Nvu 1.0--FREE Open Source Web Publishing Tool Released

Nvu 1.0, the latest version of the free, easy-to-use Web authoring system for desktop Linux, Macintosh and Microsoft Windows users, was released today. Nvu (pronounced "n-view") is the open-source equivalent to programs such as Microsoft FrontPage and Macromedia Dreamweaver. Nvu gives non-technical computer users the power to create, edit and publish professional, attractive Web sites without requiring programming or HTML coding skills. It is available for download at www.nvu.com.

Nvu 1.0 has several new features and improvements, including better performance and stability, a default in-line spell checker, a new user guide, and an expanded help section. In addition, Nvu 1.0 now complies with strict HTML 4.01 and XHTML 1.0 standards, producing even cleaner code than before and ensuring that Web sites developed with Nvu function across a wide number of browsers.

Nvu is a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) HTML editor, meaning users can create Web pages as easily as they would create a word processing document. Instead of typing in HTML code and guessing what the published Web site may look like, Nvu allows users to constantly see how their site will look even before it is posted online. While the user works in a friendly, visual environment much like a word processor, Nvu creates the HTML code in the background - code that can also be easily previewed and directly edited.

For more advanced users or those wishing to learn HTML programming, Nvu makes it easy to toggle between the WYSIWYG editing view and the HTML code view. This way, these users can easily observe the interaction between the HTML code and what will actually appear in the Web browser. Nvu also includes one of the best cascading style sheet (CSS) editors available, giving users a powerful tool for transforming and controlling the look and feel of their Web sites. To see more features of Nvu, visit the Nvu Web page. [Dana Baggett]