David Slack - Web developer

Right tools for the job

Here is a list of usefull tools I use for creating websites

  • Windows 7 64bit - The OS of choice for me
  • Aptana - IDE of choise for backend developing / programming with git as part of the IDE its simple to setup a new project
  • Dreamweaver CS5 - Front end development / Web design, great for CSS and XHTML and has a nice live site view to see how your site will look without using a browser
  • Fireworks CS5 - Web Design, uses vectors and outputs in bitmap. Shows file size if you output in the various file types. Best of Illustrator and Photoshop for web design
  • Illustrator - Graphic Design, great for free flowing designs without constraint
  • Photoshop - For cleaning and enhancing photos, a must for getting great results before putting photos online
  • WAMP - Windows, Apache, MySQL and PHP, a nice server for windows
  • 7-Zip - Used for zipping and unzipping almost anything including all the Unix files
  • Hamachi - Used to log into my other computers and share files wherever I am
  • Dataflame - The choise of Domain and Web host

 

Tags
web developer
web design
Tools

Comments

Janisa (not verified)

Sun, 25/09/2011 - 19:46

I much prefer inofmrative articles like this to that high brow literature.

Dave's picture

Dave

Tue, 27/09/2011 - 22:09

What?! This isn't high brow? Well, there's just no pleasing some spam bots Wink

I do websites, me

John (not verified)

Tue, 18/10/2011 - 09:31

I am newly graduate and badly needed a job.I already updated my resume but still having  problem cause i don't have any interview yet.Your content above really helps me a lot.

Shine (not verified)

Fri, 02/12/2011 - 07:23

Can newbies like me in website building use these? tools? Are they easy to use?

Dave's picture

Dave

Sun, 04/12/2011 - 18:12

Hi Shine,
In my opinion Adobe CS5.5 is a must for things like Dreamweaver and Fireworks. I've used Adobe CS (and Macromidia) for about 15 years now and I've tried tons of other editors but nothing is as good.
Basicly, learn the languages you need (php, javascript, html, etc), start using a good CMS (Drupal is the best, Wordpress is good for Blogs) and learn the tools of the trade (Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc) and you'll soon have an income.
Good luck.

I do websites, me

Mikaru (not verified)

Fri, 09/12/2011 - 15:47

Hi guys,i've been using CS4 for almost a year but still not that much expert  in that area.Too bad.:(

Dave's picture

Dave

Mon, 12/12/2011 - 21:28

I'm definitely no expert but I have created hundreds of websites using Dreamwever and its made things so much eisier. Add Fireworks to that and its such a good combo.

Anyone else use any good editors or graphics programmes?

I do websites, me

Migs from men's... (not verified)

Tue, 13/12/2011 - 07:52

Is that compatible in linux?I am using ubuntu live cd and still wondering if i can install heavy tools like that.

Nicole (not verified)

Wed, 14/12/2011 - 12:51

I use 7 Zip. It's true what you said, it can unzip almost every file.

Dave's picture

Dave

Fri, 16/12/2011 - 14:24

Hi Migs,
Don't think you can get a version of Creative suite for Linux, you might have to use a virtual box for it (think wine is the standard).
For me, Linux is great for servers, Chrome for my tablet and phone (had iOS for a year, it's not for me) but Windows is the Desktop daddy if you know how to use it. Mac OS is just no use for anything I'm afraid.
Let me know what you think, anyone using a Mac or Linux for a Desktop?

I do websites, me

Dave's picture

Dave

Fri, 16/12/2011 - 14:26

Good to hear someone agree, 7-zip is the best. Used to have win-rar and win-zip but there not as good and not free

I do websites, me

Shane in Cartie... (not verified)

Mon, 19/12/2011 - 06:24

I am using ubuntu live cd,i would like to ask if i can run those tool above.I heard that ubuntu is not allowing heavy installation.Any tips?

Angelo (not verified)

Wed, 21/12/2011 - 11:14

Hello Dave,7-Zip is pretty good but haven't try that one.I am using winrar to extract files.

