Saturday, June 26, 2010
5 Fresh and Extreme Useful Fonts for Logos
Fonts for Designers is a series of posts that proposes a selection of the best free fonts for web designers. Each new issue presents five interesting fonts you can use on your web projects. Here is a collection of five fresh and extreme useful fonts particularly adapted to design logos. Take a look at the following link for the previous issues.
DownloadSurface
DownloadMentone
DownloadKnema
DownloadLekton
DownloadMilocha
4:16 PM 0
Friday, June 25, 2010
jQuery 1.4.2 Visual Cheat Sheet
jQuery Visual Cheat Sheet, the refined and updated version of the popular jQuery Cheat Sheet is finally here. The new edition includes all the reference you will ever need for jQuery 1.4.2 API!Look at the pictures on Flickr, download the PDF file, or download it from Scribd.
Download the Scribd Version
jQuery Visual Cheat Sheet 1.4.2
5:32 PM 0
How The iPad Could Change The Face of The Web
When in 2007 Apple launched the iPhone not only reinvented the phone but it also introduced a revolutionary user experience that has changed definitively the way to browse the Web with a mobile device then before.
In that same period, I remember browsing the Web with a Nokia or Windows Mobile phone was an arduous undertaking: webpages was unreadable on small screens on portable devices, slow to render in mobile browsers and all available options that allowed users to fit pages to screen (for increasing readability) was ridiculously worse than the problem they was trying to fix.
With the iPhone, Apple has changed the rules of use and enjoyment of online contents with smartphones by creating an user experience that allows users to see everything at a size that’s readable and has forced its competitors to a rapid run-up to copy that model. The big success of the iPhone has also imposed, for the first time, to internet companies, online newspapers and bloggers to pay a big attention to mobile version of their websites: according to AdMob December 2009 Mobile Metrics report, iPhone OS dominates the market of smartphones generated traffic with a share of 51%.
This scenario led to a change of perspective in designing websites for mobile phones: it is not the devices that needs to adapt to the page layout, but is the page structure that needs to be designed for the specific device. The large diffusion of websites optimized for iPhone is the most concrete example of this trend characterized by one-column layout, simpler navigation bars with biggest tabs and links that perfectly fit with the iPhone’s touch interface (read also this post: Best Practices To Develop Perfect Websites for iPhone and Mobile Devices).
What could happen in the next months with the launch of iPad? Without doubt, the large screen lets users browse standard web pages in a easier way than on iPhone, so there will not be particular problems to see every website. That will change is probably the way to interact with web pages by exploiting the potential of multi-touch interface as has already happened for iPhone and iPod Touch games (take a look at Gameloft N.O.V.A. presentation on iPad during the Apple Keynote) and this will significantly influence and innovate the structure of web pages and their features.
And what about the lack of Flash on the iPad (link on iPhone and iPod Touch)? I think the Apple’s choice drastically limits the access to many websites but it could be, hopefully, a big opportunity to accelerate the slow process to switch to the HTML 5.
5:11 PM 0
Thursday, June 24, 2010
5 Simple Rules for a Better Blog Design
When I started working on the new Woork Up I spent some days thinking about how the layout of the new interface of this blog should have been.Before even getting my hands into the CSS code I identified five guidelines for the new layout, the same I want share with you in this post.
1: Rethinking the home page as a set of focused information readily available at a glance and not as a long vertical list of posts organized by date.
For the home page of Woork Up I wanted to create something different from the typical blog layout we’re used to see. The result is a “compact” home page with a main section which contains the current featured article and a left column that lists some less recent featured articles.
2: Organizing the page elements so that their disposition quickly directs the readers to the contents which must have greater emphasis and visibility.
On the post page I added a section on the left of the text which contained a list of articles related to the current post and some recent featured articles.
The sidebar contains a “popular posts” section whit a list of the most recent popular post on Woork Up. The main section contains only the text of the article and the comments area.
3: Optimizing the number of links on pages
Too much information is equal to none. Do not fill your page with links.
4: Reducing the number of social buttons to share posts on social networks and integrating them harmoniously with the design of the page.
Social buttons are useful to make articles popular on social networks and drive more traffic on a website. The only problem is not all social network are appropriate for all websites. In my experience Twitter, Delicious and Facebook are the best sources of traffic for Woork Up. That’s why in the new layout of this blog I decided to add only three social buttons, integrating them with the style of the page.
5: Making advertising elements minimal and deleting every kind of advertising from the body of the articles.
Advertisement is fundamental to monetize the contents of websites. But I admit, as a reader, I hate pages full of banners and in general all kind of invasive advertisement on a website. So I decided to limit advertisements only on the sidebar: this position is perfect for your advertisers and your readers will love you!
What do you think about this topic? Do you have other useful suggestions to improve blog layout? Share your ideas with a comment.
