Archive for the ‘Toolbox’ Category
Get an OpenID!
Posted by KMFNJ | Filed under Toolbox, Tutorials, WordPress
Okay - so you're into a bunch of different blogs/websites/services, but you don't wanna register a zillion accounts just so you can be a part of these communities - I know, I've practically built my house on that hill.And the "too-many-accounts" argument is all well and good for most folks, but the reason why side of the problem is that communities need a way to identify you in order to track user data, give you access to files and (let's face it) help combat spam. Is there any hope for this situation? Of course there is -- OpenID!
Be My Friend…
Posted by KMFNJ | Filed under Design, Toolbox
For anyone who doesn't already know, Icon Buffet is an awesome website that gives away FREE ICONS. I've been a member of this community for awhile now, and they've recently upgraded the site to create even more interaction within the community, with a point system, currency and delivery management. Overall, its an absolutely brilliant experience.So here's my open invitation to you - Join Icon Buffet and be my friend. I promise I'll send you lots of icons!
Technorati Tags: icons, community
ColorSchemer
Posted by KMFNJ | Filed under Design, Toolbox
Nothing short of a phenomenal color pallette creation utility. A must if you're a web designer.http://www.colorschemer.com/index.php
Related: HTML Color Codes Matching Chart (Pantone, CMYK, RGB Hex)
Technorati Tags: color, design
Google Maps API
Posted by KMFNJ | Filed under Toolbox
Recently I had an opportunity to play with Google Maps API -- it is, needless to say, very very cool. (Heck, it gets props just for being part of Google...)Anyway, I was able to create a custom working map using the following tools:
- Google Maps API Documentation
- Google Maps GeoCoder Demonstration
- How To Put Driving Directions on Your Map (This uses APIv1)
- Mapki, the Google Maps Wiki, specifically the FAQs, APIv2, and Read This First
- MapBuilder.net - this site has AWESOME GeoCoding and other resources available for quickly building custom maps
Extremely Useful Color Wheel
Posted by KMFNJ | Filed under Design, Toolbox
Dude - this rocks for color selection!http://design.geckotribe.com/colorwheel/ (Thanks Eric!)
Technorati Tags: color, design
IE 6 Standalone PNG Transparency
Posted by KMFNJ | Filed under Toolbox, Tutorials
As a web designer and developer, I have multiple versions of Internet Explorer (both 6 and 7) installed simultaneously on my computer.Information on the various methods for doing this has been documented in several places, already. But today I came across a problem with the method that involves installing IE 7 over your old IE 6 installation: you lose the filters that allowed PNG transparency functionality in IE 6.
Open Source CMS and Exponent
Posted by KMFNJ | Filed under Journal, Toolbox
Open Source CMS is a very cool website that lets you demo Content Management Systems that utilize PHP and MySQL. The demonstration websites are reset every 2 hours (or so...) - what a neat idea! WordPress is, of course, listed; but one of the newer CMS's that I discovered from visiting Open Source CMS was Exponent CMS which looks pretty cool, but I'll have to find some time to try it out (yeah, right... as if I have time...) Technorati Tags: blogging, tools, cms, open source software
Lightbox JS v2.0 - Why didn’t I know that???
Posted by KMFNJ | Filed under Toolbox
I've seen this effect on almost every website i've visited recently, but had NO CLUE what it was. My face was kinda red when I had to ask my uber-coder co-worker Eric. (who most frequent question to me is "Do these colors match?") His response? "Dude, that's just Lightbox..." Oh, so its sooooo simple now is it? *sigh* Anyway, I am very grateful to have finally found what it was... and yes, I suppose I should admit: programmers are usually smarter than designers
Technorati Tags: effects, javascript, photo gallery
sMOOthGallery (with an interesting framework)
Posted by KMFNJ | Filed under Toolbox
JonDesign's SmoothGallery is a very nice image slideshow that uses the mootools framework and CSS."Unlike other systems out there, JonDesign's SmoothGallery is designed from the ground up to be standard compliant: You can feed it from any document, using custom css selectors."moo.fx is a javascript effects library that (at first glance) appears to be similar to ricoor scriptaculous. It utilizes either the prototype or mootools framework and is, evidently, very cool.
Oh, and incidentally, the Mad4Milk design firm has a cool site too!
I definitely wanna play with this one...
Technorati Tags: javascript framework, mootools, image slideshow
AJAX Photo Galleries
Posted by KMFNJ | Filed under Toolbox
I'm doing some research in order to get some fresh new ideas together for a new site for my main gig, OCS Corp. After sifting through several options I found two really sharp AJAX photo galleries that I like: Both have their pros and cons - I really like DonkeyMagic's "slidy" interface, but I also love the "full screen" effect achieved with Minishowcase. Perhaps some careful melding of the two is in order... hm....
Technorati Tags: ajax, usability, interface, webdesign
