Web Development Tools
Why These Tools?
We have chosen these tools because either we have tried them and found them useful or have heard they are useful. In most cases tools that are listed and tried were not used extensively. We tried them and like some of the points but opted to go with another product. Tools that we use are listed here.
There are lot of other HTML editors which you can try. If you like the trial version it is always a good idea to purchase the registered version. This is a good because some companies lock out some of the features available only in the registered version. Some might even be tempted in finding cracks or cracked version of the software but this is ILLEGAL number one and still does not mean you have all of the features. To find other editors check out TuCows.com.
You can find all types of editors which will range from text editors all the way over to graphic editors. The choice is yours to choose from all we can do is recommend find one that works good for you.
Inexpensive Tools
HTML Editors:
1. Coffeecup HTML Editor - This one tool is great and is easy to use and learn. Even though we have purchased a software bundle this is the main tool that we use in the bundle. Coffeecup HTML Editor cost $49.00, bundles run from $129.00 to $229.00.
2. Homesite - This tool is similar to Coffeecup in many ways. We like this tool because it does things slightly differently and in some situations this is the better way to work. The main problem with Homesite is that it was bought by Macromedia and this put an end to further development of this editor. Now that Adobe owns Macromedia it is even more apparent that Homesite is a dead product. It is still available for $99.00 from Adobe.
3. Hot Dog Pro - This html editor at one time was very popular and used by lots of web developers. We have even tried this product and liked what it did and used it for a long time. When there was problem with the license (we bought the software at Costco and was issued as shareware from another company) we purchased a new license and didn't like some of the changes so we started using another HTML editor. Hot Dog Pro from Sausage Tools will cost you $99.95.
4. SiteSpinner - This is one editor that have not tried but have heard that it is popular. We have checked out the web site and looks to be a great looking product. They have a user forum and lots of examples done by users (always a good sign). If you are looking you may want to check this one out. SiteSpinner by Virtual Mechanics will cost you $49.00.
Stylesheet editors:
1. TopStyle - If you purchase Homesite you will get a free copy of TopStyle. This version is a lite version but is mainly what you need to create cascading style sheets. The full version of TopStyle will cost you $79.00.
2. StyleMaster - This is the style sheet editor that we recommend. First off the site has great support and lots of tutorials. It is really easy to use and once you go through the basic tutorials you will create good style sheets. I might add that you can purchase the software and tutorial bundle which we recommend. StyleMaster cost $79.00 and the bundle runs $119.00 but it is really worth it.
Graphic Editors:
3. StyleSheet Maker - Even though we own a copy of this via the bundle we really don't use this product. It does appear that it is popular so you may want to give it a try. StyleSheet Maker by Coffeecup will cost you $34.00.
1. Paint Shop Pro - When we started out, we used this graphic (photo) editor because it ran most of the Adobe Photoshop plugins. When we used Paint Shop Pro it was owned by JASC, some people said it stood for Just Another Software Company but it actually stands for Jets And Software Company because the owner loved planes. Paint Shop Pro is a Photoshop run alike and was popular with people who didn't want to spend loads of money. Now Paint Shop Pro is owned by Corel and we haven't used PSP for awhile. Corel Paint Shop Pro will cost you $99.00 from Corel.
Expensive Tools:
1. GoLive - We use to also dabble with an Adobe product called GoLive but we never felt comfortable with the product. Adobe GoLive can be purchased from Adobe for $399.00.
2. Dreamweaver - We are now using this product more and more. It is a great product for your web site development. Dreamweaver has a built in stylesheet function which allows you to create your stylesheet interactively while creating your HTML/XHTML pages. Dreamweaver has become almost an industry standard software product used by lots of web designers. Even with this we still recommend that you purchase StyleMaker to edit your stylesheet editor. Adobe Dreamweaver will also cost you $399.00 but we feel that it is worth it.
3. Photoshop - Photoshop is the premiere graphic editor out today. We now pretty much use Photoshop exclusively just because we like it. Creating graphics is fun to create and you will produce great graphics. You really are limited only by your creativeness. I might add that some designer use Photoshop to create their page markups before starting to code the page. Adobe Photoshop will cost you $649.00 for the standard version and $999.00 for the extended version. I might also add as a note that there is a cheaper version in Photoshop Elements which cost $84.00. Photoshop Elements is on the same level as Paint Shop Pro. (We do not and have not used Photoshop Elements
4. Adobe Creative Suite - Creative Suite is basically a bundle of Adobe software products. If you are looking at purchasing Dreamweaver and Photoshop we recommend the Creative Suite. Adobe Creative Suite is recommended because for about the same price of both Dreamweaver and Photoshop you will get more Adobe products than just the two products. The downside of this is if you want to upgrade just one of the products it is not possible. Your upgrade path is the total suite. This is not a bad thing except if you are a GoLive user because with CS3 GoLive has been replaced with Dreamweaver. The standard Creative Suite will cost you $1199.00 and the premium version will cost you $1799.00. We might also mention that there are other bundles you can consider.
This is just a short list of software products available. The best thing to do is to see if there are trial versions of the software and give it a try. I you like it you may consider purchasing the registered version. Purchasing the registered version gets you the full version unlocked version and also gets you support for the product. Find a forum either that supports your product or relates to web design and participate in the forum. Note about forums is introduce yourself and start of being an observer. Search the threads to see if your questions have been answered in the past if not ask nicely and politely. Most forums have a hatred for newcomers who ask too many questions from the start. Enjoy and have fun designing your web pages and web sites.
