Mac & Prism
by leon on December 13, 2007
Following my implementation of a Flash based desktop widget for viewing RSS feeds, I decided to experiment with Mozilla Prism.
This idea is simple; rather than having to load up a web browser and type the url to a web app, you can instead create a mini app of it on your desktop. So for example, clicking on the icon for Facebook, will load that and only that into a stripped down web browser. No buttons, menu bars or tabs getting in the way, just simply the page you want.
To get more info, check out the Mozilla Labs blog, where you can also download a beta version for Mac (there are Linux and Windows flavours aswell, however the Windows version I tested doesn’t yet support Flash).
I have set this up to work with my main site, and in conjunction with cookies, allows you to go straight to your mySizzla account, where you can have access to your documents and calendar.
This is great, for when you want to get to your favourite web2.0 app, quickly and easily. The added advantage of the dock means that you can launch a web based app, just as you would a desktop based one. The line between web and desktop is starting to blur and merge. In my opinion this is great, as we will no longer be tied down by a platform or specific format – a.k.a the .doc format and the issues between the new 2007 version and now old 2003 versions (typical Microsoft)
Flash desktop RSS widget v1
by leon on December 10, 2007
Ok, so widgets (gadgets for you Windows boys) aren’t exactly groudbreaking anymore, but this still has its uses. It’s a Flash based script that allows you to parse and display any RSS feed. In this example I am using it to simply display the news feed from my main site, however I am currently working on a version to display a list of tutorial resources that I upload on my site (same principle, different feed). The benefit of this, is that the user doesn’t need to open their browser, instead they could just open this widget (arguably they could use another app to automatically download the tutorial). I also have full control on how the feed looks. The script is really easy to configure, you just need to fill in the url of the site of which the feed resides and the feed url itself. Apart from that it works right out of the box. You can of-course add your own theme etc.
Downloads:
Browsershots.org
by leon on December 6, 2007
I came across a really useful and easy to use site called browsershots. The idea is simple – you submit your site, and it gives you screenshots of what your site looks like in various browsers on various platforms. This is obviously great if your a web designer and can’t run IE on your Mac for example. It’s free, but a little slow at the moment. Non the less its a great site. Head over and take a look!
This is what my main site looks like (notice, how it only fails in IE 6?). I’m not too bothered to be honest – if you want to view my site as it was intended, then invest a standards compliant browser.
Iconfinder
by leon on December 4, 2007
I was searching for some icons for a project, and came across a great site called iconfinder. It acts as a search engine for icons and is really usefull for creating web based projects, as all the icons are in png format. The vast majority are free to use, as are a set by famfamfam. There are over 700 icons in the set, with just about every icon you could imagine, such as those for adding, removing and editing elements, perfect for creating dynamic data driven sites. The icons even feature on this blog. Brilliant if you want to add a professional look, with ease. (see below).
FireFox: The Web Designer Pack
by leon on December 3, 2007
So your a budding new web designer, or even a seasoned pro? Whatever your skill level, no master is complete without a good set of tools. Luckily for us there are lots of tools to help us on our way. The first thing to do is arm yourselves with a good web browser. My weapon of choice is Firefox as its simple, easy to use and there are lots of add-ons that are very useful. It is these add-ons that enable me as a web designer to be able to adjust and edit my sites, quickly and easily.
I have included my favourites here.
Firebug
Firebug integrates with Firefox to put a wealth of development tools at your fingertips while you browse. You can edit, debug, and monitor CSS, HTML, and JavaScript live in any web page.
It will save what you can see in the window, the entire page, just a selection, a particular frame… basically it saves webpages as images.
Adds a menu and a toolbar with various web developer tools.
If you use Firefox on more than one computer, you’ll want Foxmarks. Install Foxmarks on each computer, and it will work silently in the background to keep your bookmarks synchronized. You can also log in to my.foxmarks.com to manage your bookmarks from any computer.
In addition to this I use Coda to develop my web sites (Mac Only). Its pure ease of use is brilliant, and it includes a much better way to preview your sites than Dreamweaver.
Ubumtu?
by leon on November 29, 2007
Ubumtu (see what I did there?), It made me smile anyways!!
Maybe this is what Vista should do to try and claw some custom back? Saying that, I think it will take a lot more than bare bottoms to get me interested.
Like Vista, this picture is a load of arse!!
The most common search term?
by leon on November 29, 2007
What do you reckon the most common search term is? Try typing in ‘http:/’ in to Google, and you will get approx 2.2 Trillion results. If you were to click on each one, and wait for the site to load you would still be going through the list in three years time. Pointless fact, but quite interesting at the same time!!
I’ve converted
by leon on November 28, 2007
I’ve finally joined the iPod revolution, by purchasing a new (ish) iPod from the Apple store. Up until now, I have been using the rather pathetic 2Gb of storage on my Nokia N73.
For not a lot of money, I picked up a reconditioned 30Gb iPod video from the Apple Uk website. If your thinking about getting a reconditioned iPod, and are worried about the build quality – don’t. The iPod has a brand new casing, with not a scratch in sight, and came packaged in about a million pieces of protective plastic film.
There wasn’t a fancy looking box, instead a rather boring brown box (very well packaged though), but who care’s about the box? However I must say, there is something quite sexual about the way Apple present their goods. Any Mac owner, will remember the smile on their face, when they opened their new product.
Anyway, i’m off to fill up this baby with all of my *legally* downloaded tracks!!
Candybar 3 is out
by leon on November 27, 2007
CandyBar 3 is finally out. I’ve been really looking forward to the new features, and they include:
- Integrated CandyBar together with Pixadex with an entirely new interface
- Added large (512 x 512) icon support
- Leopard dock customization
- Additional system icons
- Quick Look integration
- More reliable system icon restoration, and much more
The program can be downloaded for a 15-day/250-icon limit trial here. The program is $29 for new users. Owners of either CandyBar 2 or Pixadex 2 can upgrade for $24. Owners of both Pixadex and CandyBar 2 can upgrade for $19. Any user who bought CandyBar 2 or Pixadex 2 after October 1, 2007 qualifies for a free upgrade.We can now finally customise that bloody dock!!
Update!! Pretty up those stacks
by leon on November 15, 2007
Just a quick update to my previous entry on how to make the stacks look pretty.
Rather than downloading FileXaminer I decided to modify the dates myself so all you now need to do is drop them into your stack and click arrange by date modified. It’s as simple as that!! enjoy.
To download the updated icons click here!