Home : Blogs : Erik Wecks : Erik's Rants and Resources

Two website creation tools I really like.

I don't yet know HTML which means I don't write code. However, I am very picky about my web presence. Which means that I do try and create my own websites etc. Last week I found two tools which I thought were really useful and reasonably priced.

The first is GIMP 2.0 which is a photo manipulation program intended to rival Adobe's Photoshop. The best part is that it is free. Considering the photoship runs in the hundreds of dollars I think that this is a great deal. Good photo manipulation software is an absolute must for any agent trying to improve their sales in a down market. We have all seen the listings with the bad photos where the lighting was wrong etc. Photo manipulation software can help correct some of these problems for your web photos and give prospective buyers a better look at your listing.

The second program is a flash animation program which cost me $70 dollars, which is an inexpensive price considering Dream Weaver the industry standard also runs in the hundreds of dollars. This program called KoolMoves allows you to create both flash based websites and website components such as movies. I really have enjoyed getting to know this program and I have found its interface pretty intuitive. The big advantage I found here over other freeware software is that it has a tremendously greater amount of flexibilty. Many freeware programs aproach creating flash based web "stuff" as a series of templates which your text or banner or website must fit within. Although KoolMoves does contain the same kind of template based system, it has so many templates and you can change the indivdual features of these templates to create nearly and infinite number of possibilities for the look movement and feel of what ever web component you are creating. If you go to the KoolMoves site look at the gallery of flash objects and websites which were created with the program. It is worth checking out.

I am sure that with a little practice I will be able to use both KoolMoves and GIMP to create online content that will make both my listings and my promotional materials stand out from the crowd.... I am really looking forward to using them.

Erik Wecks

http://erikwecks.com/

PS. The Colts are going to destroy the Bears.... It is finally Paton Manning's year

Posted by Erik Wecks on 01/22/2007 12:46 AM

Comments (8)

software, websites, gimp, koolmoves

8 Comments on Two website creation tools I really like.

JAN

2007

Great post Erik, I'll check out those sites.

"The Colts are going to destroy the Bears.... "

Was that a GREAT 2nd half come-back or what??!!?! Way to go COLTS!

Several folks in the old Compuserve PhotoForum are big fans of GIMP, maybe I'll go have a look at it. And I don't suppose we could talk you into making a quick edit to your post -- and check the little checkbox to include the post in the Photography Group? I would imagine the Gadgets, Tools, & Extras people would appreciate it as well....

Thanks for sharing Erik. I love trying cool stuff. And free is good.

And as a diehard Steeler fan, I'm happy for Peyton Manning. He deserves to be there. I will enjoy watching!

Thanks Erik I like to try new tools and I will certainly look into the two you mentioned. If you come across any negatives after further exploration please share.