by 3 people |
Building your website for free
You don't need Frontpage or Dreamweaver to build web pages. You don't need to buy an unzip utility (WinZIP is NOT free, they expect you to pay for it after 30 days). There is a very powerful, professional level FTP client that is totally free, and there is even a useable graphics program that is totally free.
Not everything here is free, but most of it is. I have also included a few items that you will have to pay for, but they are worth the money. They are not necessary for the beginner to start building web pages, but they will speed up the process and produce better looking pages. So, consider the paid products when you can afford them.
Here are the freebies
Programs that will make your web life much easier
- HTML editor
- Nvu (pronounced N-view). Finally! A complete Web Authoring System for Linux, Windows, and Macintosh users which rivals programs like FrontPage and Dreamweaver. Nvu (which stands for "new view") makes managing a web site a snap. Now anyone can create web pages and manage a website with no technical expertise or knowledge of HTML.
- Image editor
- GIMP is the GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a freely distributed piece of software for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. It works on many operating systems, in many languages. While this will work on psd files (Adobe Photoshop), it does not handle frames so the editing capabilities are limited. As a basic editor it's ok, and it is free. See below for a better alternative, but not for free.
- FTP client
- FileZilla is a fast and reliable FTP client and server with lots of useful features and an intuitive interface. This program combines the ease of use of File Explorer with the power of a professional FTP client. You can upload, download, and change file permissions with the click of a mouse. There is also a free server available, but unless you really know what you are doing, you don't want an FTP server on your computer. Hackers love FTP servers :)
- Download Manager
- Free Download Manager (FDM) is a full-featured download accelerator and manager. It is absolutely free! Using this software product you can easily download a list of files and whole web sites from any remote server via HTTP, HTTPS and FTP. With FDM the downloading process will be as easy as never before!
- Zip/unzip utility
- You don't really need a zip/unzip utility as that functionality is built into the File Explorer in Windows XP. A utility just adds more functionality to make things a little easier. The most popular is WinZip which is a shareware program that you must pay for if you are going to use it over the 30 day trial period. Filzip is a totally free alternative that is quite powerful and is easy to use. Once it is installed, you just right click on a zip file and select Filzip from the dropdown menu. You can also double click the archive and see a complete list of files which can then be individually extracted. It's a full featured ap, so check it out.
The not-so-freebies
These cost money, but boy are they worth it!
- Photoshop elements
- Many people don't realize that Photoshop has a little brother with almost the same versatility at a fraction of the price. Listen to what PC Magazine had to say. "Version 5 of Photoshop Elements is packed with exciting features%u2026making this an essential upgrade for existing users and the best choice for novices looking for a complete digital-imaging solution."
Coupled with the following application/tutorial/template system, you can do almost everything you can do in Photoshop at a ridiculously low price. - Design Dashboard
- Step-by-step, "point 'n click" web page design system turns creating web sites, landing pages, affiliate pre-sell pages, mini-sites, sales pages and blog headers into a virtual no-brainer. You will create pages that break through the noise and command results -- guaranteed. You will do that faster, simpler, easier and cheaper than with any other alternative. Period.
Need more information?
These books can help you out
HTML, XHTML, and CSS, Sixth Edition
Amazon Price: $23.09 (as of 11/10/2009) 
Usually ships in 24 hours
Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability, 2nd Edition
Amazon Price: $26.40 (as of 11/10/2009)
Usually ships in 24 hours
All About Internet Ftp: Learning and Teaching to Transfer Files on the Internet (Internet Workshop Series ; Volume 2)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/10/2009)
All About Internet Ftp Plus: Learning and Teaching to Transfer Files on the Internet (Internet Workshop Series : Number 2)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/10/2009)
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