BenzBigBad Tools
I often get asked about the tools that I use for video, web, etc.Here’s a quick list:
Web page editing (mac): Rapid Weaver
http://www.realmacsoftware.com/rapidweaver/
This editor is not WYSIWYG, and so it isn’t the right choice for everyone. It does allow very fast web site development because the text content is decoupled from the formatting. The formatting is handled by style themes and it is easy to swtich between them. The editor also handles updating a site via FTP and only sending the files that have changed. It ends up being very quick to make changes and review them. It also allows you to easily add HTML content, which I use for the embedded videos and maps. I have used a raft of apps and this one is my favorite for web development.
Simple Video Editing (mac): iMovie
This is standard Mac software, but it works great for rapid editing and converting to MP4 which is used for iTunes, Quick time, etc. YouTube is directly connected into iMovie.
Complex Video Editing (mac): Final Cut Express
I haven’t used this too much yet, but almost every project these days, that is professionally edited, has touched Final Cut at some point.
Converting DVD to MOV/MPEG4 (mac): Cinematize 2
http://www.miraizon.com/products/cine2features.html
This tool is essential for recovering video off DVD’s and putting it into a format that iMovie and other video editing software can use.
Live video mixing (mac): Modul8
http://www.garagecube.com/modul8/
Live video mixing (pc & mac): Robotfunk Flomotion
http://www.robotfunk.com/
I have used this program since 2002 and it took until 2008 for me to switch to Modul8.
Photo grabbing from Google Images: WebImageGrab Pro
http://www.freewarecafe.com/archives/webimagegrab-40.html
This is an amazing program that I have been looking for, for a few years. It allows you to enter search text, then it will automatically download the full size images from Google that match the search text. This avoids having to go to each image one-at-a-time and manually download each file (which takes several page loads and mouse clicks per file). I use this to create still photo collages that can be mixed with other video for a live set.
FTP (mac): Cyberduck FTP
http://cyberduck.ch/
Free FTP client for Mac OS.