i used to use notepad to do my editing but i have switched to dreamweaver only because i can have all of my files open and accessable at once. I don't use any of dreamweavers tools, just as an overglorified notepad
it helps alot though so i can remember what i changed and what i need to upload.
MySQL is the db and i use my own homemade user system, news system, links, and soon calendar and photos.
p.s. (If anyone knows an easy way to do a calendar thing in php help would be much appreciated. You would post an event and time which would be thrown into mysql and then i want a table calendar view. I know it can be done, im just really busy right now to try and figure it out.)