PocketSite v2.6.3 is Available for Download

After much delay PocketSite is now ready for release. The rationale behind this project is simple. I needed a simple web app that could generate a website without the use of a complex MySQL driven CMS, which some of my clients cannot afford and this was the solution. With PocketSite it's easy to turn any ThemeForest template into a PocketSite theme within minutes.


Whats good about PocketSite is that it's:

• Light weight (generates content from .txt files)
• Doesn't use a MySQL (to create dymanic content)
  
• Easy to theme

Download: PocketSite v2.6.3
Preview: PockeSite v2.6.3 (will be up until the end of this week)

Joomla or WordPress...which is better?

I've been working freelance for a while and as the workload increases I remember the words of my former supervisor, Roland Booth, "Work smart, not hard" (paraphrased). That has been my motto for a while. So when I'm about to develop a website I think Joomla or WordPress?

For me both are in two different categories. Joomla is built to be a CMS, which can be used like a blog and Wordpress is a Blog, which can be used like a CMS. I remember having a discussion about Joomla with a web programmer, from the Gleaner Online, who exclaimed "Joomla is an overkill..." for some projects. I agreed, but somehow found myself, always, using Joomla (and sometimes CuteNews) on my projects, promising myself that one day I'd use WordPress. Well that day has come!

I recently bought 2 excellent books, WordPress 2.7 Complete & RockStar WordPress Designer, which helped me to better understand how to use WordPress as a CMS. I also read some tutorials on Theme Forest's Blog - In the Woods. And I'm now more educated, my eyes have been opened! I'm now using WordPress on my latest project and for my company portfolio - The Gist (coming soon).

From BluPrint to PocketSite

I've been working on a project - BluPrint for a while now. However, on completion of the 1st build I've dubbed the app PocketSite.

PocketSite was designed to help me quickly implement a website using .txt files with HTML code and a simple php templates. Eliminating the need for me to use a complex cms.

I've been working on the default template and have decided to give you a sneak peak of what PocketSite will look like.

There is a lot more to come ;) ... Best Believe that!


* this a sample of the home page layout

Web Development Project Estimator

Have you ever been to a meeting where a client asks you to estimate how much a project will cost and you think to yourself " I wish I could tell them right off the bat!"

Well now you can with the Web Developer Project Estimator. It a hosted service that is free and allows the developer to quickly punch in hourly rates for each task and have it calculated on the fly. If the default listed items are not tasks you would do, simply delete them and add those that are relevant to your development process. Once you're done simply click "view estimate" and you are good to go! As simple as that.

I give the Web Development Project Estimator a 4 out of 5. All that's left for it to get another star is the ability to download or e-mail estimate as PDF to client.

Cushy CMS - Contnet Management Made Easier

As a web designer you have to assess each project and design systems that are effective and affordable. Not all clients can afford a complex Content Management System (CMS) and that is where Cushy CMS comes into play.

Cushy CMS is for designers who don't want much to do with code and it's free.

Setting up the CMS is very simple. After creating an account you'll be required to add a website (url & ftp info), add webpages to be edited by Cushy and then editable areas. The areas to be edited by Cushy are defined by using a class - "cushycms" - on desired html tags.

Designers have the opportunity to capitalize on this by registering for the pro version of Cushy CMS, for USD$28 per month, which allows them to a add a custom domain, logo, colour schemes and unlimited webistes using the CMS.

Cushy CMS is ideal for freelance designers.

Transparent PNGs and Internet Explorer

Recently I was in a meeting with some colleagues discussing a project, while we waited on the client we started talking about web development issues. One of the issues that came up was the use of transparent pngs and Internet Explorer. Now I'm aware that IE 7 and IE 8 beta have corrected this issue. Unfortunately, not a lot of people have switched from IE 6 in a developing country like Jamaica so designers like myself still have this issue to deal with.

There are many fixes for this one issue - javascripts, using a .htc file, css hacks or IE specific stylesheets - but we discovered two others. One is using a 8-png file which works perfectly and the other is using a pseudo transparent gif. The gif is 4px x 4px with one black square in the top left corner and another in the bottom right corner, repeat the image in your css file as a background and you are good to go.

Ubiquity - Mashups at it's Best

Mozilla Labs launched Ubuqity recently. It's a addon (prototype) for Firefox which allows users access to a plethora of webservices by using simple commands. Ubiquity unleashes great power, by typing easy to remember commands users can insert maps into e-mails, transilating webpages on the fly, look-up information in dictionaries and wikis, plus a lot more. To see what Ubiquity can reall do watch the video below.

AtMail - Chaning the face of Webmail

Webmail interfaces like Horde & Squirrel aren't the most attractive or the lightest but with AtMail all that has changed.

AtMail is a php based webmail interface that utilizes ajax for IMAP mail servers. The lightweight webmail interface offers video mails and live spell checking. Additional features and support for POP3 can be obtained by purchasing the commercial version for USD$250.


Demo: free | paid

pForm - Customize website forms

Ever wanted to add a mailing form to your website but don't know extenisive html? or Do you have a website and want to change the look and field of your mailing form? Well you can do that in just 3 easy steps.

With pFrom you follow 3 steps...
Step 1. Choose a Theme
Step 2. Add Elements
Step 3. Download the Form.
...Just as simple as that and your done!

Unlike many similar web apps you don't need to register in order to use pForm. It's free and easy to use.