Web Tools


This present endeavour (the site) started off with a basic, pre-formatted webpage designer provided by my (former) ISP. It has since morphed into the product that you see today. In the process, I have endeavoured to maintain a relatively simple, no-frills style. I have benefitted from many excellent web-based guides to HTML programming, tools, and the like. In spite of the plethora of HTML editors available, I (somewhat stubbornly) still choose to go with Windows Notepad.

  • A Beginners Guide to HTML
    If you're a complete newbie and are looking for someplace to start, this is the place to go. Although it is no longer updated, this primer remains one of the friendliest faces on starting out in HTML.
  • The Bare Bones Guide to HTML
    I have found this to be the most concise and useful guide for anyone with some - even the most minimal - background in programming. Provides the key HTML 4.0 instruction sets, with brief descriptions of their function.
  • An Introduction to HTML & URLs
    This offers an excellent, step-by-step tutorial through the world of HTML. Relatively long, so be prepared to make an investment of time.
  • Free Webmaster Help
    A nice site that includes free advice on a range of topics of interest to a webmaster. This includes a bunch of tools, a directory of useful links, and in depth tutorials on a range of topics (probably the best feature of the site): I have found the tutorials on htaccess, CSS, and Javascript most useful.
  • Composing Good HTML
    A great guide to how to set up a use-friendly, yet useful website. Very comprehensive, and it deals with most of the issues in a methodical way. Only drawback is that it is a little dated.
  • HTML Writers Guild
    Tailor-made for those who are dead-serious about getting into the language. The Guild offers online classes as long as you are willing to fork out the cash.
  • WDG HTML Validator
    A great service, the validator allows validation of multiple websites in batch mode, as well as validation of files on your computer, and validation of entire sites.
  • Doug's Colour Picker
    A basic palette of about 250 colours with options to mix and match them and subsequently open up a window with your colour choices. Great for experimentation (and if you are, like me, colour-coordinationally challenged).
  • Royalty Free Art
    Possibly the best source online source for stock photos that can be freely copied and used for private, noncommercial webpages; examples include the Ansel Adams DOI collection, fine art, and the John Audubon nature folio. Other websites with similar services are FreeFoto.com and photoSIG.
  • Fastcounter
    Looking for a web counter? Microsoft bCentral provides this free counter service. Another site that allows a slightly more customizable counter is GoStats.
  • MessageBot
    After the demise of the free Listbot, MessageBot is one alternative, largely reliable free service that allows webmasters to create and maintain email lists.
  • Alexa
    All that you ever wanted to know about your website: Statistics, relative rankings, and the like. Plugs neatly into Google's search engine.

Oh, and for those who might be wondering... HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language.