AEXT.NET MAGAZINE » Resources

What CSS3 Can Do For You: CSS3 Generators and Other Helpful Tools

Shannon Suetos — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 05:41:00 +0000

In my last few posts, I have gone over just some of the many things CSS3 can do—this post will explore some useful tools to help you in your journey of learning and manipulating CSS3.

Generators

Generators can be helpful if you need to get a lot done in a hurry. Deadlines come quicker than you think, and generators can really help you out when you are in a pinch. They can also help you with code if you aren’t quite familiar with it yet.

CSS3 Generator

As the name implies, this is a fully automated generator to help you writing your CSS3 code. The CSS3 Generator will show you the code for all CSS3 compatible browsers (when applicable) and for the following functions:

border radius
box shadow
text shadow
RGBA
@font-face
multiple columns
box resize, box sizing and outline

Gradient Generator

Creating the perfect gradient can take a lot of time and effort. I created the sample button below using the Gradient Generator V2.0

As you can see it also created the code for both webkit browsers and FireFox, which are currently the only types of browsers that support gradient CSS3 code.

CSS3 Sandbox

Going a little bit further into gradients, you can use the CSS3 Sandbox tool to create different effects such as linear and radial gradients. You need to be in a gradient supported browser to see the preview box, but the code will generate in a non-supported browser.

Cross Browser Rule Generator

CSS3 please! allows you to, “edit the underlined values in this css file, but don’t worry about making sure the corresponding values match, that’s all done auto magically for you. Whenever you want, you can copy the whole or part of this page and paste it into your own stylesheet.”

Resources

Knowing the names for colors is an important piece of knowledge. Codenique CSS3 Color Names is a great resource to keep on hand for many common colors you should know.

Another great tool to have on hand is the CSS3 Selectors Test. Once this test is running, “it will automatically run a large number of small tests which will determine if your browser is compatible with a large number of CSS selectors. If it is not compatible with a particular selector it is marked as such. You can click on each CSS selector to see the results, including a small example and explanation for each of tests.”

Compatibility

With all the features that CSS3 and HTML5 bring to the table, it can get confusing fast what features are compatible on what browsers. Html5readiness offers you some great help. It has broken down the different features these codes can bring, and what browsers are able to support the code.

Modernizr

This is a Javascript library that, “adds classes to the element which allow you to target specific browser functionality in your stylesheet. You don’t actually need to write any Javascript to use it.”

Modernizr can help you with border-radius along with other CSS3 codes such as RGBa. How it works is that it sends a test of the browser you are viewing in against upcoming features such as border-radius and RBGa. This allows you to have a backup plan for any browsers that don’t support the features you are implementing.

CSS3 watch

The web design community, for the most part likes to share. Someone comes up with a great new way to do something, and many different websites start using it on theirs. CSS3Watch does just that—it keeps an eye out for all CSS3 updates and great designs using CSS3.

The Font Dragger

The Font Dragger is a great tool to utilize when you have written some code and need to test it out. The only catch is you need to be working in FireFox 3.6 to have it work properly. Although this is still a work in progress, this app provides the following:

Custom fonts with @font-face
Gradients
Rounded corners using border-radius
Drop shadows with text-shadow & box-shadow
Attribute and pseudo selectors
Multiple border colours
Box model adjust using box-sizing

Between all of the many features CSS3 now offers and the tools available, it is a very exciting time for web programmers. Implementing tools along with new techniques will set you up for success. Browser compatibility may be something of concern for now—but it shouldn’t stop you from practicing these new skills to help you when the compatibility becomes universal.

10 Leading Presentation Tools Every Designer Should Know

James Adams — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 09:00:00 +0000

Here are 10 top of the line programs that will help you take your PowerPoint presentation global. If you haven’t used any of these to create some great video, give them a shot!

1. AuthorSTREAM

With AuthorSTREAM, you can take your PowerPoint presentations and upload them to be shared with others. You can download the presentations that you create to embed them in blogs and send them to your favorite video hosting site. The basic service is free, the premium services boost the number of presentations you can have.

