Tools (that should read weapons) of choice for GUI prototyping for front-end development, web languages, website design tools, Rapid Prototyping Wireframing. 

 

Languages: CSS, HTML, JAVAscript, Flash AS3 actionscript, Gaia framework, XML, PHP, LAMP, XAMPP, MAMP, Ruby on Rails

 

*Notice how we don't mention Microsoft related languages such IIS, .Net, ASP.  By preference we're comfortable with a univerisal and the portability of the language.

 

Portable solution on the go choice of browser, plugins, tools: Firefox with Firebug and Widerbug, FireFile, Pixel Perfect, FEBE, Session Manager, Screen grab, Pencil for GUI and wireframing and prototyping websites, webftp, on the web host via ssh using ncftp, Picnik, Avairy

 

Design tools on the desktop: Adobe Dreamweaver, Fireworks for rapid prototyping design and ui design, Illustration, Photoshop, Flash, Gimp, Inkscape

 

Text editors of choice: Komodo Edit, Textmate, Sublime, Aptana for Ruby on Rails development, if you're in Linux or Unix CLI there's Pico, Nano.  It's advised keep away from Java development tools they slow but not a bad choice to high-end stuff there's Netbeans.

Operating System: Linux, Mac OS X, Windows

 

Web hosting: Dreamhost, ehhh CPanel hosting sites are okay. Virtual Private Server on CentOS or Debian; by building your LAMP or RoR or Nginx on your own from by hand via ssh.  Why dreamhost?  It's got FFMpeg and Quicktime streaming for shared hosting some CPanels don't have that feature.

 

A bonus tip of Content Management Systems: Wordpress, Joomla, Drupal, Alfresco

 

Email system for your domain: Google Apps; that'll give your team, company, education organization all the goodies of Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Google Wave, iGoogle, Gmail Chat, Google Sites (website design and project management), Mobile Sync, and the ability add apps from Google Apps Marketplace such as short links as URL shortener for your domain.