In an attempt to answer some common questions, I have created this page with various links to some of the most popular programs, tools and scripts. To make this easier to understand and find what it is you are looking for, I have put it together as a small list of tasks everyone goes through in the creation and maintaining of a website. As you read through the list, you will find two kind of links. The BLUE links are to the companies web page for that product. The RED links are to download the program itself. I will try to keep this updated as best as I can, but you may find a newer version at the companies website. Most of the programs listed here are shareware versions of the retail product. They will have time limits or nag screens until you purchase them from the company. Since you are using these tools to make money, if you find anything here usefull...please spend the money. They are also trying to make a living...  :)

1)  FTP Clients : This is how you will transfer the files to and from your website unless you are using Frontpage or some other automated deployment or publishing process.

  • Ws_FTP Pro by IPSWITCH is most peoples favorite. Version 7.5 is the latest available.
  • CuteFTP by GlobalSCAPE, Inc. is also very popular, with a different feel. Version 4.2 is the latest.

    2)  Telnet/SSH Clients  : This is how you will access the server via a command line. Use this for installing scripts.

  • SecureCRT by Vandyke Software This is the best I have found...And the easiest to use! Version 3.4.4. Due to legal mumbo Jumbo... You need to fill out a form even to get the trial...

  • F-Secure SSH by F-Secure, Inc. Corperate users trust this one... Version 5.2 More legal crap here.

    3)  Email Clients : Most likely you are using windows, so you should at least have Outlook Express... If you have MS Office installed then you have the full blown Outlook. If by chance you hate either of those... then this next program is a god send...

  • Eudora Email by Qualcomm I used this for some time, but after a couple reinstalls of windows...I just started using Outlook. Version 5.1

    4)  HTML Editors : Ok, you can transfer files...get on the server and send email. Now it's time to make the webSite. I have personally used all of these to one degree or another.

  • Homesite by Macromedia This editor was bought from Allaire by Macromedia...they ripped out the graphical editor because they already have Dreamweaver. It is by far my favorite editor. Version 5
  • CoffeeCup HTML Editor by CoffeeCup Software I like this one a lot also... I has tons of wizards to help you through just about anything you might want to do...Lots of cool effects built in too... Version 9.2
  • HotDog Pro by Sausage Software Automation and ease of use are high on this company's list... If you are shopping for an editor, I suggest you try all three of these very fine products! Version 6.5

    5)  Graphical Web Design :  Personal Preference, Hosting Platforms, Programming Languages, Site Requirements and many other things all need to be considered when choosing a Professional Web Design Platform. In this section, I will just list many of the most often used products...you can take a look and decide what you want to look into.

  • Microsoft Frontpage 2002
  • Macromedia Dreamweaver
  • Net Objects Fusion
  • Abobe Go Live

    6)   Graphics Creation  :

  • PhotoShop by Adobe  Adobe Photoshop is the professional image-editing standard, helping you produce the highest quality images for print, the Web, and anywhere else. Version 7 has no free trial.
  • Fireworks by Macromedia If Photoshop is the king of image editors...Fireworks runs the show when it come to creating digital images. These two together make an awesome team. Also no trial version here yet...

    7)  Web Tools : There are probably thousands of programs written to help make web design and building easier. Of those, I can only suggest the ones I have found helpfull.

  • Swish by SwishZone.Com  Everyone thinks Flash Graphics are cool. Only a few could make them until these kind folks created Swish! You can make Flash without Flash... It's really that simple! Version 2.0
  • AllWebMenus by Linko, Ltd. Probably one of the nicest programs for making those great Dynamic HTML graphical do everything but wash your ass menu makers out there... Version 2.0
  • Thumbs Plus by Cerious Software The absolute industry standard for creating Thumbnail Galleries. Unless you are using an automated script, this is the one to get. Version 5
  • Top Style Pro by Bradbury Software  Style sheets are here to stay...and once you realize how much time they save, how much easier page layout becomes...you'll never go back. Top Style makes life with style sheets a walk in the park. Version 2.5