2. Empressr

This application takes your slides, video, audio and photos and allows you to Empress your colleagues with cool looking presentations. You can share your work on all of the social media sites, or keep it private. The on-line library helps you to manage your media assets quickly.

3. Google Docs Presentation

With Google Presentation, you can import video, slides, and tables to make a show. You can collaborate with others all over the world using this application. After creation with this no frills program, you can download your finished project as a PowerPoint file, PDF or text document. You can also upload it to YouTube.

4. myPlick

Import most of the major file formats including PDF, OpenOffice, PowerPoint, Word, JPG, MP3 and WMA. You can synch audio with video on your ‘plicks’ and share them with users worldwide. Presentations have to be kept to 150 slides and uploads to 50MB. This is a free service.

5. PreZentit

Prezentit is a free presentation application. It offers online editing and collaboration, where you can make changes simultaneously. There is a 250MB upload limit on PreZentit, and you can bring as many people as you want in on a presentation. You can edit your presentations by hand since they are all stored as web pages.

6. Prezi

Using Prezi, you can collaborate with others to produce high quality flash documents. The web-based program has an editor that is designed to be intuitive. The basic level of Prezi is free, but there are two levels of subscription which offer you more than the 100MB of disk space that the public license offers.

7. Sliderocket

You can upload almost any file format to your presentation, including video from YouTube and information from Google Docs. You can put transitions and effects into your presentations and download the finished product for later viewing. The basic service is free. With a monthly subscription, you can get a good collaboration tool.

8. Spresent

You can take content from YouTube or Flickr and create a flash presentation. By embedding your presentations into blogs, emails and web sites, you can get your message across quickly and easily. For $29.95/yr, you can import more file formats and have a copy of Spresent on your desktop.

9. VCASMO

VCASMO allows you to upload all kinds of audio and video formats into your presentation. Two of its cool features are video seeking and the ability to add subtitles to your slide. You can keep your presentation public or private, synchronize video and audio, and bring that slideshow to your blog of web page.

10. Zoho Show

Zoho offers a wide range of online document applications. Show is a fully collaborative presentation program which can import a wide range of file types. You can export your slide shows to HTML, PowerPoint and PDF. One great feature of Zoho Show is that the presenter can use online chat to communicate with the viewers.

Whether it is from a small cafe in London, or a Starbuck’s in Seattle, you can access your presentation files from anywhere using these web-based applications. Eliminate travel and boarding costs by making your presentations on the internet.

Top 15 WordPress Plugins to Make Your Blog Secure

Lam Nguyen — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:44 +0000

You think the more secure blog, the more successful blogging job, don’t you? You can keep your blog secure by installing a bunch of WordPress security plugins. However, instead of activating too many plugins that have the same features, same purposes… and even some issues because of the conflicts between them, you should consider using only these top plugins that help you to do the job better.

Here is the list of Top 15 WordPress Security Plugins that have all the features you need. If you got some other plugins that are better, please help us to complete the list by dropping your thought in comment form.

Askimet and no more other plugin for spam protection

Akismet is a wonderful plugin for spam protection, really! It checks your comments against the Akismet web service to see if they look like spam or not and lets you review the spam it catches under your blog’s “Comments” admin screen.

I personally don’t use any spam prevention plugin but Askimet. Why do you need to install other plugins since you had Askimet. The spam filter of this service is really cool. I’m facing with not more than 1 spam comment a day!

AskApache Password Protect

With AskApache Password Protect, you can set password for your admin dashboard, also with any files folder in your web host without messing with your database. This plugin is specifically designed and regularly updated specifically to stop automated and unskilled attackers attempts to exploit vulnerabilities on your blog resulting in a hacked site.

Admin Log

I’m using this plugin to keep tracking all foot prints of users logged in to the blog admin area. This is updated every time a page in the admin area is accessed. Information displayed includes: admin page accessed, user, and time of access. However, this should be filtered better because it’s keeping some access pages that are unnecessary at all.

Secure WordPress

It will help to secure WordPress installation by removing miscellaneous items after the installation process which may aid hackers: Remove Error information on login page; adds index.html to plugin directory; removes the wp-version, except in admin area.