Bette from 5x i... (not verified)

Mon, 26/12/2011 - 10:25

Windows 7 is much better than linux.Base on my experience  windows 7 has the ability to load  heavy installation unlike to Ubuntu.

Nicole (not verified)

Thu, 29/12/2011 - 20:39

I tried learning Dreamweaver but gave up.

Matt from forex... (not verified)

Fri, 30/12/2011 - 06:58

GIT is one the fast version control system.Git is a distributed revision control system with an emphasis on speed.

Jocar from skip... (not verified)

Mon, 02/01/2012 - 11:02

WampServer is a web development platform on Windows allowing you to create dynamic web applications with Apache2, PHP and MySQL.

Joy (not verified)

Tue, 03/01/2012 - 11:28

I am using Windows 7 and I like it.

Dave's picture

Dave

Wed, 04/01/2012 - 20:29

Good for you joy!
I have tried the Windows 8 developer edition and that should be amazing when it's released

I do websites, me

Katherine (not verified)

Wed, 18/01/2012 - 20:52

I use Photoshop to edit my pics. it is easy to learn the software.

Dave's picture

Dave

Tue, 31/01/2012 - 19:11

I've been using Dreamweaver for years now and it's great. Just for the code completion, ftp and coding in one place even. I don't use it for much else though.
What do you use then?

I do websites, me

Marga (not verified)

Wed, 01/02/2012 - 12:57

Well Photoshop is one of the easiest tool to use to edit images.

Dave's picture

Dave

Wed, 01/02/2012 - 18:33

I wouldn't aggree with that Marga, I'd say it's one of the hardes tools to use and get used to. Fireworks is easier and better for design but you still can't beat Photoshop for editing photos!

I do websites, me

David (not verified)

Sat, 04/02/2012 - 05:00

Hi Dave,i am not that much good in fireworks but it seems that tool is a bitmap and vector graphics editor.Is that has the same features with corel draw?

Dave's picture

Dave

Sat, 04/02/2012 - 20:23

Kind of, but Corel Draw in my opinion is the jack-of-all-trades, master of none. I found Corel Draw to feel unfinished and poor in all areas, where Fireworks excels in Web Design, Photoshop in photo editing, Illustrator in Vector drawing, etc, etc.

I do websites, me

Jake from stra... (not verified)

Sun, 05/02/2012 - 08:34

I guess i have to try fireworks....seems good than corel draw.

Carla Gomez (not verified)

Tue, 14/02/2012 - 08:43

Fireworks is a good alternative to Adobe Illustrator 

Andrea from Sta... (not verified)

Mon, 27/02/2012 - 18:17

Hi Dave,
 
Thanks for giving us a brief explanation about those tool.I enjoy each of your thoughts :D
 
Thanks,
Andrea

Cloe from diamo... (not verified)

Tue, 13/03/2012 - 18:13

I should try 7 zip.I  think that is much more useful than winrar.

Selva (not verified)

Tue, 14/08/2012 - 04:12

This was a really nice post.Thanks a lot for tankig the time to provide such a nice and informative article. It has given me lots of inspiration. In reality I would like to write something like this also tankig time and real effort to make a good article but what can I say I procrastinate a lot and never seem to get anything done

Dave's picture

Dave

Mon, 20/08/2012 - 10:04

Hi Selva,

Thanks for the compliments.

I'm updating this all the time so please let me know if there are any programmes you use I've missed out

Cheers

I do websites, me

Allofa (not verified)

Tue, 14/08/2012 - 05:52

Posted on I've been absent for a while, but now I rmeember why I used to love this site. Thanks , I will try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your web site?

Dave's picture

Dave

Mon, 20/08/2012 - 10:07

Hi Allofa,

I try to update at least 1 thing on this site every day. It's hard work and I need so time to re-write the content but I never seem to have the time to do these updates.

Keep looking around, there may be something else of use

Cheers
Dave

I do websites, me

Jim Carlesonne (not verified)

Thu, 18/04/2013 - 14:18

I'm using windows 7 and it's more better for me to use than any other.

ecommerce web developers

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