In my battle to reject normality aka Windows, I’ve decided to take a look and research what tools are out there to do website design, which are not only free, but are pretty damn good too. Unfortunatley, if I’m honest they are not without there glitches, and are stopping me from making the switch. But looking to the future, I can see that there will come a time when I can escape the Microsoft grasp.
Before I start, as wonderful as Mac’s are, when I look at the hardware I just can’t justify the price they want! I mean come on, same spec laptops (or better), you’re looking at £700, for Mac equivilent or SAME spec, you’re looking at £1400 or more. I am not paying £700+ for an operating system, no matter how pretty it is and Mac software is very expensive indeed.
1. Graphics – Alternatives to Photoshop
Ok this one’s a biggy, without a good graphics tool like Adobe photoshop we’re lost. Seriously we are, it’s a great tool, but with Adobe’s attitude towards Linux and the open source community is clear (just do a spell check in photoshop CS3 for the word ‘Linux’ it will suggest ‘windows’ as the word you need) we’re not likely to see a release. The bullshit about linux not being a viable platform because people don’t use it is rubbish, seeing as there is only a tiny percentage more users that use Mac, and until only recently, Linux was actually winning. Ok, so down to the alternatives:
Gimp or Gimpshop – Most of you have probably heard of Gimp, mainly for is memorable name. It’s not a half bad tool, it can open up PSD’s from Photoshop, create simple graphics, however for me, it’s serverely flawed by the fact is awkward to use. I can’t find any keyboard short cuts for the life of me, and stuff feels like it’s in the wrong place. However it is usable, and you could use it to make a website. Gimpshop is actually a ‘Gimp Hack’, it’s a theme which makes your gimp look like Photoshop, well about Photoshop version 7, but this hack is under developed. It’s a glimmer of hope, and with some more development, Gimp can make it. Give it a try and see what you think.
Gimp works for Linux & Windows – not sure about mac / don’t care.
2. Coder GUI – Alternatives to Dreamweaver
I use Dreamweaver but its a Pain for PHP, simply cause its shite.
Fortunatley there are alternatives out there, some a little fiddly to sort and get going, but you really must give these two ago.
Notepad++ - What a brilliant little program, its lightweight, colours the code, good stuff, good stuff indeed. Get it, its free! Donate to them if you like it, worthwhile.
Notepad++ works for Windows and Linux
Aptana – Now for open source stuff, these guys are pros! This software is a full coding GUI, with support for most languages including a half decent PHP gui. Good stuff, get this now!!! GO GO GO!
Apatana works for Windows and Linux.
Ok one more I just have to mention, unfortunatly not for linux and not open source, so shouldn’t be here, is PHP Designer 2008, just buy it, its cheap, and far better than Dreamweaver.
Ok so things aren’t practical yet, but in a few years time, we’ll all be moving over to open source and linux OS’s, you’ll see! Get away from the corporate giants Microsoft, and with the likes of React OS (basically a remake of Windows XP but open source and linux), and the likes of Wine, we may be able to get away from Windows that bit sooner.
Keep up the good work lads.
Wuup Team
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