My opinion (others are very welcome), is that Foundry 3 is different than Foundry 2, just like Foundry 3 is different from WordPress, just like Elements is going to be different from all of those. No matter what you choose to rebuild your three sites, you’re going to be doing it with something different and will have to learn how to use it.
Since you are used to Foundry 2, and the Foundry 3 documentation is still online, I think that would probably be the easiest transition for you.
Hard no for WordPress (don’t recommend).
Elements is still in beta but it’s pretty solid and coming along nicely. Not quite ready to start pushing production sites live but it’s not too far off.
If you have concerns about not having to redo your sites yet again in a years time, it might be worthwhile to wait for the Elements public beta or stable release, but you wouldn’t be able to refresh the sites over this Christmas as you’re wanting. But we are still accepting people into the Beta program if you want to start playing with it in order to get a feel for it so you’ll be ready to start building when it ships.
Regarding RapidWeaver 8, I’ve noticed a trend of forum users reporting issues with it. Not sure why, it’s still working ok on many peoples’ (including mine) system, however we stopped developing and testing RapidWeaver 8 more than 2 years ago, so I imagine it’s going to stop working for more and more as time goes on. We recommend updating to RapidWeaver Classic as that’s the current version we are still developing and testing. Also you don’t have to “subscribe” if you don’t want to. The license is valid forever, you are just subscribing to a 1 year period of app updates, which is optional and you can cancel if you want.
If you’re open to exploring something new, you might want to take a peek at Elements. It’s currently in beta, but it’s shaping up to be a powerful and intuitive WYSIWYG builder. It’s designed with a modern approach and might be just what you’re looking for. Plus, since it’s being actively developed, there’s lots of exciting potential ahead!
It’s always a good idea to experiment and see what feels right for your workflow. Whichever path you choose, happy building, and feel free to ask if you need more guidance!
P.S. If you’d like to purchase the Elements beta, let me know an I can send you the details via email.
They are not the same. RapidWeaver Classic is our current version of the app. The way sites are built in it are the way it’s been done for 10+ years. Kinda legacy, but tried and tested.
RapidWeaver Elements is the future of the app. It uses next-gen web technologies to build fast, modern, efficient, and stunning websites with WYSIWYG drag and drop ease. Plus it’s also powerful enough for pro users and web designers/developers to really get it there and create whatever they want to create.
They will be separate purchases yes, because they are completely different versions of the app.
Since you have Foundry 3 and RapidWeaver 8 already, maybe try revamping your three sites using those over the Christmas holiday. Just note both of those products are no longer being developed or tested, so not sure how much more life you will get out of them.
Classic and Elements are actually different products. Classic is our original website builder, and it works with plugins like Stacks, you’re already familiar with this setup.
Elements, on the other hand, is our next-generation website builder. It features a new WYSIWYG editor and comes packed with modern, built-in features that make designing and managing your sites smoother and more intuitive.
As your websites are straightforward, Elements will be a great fit! I’d definitely recommend it for moving forward. While Elements is still in beta, some users are already building and publishing basic sites
I’ll follow up with an email to give you the details on how to purchase the beta version and get you started. Feel free to ask any more questions!
i purchased classic awhile back never got around to learning and building a site. i’d like to purchase elements beta
and start absolutely new and fresh. where can i purchase?