11:18 PM 1
TIME Magazine App for iPad
For a long period of my childhood I took piano lessons from a woman from Chicago. I arrived at her school almost always a good thirty minutes before the scheduled start of the lesson and I had to wait for my turn sitting in a small waiting room, where the only way to spend the remaining time was a stack of old magazines laying on a glass coffee table.
Among these though you could always find the latest copy of Time with its peculiar red edges on the front cover. It was in English obviously, so I would just browse through it and look at the pictures.
The last paper copy of Time I happened to have in my hands dates back a few years ago. From then on I only just followed the magazine’s website. A few days ago I noticed on the homepage of Time a link to the application for the iPad. I was curious to try after so many years spent reading it, so I connected to the Apple Store and downloaded it.
The App is free and it’s just over 3 megabytes therefore, unlike many other similar applications (Wired app weighing more than 500 MB, to name one), it’s easily downloadable via 3G connection. Every issue is sold at 3.99$ and the download takes no more than a couple of minutes.
The layout is flawless, it really feels like you’re browsing an improved version of the printed magazine from your iPad screen. The high resolution images and the integrated video makes reading enjoyable and extremely interesting.
The overall quality is way above standard and I admit I am tempted to purchase all the issues already available in their catalog, dating back to April 2010. Time’s App is certainly one of the best in its category and it becomes an instant must-try for every iPad owner.
Among these though you could always find the latest copy of Time with its peculiar red edges on the front cover. It was in English obviously, so I would just browse through it and look at the pictures.
The last paper copy of Time I happened to have in my hands dates back a few years ago. From then on I only just followed the magazine’s website. A few days ago I noticed on the homepage of Time a link to the application for the iPad. I was curious to try after so many years spent reading it, so I connected to the Apple Store and downloaded it.
The App is free and it’s just over 3 megabytes therefore, unlike many other similar applications (Wired app weighing more than 500 MB, to name one), it’s easily downloadable via 3G connection. Every issue is sold at 3.99$ and the download takes no more than a couple of minutes.
The layout is flawless, it really feels like you’re browsing an improved version of the printed magazine from your iPad screen. The high resolution images and the integrated video makes reading enjoyable and extremely interesting.
The overall quality is way above standard and I admit I am tempted to purchase all the issues already available in their catalog, dating back to April 2010. Time’s App is certainly one of the best in its category and it becomes an instant must-try for every iPad owner.
11:12 PM 0
8 iPad Cases Every Fashion Geek Should Desire
This said though, an iPad case could come in handy, especially if you’re often travelling and you don’t want to always carry you notebook case to protect your device. If you don’t like the iPad case Apple is offering on the official Store, take a look at these 8 fashionable alternatives. You could find something you like!I must admit, I’m not a fan of tech gadget cases. I’d rather feel my “naked” iPhone and iPad in my hands, just like Apple made them.
iLuv
iLuv proposes this casual iPad case, a really original shape with a nice build. This case is available in different colors – I love the white one – and it sells for $ 39.99.
HardGraft
Originality and style are the two main features of HardGraft, a case that can also be used as a support for iPad writing. Price is €75.00.
Rickshaw
Ricksaw has a really nice design going on and a multitude of colors to suit your needs $40 (original photo here).
Macally
This multi-functional folder style protective case by Macally can again be used as an helper when you want to type and write on your iPad (original photo here). Two colors here, for $49.99.
Top Upper Cow Leather Case
If you love the vintage style and naive is a word that sounds good, this Etsy case will probably find its place around your iPad. It goes for $89.
Griffin
If you’re looking for something elegant and refined Elan Sleeve by Griffin will make your case. Available at $49.99.
Dolce&Gabbana
As anticipated by Swide, Dolce&Gabbana is about to launch a branded iPad case, a real must-have for every real fashion geek. In this tweet Stefano Gabbana confirmed that the D&G case will be available starting from November. No information about the price though.
CaseMate
Last but not least, The Walkabout by CaseMate is indeed really good looking. A mix of simplicity and style where your iPad can feel safe (original photos by blakespot). The price is $79.99 and, considering the quality of the materials used, it’s really worth the money.
There you go. Do you have any other suggestion?
10:18 PM 0
Friday, April 30, 2010
Free Premium Social Media Icon Set
Specifications
The pack contains 16 icons of the most popular social networks. The resolution is 48x48, I try to keep the “Letterpress” style on the logos. I hope you like it.
Terms of use
It’s very simple, like I said, these icons are free and exclusive for Bloggertuts, so you can use them anywhere and anyway, but the only thing I ask you is that you share these icons by linking to this page. It will make us really happy and will encourage us to continue providing high quality freebies to you guys.Download
First make sure you subscribe and follow us on twitter, then download the icon pack from HereEnjoy it!
7:18 PM 1
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