Choosing colors for a web, logo, or creative project in general is a step of first importance. Adobe® Kuler helps. Use the iOS App alongside the website for inspiration and color combos you’re bound to be glad to explore. Read more
Jolidrive
Jolidrive is a simple and elegant way to access your online data.
There is one basic question the guys have attempted to answer: “If the cloud is the online hard drive containing all my data, why don’t I have a simple access to it?”
Get to know Jolidrive. I think it’s worth taking a look!
Web Inspector
There’s a little gift inside of every web browser, and it’s called the “web inspector”. Take a moment to learn about them. You’ll get to see how a website is really made.
SugarSync
It’s helpful to at least know your options.
In a world of ever-changing technology and science, one particularly noticeable category has been the “cloud” and “syncing” data. Maybe it’s not “ever-changing” in this case as much as “still getting going”.
SugarSync is on Version 2 (November 2012). The field is continuously changing.
As they like to say, “Sync just got sweeter”:
- Access – desktop, web, mobile.
- Sync – SugarSync does not just store your data but keeps everything in sync.
- Share – file or folder sharing/collaboration.
- Backup – can backup any file on your computer.
It’s a great and competitive game out there. Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud (if you have a Mac), and others if you have the time.
If you’re looking for a clear backup solution, you might check out this post.
Skydrive
Microsoft has been busy.
I recommend you check out SkyDrive:
- 7 GB free
- Mac or PC – iPhone or Android – web login
- Syncs across devices – folder on each
- Pricing structure for upgrades in storage capacity (up to 100GB)
Like Dropbox, the folder exists on your Mac/PC. You can even place it where you like. Everything syncs. You can access it online.
Nice.
For so long we’ve been hearing about Mac OSX, Apple, iPhones, Dropbox, SugarSync, Google Drive, “Switch to a Mac”…it’s actually almost kind of nice to see some excitement with Windows 8 and the Windows Phone design and style.
And SkyDrive.
Microsoft has been busy.
Pixelmator
I can’t say enough about Pixelmator. Though it doesn’t do everything Photoshop does and can, it sure does just about everything the average web designer (or computer user) could need for $29.
It’s also kind of a pleasure to use.
Fontcase
“Fontcase: iPhoto for fonts.”
That’s how Fontcase 1.0 was introduced to the world. We loved it!
Mail Designer
First came Apple Mail Stationery and tutorials on how to create our own.
Then came the Stationery Packs from equinux – over 300 total – but were we really going to use all those?
Then MailChimp, free template layouts or professionally designed templates for customers, and a world of email expertise and advice.
And finally, the combination of them all: Mail Designer.
TextExpander
Besides the thought of seeing my words show up as I talk (Dragon Dictate, Siri, etc.), the thrill of watching five letters expand into 55 is pretty cool. Why would this be so cool? Precisely.
In 8th grade I once typed 106 words per minute (no mistakes) – I thought that was pretty fast. (I just typed 115 with 3 mistakes on typingtest.com). So how in the world could those court reporters type 225 words per minute?
Backup: Have a CrashPlan
Businesses need backup. Files need saving. Data needs not getting lost.
Although I valued the services of SugarSync, the initial exposure to Carbonite, the easy familiarity of Dolly Drive, and the design and approach of BackBlaze, I found myself drawn, by recommendation of another friend, to CrashPlan by Code 42.
You know I like Dropbox and I didn’t mention SOS Online Backup or Amazon S3 in the list above, so do your own research, assess your options, and back up your stuff.
OmniFocus
OmniFocus helps me get things (like websites and other projects) done. It’s a powerful, digital tool for staying on top of just about everything I have to do. It’s my to-do list. On orange juice.
If you have something already that works for you, great. If not, give it a look. It’s personal task management, on Mac- or i- OS.
LittleIpsum
If you are designing websites and use Lorem Ipsum, you “need” LittleIpsum. What a great feeling when repetitive tasks get a great solution. Check them out.
Transmit | FTP Client (Mac)
I saw this little purple truck early on in my days of learning about building websites. Then I saw it again and again…and again! I always wanted to know what it was for. And then the day came – I needed my first FTP client. I guess it was the second-hand enthusiasm that I couldn’t resist.
But I did do my research (and you should, too!). I’m on a Mac, so I had FileZilla (free), Cyberduck (free), Fetch, Forklift (which I liked), Flow and Transmit, all as viable options. I downloaded and tested during trial periods and found that I loved the little purple truck.
Could I use the others? Absolutely. Could I recommend them to you? I think I could even do that. Do I like using Transmit? I do.
ColorSchemer Studio
In real life, architects and designers use color guides for selecting, matching and sampling the right color. The ones I’m thinking of are portable, numerically referenced and named – it’s a color-on-paper “fan deck” and they are so stinkin’ cool. Pantone has a fan deck with 2,100 colors. Many paint companies have collections of their own, too – you’ve probably seen them.
ColorSchemer Studio is a web and graphic designer’s equivalent. It’s digital, portable, and I can even edit and save color names for each project. I use it all the time, it’s value is second-to-none in the design process, and that’s why I have it listed here with this recommendation.
“I/We need a website” you might say? If we’re working together, my question to you would be, “What’s your favorite color?”
Pull out the crayons and colored pencils – it’s time to color.
Espresso
I happen to use Espresso as my HTML/CSS/PHP/etc. editor. Syntax coloring and autocomplete are invaluable features both for work and for learning. Visual CSS Editing and “X-Ray” on live previews contributed to Espresso 2’s 10/10 review on AppStorm.net.
HTML, etc. can be edited in many ways. In truth, I can only help get you started in your research as price, features, and interface all play into choosing a web editing tool. So if Espresso isn’t your cup of web-editing-tea, here’s a few other flavors I will point out on the menu (in no particular order):
- TextWrangler
- Komodo Edit
- Notepad++ (Windows).
- BBEdit (quite professional)
- Coda (by the same makers of Transmit) featuring “One-Window Web Development”
- TextMate
- Sublime Text (for code, markup and prose)
- Dreamweaver (“industry-leading web authoring and editing software” – it does more than editing, so it might be over your head for simpler sites)
1Password
As part of a website or presence online comes the need for password management. It has been my experience that we sometimes find ourselves in need of a piece of paper to write down a new password or are always clicking “Forgot my password” and then forgetting the new one we just set.
I use and recommend 1Password, available for both Windows and Mac (again, I am not affiliated – just a happy customer).
Dropbox
I’ve grown to love this word.
“…a free service that lets you bring all your photos, docs, and videos anywhere…any file you save to your Dropbox will automatically save to all your computers, phones and even the Dropbox website. Dropbox also makes it super easy to share with others…” – Dropbox
I think you will, too.