Not all the tools run on the servers. You are going to need some tools on you desktop. This is a quick list of some key areas you need to consider when you get started.
HTML Editors and FTP
NVU - is a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) HTML editor. it has a very nice editor to edit your HTML pages. It will allow you to edit the source if needed. There is also an FTP program included so you can upload your files to your hosting server. The website lists all the features or go directly to the download page.
FileZilla - If you just need an FTP program, this is a good choice. They have Windows and Mac versions. It is FREE and easy to use. Support is available from their forum. Download the latest version here.
Browser & email
firefox - here is a browser alternative to Internet Explorer. As Microsoft continues to fix security holes in IE, this browser has gained in popularity. It is also more compatible with HTML standards that IE.
thunderbird - want a nice email client that is not web based? This can link to all your sites and download emails, keeping them all sorted in different inboxes. It can also flag and sort your spam into a folder for you to check or delete. It is also compatible with Norton and McAfee email virus scanners.
Virus and Spyware
Spybot Search and Destroy - a spyware and malware search tool to check your system for spyware and remove. It is free. It can check and remove any you have now, and it will warn you when it detects new ones being added.
You should have an Anti Virus program installed on your system. The 2 leaders in this space are Norton AntiVirus by Symantec and McAfee Anti Virus. Both include personal firewalls, anti virus software, scan email if you use a client on your desktop like Outlook or thunderbird, plus parental control to block content.
