Useful software for web builders
We aim to build, gradually, a comprehensive list of useful resources if you want to do work on the web.
Anti-virus | Web | Graphics | Basics | Browsers
Anti-virus and firewall software
It is sad that in today's troubled world it is necessary to protect ourselves on the internet from so many threats, but it is vital that you do. There are many good products available to help but it is important that you use them properly and ensure that they are up to date.
We particularly recommend Trend Micro's PC-Cillin Internet Security and ZoneAlarm's Internet Security Suite. Both are good value, regularly updated and easy to use.
Trend Micro Internet Security 2008
First class and very quick to update and provide protection against the
latest threats. Provides comprehensive anti-virus security, powerful
spyware protection, phishing fraud defence, Wi-Fi intrusion detection,
improved spam filtering, enhanced personal firewall and home network
control amongst other easy to use features. The 2008 version gives
you coverage for three PCs at a good price but is not as stable
or lean as previous versions.
Buy Trend
Micro Internet Security 2008 now.
ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 2008
This
latest version arguably puts Zone Alarm ahead of the best known names
in the market. Features: triple defence firewall; integrated anti-spyware
and anti-virus; real-time security updates; advanced identity and privacy
protection; phishing and spam blocker; instant messaging protection
and parental control; and wireless PC protection. Three-user licence
at a great price. We will probably move to Zone Alarm soon as we think
it is a little faster and more stable than our current Trend installation.
Buy ZoneAlarm
Internet Security Suite 2009 now.
Web building software
Adobe CS4 Web Premium
(Includes: Photoshop CS4 Extended,
Illustrator CS4,
Flash CS4 Professional,
Dreamweaver CS4,
Fireworks CS4,
Acrobat 9 Pro, Contribute CS4,
Soundbooth CS4,
Adobe Bridge CS4,
Adobe Device Central CS4,
Version Cue CS4)
The
most comprehensive suite for building professional web sites. Now with
much improved compatibility between applications.Lots of good improvements
in some tools, but Adobe still hasn't learned how to make slim, fast
applications and for this price everything should be seamless from
the start. There are still a few incompatiblities and some confusion about
what all the parts are designed to do!
Order Adobe
CS4 Web Premium (PC) now.
If you already have an earlier version of Macromedia Studio, Adobe CS2
or CS3 or individual products in the suites you can upgrade at one low
price. IT probably really is worth upgrading now that Adobe are getting
their act together and making the interaction so much better. Check your
current applications against the precise requirements for upgrade before
you proceed as some very old versions may not qualify.
Order Adobe CS4 Web Premium - Upgrade Edition (PC)
Macromedia Dreamweaver 8
If you don't think you will be wanting the other products in the Studio
8 suite, the latest version of Dreamweaver is available on its own.
Order Dreamweaver
8 now.
Macromedia Flash Pro 8
The
latest feature-loaded version of the leading software for creating interactive
content rich with video, graphics, and animation. However it is a major
investment for a beginner unless you are willing to spend the time and effort
really learning to use it.
Order Flash
Pro 8 now.
For the less demanding user who wants to create design simple motion
graphics in Flash, there is a basic version available.
Order Flash
Basic now.
Creative Suites Premium 2.0 inc Studio 8.0
Now
that Adobe has bought Macromedia you can go the whole hog and buy Creative
Suites Premium 2.0 inc Studio 8.0 if you really want to make sure that you
have every tool that you will ever need for web building and graphics. It
bundles all the Adobe packages including Adobe Photoshop CS2, Illustrator
CS2, InDesign CS2, GoLive CS2, and Acrobat 7.0 with the full Studio 8 collection.
Order Creative
Suites Premium 2.0 inc Studio 8.0 now.
Freeway Pro 4.0
Mac users will appreciate this low cost web design package that seems to
have most of the features needed to create up to date standards compliant
sites.
Order Freeway
Pro 4.0 now.
Microsoft FrontPage 2003
We are not great lovers of MS products but it is only fair that we mention
FrontPage. If all you want to do is design and publish
a very basic site then FrontPage will do it. It is easy to use but even
this latest version doesn't produce the best of code and the templates
look very outdated.
Order FrontPage
2003 now.
NetObjects Fusion 8
A much better choice than FrontPage at the budget end is the almost legendary
NetObjects Fusion. It has its limitations, including rather dated templates,
but is easy for a beginner to use and create good looking sites.
Order NetObjects
Fusion now.
