AUX-04's Transition from FrontPage to Expression Web

After a nine year run Microsoft's Web authoring tool, FrontPage, was discontinued in late 2006...time and technology overtook its capabilities.  As a replacement, Microsoft developed two, almost identical Web authoring tools, (1) Office SharePoint Designer 2007, for the enterprise environment and (2) Expression Web, for the individual professional Web designer.

Early in 2007, the AUX-04 staff researched and adopted Expression Web as the follow-on Web authoring tool taught in the AUX-04 class.  Why did we choose Expression Web?

  1. The AUX-04 course is a Coast Guard sponsored and funded C-School held at various Coast Guard facilities around the United States.  We are required to teach on compatible computer systems (PCs) using software that's been authorized for the CG Standard Workstation.   SharePoint Designer has been authorized as part if the CG software suite and is a subset of Expression Web.  Expression Web is available, over-the-counter, to the Auxiliarists.
  2. Expression Web is very similar to FrontPage in its menus and functions which lends to an easier transition for both instructors and students, plus it has a familiar look and feel of other MS Office products.

The question heard today is, "It's now 2008, why hasn't the CG transitioned to the new suite of software?   Well, if you've heard or read, most medium and large institutions (corporations and organizations) have not been quick in adopting some of the new MS operating systems and technologies.  There has been resistance to the use of Vista and the Office 2007 suite of products, due to real and perceived problems.  Coast Guard commands around the county are no different.  They currently have systems that work and have been working for years.  Many CG IT managers have been reluctant to install the new "CG Standard Workstation" suite of Office products (called the current CG SWS "image").

Where does this leave us?  It leaves us in a transitional period!  During our first class of 2008 at ISC Alameda, because no Web authoring software was available, we had to revert back to teaching basic HTML.  Until Expression Web or its equivalent (Office SharePoint Designer) is available at the Coast Guard venues we use, we will use that is available, be it HTML or FrontPage.  This is unfortunate, but necessary. 

We hope this transitional period with CG systems will end soon, so we can once again teach one standard Web authoring application.

If you have questions or comments, please send them to Tom Miller (BC-IMC).