Useful tools for web designers Code editors, FTP clients, online apps…

Presentation:Considerations in choosing your web design tools

Su WestermanMA Web Design and Content PlanningFebruary 2015

Useful tools for web designers Code editors, FTP clients, online apps…

Blog: • Listing and links to a wide range of potentially useful

tools for web designers • Feature comparison of code editors• A brief discussion on where web design tools appear to

be heading – back to the future?• Links to some discussion articles of tools of the trade

Su Westermanhttp://swesterman.users40.interdns.co.uk/blog/

The web design process:

• Research and analysis• Project management• Design• Development• Marketing• Maintenance and monitoring• Review, reflect, learn

‘While there’s no simple answer to “Which text editor should I use?” there’s one simple rule that can guide you in making the choice: You should use the text editor that makes you the most efficient.

Nick Pettit

http://blog.teamtreehouse.com/which-text-editor-should-i-use

The code editor you use depends on a couple of factors, but primarily it comes down to personal preference.’

In considering what makes you most efficient you need to take account of….

• The compatibility of a tool with your equipment• What costs you can incur• What functionality you need now• What additional features would also most help you• The provenance of the tool• How you like to use and learn new tools

...i.e. your context.

Using the “right” tools for a job is as much about understanding your needs as about understanding the tools.

In considering your needs, don’t focus so much on features and functionality of web development tools, as you can get very similar from most tools.

That leaves the key differences to consider in whether tools are right for you are being:

• Licensing• Provenance• The type of support provided and..

• Single-function versus multi-functional tools• Full package out-of-the-box or built for plugins

Cost/licensing issues:

• Cost• Nature of licence e.g. ownership of materials

developed on cloud systems.• Open source versus propriety tools - which suites

your values and perception of quality?

Some open-source products

-Atom-Notepad++-Aptana studio

Some licensed products

-Dreamweaver-Coda

Provenance of the tool:

• Research the background, reliability, support and business model of any tool in which you are considering investing your time/money.

• Remember – there is rarely such a thing as a free lunch!

Single-function versus multi-functional tools

• Some products focus on just one task• A growing number enable undertaking of many tasks in

an integrated environment

Some single-function tools

-Notepad++-Transit FTP client

Some multi-function tools

-Brackets-Coda-Aptana-Espresso-Dreamweaver-Firefox

Full package out-of-the-box or built for plugins

• Many Integrated Development Environments(IDEs) have similar functionality, but some require you to plugin many other APIs to gain this functionality and configure accordingly.

• Think about how much effort and skill is needed and whether you have this at the moment!

Some out-of-the-box tools

-Coda-Dreamweaver

Some tools built for plugins

-Brackets-Atom-Sublime

The type of support provided

• Think about how you prefer to learn, are you happy exploring a new tool, or do you like some guidance, and if so what format do you like this to be.

• Web development tools come with a wide range of support mechanisms – informal user led forums, books, videos.

Some tools with primarily user generated support

-Atom-Brackets-Sublime

Some tools with greater provider support

-Coda-Dreamweaver

Visit my blog for a copy of this presentation, further resources and to leave any comments. Thank you.