Thing to Know Before You Code, Part One: Tools

If you've been following this series, you should already have an idea of what you want your web site to come out looking like. Now, we're going to cover how to get from a blank page to that concept dancing in your brain. First thing's first, though: what tools do you need to have ready?

Basic Tools:

• HTML Editor
• Graphics Editor

HTML Editor

An HTML Editor is something like a word processor for HTML code. The most basic is Notepad, which comes with just about every Windows operating system installation. Because it is so ubiquitous, it's what I'll base examples on. You can use this Real-Time HTML Editor to copy & paste code samples for an instant view.

If you want to work with something a bit spiffier, check out the below guides:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_text_editors
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_HTML_editors

Graphics Editor

The main reason for picking up a graphics editor--as far as this article is concerned--boils down to re-sizing and re-sampling images.

I use PaintShopPro as my main graphic editing utility because I'm a digital painting hobby-ist, and it's powerful, yet still easy to figure out--unlike Adobe's Photoshop. Then again, I think most of Adobe's editing software requires advanced degrees in geek-out to get to even a middling of their usefulness. If your budget isn't that stretchy, there's the free stuff, starting with the Paint program that comes with Windows to Brush Strokes, which I'm told is pretty nifty for the price (free). And there's always the GIMP. It's one of the big Open Source Initiatives.