Web Construction Sites

Cool tool
http://www.cooltool.com/
After two years of giving you the cool tool of the day, this site has built up quite a library of handy little gizmo's for your webpage. Indexed and dated, searchable and browseable, the collection is a webmaster's goldmine. These guys are funny, too, and you will feel like they are part of your web development team, which of course they are. Mostly this is a link site with a review of each product, so it could get a little frustrating after a while reading their rave before going on to read someone else's rave before downloading, but it's great jumping off point to a world of cool stuff.
Verdict: These cool tool fools rule. You'll drool at all the jewels pooled. --SS
Net Worth: ****

The Web Designer's Heaven
http://home.sol.no/~redeye/heaven/
All you get here is a minimalist collection of links. Not my idea of heaven by a long shot. Graphics, Java, tools and fonts are among the kind of links you will follow, but the pages you go to remain in stuck within a frame. Sure there are some good links, but you can't even bookmark them. You have to keep coming back here. Sounds more like some kind of purgatory to me.
Verdict: I'll be damned if I ever visit this site again. --SS
Net Worth: **

SlaughterHouse
http://www.slaughterhouse.com/
These guys are making a killing getting adverts placed on their site full of links to and descriptions of all the software available around the globe. There's a lot of stuff here, plus tech news, new software updates and pick of the day. Primarily this is a link-to-download site, but before you do, at least they tell you what it might cost you and/or if it is shareware or freeware, and whether it's any good. 
Verdict: No animals were harmed in the making of this website. --SS
Networth: ****

Write Your Own Web Page
http://zero.tolerance.org/guest/hp.html
Hanging off the "Zero Tolerance" web site is this nice little automated web page maker. All you need do is put in the desired text, even add a graphic and a link if you like and abracadabra, you've got yourself a home page. It gets uploaded onto the Zero Tolerance guest site and people can add to it and respond to you. I tried a few times to get on and got rejected because the automated system had a few safeguards in place. They don't like commercialism, and prefer that you are politically active or just a person with some thoughts to express. What results is a huge list of peoples' pages that you can sift through. Why, I can't imagine.
Verdict: The cyber-version of a message in a bottle. Someone might read it one day. --SS
NetWorth: *** 

Sausage Software - makers of HotDog
http://www.sausage.com/
We've all heard about Steve Outtrim's huge web success with HotDog. It's nice to see that he is still going strong and forging ahead with new software and a mighty fine web site to support it all. The site map show you everything that's here, which covers all the available applications and upgrades, including the famed HotDog and some pretty cool devices like "Reptile" a background constructor, and heaps of other little utilities to help bring your web site to life. 
Verdict: Buy Australian, it's good for Sausage Software. --SS
Net Worth: ****

Firehand Technologies Corporation
http://www.firehand.com/
When your graphic collections on your computer become unmanageable, it's time to try Ember, Firehand's flagship application. It is a powerful graphic management tool, and with media extensions can manage all your audio and video files as well! The site is very well put together by marketing experts i.e. there are plenty of testimonials, awards, and of course the pictures they show you being managed are of babes in bikinis. Check it out, it could be just the thing your haphazard collection of multimedia has been screaming out for.
Verdict: I got to hand it to them, Ember is pretty hot. --SS
NetWorth: ****

AddURL
http://www.addurl.com/
Once you have made your web site, it is time to let the world know about it. This is a convenient way to do it. With about 800 different sites and search engines to automatically submit to from the one point, it certainly will save you some time. Web marketing is a little more than merely being on a search engine, and of course each one might have different criteria to get up the list, but this is surely a good start. This is easy to use and navigate, and once you have done it you can go back, modify your entry, and resubmit.
Verdict: OK I submit, now hURL my web site around for me. --SS
NetWorth: ****

Pence Web Tests
http://www.hs.washington.edu/locke/pence/testing.html
Mr Pence has put here a selection of meaningless pages to demonstrate various web devices. It gives you a chance to see HTML in action and maybe get you thinking about what you want to do with it. Well at least that's what I think this is for, since there is nothing to explain what the hell is going on here. Have a look anyway, if you have a few minutes of your life you never want to see again.
Verdict: Testing, testing... uh, hello... what's going on here? --SS
NetWorth: **

