HTMLCOOK -
Main Page - lists all articles and tutorials

1&1 hosting - UK hosting - Buy your domain from 1&1 - Best domain prices in the UK! 1&! US hosting - Hosting Made Easy. Order 1&1 Microsoft Web Hosting from the World’s # 1 Web Host. Get up to 5 FREE domains! Linux hosting, dedicated servers. Amazing service.	HTMLCOOK sponsored by Freebies Network UK
	UK Internet access deals

Software for making web pages

There is a huge amount of software out there for making web pages and web graphics. Some of it is free and some of it costs lots of money. There is so much that to try it all would be silly. We can provide a few pointers to help you decide what software you need.

HTML Editors

For most beginners the temptation to get stop using notepad and go onto a WYSIWYG program. The only drawback for most people is the cost. The best WYSIWYG program in my opinion is Dreamweaver. One of the Internet magazines gave away version 1 of it about a year ago.

I've recommended many people to give Dreamweaver a go - but have had many different comments back - and few beginners actually get a grip of the program well enough to make it worth buying the software after the 30 day trial runs out.

However there are free programs which offer as much to a beginner as Dreamweaver can - if not more - certainly dreamweaver can be very overpowering when you first start it up. 1st Page 2000 is a great program. It is a html editor but with so many shortcut keys and wizards that you'll have loads of fun playing and hardly realise that you're staring at the html.
A couple of people who design for a living use this program - and keep encouraging me to have a go with it. I've got it installed and occaisionally use it for pulling some code apart - but I much prefer Dreamweaver.

Another program people recommend a lot is the one at www.chami.com - its a html editor but its also very powerful. I've never used it - but friends have recommended it.

http://www-4.ibm.com/software/webservers/hpbuilder/win/moreinfo_s_w.html

You can download the trial version of WebSphere Homepage Builder for free and use it fully for up to 60 days from the time you first install the program. Some tools will be disabled 60 days after installation but you can keep using the main HTML editor programs even after 60 days. Note that the number of sample files and templates in the trial version is limited. The full version of this product contains many more sample files and templates.
A choice of real or digital delivery with maximum price $69.

Graphics Editors

I use Paint Shop Pro. Some people I know really enjoy working with PhotoShop. However I don't see the point in spending huge amounts of money on a graphic program - when Paint Shop Pro does everything I need.

I've also used ThumbsPlus from time to time - (Ok, until the demo ran out) and thats a great program for making thumbnails and allowing you to quickly browse your graphics. Admittedly Paint Shop Pro can browse your graphics - so Thumbs Plus is a bit unnecessary really.

Someone recommmended fireworks to me - and as its another of the Macromedia crowd I tried the demo - I don't like it at all. OK, maybe I've never spent enough time with it to actually decide that - but that apart from the splicing and slicing of graphics and making the html for them - it does nothing that Paint Shop Pro won't do just as easily.
I have the feeling that the sites I go to which have heaps of graphics to download (you know when you sit there watching the bottom right corner of your browser reporting "30 of 45 graphics left to download" that the chances are you're seeing a page load which has been cut and spliced.

Thumbnail Software

The laziest way is to use THOTOR, available from: http://www.dominativ.com/thotor/index.html THOTOR will make your thumbnails, as well as the HTML x-ref!

List of shareware software for graphics - image indexing and publishing

Brucies Buttons - Fab buttons!

FTP

I've used both Cute FTP and WS FTP and they are both fairly similar really.
If you use a ftp program which you like - please let me know. (email - mogga@mogga.com )

Your recommendations Count!

I'm always looking to try software (especially freeware) so if you find anything which you think I'd like to try - or something worthy of everyone knowing about then let me know!

Anyone who wants to advertise their own software on this page can do so if (a) they let me have a copy and (b) they provide a list of features for me to use on this site.

(email - mogga@mogga.com )

Caliban Mailer FREE advanced email delivery package designed for people who need to distribute email to groups of people. An excellent choice for electronic newsletter publishers, technical support, church and community groups, etc.

Online Merchant - ( ver. 1.1 ) complete package - 1 user - CD - W95/98 NT 4.0 or later - STD

The award-winning way to sell your products on the Web.

Sell your products on the Web.

Simple to install, even easier to use, yet powerful enough to grow with your business… Online Merchant, everything you need to create an online store.

In 5 simple steps you could be conducting business online.
Choose from 50 store templates, or create your own; showcase an unlimited number of products; and merchandise your store with our unique “Lines” feature.
A simple “fill in the blanks” interface gets your store on the Web and ready to take orders in minutes!
No programming necessary
Showcase unlimited products
Special merchandising features Online Merchant – the award-winning way to sell your products on the Web.

“Online Merchant may be the first step on the road to online riches.” –PC Magazine

Offer your customers a pleasant shopping experience with multimedia, audio and video of your products; a full index and text search lets them easily find what they''re looking for.

Without a single line of programming code, your online store is generated and you are open for business. Finally, setting up an online store is easy and affordable! So go ahead, create an online store and watch the orders roll in! Just 5 simple steps and you''re open for business!

Step 1: Enter your store information. Enter general information about your store, including a welcome message, store policies, you can even include a meta description and key words so the search engines can find you.

Step 2: Design the look of your store. Choose from over 50 templates, or create your own. Import graphics, audio, video and more to uniquely personalize your store. With a click of the mouse you can change the look of your store, so go ahead, window dress your store with seasonal looks, holiday flair and more.

Step 3: Choose your commerce options. We've made it easy for you to define your unique commerce options. Simply fill out the form to define sales tax, shipping & handling options, calculate discounts, you can even offer gift wrapping!

Step 4: Add your products. With the intuitive forms interface, enter your product information including product descriptions, part numbers, and pricing. Showcase an unlimited number of products, even organize them into categories and "lines" for easy merchandising. Use lines to highlight promotions like "On Sale Now", "Spring Fashions", "Back to School Sale", "Christmas specials", and more. The possibilities are endless

Step 5: Press the "Generate" button and your store is published. With a click of the mouse your store is automatically generated and uploaded to your ISP. Without a single line of html code, no additional software, hidden costs, or annoying monthly service fees, you''re ready to sell your products on the web. It''s that easy!