Alice’s Tech Toolbox

• Microsoft FrontPage How I edit and create most of my web pages. Microsoft is no longer making this software, but it serves me well for the time being.For web building, I also use Mambo, WordPress, Blogger & Internet Based Family to create & manage my websites. But if you’re just starting out, you needn’t explore all the options…just start with one and run with it. HINT: The Internet Based Family is a near no-brainer way to get a site up and running, looking the way you want and with the features you want. There’s a 10-day trial too.

• Cute FTP A super-easy and reliable FTP program for uploading and downloading files from my websites.

• Kayako A great script for setting up and running your own customer support system.

• MailWasher A great program for managing spam.This has been a longstanding lifesaver for me.

• Microsoft Outlook How I read and answer my email.

• Microsoft Word Writing documents to convert to PDF.

• Instant PDF Generator Creating PDFs with active links

• Adobe Photoshop Elements I use this for simple graphic editing and making screenshots. I don’t need a complex program because I outsource most graphic work to more competent graphic artists.

• Microsoft Excel Well, I don’t usually create my spreadsheets, but have my assistants create reports I can look at in Excel!

• TextPad For formatting text emails.

• Article Announcer For streamlining the article submission process.

• Sweetie Reader My very own RSS reader where I keep up with all my favorite feeds. This also gives me content discussion points and keeps my finger on the pulse of my market.

• Windows Media Player For listening to marketing information while I work.

• All Recorder To record mp3s

• ScreenCam Generator For creating screen capture videos. These are great for creating info products, instructing your customer how to use your website and giving detailed instructions to your assistants.

• QuickSales For my shopping cart, ad tracking, affiliate programs and mailing lists.

• I used to use Ask Database for organizing questions that my visitors and subscribers would like answered. It’s great for content creation ideas. I have recently switched to a beta version of Easy Internet Survey that will be publicly available soon.

• WordTracker keyword research for pay-per-click campaigns and creating optimized content for my website.

• Google Keyword Tool same as above

• Audio Generator For creating streaming audio on my websites…instead of doing it the techy way.