the available tools. If you do, FrontPage 2003 automatically creates a fully editable XSLT transform that will be applied to all your data. This is undoubtedly state-of-the-art power, but it's rather like trying to attach a Formula One engine to a go-kart.

FrontPage 2003 is a major upgrade that finally recognises the importance of coding and open standards. More advanced users won't be tempted by its Dreamweaver-lite functionality, but occasional users will definitely benefit. With prolonged use, you'll still hit a ceiling with FrontPage 2003, but that's a lot better than hitting a brick wall.

PC Pro's full review of the Microsoft Office System