Web Tools and Graphics 
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Vista/7331/
Another "let me help you" page which really consists of nothing more than a few links to the people who can really help you. The graphics collection is about as big as a pebble on Mt Everest, and the only saving grace of this site is the humour page, which consists of all those lame joke emails everyone sends each other every day, which really is no saving grace at all. 
Verdict: Forget it. --SS
Networth: *

HTML Power Tools
http://www.tali.com/
This is a suite of powerful web tools to make sure that all that hard work you did putting your site together actually works properly. You can check your code for errors, customise for different browsers, check links, check spelling, ensure efficient search engine listing and much more. The people who use this product are some high-flying web developers, so it must be a useful piece of machinery. Glowing reviews support the glowing hype and the shimmering discount price if you order now.
Verdict: It's time to get out the drill, sander and angle grinder, your site is nearly ready for the world. --SS
NetWorth: ****

Site Tree Product Information
http://www.kobixx.com/stinfo.htm
If you have a web site, or are thinking of building one that is going to resemble your spare bedroom full of junk when it's done, so no-one will ever find anything, perhaps you should consider providing a nice little site tree to organise yourself a bit. This application offers you the chance to show the surfer where everything is on your site in a familiar "tree" format. It's still up to you to sort your site out, but this could surely help. 
Verdict: You may want to take a leaf out of this site and branch out into site maps. --SS
NetWorth: ***

Emblaze.Creator
http://www.emblaze.com/atomic/creator.htm
Steaming multimedia with no plug-ins and no server applications? You can check out this program with lots of demos of animations and interactive graphics here. It's all done with Java, and looks pretty good. I don't know about the content, though. It's the kind of thing cartoonists might use, but the average netizen on the superhighway might make a piece of crap out of it. You still have to have good images. Emblaze claim that this product is far more flexible and easier to use than Shockwave. I guess it's a matter of time before the world discovers it, starting with you. 
Verdict: It's time to emblaze your doodles onto your site --SS
Networth: ****

F O R M U L A G R A P H I C S
http://www.formulagraphics.com/
Now this is some cool gear. Special effects and animation for web, interactive kiosk and/or CDROM, and a cool Java button program that needs no technical ability. Best of all, it's Australian! A free version of FG is available immediately for download and trial, and if you register, you can begin stuffing your web page full of amazing effects. There are some great demos of what can be done. This reviewer has downloaded a copy, and can't wait to pay off his credit card so he can book up the full version. 
Verdict: Footballs, meat pies, kangaroos and Formula Graphics. --SS
Networth: *****

Tech Assist, Inc. - Tools that Work
http://www.toolsthatwork.com/
Fill up your tool belt with a few new hammers, nails and spanners from this site. Utilities to solve the kind of problems that I think tech assist invented in order to design software to fix them. Then again, I am a moron, and think that utlities and fix-it apps should run without me knowing anyhing about it. If you are more into pulling back the plasterboard and rewiring the house, this could be your kind of handyman store. Some free demos. 
Verdict: I'd rather make a phone call, but I might call you. I hope you're toolbox is complete. --SS
NetWorth: ***

Mega Web Tools
http://protect.simplenet.com/tools.htm
Here is another resource of all kinds of cool goodies. Mostly links to great sites, and mostly nice and free, you will be quite happy to browse around gravitating from this site and plucking and pinching all the bells and whistles you can cram into your dream website. Chat rooms, graphics, cut & paste HTML, site submission, counters, there are dozens of links of each one, so you can choose what suits you best. 
Verdict: It's mega, and it's full of tools, what are you waiting for?. --SS
Networth: *****

MediaBuilder
http://www.mediabuilder.com/
So you are a builder, and your bricks are zero's and your mortar, one's. You need professional software that you actually pay for, and here it all is. A whole host of media managing and creating applications that put you a few steps ahead of all those who are happy to use the shareware and free stuff. Not that there isn't a whole bunch of free stuff here! There is an animated banner maker, button maker gif collection, and a whole workshop full of script. For a banner, just type in your text, and choose from heaps of different effects, and you are instantly dished up a banner that you can save to disc. Very handy! 
Verdict: Thanks, media builder, I'll be back to buy something soon, I promise! --SS
NetWorth: *****

