This section is for excellent (and cheap) utilities that can make designing your web site much easier and less stressful!
Unless otherwise specified, these applications are for Mac OS computers.
Researched and written by Chad Coleman.
| GraphicConverter | My favorite image modification tool. Period. GraphicConverter not only allows you to save images in almost any format you can imagine, but makes scaling a breeze with handy X- and Y- coordinates. One of my favorite features is on-click transparent GIF creation. Simply click on the color you wish to make transparent with the wand and "presto" transparent GIF! Other notable features are the detail window (for magnification) and the overview window (to see a thumbnail of the image you are editing). GraphicConverter is $35 shareware and well worth it! Click for screenshots |
| WebMap | Have you ever wondered how to make imagemaps for your site? With WebMap, you simply select the different areas of your image you want to make 'hot' and add the URL that section links to. When you save the file as text, the coordinates for that imagemap are created. WebMap formats documents in both NCSA and CERN standards. WebMap is $20 shareware and can be downloaded from shareware.com Click for screenshots |
| Big Brother | Excellent tool for verifying that the links in your HTML documents are valid. Drag and drop support makes checking your code on the fly painless! |
| Web Ruler | Did you know there's a difference in how a web page displays on a Mac and a PC? Well there is. For optimum cross-platform page display-ability, Web Ruler rules! If you find it ackward balancing a pica rule on your monitor's screen, visit the folks at Web Page Design and download a web ruler in GIF format. Temporarily place it in your web page and you'll be able to measure in inches, centimetres and pixels accounting for both Mac and PC displays. A tutorial is also available. |
| Screen Ruler | Presiding over your desktop, Screen Ruler was meant to be pushed around. Shareware $15; available in Mac and Win. |
Solutions for site analysis can assist you in ensuring that your pages conform to HTML 4.0 standards, browser compatibility, and even ethical/code standards. Researched and Written by Donna Sanclemente.
| Bobby | Bobby analyzes your site's pages for their accessibility to people with disabilities. It also analyzes your site for compatibility with various browsers and HTML 4.0 compatibility. Receive a Bobby Approved rating. |
| Keynote Perspective | Measure and assure your site's performance with a free one-week performance appraisal; includes daily email reporting, site-down notification and more. |
| W3C HTML Validation Service | An easy-to-use HTML valuation service. Pass and show off your W3C valuation logo. |
| Doctor HTML | Just what the doctor ordered! Quick and easy way to get a report on how quickly your web site draws, reports HTML problems, spelling errors and table structure. Validates hyperlinks. Report is emailed. |
| Web Site Garage | Get a free one-page analysis or indulge in Web Site Garage's small biz promo package ($12.95/month). |
| Site Inspector | Free analysis includes: HTML validity, browser compatibility, link validator, spelling, load time and more! Part of MSN Link Exchange. |
| metaCheck (and more!) | Analyzes web pages for Meta tags; makes recommendations to ensure fullest potential. This and other cool analysis tools are available at Webpedia. |
The following three web calendars were spotted on Blueworld's Lasso Solution page Researched and Written by Donna Sanclemente.
| Seth Ganahl's Web Calendar | Freeware. A sample is available. |
| T Lex Inc. Web Calendar | Freeware. |
| Thomas C. Waters Web Calendar | Freeware. |
