Learning HTML and CSS
I also use PubWriter to send cloud mail (like this) when I can instead of email. The benefit being that I can write in markdown and make changes when I need to (even after I send the link to it).
One of best ways to describe PubWriter is 'Web canvas.'
PubWriter is built on Bootstrap, giving you the benefit of using bootstrap-enhanced html snippets, css, and jQuery. Because every page is rendered from a markdown source file, creating pages is a snap and essentially 'jail broken' since there's no proprietary system that makes it difficult to access all your pages/posts. Markdown can be learned in about 5 minutes and is considered the most 'distraction free' form of writing.
Since Dropbox is at the core of PubWriter, everything you create is backed up the moment you create (or save) it. Other enhancements you can leverage is access to all 929 FontAwesome icons and support for all 800+ Google Fonts.
The magic is the fact that PubWriter is a CMS free web builder. CMS is the typical web interface other web builders require you to use. You may be familiar with sites like Wordpress.com and Twitter. They require you are logged into the system to publish to them. Even Facebook has a CMS. PubWriter is a true 'save-to-publish' solution that allows you to work offline. You save your markdown files in the Dropbox folder. It's is automagically synced to your website whenever you hit save (live in less than a minute).
If you work online, all your work is sent to the webserver when you come back online.
Considerations
- You have to hit 'refresh' on your browser window to see any changes.
- You have to use a plain text editor.
- You should avoid spaces in your filenames.
- Images need to be saved in a specific folder.
- You can enable comments via a Disqus snippet, and those comments are viewable to anyone who visits the page.
- You can enable social sharing via an ADDTHIS html snippet.
What I'd like to offer you is a sandbox site, free-of-charge. If you don't have a domain name you already own, I can assign you a subdomain on one of mine.
I can setup each hacker mum on their own subdomain. When they want to make their site live, it's as easy as moving their files to the appropriate dropbox.
I didn't consider PubWriter as a platform for test/lesson sites (like HackerMums before, but it might be a good use of it. Perhaps you already had a plan to utilize GitHub for this purpose? The PubWriter workflow doesn't require any terminal scripting or FTP.
The benefit for your students would being able to send you live URLs instead of just screenshots.
My best,
Brian Schwartz
PubWriter Founder
PS: I plan to begin testing w/Bootstrap 4.0 (now in beta) later this year.