Web Wizard for Windows
http://www.halcyon.com/artamedia/webwizard/
Web Wizard is a Windows based bare bones HTML page creator, designed to make your first few home pages easy to get done. All you have to do is download it and double click it, and you are away. How far away, I'm not sure, since they say it doesn't really do much. Basically you will get a web page done, and for some people that's all they need. If this is you, then download now.
Verdict: Windows website weapon Web Wizard works wonders. --SS
NetWorth: ***

HTMLjive Info - HTML editor in JavaScript
http://www.cris.com/~raydaly/htmljive.html
This allows people to create a web page straight from the net using JavaScript. A rather nifty device and the creator welcomes you to steal it and put it on your page. He then wants to create a list of people using the code on their sites. It's not the most comprehensive web editor on the planet, but it sure beats nothing. It's up to you how you would like to use it within the context of your own site. It's raw HTML, so the user must have a bit of an idea what they are doing.
Verdict: Uh, I think this is a cool thing. See what you can make of it. --SS
Networth: ***

Cooltext.com: Online Graphics Generator
http://www.cooltext.com/
Supported by banner advertising, this totally free resource allows you to create graphics straight on the page and save for use on your own site. If you like what you get, be kind and put a link to this guy's site. This really is very cool, and as such, is rather busy at times, so you may have to wait while the server deals with all the traffic.
Verdict: Thanks Cooltext! My website is much cooler now. --SS
NetWorth: *****

Database and Form Solutions
http://www.coolarchive.com/entrance.cfm
At the time of review, it seems this site has had a change of direction. There didn't seem to be much Database or Form solutions, but a collection of pics, fonts, buttons, arrows, bullets, and utilities. Not much more to say, really. It's got some good stuff, but not what you might be looking for. 
Verdict: Huh? Not bad all the same. --SS
Networth: ***

Ranson's CGI Scripts
http://www.rlaj.com/scripts/
Along with a few chargeable scripts come a plethora of freebies that, if you know how to deploy them, can do wonders for your website. Mail-to, guest book, slide show, counter, password and search functions are all there for you to utilise. It's a good way to check out the quality of the programming before shelling out on the big purchases like shopping trolleys and secure credit card transaction facilities. There is also a small tutorial on Perl and CGI for the uninitiated. Thanks Ranson, you've just done your good deed for the day! 
Verdict: Put these scripts onto your server, don't take them to the chemist. --SS
NetWorth: ****

Dynamic database Publishing and CGI Scripts
http://www.munica.com/
Free trials of these complex scripting applications that will help you build some interactive database functionality into your site. We are moving into a slightly higher price bracket here, but the idea is that when you get this sort of action going down on your page, you might even be earning a crust out of the Internet. Devise a concept, design a site, download a trial version, test it and if it works, go for it. Pay the money and get your vision realised. Munica are happy to do it for you too, but I'm sure there will be a script to remove money from your wallet at an hourly rate, rather than the one-off fee for the software.
Verdict: Do it yourself, if you can. --SS
Networth: ***

Matt's Script Archive: WWWBoard
http://www.worldwidemart.com/scripts/wwwboard.shtml
You've probably seen those message board web pages, where people can post comments just like in a newsgroup, except straight on the WWW. This is a script that enables you to start your own message board. The site is quite simple and easy to follow with help and read me texts, covering the breakdown of the whole process that the scripting enacts. Well worth checking out, if you have any kind of ideas for topics of discussion or maybe you want an interactive FAQ section to your business site. 
Verdict: Ah, so that's how they do it!. --SS
NetWorth: ***

W3Kit 2.2 An Object Oriented Toolkit For Interactive WWW Applications
http://www.projectcool.com/developer/
One of the co-founders of Project Cool is the originator of the "Cool Site of the Day" Verdict: Project Cool is a web hot spot. --SS
NetWorth: ****

Dany K
http://www.danyk.ch/
Dany seems like quite a clever chappy, who works for a Swiss ISP and develops his own software and coding along the way. In a friendly style, he tells us how great Linux is and how he wrote his own HTML editor, and so on. Unfortunately for you, the hungry surfer looking for goodies to download, the pickings are slim. He's into ICQ, so I guess you could always chat with him and ask a few questions. He seems friendly enough, but time is money, and it's ticking away here for not very much return.
Verdict: It looks good, it sounds good, but what's going on here? --SS
NetWorth: **

