nondog HTML

Guide to Web page building Software

I've tried out a lot of web page building software.  Below are some of the best programs I have found and the tasks they are best suited to.

• For more info and download links please go to the Software Page.

NoteTab Lite (freeware)

A very capable text-based HTML editor.  I use this one for creating the original text files of the written contents of the pages.  It's also very good for making changes to multiple pages.  The program has a very powerful find and replace facility that can make use of regular expressions and can be applied to multiple open pages.  I have it set as the source viewer application for my web-browser (Opera).
The lack of syntax highlighting is its only weakness.
 

TextPad (shareware)

Similar to NoteTab but more emphasis on coding.  Can do macros and suff with Java.
 

1stPage2000 (freeware)

Especially excellent for learning HTML.  The program has an comprehensive reference system that gives a good indication of the different HTML standards and proprietary extensions employed by the warring factions.  Has good connectivity with other freeware applications such as HTMLTidy and TopStyle.  Also gives good support for scripts and various facilities for verifying your pages.
I use this one for page layout, reference and checking code though I'm using it less since I found the program below.
 

HTMLKit (freeware)

I haven't had this program for long but what I've seen of it so far, I like very much.  Strong integration with HTMLTidy makes it excellent for verifying and formatting your code.  It also has a useful built-in file manager which makes creating new files and integrating them into your pages, as well as saving snippets and templates, a breeze.

Amaya (freeware)

For a WYSIWYG editor this one is different to most.  It's the only one I have found that allows you to browse to a page for editing (rather than having to open the file specifically).  This makes it very useful for ironing out those last minute typos and making small changes.  The program comes from the W3 Consortium - the people who set the standards for web publishing so it's very good for verifying pages and learning about the new XHTML and XML formats.  I haven't used it that much so far because I've found it rather slow on graphical pages but this would make an excellent editor for mainly text pages.  Definitely worth checking out.

The Gimp (freeware)

This is the graphics program in the Unix world.  The windows version is still rather clunky but if you are an OpenSource evangelist you'll want to be using this.  It's free!
 

Thumbs+ (shareware)

Creates a database of thumbnail images.
If you are going to be using a lot of images, this is a must-have. It's mostly useful for managing image files (can sort images by similarity) and doing some basic graphics stuff like resizing, revolving, converting format, etc.  It also has some very useful batch processing capabilities (HTML thumbnail pages).  You get 30 days then some of the advanced functions are disabled.  Requires MS ODBC which comes with the download.
 

PaintShopPro (shareware)

Another 30 day time-out but this one really does.  This is the poor man's Photoshop but many think it superior.  The user interface is less intimidating, and unlike Photoshop it can handle vector graphics and animation.  I've found this program useful for scanning stuff and handling .jpg image files like digital photos.
 

GXExplorer (freeware)

Also good for previewing and managing files of all types but it does not cache the thumbnails making it much slower than the above.  It's free though!
 

DreamWeaver, Flash, Fireworks and Freehand

These very advanced well integrated programs are all made by Macromedia. 
Many designers consider these programs to be the industry standard tools for web design.  If you are designing commercial pages in a commercial environment they are probably essential.  30 day evaluation copies are available but you have to pay eventually and they're not cheap.
I use Fireworks quite a bit for creating .gif and .png image files and Flash for animations, but unless one is building a huge site I find Dreamweaver to suffer from overkill.  I f you are learning HTML, you'll learn more by using the freeware applications listed above.
 

• For more info and download links please go to the Software Page.