Graphics and photo editing packages
Adobe Creative Suite Standard 2.0
Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator are often viewed as the choice of professionals
for photo editing and graphics. This collection comprises the latest
full versions of Photoshop CS2, Illustrator CS2 and InDesign CS2 software
plus Version Cue CS2, the Adobe Bridge file browser. It also includes
a useful resource with Adobe Stock Photos.
Order Creative
Suite 2 (Windows) or Creative
Suite 2 (Mac) now.
Basic requirements
Microsoft Office Standard Edition 2003
(Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)
The essential basics for any business, giving you word processing, spreadsheets,
mail & diary, and presentation graphics.
Order Office
Standard Edition 2003 now.
If you already have an old version of Office it is worth upgrading if
only for the new features in Outlook.
Order Office
Standard Edition 2003 Upgrade now.
Browsers
Most people seem to end up using the browser that their computer came with - usually Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) - or the one their ISP provided, again usually IE or sometimes a version of Netscape. People only seem to change if they experience problems or get irritated or if someone shows them a better surfing experience; and you can certainly find a better experience than IE in our opinion (though IE7 is a big improvement and has learnt from its competition). Below are some of the best on offer. They are mostly free or have free versions and they are not owned by major global corporations like the ones mentioned.
Of course if you are going to build your own web sites you need to download all of them for testing purposes.
Opera
The makers call Opera,
'Simply the best internet experience'. We reckon they are not far off with
that description. It does have some foibles, which are mostly due to websites
not being built in good code. It is certainly much faster than
IE and boasts tabbed browsing and the ability to save sessions and return
to the same pages when you restart. Our browser of choice, if you hadn't
already guessed!!
Firefox
Mozilla's stand alone browser is Firefox.
It's free, fast and safe with protection against viruses, spyware and
pop-ups with good privacy features. It's easy to use and to import your
favourites and settings. Tabbed browsing and the ability to save sessions
are just some of the features. Pretty good accessibility features.
Mozilla Suite (Sea Monkey)
If you are looking for an integrated browser, email and newsgroups client
you can't go wrong with Mozilla
Suite - except that it is not really being developed further. It is
what Netscape is based on. You get pretty much the same browsing features
as Firefox and an email client that has an excellent Bayesian spam
filter. Mozilla Suite's successor is SeaMonkey which
was launched on 30 January 2006 almost without being noticed! However
it is not a core development team project so fingers crossed! As at
October 2007 it is looking good and seems to be well supported and
up to date. Mozilla's free, stand alone email client is Thunderbird.
Avant
Avant is
a stable, easy-to-use, versatile tabbed browser based on Internet Explorer.
It really is a lot better than IE in many and the makers claim it's the
fastest web browser on Earth! It used to be for those who liked the
look and feel of IE but didn't want the annoyances, but now it has its
own look and feel (and a few of its own annoyances!).
Safari
If you have got a Mac
you will almost certainly be using Safari. If you are still labouring
with IE for Mac switch to Safari now.
Not only is it much quicker but IE for Mac is no longer being developed
or fully supported. Also available for PCs now but unless you are obsessed
with the Mac look forget it.
Camino
The open source alternative to Safari if you are a Mac user is Camino.
It is based on the Gecko engine that is at the heart of Mozilla and Netscape
but designed exclusively for Mac.
Lynx
Lynx is the most
popular text only browser, but it is pretty esoteric stuff and only updated
rarely and may not be available for your operating system. If you need
a text only browser it's easier to get Opera and use the text only facility
or use IE with the Vision Australia web
accessibility toolbar. If you need to test web pages in a text only
browser use the one of the above. There is a free Lynx
viewer but frankly that involves messing about more than the results
warrant.
There are many other browsers that are mostly variants of the above selection. For example AOL has, over the years, produced many variants of IE for its customers none of which seems to have enhanced users surfing experience. AOL has now bought Netscape so it has a Gecko-based browser too. Browsers for TV and mobile devices are not covered here as it is unlikely that new designers will have this as an early priority.
If you have any suggestions or information about other browsers we should include here - particularly for Mac users - please let us know.
Hardware
LG L206WU 20" widescreen 2ms LCD TFT Monitor
If you are designing websites you'll need a bit of monitor real estate.
This gets a good review everywhere and features display link technology
for daisy-chaining multiple monitors via USB. Order LG
L206WU 20" Wide 2ms LCD TFT Monitor Glossy Black, USB 2.0 Hub DVI - D
5000:1 now
We will be adding lots more useful software titles in the coming weeks. Visit again soon.
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