WP-Ban

Ban users by IP, IP Range, host name, user agent and referer url from visiting your WordPress’s blog. It will display a custom ban message when the banned IP, IP range, host name, user agent or referer url tries to visit you blog. You can also exclude certain IPs from being banned. There will be statistics recordered on how many times they attemp to visit your blog. It allows wildcard matching too.

WARNING: When using the WP-Ban plugin, be very careful when banning certain IP addresses, especially your own. If you accidentally ban your IP address, you won’t be getting back into your blog until you acquire a new IP.

Limit Login Attempts – Login LockDown – User Locker

These plugins are very useful for protecting WordPress login page if you combine them into a set of 3.

Limit Login Attempts will shut down anybody who fails X number of logins from a specific IP address (using auth cookies). It keeps tracking all failed IPs, emails you in the event of a lockout, and is the perfect solution for keeping nosy relatives out of your admin area.. Download

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Login Lockdown is a great security plugin to prevent some people guessing your password to login to your site. It records the IP address and timestamp of every failed login attempt. This helps to prevent brute force password discovery. Download

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User Locker plugin is a great solution to limit the number of invalid logins for specific user. Once the plugin has been installed, it is set by default to lock the user’s account after 5 invalid login attempts. Furthermore, you can manually lock any user via plugin setting. This is a really helpful for some blog, magazine that have more than one user. Download

WP Security Scan

Nice plugin helps you to scan your WordPress installation for security vulnerabilities and suggests corrective actions: passwords, file permissions, database security, version hiding, WordPress admin protection/security…

Admin SSL

Secure WordPress login and admin pages for that extra bit of security with Admin SSL. This plugin forces SSL on all pages where passwords can be entered so that all information transmitted are encrypted. However, you have to own a SSL certificate before you can do it. If you are not willing to shell out the extra money to buy a private SSL certificate, you can ask your Web host about Shared SSL. Most web hosts provide Shared SSL for all their clients and it is easy to configure.

Stealth Login

Stealth Login obfuscates your login page by allowing you to define a custom login page rather than the default wp-login.php. In the event that your password is leaked, the hacker will also have a hard time finding the correct login URL. A good use of this is to prevent any malicious bots from accessing your wp-login.php file and attempting to break in.

WordPress Database Backup

WordPress database backup creates backups of your core WordPress tables as well as other tables of your choice in the same database. It’s very simple to use! If you need only the backup feature for your blog database, this is your best choice.

WP-DBManager

One of the widely used and one of the must have plugin for wordpress is WP-DBManager. A very popular plugin for database management. This plugin is not only perfect for doing automated backups, it can also do things like database optimization and the admin pages for it allow you to do the occasional query from within WordPress! You can schedule to back up your database and email it to your email. You can also run mysql query in plugin setting page. With WP-DBManager, you won’t need any other plugin for your wordpress database, you can find all the needed features in this all in one plugin.

TAC (Theme Authenticity Checker)

TAC helps you to scan your themes for any unwanted or potentially dangerous code. This is a helpful plugin for you to check any theme you download somewhere to make sure the theme is safe for using.

WP Sentry

This is a simple plugin just for privacy reason. WP Sentry restricts access to the post for specific users, groups…and a little more granular access controls.

Extended Reading:

There are some helpful articles and tutorials helps you to secure your WordPress better.

Bulletproof of Mind Mapping: Overview, Benefits, Tips and Tools

Bima Arafah — Wed, 05 May 2010 06:25:58 +0000

Many people these days feel that their minds are being flooded with various bits and pieces of data or information and they quite naturally find that it is more and more difficult to organize many of their thoughts. Along with this lack of logical thought the people start to experience moments of time where they find they are forgetting relevant facts, dates, events and similar data. During important meetings these same people may find that it is difficult to even take simple notes. The problems that I have just mentioned are typical of those that many people have been experiencing lately in their daily activities.

The process known as mind mapping has proven itself to be a helpful and very useful instrument for both individuals as well as corporations from all areas of the globe. In this article we’ll talk about mind mapping, why you need it, how to produce effective visual mind maps and the tools.

