StringFoo :: Web Development Resources

Google’s New HTML5 Resource Site

sstringer — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 13:03:38 +0000

Not to be outdone by Apple's recent launch of their HTML5 playground, Google has launched their own HTML5 Developer Resource site called HTML5Rocks.com. The site has some useful tutorials and an interactive sandbox, but for the time-impaired, they also have an excellent presentation that shows you quickly what is new and different. As with most things Google, it's not the prettiest site, but it gets the job done. Check it out.

MapTechnica Try-Before-You-Buy

sstringer — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 01:04:38 +0000

If you've been considering buying a MapTechnica Tile Set (c'mon, you know I'm talking about you), you now have a risk-free way to try a sample tile set to see if it will work for your map project. I created a special tile set that contains the Rhode Island tile set and supporting data, along with sample files that help you get going quickly. For more details, visit the Free 5-Digit ZIP Code Sample Set Information page over at MapTechnica.

HTML5 Demos & Tutorials

sstringer — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 10:05:56 +0000

Apple has just launched an effort to support more widespread adoption of HTML5 in the developer community. This page showcases a bunch of cutting-edge demos, and this page digs into the demos more deeply and provides more resources to learn how to develop features using HTML5.

Standards aren’t add-ons to the web. They are the web. And you can start using them today.

DishNetwork.com: Thy Name is “Suck”

sstringer — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 16:28:38 +0000

I try to use this site for positive tips, tricks & posts about web development. No, really. I do. But every now and then I come across a site so horrible, so incomprehensibly broken, that I just need to call them out by name: Dish Network.

Scripps Network Douchebaggery

sstringer — Sat, 29 May 2010 14:10:45 +0000

Time to step up onto my organic soap box. HGTV's latest Green Home Giveaway web page represents web usability at its worst. They've sacrificed usability and accessibility in a needless effort to "force" their visitors into action. And they should be ashamed.

MapTechnica Updated With US City Boundary Maps

sstringer — Sat, 15 May 2010 20:53:03 +0000

Lots going on over at my side-project, MapTechnica, lately. In addition to the US 5-Digit Zip Code Maps and US County Boundary Maps, I've just turned on City maps.

Is DropBox the Free Replacement to MobileMe We’ve Been Waiting For?

sstringer — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:36:27 +0000

Dropbox [link] is a highly recommended service that lets you share large files amongst different groups and machines that I’ve written about before [here]. MobileMe is a very not-free service that provides marginal utility for Mac users. If you’re like me, the only reason to use MobileMe on a daily basis is to keep my [...]

Tutorial: Enabling Root Access in OS X (Snow Leopard)

sstringer — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:13:29 +0000

By default, the root account is disabled in OS X. If you are a developer new to the platform, you will be needing to access many things that are available only with root access. This tutorial walks you through the process of enabling the root account in Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6).

NOTE: This guide is specific to enabling root access on Snow Leopard, (10.6). To learn how to enable root access on Tiger (10.4), follow these instructions instead. To learn how to enable root access in Leopard (10.5), follow these instructions.

Enabling Root in Snow Leopard 10.6:

Choose Apple menu > System Preferences and click Accounts
Click Login Options
Click either Edit or Join in the Network Account Server section
Click Open Directory Utility
Click the lock icon to unlock it, and then enter your administrator name and password
Choose Edit > Enable Root User, and then enter a root password in the Password and Verify fields

Now, you are set to access protected areas of the system via the terminal.

Dropbox Rox

sstringer — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:44:52 +0000

Dropbox [link] is a highly recommended service that lets you share large files amongst different groups and machines. A typical use would be to sync your files between two or more computers, but I find Dropbox incredibly useful for my client work.

Like many of you, I work with virtual teams that come together on a project-by-project basis. With Dropbox it's easy to set up a shared folder for each project and control who has access to it. As soon as one person throws up a file, everyone in the group has it there locally on their computer. Brilliant.

Showcase Of Creative Flash Preloaders

sstringer — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:29:47 +0000

I came across this very nice gallery of Flash preloader screens. I am continually humbled in the presence of true creativity. This is well worth checking out. Showcase Of Creative Flash Preloaders