# Getting started

**URL:** <https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/getting-started/9698>\
**Category:** RapidWeaver Classic\
**Created:** [September 15, 2016, 6:05pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/getting-started/9698 "2016-09-15T18:05:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![pinkjay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/97f17d/32.png) [@pinkjay](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/pinkjay)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2016, 6:05pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/getting-started/9698/1 "2016-09-15T18:05:02Z")

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I’m about to download rapidweaver trial, I’d like to know what other real users think and feel about this app so based on these opinions I can take a decision on purchasing. I know html and css. Am I obligated to buy themes or can I just let my imagination do it’s thing? Also, is it anything like Sparkle or Blocs? Anything else you’d like to pitch in I’d be grateful. Thanks

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**Author:** ![robbeattie](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/forums.realmacsoftware.com/robbeattie/32/78_2.png) [@robbeattie](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/robbeattie)\
**Post date:** [September 16, 2016, 9:21am UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/getting-started/9698/2 "2016-09-16T09:21:49Z")

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Hi @pinkjay and welcome to the forums.

That’s really what the trial is for. It’s functionally complete as I understand it, and comes with everything you need to build a website.

I think it’s a great app, particularly for someone who’s curious about web design but isn’t a coder. If you ‘know’ HTML and CSS you may find the way RW works initially restricting - it’s a theme-based web design program after all - but as you delve deeper, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to exercise your skills.

You could use one of the ‘blank’ themes for example [Blank](https://themeflood.com/blank/) and then use the HTML page type to build everything from scratch. That might suit you. But I’d suggest that wouldn’t be using the program as it was intended.

There’s a large and thriving community of third party add-on makers around Rapidweaver that will reward your investigation, but the best bet is to download the demo and have a play.

To be fair, RW isn’t for everyone but it might be for you.

Rob