Tools for the Webmaster
As webmasters we know the frustration when we
cannot find a tool to do the job. The collection put together below
should be of help to
you.
Let me know.
If you can think of something useful we could add to the list,
let
me know about that, too. If you'd rather fill in a feedback form, you can
do that instead. The list will
be added to on a regular (sort of) basis. Come back and have a look.
The goodies .......
HTML Editors
The following are a list of web page design tools. Some of them are
commercial offerings, some you can get for free.
- Macromedia Dreamweaver. Well known, and expensive, page editor.
Good for the complicated bits but only if you know what you're doing. Although
it does the difficult bits for them, novices might find themselves lost in the
maze eventually. Excellent program - steep learning curve.
- Softquad HoTMetaL Pro. The one I use most - built this site.
Again, you need to know a bit about HTML but the program helps heaps. Lots of
options and generates clean, pure code. Tells you if you make a mistake and
what to expect from different browsers. Much lower price than Dreamweaver and a
better program overall in my opinion.
- Microsoft FrontPage. Widely (misused web editor. Can get the
beginner up and running quickly but remember the old adage about learning to
walk beforehand! Generates bloated code and cares nothing for users of Netscape
Navigator. Also causes the most headaches because of its use of 'Extensions',
which few free ISPs support, to make life easy for the user. With a lot of
care, however, this is usable and capable. Part of the Office package or
available separately.
- Evrsoft FirstPage. Free. Excellent.
- Zdnet offers a variety of web editors. Have a look.
FTP Tools
- Ipswitch WS_FTP or
WS_FTP_LE. The first you pay for or you can download
the second (choose from the list after filling in the form) and use it free of
charge for non-commercial or student use. They have similar functions
available.
- ZDnet has lots of others.
Help and Reference
- Blooberry. Yes, Blooberry. The best reference ever
on HTML and CSS. Available free of charge to view or pay a small (about
£6 / $10) licence fee to download and use for 2 years with updates. I
cannot recommend this highly enough. Included free of charge, courtesy of
Blooberry (thank you!), on the District 1060 Webmasters' CD.
- "The World Wide
Web Consortium (W3C) develops interoperable technologies
(specifications, guidelines, software, and tools) to lead the Web to its full
potential as a forum for information, commerce, communication, and collective
understanding." So reads the introduction on their web site. Have a look.
- Get totally lost on the
Microsoft Developers
Network site. Oodles of techie stuff for the geeks.
- Microsoft typography site. Totally techie stuff about
fonts and such.