Mind mapping in perspective

Mind mapping is a technique which is performed individually in order to produce visualizes makeup and categorizes these arrays of different ideas. It was created as an aid to help people in their efforts to achieve effective study habits, to clearly organize their thoughts, to perform problem solving procedures, to write in an understandable manner as well as to do well in their daily decision making regardless of the particular thinking circumstances which may be involved.

From Ben Heine

What’s more, they are very quick to review as you can often refresh information in your mind just by glancing at one. In the same way, they can be effective mnemonics: Remembering the shape and structure of a Mind Map can give you the cues you need to remember the information within it. As such, they engage much more of your brain in the process of assimilating and connecting facts, compared with conventional notes. If you’ve already made your list, try turning it into a mind map.

Further reference

Mind map – From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Visual mapping types

Mind Mapping is just one of several methods of mapping out information and ideas that one can utilize. Our brains think in unique and exponential ways. Each and every piece of information is best studied and memorized through a structured process of learning that assimilates each chunk of information in the most effective and efficient manner that naturally mimics the brain’s cognitive thinking patterns. Within this branch of the IQ Matrix we will discuss some of these types of maps and their purpose. We will also delve into the computer generated and hand drawn methods of Mind Mapping that you can utilize on a daily basis.

From Will UK

The following is a quick break down of 7 unique mapping types that can be utilized to effectively represent the information. How you apply these maps will vary in accordance to the structure of the information you are learning, and upon your purpose, objectives and goals.

Cyclical Maps
Are used to represent key terms within stages in a cyclic process.
Radial Maps
Are Mind Map type structures with sub-topics radiating from a central image or word.
Converging Maps
Are used to represent causes that lead to a single effect.
Hierarchical Maps
Are used to represent key terms as smaller and smaller parts of a larger topic.
Interacting Maps
Are Concept Map type structures that interlink with each other in a variety of ways.
Comparison Maps
Are used to compare two or more things with each other. The central interlocking part represents the object’s shared components or characteristics.
Linear Maps
Are Flowchart type structures that represent linear stages of a process that has a beginning and an ending.

Benefits of mind mapping

My photo on Flickr 3rd Anniversary by neloqua

Link to the original post of Benefits of mind mapping and 10 reasons why mind mapping software should be the foundation of your personal productivity system. Click here.

Common mistakes that you should try to avoid.

An Honest Mistake by artzy.viva

Link to the original post of 10 mistakes to avoid with mind mapping software Click here.

So, where the tips to produce effective visual mind maps?

Mind Mapping by sirwiseowl

However I’ve lost count of the number of people who tell me that they were first introduced to Mind Maps in two minutes on some course or other and that as a result they just didn’t “get it”. That is a real shame, because, although they are easy to use, a few guidelines and directed practice means that people get far more benefits from the technique. The following suggestions may help to increase effectiveness when you making a mind map.

Just focus
Start your session in a quiet, light environment where you will not be disturbed until you are finished. If you are doing your mind map on your computer, turn off your chatting client (YM!, gTalk, MSN), email, social media such as Facebook and Twitter, and everything else that you have running except the mind mapping software. It is too easy to “take a small break” that turns out to waste 30 minutes. If you are using paper, make sure your desk is clear, except for the paper and your writing materials.
Start with good question or idea.
Think about what you want to accomplish during your session, and start with an idea that is precisely defined, so it will help you work towards your goal.
Write down every thought or idea that comes to you.
Do not judge your ideas too heavily before you put them down, because you may change your mind later and regret throwing them out.
Set your goals, but feel free to deviate from it.
As your brainstorm grows, follow your creativity and expand it however you like. Don’t feel constrained by that bubble in the middle, because it is only there as a starting point.
Leave yourself enough room to expand.
Don’t expect to fit everything onto one piece of paper. Make sure you have extra paper, and draw your branches generously far apart, so you have room to expand on ideas. Obviously this does not apply to brainstorming software on your computer, as you can move stuff around easily. Color code, doodle, scratch out and do whatever else you want to your brainstorm, if it will help you get a better understanding of it. Again, you don’t have to be neat and tidy. Think of your brainstorm as art, and act creatively.

