Create and Edit Websites with Open Source Software

I discovered open source software and portable apps about 3 years ago when I made it my mission to learn how to create websites. I had a limited budget, so I started with editing html and css by source code. In my opinion, this is the best way to start out because it forces you to learn the code, but once you know how to manipulate the codes, it is more efficient to use a software for editing existing web pages.

I started pricing web authoring software such as Dreamweaver and Frontpage and decided my budget could not handle it. That's when I started asking around and found out about free-open source software.

I started out using NVU and switched to Kompozer. They are very similar, but from what I understand Kompozer is NVU with fewer bugs. Both programs have a wysiwyg and the icons are similar to Microsoft Word, so there is some commonality between the programs, however, I am embarrassed to say I struggled a bit with the programs initially. Don't let this discourage you because these programs are capable of doing a lot. Have patience and you will figure it out over time. With a littler web surfing, you can find free tutorials on how to use the program. I found The Site Wizard web site offered some good information.

As I got better designing websites, I found that I needed a decent photo editor. Again, I didn't have the resources to buy Photoshop. It was and still is a little too pricey for my budget, but I eventually discovered Gimp an excellent photo editor. Gimp is another open-source software free to the public. Rumor has it that it mimics Photoshop. I am still learning how to use many of its features, but I am getting better with it. You can find a Gimp tutorial on their website.

There are also wonderful open source portable apps. I downloaded Firefox, Kompozer (a web authoring tool and Gimp). There is an office suite that can be downloaded too, plus many more that I have not had the opportunity to try out.

I don't have a lap top, so when I am visiting family members, I bring along my flash drive with my portable apps. I can update any website using Kompozer I can upload any file to my websites using Fireftp which is an add-on for Firefox, and I can view all my email securely because I view it through the Firefox program on my flash drive. I can also edit photos on the fly with my portable Gimp.

Isn't it wonderful that we have such gifted and generous programmers who spend their time creating amazing programs and offering it to the public for free?

I had been on a limited budget for a while and I did not have the disposable income to buy comparable computer programs for my computer. Having these resources available to me at no cost has been a life saver.

In return, I volunteer my web design skills to a non-profit, catholic school where my children attend and to a small, yoga studio whose resources are limited.

There are many ways that we can show our appreciation for the open-source software that is available to the public. We can give monetary donation to open source or buy some of their wonderful, creative products such as t-shirts, we can volunteer our programming services, or we can give back to our community by volunteering our skills.

Keep spreading the spirit of generosity and knowledge. We all benefit from it!!