"The Ant" - HTML Conversion Utilities (Microsoft Word macro for HTML)
http://mcia.com/ant/
Yes, you can make up your own web pages in Word. (I thought you could anyway). Well, with this program it should be easy as well as flexible, with many controls and additional bits of code available for inclusion in your document. GAT $39.00 US, I'd be tempted to put my money towards something else, but it may be one of those programs that are just perfect for your specific needs. There is a demo version available, so once you check out the details in full, you may wish to test it for your own purposes.
Verdict: Sadly, with all the stuff that's out there now, this program could well be dancing the Dead Ant soon. --SS
NetWorth: ***

WebDoor
http://www.opendoor.com/webdoor/
This is nothing much more than an ISP offering a bit of software to get your page together so they can host it for you while they offer a dial up account and web space. I really can't imagine how this web publishing means still abounds out there when there are so many completely happening web design applications available. I guess I keep forgetting that some people know absolutely nothing, and need to start somewhere. Even so, a young driver doesn't start on a horse. This site looks very amateurish, as well.
Verdict: Get with the program. --SS
NetWorth: *

Enhanced HTML 
http://www.enhance.co.uk/enhance/html/
A non WYSIWYG but highly evolved HTML editor comes to you here that allows complex web design to take place while complete control over the raw code is retained. If you like to work like this, it might be worth downloading a trial copy. The site itself looks pretty darned good, if that is any indication of the power of the application. Some nice screen shots give you a good indication of the environment you will be working in once you get started. 
Verdict: It's enhanced, advanced, why not take a chance? --SS
NetWorth: *****

Eucanect Software
http://software.eucanect.com/
Five applications on offer here. A shopping system from a database of products, a secure web setup for client/customer/partner/employee interaction over the web, encryption software to guard against hacking, an HTML editor, and a spell checker for Eudora email program. If any of these sound like something you could use in your development of Internet content, it might be worth your while popping in for a peek or a chat .
Verdict: Should you connect to Eucanect, or should your bookmark file receive a Eucanect-ectomy?--SS
NetWorth: ***

The Homepage Upper
http://www.miracles.win-uk.net/LifeAfterDeath/
Netscape's answer to Microsofts answer to Netscape's answer to Microsoft's ...well, there is a lot going on here, as with their opposition, so I guess you just choose your team and go with it. The information provided here is well set out from the Front Page, and you, the Explorer can Access their entire Office full of Word's on developing websites that Excel. As a Publisher, your Outlook will improve and you will Recycle a lot less of your old material. Many Windows of opportunity.
Verdict: Seriously, the technology here is hot, and is well worth a visit. -- SS
NetWorth: *****

BBEdit Remote Link Checker 
http://www.boingo.com/dan/software/LinkChecker.html
This $10 shareware app claims to be able to check your Website's remote links for accuracy and vital signs. Not much to go on here, so it's up to you.
Verdict: If you want it, here it is, come and get it. --SS
NetWorth: **

GWWWiz 
http://members.aol.com/GWWWiz/wiz.htm
A small development business offering Color Converter 2.0 (shareware; try it 10 times free, then register it for $4.95) - a program to convert user defined colours, colours from the windows palette, or an active screen capture to RGB, HEX, and CMYK. Includes slider bars, colour preview, and copy buttons so the codes can be inserted into HTML documents. For Windows 95/NT. Also a HTML calendar creator. 
Verdict: This is the greatest revolution in computer software in the last 50 years... NOT --SS
NetWorth: *

NetObjects Home
http://www.netobjects.com/
Here comes the serious contenders for web development software. Award winning Fusion plus Propack and Script Builder - extensions to help you put your own NASA online, are well worth checking out. A fully featured site offering detailed run downs, reviews and a trial version download would have to tempt any professional or semi professional web developer into taking a second look, no matter what other applications they are using.
Verdict: Open site environment, drag and drop... Sounds good to me. --SS
NetWorth: ****

Hippie HTML Editor 
http://pages.prodigy.com/hippie/
Besides being a web page editor with a preview feature, this looks like a lot of fun. That sounds hard to believe and probably is. At least the web site is a bit zany. The software itself does sound quite useable, though, and once again, a trial is available for you to inspect. Sounds groovy. 
Verdict: Far out, man, this is freaky, well, almost. --SS 
NetWorth: ***