Linux & Web Building

Linux offers many tools for building websites.

Free and open-source software options for Linux cover every step in a typical website building work flow: brainstorming, coding HTML and CSS, creating graphics and uploading your completed site. For advanced users, tools exist for content management and limited Flash authoring.

Brainstorming

Linux note-taking programs include Tomboy, Gnote and Xournal. For mind mapping, try FreeMind, view your mind (vym) or Symantik.

Coding

Code editors with syntax highlighting for HTML, CSS, Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP), JavaScript and computer-generated imagery (CGI) include gEdit, Kate and Emacs. For a WYSIWYG interface, try Kompozer---an open-source alternative to Dreamweaver.

Graphics

The Gnu Image Manipulation Program (GIMP), a free tool for creating bitmap graphics, has many features in common with Adobe Photoshop. For vector graphics, try Inkscape---a free alternative to Adobe Illustrator.

FTP

Most Linux distributions include a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) client. Free FTP clients for Linux include Konqueror, gFTP and FileZilla.

Flash

Though free animation software such as Synfig and Ktoon can export noninteractive animations to .swf format, as of 2010 none of these programs included scripting support.

Content Management Systems

Most Web-based content management systems are free and cross-platform. These systems include WordPress and JOOMLA---an open-source, nonproprietary alternative.

References

• Linux: Linux Web Development Tools
• Webmaster Tips: Using Linux for Web Design and Development
• The Open Sourcery: Best Open CMS: WordPress vs. Joomla vs. Drupal

Resources

• Sourceforge: Download and Develop Open Source Software for Free
• Google Code: Project Hosting