Once you understand how to make notes in the Mind Map format, you can develop your own conventions to take them further, just like the way I use this when start up.

Use single words or simple phrases for information.
Most words in normal writing are padding: They convey facts in the correct context, and in a format that is pleasant to read. In your own Mind Maps, single strong words and meaningful phrases can convey the same meaning more potently. Excess words just clutter the Mind Map.
Print words.
Joined up or indistinct writing can be more difficult to read.
Use color to separate different ideas.
This will help you to separate ideas where necessary. It also makes your Mind Map easier to remember. Color also helps to show the organization of the subject.
Use symbols and images.
Where a symbol or picture means something to you, use it. Pictures can help you to remember information more effectively than words.
Using cross-linkages.
Information in one part of the Mind Map may relate to another part. Here you can draw in lines to show the cross-linkages. This helps you to see how one part of the subject connects with another.

Which is the best tools for mind mapping?

What’s “best” depends so much on how you use mind maps. Some people use them for study, some for planning projects, some for organizing information, some for sparking ideas and facilitating brainstorming sessions, some for planning the writing of a report or blog. Some mindmap alone, others mindmap in groups. Most of us probably do all of these from time to time, so we need a quiver full of arrows to choose from.

So, it could be up to you. Every tools are great if you know how to do. There are several software products available for mind mapping. I personally use MindManager on my desktop computer and have also used it on my Windows XP laptop.

Fortunately, there is no shortage of good options in this area. Here are 30+ very powerful mind mapping tools (applications & web services) that you can use for brainstorming, strategizing, project planning, and even for managing tasks.

01. MindMeister

MindMeister is by far the most simplistic mind mapping tool in the top five, but its simplicity is definitely an asset. Once you’re logged into the service, you can create a fully functional mind map using little more than the directional arrows and the Insert key to add new nodes to your map. Additional customizations like font size and node colors are available for when you want to go beyond the basics. In the upper right corner is a navigation window, handy for when your mind maps become larger than the display space.

Exporting is also a strong point for MindMeister; you can export your files to a text outline, PDF, JPG, PNG, or GIF. MindMeister’s history function lets you view past versions of your mind map and revert to them if you desire. You can share your maps for public collaboration or hand-select collaborators.

AEXT.NET MAGAZINE » Resources

What CSS3 Can Do For You: CSS3 Generators and Other Helpful Tools

Generators

CSS3 Generator

Gradient Generator

CSS3 Sandbox

Cross Browser Rule Generator

Resources

Compatibility

Modernizr

CSS3 watch

The Font Dragger

10 Leading Presentation Tools Every Designer Should Know

1. AuthorSTREAM

2. Empressr

3. Google Docs Presentation

4. myPlick

5. PreZentit

6. Prezi

7. Sliderocket

8. Spresent

9. VCASMO

10. Zoho Show

Top 15 WordPress Plugins to Make Your Blog Secure

Askimet and no more other plugin for spam protection

Limit Login Attempts – Login LockDown – User Locker

Extended Reading:

Bulletproof of Mind Mapping: Overview, Benefits, Tips and Tools

Mind mapping in perspective

Visual mapping types

Benefits of mind mapping

Common mistakes that you should try to avoid.

So, where the tips to produce effective visual mind maps?

Which is the best tools for mind mapping?

01. MindMeister

02. Mindjet MindManager

03. XMind

04. FreeMind

05. iMindMap

06. WiseMapping

07. CmapTools

08. Mindomo

09. Bubbl.us

10. ConceptDraw MINDMAP

11. Curio

12. Semantik

13. Mindplan

14. Recall Plus

15. DeepMehta

16. Mapul

17. MindView 3 Business – Professional Mind Mapping Software

18. Edrawsoft

19. MyThought for Mac

20. Mind42

21. Gliffy

22. Wikka Wiki

23. Labyrinth

24. Pimki

25. Xmind Pro

26. Visual Strategist

27. Blackbelt mind map training

28. DropMind

29. Mindcad

30. Wridea

31. Dabbleboard

Conclusion

12 Helpful jQuery Plugins to Check Before Ending April 2010