When I started doing websites
I make websites from 2001. At start I used Macromedia Dreamweaver and HTML tables. Working with clients and at large projects is demanding. For this reason Macromedia Dreamewaver and HTML tables are not enough. Every project brings new questions and sometimes require new working approaches or tools to work with. This is one of the reasons I start using new software or to forgot HTML tables in favor of xHTML and CSS.
NetBeans IDE
I used Macromedia Dreamweaver for more than 7 years until one day when I realized I don't need it anymore. Apple Mac users have TextMate but I am a PC user, so, the problem was to find an alternative to Dreamweaver able to give me more power and flexibility. Because I love open-source projects I started my search on Google after an IDE (Integrated development environment) able to satisfy my requests. After long days I found, tested and liked NetBeans IDE .
NetBeans IDE is wrote in Java, for me that meaning portable (I love portable software), easy to work with and full of features useful for every programmer. The only think I miss from Macromedia Dreamweaver is the code coloring for CSS files. All the rest is much better in NetBeans IDE.
Code completion, error hints, namespace completion, documentation pop ups, full PHP 5.3 support are only some of the features I like at NetBeans IDE. Another thing I like at NetBeans IDE is his interface and keyboard shortcuts.
XAMPP
I create websites using xHTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP and MySQL. Because I use server side technologies I need a test server. In the past I used to install Apache server, PHP and MySQL but now I use XAMPP . Remember, I love portable apps.
I don't have time to lose installing Apache server, PHP and MySQL every time, Windows crashes and I want to avoid data lost, especially when speaking about database. For this reasons XAMPP is the perfect choice to work with when creating web apps.
It's easy to install, easy to configure and offer you everything you need to test and use web based applications.
FileZilla
In time I created the habit to use separate software to accomplish separate tasks. Not all my projects are team work (I intend two or more programmers), giving me the freedom to use in that case the FTP client I prefer – FileZilla .
Generally, all FTP clients does the same job. Total Commander have an FTP client integrated, WinSCP is another good FTP client but for me FileZilla is perfect. I like the interface and generally the way it does the job. Is portable, is open-source.
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PHP files - Unicode (UTF-8) encodingAsk me if I can work for you!
Remember, I am a pro in building web pages and web apps (website design, website programming and internet marketing consulting). I don't do graphic design. I take pictures but I am not a photographer. Now I learn public relations and communications.
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PHP files - Unicode (UTF-8) encodingNotepad++
Notepad++ is the text editor I love. When I work with NetBeans IDE many times I need to open files outside the projects I have opened. For this reason and for a reason of comfort and flexibility, I use Notepad++ Portable downloaded from portableapps.com . The only difference between Notepad++ and Notepad++ Portable is the option you have with the second one to open it without the need to install it on your OS and to have your personal setting available on all the computers where you will use your portable version of Notepad++ .
For me, Notepad++ is a help tool that I use when I work with NetBeans IDE or when I need to open text files rapidly to make small changes or to read them.
Notepad++ is far away more easy to work with, than the old Notepad that you find in every Windows OS.
Xmind
Xmind is an open-source, wrote in Java, easy to use mind mapping tool. In time the projects I work to, become larger and larger, more complex and more demanding. For this reason I started to use mind mapping software.
There is FreeMind, another mind mapping software but, for me, Xmind is better. It does exactly what I searched for, is easy to work with and if you buy a subscription you can have available Gantt View and other option.
Usually I use Xmind when planning the structure of the database or when creating admin sections or plug-ins. The last plug-in planned (at the moment of the writing) with Xmind was a Photo Gallery Uploader / Manager.
Other tools I use for website design
Firefox is the browser I use when testing. The main reason are the plug-ins availble: Web Developer toolbar, Firebug, YSlow, HTML Validator, ColorZilla or Live HTTP Headers. The only problem with Firefox is the memory consumption, a big issue for a web browser so helpful like Firefox.
Other software I use when need it are Color Schemer Studio (a professional color matching application), Adobe Photoshop and Corel Draw. I don't do graphic design and for this reason usually I don't use this tools.
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