I thought I'd post an update on the software I'm using here, as there's a few things changed since the last time.
Making Sites
NoteTab
Free
DownloadAmazing package with a full-featured free version. HTML editing, working with template sites, making SSI ads. There's always a new feature to learn with this software.
Cute FTP
$35.95
DownloadI'm still using this software for the file uploading. I wouldn't recommend the PRO version to anyone (it's actually not as good as the simple version).
Macromedia Flash
$499
DownloadIt's big, it's expensive, it's way too complicated to learn and use, but it's still the most advanced software for creating flash. If you're looking to make ads, go for one of the smaller authoring tools though.
Map This
Free
DownloadNot something I use every day, but still a good way to make image maps.
Emailing and communication
ICQ
Free
DownloadThe old classic. Chat while you work (that's the theory anyways).
Outlook express
(Free with windows)
NANever really needed anything else. It does what I want it to do.
Spam Blocker
$30
DownloadNot a 100% fool-proof way to get rid of spam, but certainly a step in the right direction. Get rid of all those "add 4 inches to your penis" type spams (unless you really enjoy pressing the delete key every morning). ;-)
Protection
Adaware
Free
DownloadEven if you don't know what spyware is, download and run this baby today. It kicks ass and it's on your team.
AVG Anti-virus
Free
DownloadThe tool that does actually find virus' on your PC and also gets rid of them.
PopUp Killer
Free
DownloadChecking out your sponsors tours and getting tired of closing those 5 same consoles every time? Here's a way to turn them off. It can easily be toggled on or off in the tray too.
Checking
Xenu Link Sleuth
Free
DownloadWe're all human and I make a load of mistakes in the fury of building new sites. This tool doesn't make mistakes and is free and easy.
HTML Validator
Free
DownloadChecking pages is pretty boring, but it can alert you to any major flaws in the page at the same time. I've been doing this a while, but managed to make a page this morning without a HEAD tag. Good job I ran this tool on the page.
Submitting
Dropit
Free (with 1 nag screen)
DownloadFor filling out forms, submitting to the SE's / TGPs / Link Lists, keeping information handy.
G.A.S.S
$45
DownloadStill the best thing out there for submitting to the TGPs. ;-)
Roboform
Free
DownloadProbably the most used tool I have. It remembers and inserts info into forms at TGPs, link lists, search engines and sponsor login areas. Cuts down a lot of wasted time.
Graphics
Screen Hunter
Free
DownloadI used to have Snagit listed in this category (which was a pay-for tool only) but this thing is actually much better. It sits in your tray and captures graphics better than anything I've tried.
Pixie
Free
DownloadI use this just about daily now to grab colors from sponsor's tours. Very handy.
Huey
Free
DownloadIf you don't use an HTML WYSIWYG editor, this tool is a must have. It's a color picker which lets you choose easily from millions of colors.
Photoshop
$449
AdobeHard to get started with, but I've been using this thing for a while and feel more comfortable with it.
The GIMP
Free
DownloadA healthy alternative to Photoshop which can match it perfectly on most tasks. Hard to believe it's 100% free.
Cyberview Image
Free
DownloadI've still yet to find anything that makes better looking or smaller JPEGs. I've been using this one for years and it's better than sex. OK - not quite that good. ;-)
Other Stuff
Proxy Plus
Free
DownloadA good (if slightly complex) way to share connections over the internet. I found this easier than using Windows built-in sharing capabilities though. Shout if you need the tutorial on setting this up. I have it here.
Google Monitor
Free
DownloadOnce you learn how to abuse this little tool for your own ends, it's actually a very good way to check how many of your pages are listed in Google. They recently brought out a paid version which isn't actually as good as the free one.
SR Win
Free
DownloadTell the computer to open up hundreds of files and change a bit of info from each. Handy for when you have to change lots of sponsor links on many different pages.
The Rename
Free
DownloadReally nice renaming tool for files. Works in batch too so you can tell it to rename 1 file or 1000 just as easily.
Free 'n' Easy Font Viewer
Free
DownloadThis thing lists all the fonts you have installed and shows you a preview of each one. Very handy tool when you need a specific font.
Domain Name Analyzer
Free
DownloadGreat tool for finding good domain names. Here's some tutorials on that: Tutorial 1 | Tutorial 2 | Tutorial 3
NoteTab
Free
Download
2002 List:
Let me start by saying I've spend a small fortune on software in this business. Some of it has paid off - some of it has been a waste of cash. But I don't regret the work and investment I've made in finding the right tools. This list of tools changes a lot too. WebPosition Gold might have worked at one time but could be useless now. This is just an example. My tool box is always being refined and built upon. Here's the current list of software I'm using:
1) Putty.exe - a simple file that lets me talk to the server in SSH - that new fangled Telnet thing. http://putty.bhni.net/ pretty boring - straight forward ssh thing...
2) Netscape 3, 4, 6 IE 6 - testing sites / surfing etc...
3) Link Up Pro - http://www.linkuppro.com/ - this is great for making mirrors and doing some submission work to link lists, TGPs and TGP2s.
4) NoteTab - http://www.notetab.com - Amazing package with a full-featured free version. HTML editing, working with template sites, making SSI ads. Everything to do with creating the webpages.
5) Cute FTP - File uploading, Changing permissions - http://www.cuteftp.com/
6) Dropit - for filling out forms, submission to the SE's, keeping information handy - http://www.spinnerbaker.com/
7) Adobe PhotoShop - has to be the ultimate in image editing and graphics creation for me. Not the easiest one to get into (had to take a course in it) but well worth the effort. There's some good books out on it now too.
8) ICQ - talkin' to other folks out there!http://www.icq.com
9) Tiny Personal Firewall - http://www.tinysoftware.com - a little protection from surfers trying to hack into my PC.
10) AVG Antivirus - http://www.grisoft.com - a 100% free program that keeps you safer from some of the more nasty virus' floating around out there.
11) Toggle Mouse - http://www.toggle.com/ - always have this running to help get more use from my mouse and keep it working the way I need it to.
12) Proxy Plus - http://www.proxyplus.cz/ - the program I use to share my internet connection with all the computers on the network.
13) Snagit - http://www.snagit.com - screen captures, capturing certain areas of the screen, and also a really GOOD image catalogue / browsing tool.
14) CyberView Image - http://www.cyberviewcd.com/cvimage/index.html - AWESOME for really squashing individual images down to their smallest possible size. Never found anything to beat it yet.
15) Huey - http://www.jwa.co.uk/software/huey/ - an amazing little tool that helps you pick out the colors to go on HTML pages. I use this constantly.
16) Adaware - Downloads.html target=new>http://www.lavasoftusa.com/Downloads.html - I use this to clean out the SPYWARE every now and then. Very important this one!
17) CompuPic Pro - http://www.photodex.com - BATCH compression of all images. Great but you have to get the setting right or you COULD mess up a lot of images. This is a GREAT batch compressor though.
18) Thumbnailer - http://www.smalleranimals.com - makes thumbs of your lager pics. Takes seconds to make hundreds of thumbs. 'nuff said.
19) SR WIN - http://www.topniche.com/newbie-booster/resources/sr-win.zip - search out text links or anything else that needs changing across even thousands of pages.
20) The Rename - http://www.topniche.com/newbie-booster/resources/therenam.zip - this is a great tool that renames files on batch - html pages, pics etc... FREE
21) Xenu's link sleuth - http://home.snafu.de/tilman/xenulink.html - easily find your broken images and links with this freebie.
PHEW - I think that's everything!
