Lesson 7.1: Free Tools

Here are some of the basic tools that are highly recommended.  These tools can be used to prepare and save files in formats that are web friendly like GIF, JPG, PDF, and WMV.

• Notepad++ is a free text editor that can be used to prepare text free of invisible formatting codes that are added by word processing programs like Microsoft Word.  Download Notepad++.
• Microsoft Paint is a free graphics utility included with the Windows operating system.  This utility can be used as a canvas to create an image that uses multiple imported images from other sources.  You can use FSCapture to create a single image graphic visible on the Microsoft Paint canvas.
• Windows Movie Maker is a free program from Microsoft that is included with Windows XP or can be downloaded as part of 'Windows Live' for Windows Vista or Windows 7.  Use Movie Maker to create simple videos that can include still photos, audio and music, and actual video.  You can add text and create a lively WMV file that can be uploaded to YouTube.
• OpenOffice.org is a free 'Office Suite' that includes a word processor, a spreadsheet, a slideshow, a database, and other features.  Very handy if you do not have a copy of Microsoft Office.  Download OpenOffice.org.
• 7Zip is a free file archiving utility that can be used to create ZIP files which can then be uploaded to your website.  When you have larger files or a collection of files to provide, it is best to archive them into a single ZIP file and make them available for download.  Download 7Zip.
• FSCapture is a free screen capture utility that can be used to create graphic files.  It is a great utility to crop existing photo graph files to produce a new photo file.  Download FSCapture Note - this link is for the last freeware version of FSCapture.
• PhotoFiltre is a free graphics utility with some advanced tools that can be used to brighten or darken an image, blur an image, and apply layers and filters to an image.  Download PhotoFiltre.
• PDFCreator is a free utility that is used to convert other 'document' files to PDF format.  PDFCreator installs as a printer, so you create PDF documents by printing to them.  Download PDFCreator.

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