HTML 5 is getting more and more attention in the web development world. Currently in a draft revision, HTML 5 is the next major version of html, the language used to program websites. HTML 5 promises better integration of audio and video without requiring plugins, such as Adobe Flash or Microsoft Silverlight. It also includes support for geolocation, a few other web-centric goodies, such as web storage, and a new structure to build sites in a more semantic way to better identify important areas of each website. For example, identifying header, footer, navigation, articles, sidebars, and other website areas specifically in the programming. So theoretically a search engine could read these areas and perhaps add more significance to content appearing in the article section versus the sidebar section. More »
I recently had the opportunity to work with Garrett Owen on building a website for Sunny Day Celebrations. Garrett did all the design and I did all the programming. One of the challenges in the specifications was allowing the content be managed by the owner, without them having to know HTML. And also without using a full blown content management system since it was such a small site.
Over the Memorial Day weekend I took some time out to explore a new jQuery tool called Glimmer. Glimmer was developed by the crew at Mix Online, and is a jQuery interactive design tool which makes jQuery accessible through a visual tool. So rather than hand-coding the necessary html, css, and javascript, you are presented with a visual interface to create the effect.
I tried Glimmer out on a couple of real-world projects, and for both it was a pleasure to execute the solutions. In my case, I made a quick drop down menu and also an image rotator. I’m already a fan jQuery and find it a comparatively easy javascript language to learn. But Glimmer was still a time saver on these two projects. Glimmer works by taking your input for a given interaction, (links, menu titles, etc. in the case of a menu nav) and then generates the html, css, and javascript that are needed. While the generated files are aesthetically simplistic, its easy to then tweak the html/css/javascript to achieve the results required for your project.
In my never-ending quest to find the most definitive method for testing websites, I have added a key component, Fusion by VMWare. A couple of months ago I wrote about the excellent website browsershots.org for viewing your website on a wide variety browsers and operating systems. Excellent for its variety, ease of use, and price(free) it has no equal for rapidly exploring how your site performs in the myriad of browsers available. But website testing means more than just a visual inspection. You need the tools to then diagnose and apply corrections for the affected browser. Enter VMWare’s Fusion emulation software.
Any web designer knows, or finds out very quickly, that all browsers are not created equally. Yes there are web standards, but not all browsers manage those standards the same, or even correctly. So, your finely crafted and authentic web design may display to pixel perfection on your own computer, but fall to pieces when displayed on an alternate browser. Internet Explorer(IE) 6, for example, is notorious for its “non-standard” implementation of web standards compliance. And can require extensive “hacks” to display your web design properly.
About six months ago I installed the very popular, open source (it’s free), Drupal content management system on my server. After an initial once over I really didn’t get it. The default installation was very generic and I didn’t immediately understand how a content management system could help me build a better website.
I recently had the opportunity to work with Garrett Owen on building a website for 