I hope this collection of resources will bring value to you as much as it does for me. Most of the recommendations here are free, and I have given my two cents worth on the quality of the tools. Feel free to “shop” around, and pick the best tools for yourself. =)
Please contact me should you spot any bugs or dead links.
- Great Free E-Books -
The Zen of Blogging
Hunter has taken an interesting approach to writing his first E-book. The Zen of Blogging is about an aspiring blogger who sets out on a journey to discover the secrets of blogging. It is an easy read, yet delivers a meaningful message about blogging. Thinking of starting a new blog? Read Hunter’s E-Book first. =)
Verdict: I like Hunter’s writing style and the manner which he delivers the meaningful message about blogging.
How To Make Money Online
By Sara Brown
In this E-Book, Sara gives her honest opinions about what she calls “HTMMN” (How To Make Money Niche), and offers down-to-earth advice on how to break into this niche. If you are willing to work hard to make a living online, this E-Book offers great tips. If you are one of those who wants to earn tons of money without any effort, this E-Book is a must-read! I am sure it will help to wake you up.
Verdict: I like Sara’s down-to-earth and honest approach in discussing the “Make Money Online” niche. Read this E-Book and you will think twice about plunging your money into some self-proclaimed “money generating” schemes.
Download How To Make Money Online
- Brilliant Wordpress Plugins -
Featurific (Featured Articles Slideshow)
Courtesy of Rich Christiansen
Free, customizable plugin to splash out your best posts in the most prominent part of your blog. How does that sound? This plugin allows you to direct readers to your selected posts, with the click of a few buttons. You do have to know simple manipulation of codes to get the plugin to fit into your template, content, sidebar etc.
Verdict: One of the best free featured articles slideshow tools around. Until the next generation of free slideshow plugins appear, Featurific looks like the best bet.
Download latest version of Featurific for Wordpress
- Blogging Tools -
PDF Converter and Editor
Courtesy of pdf995.com
Looking to publish your first E-Book? Look no further than the free PDF995. With minimal effort, you can convert word documents into PDF format, free. PDF995 comes in the form of a printer driver and free converter.
PDFEdit995 allows editing of PDFs, such as combining documents into a single PDF, automatic link insertion, hierarchical bookmark insertion and so on. It is available at no cost too!
Verdict: One of the best tools around. Grab and make full use of them.
Download latest versions of PDF995 and PDFEdit995
Privacy Policy Generator
Courtesy of webdevtips.co.uk
Looking to draft a Privacy Policy for your website? This Privacy Policy Generator does it all for you, at zero cost. Click here for a preview of what to expect.
Verdict: Useful and lazy solution to reduce administrative work for your blog.
Access Private Policy Generator
Imagicon
Courtesy of deviouscodeworks.co.uk
Download and install. Drag and drop. A simple tool to convert images from *.bmp, *.jpg and *.png to windows icon, or *.ico format. Users can set the image output to a variety of sizes, 16×16, 32×32, 48×48, 64×64 and 128×128.
Verdict: Comes in handy when converting images for your favicon, but not many people need images in *.ico format day in day out.
Download latest version of Imagicon
- Design Tools -
GIMP
Courtesy of gimp.org
GNU Image Manipulation Program is an alternative to Photoshop. A freely distributed software, you can use it for photo retouching and image authoring. GIMP works in many operating systems and is available in a variety of languages.
Verdict: A near-perfect tool for intermediate and advanced banner designers.
Download latest version of GIMP
Photobie
Courtesy of photobie.com
The free version of Photobie can be considered as a reduced version of GIMP or Photoshop. With relatively fewer functions, design options are limited. However, it has several great effects tools and is pretty easy to get used to.
Verdict: Great tool to start with for design beginners. Unlike Photoshop and GIMP which have many functions that may overwhelm a beginner, Photobie keeps things simple. Start with this and slowly progress to using GIMP or Photoshop.
Download latest version of Photobie
Image Water Marker
Courtesy of codingelite.com
Image Water Marker is a useful tool that allows you to add a watermarker on your articles, images, designs etc. It has a friendly user interface and is pretty idiot proof. Here’s an example of what Image Water Marker is capable of. Notice the faint “skoyu.com” diagonally across the second picture?
Verdict: Excellent tool to prevent design theft. I like the function that allows users to decide where to place the watermark and how faint (or strong) you want it to be. Cool.
Download latest version of Image Water Marker
Have some useful tools to recommend to readers of skoyu.com? Feel free to contact me.
Recent Comments