Allan Jardine
Web UI Development
Got to keep up with the web
Feb 2007 Mar 2007 Apr 2007 May 2007 Jun 2007 Jul 2007 Aug 2007 Sep 2007 Oct 2007 Nov 2007 Dec 2007
Jan 2008Feb 2008 Mar 2008 Apr 2008 May 2008 Jun 2008 Jul 2008 Aug 2008 Sep 2008 Oct 2008
Jan 2008Feb 2008 Mar 2008 Apr 2008 May 2008 Jun 2008 Jul 2008 Aug 2008 Sep 2008 Oct 2008
Opera 9.5 beta 2
The new beta version of Kestrel is out. Much nicer Mac integration, and generally all round faster! Excellent work from the Opera team
The new beta version of Kestrel is out. Much nicer Mac integration, and generally all round faster! Excellent work from the Opera team
Accessibility and AJAX
AJAX and accessibility are not normally uttered in the same sentence - indeed accessible AJAX is rare. However the ARIA specification is being developed to address this
AJAX and accessibility are not normally uttered in the same sentence - indeed accessible AJAX is rare. However the ARIA specification is being developed to address this
Making money online
Want to know the secret? Watch this. Entertaining presentation and quite encouraging as well!
Want to know the secret? Watch this. Entertaining presentation and quite encouraging as well!
Left justify your menu
Jakob presents research based on eye tracking which suggests users scan down the left hand side of a menu. Right justified text therefore impedes readability
Jakob presents research based on eye tracking which suggests users scan down the left hand side of a menu. Right justified text therefore impedes readability
Running Java in Javascript
An interesting project (which will no doubt lead to more confusion between the names) opening up a lot of future possibilities
An interesting project (which will no doubt lead to more confusion between the names) opening up a lot of future possibilities
Stunning photographs
This is a powerful and emotive collection of photographs. Loads of inspiration
This is a powerful and emotive collection of photographs. Loads of inspiration
Translation bookmarklet
Good use of the new Google translation API here. Select any text on a page and have it translated. Bookmarklets are wonderful
Good use of the new Google translation API here. Select any text on a page and have it translated. Bookmarklets are wonderful
Webkit innovations
Their is a bit of a buzz on the web at the moment about all the new features in Webkit. I say hooray! Only Opera comes close to the standards support in Webkit, so if the spec writers are not able to keep up, let them innovate all they want
Their is a bit of a buzz on the web at the moment about all the new features in Webkit. I say hooray! Only Opera comes close to the standards support in Webkit, so if the spec writers are not able to keep up, let them innovate all they want
Masks in CSS
Continuing with the innovations to the Webkit engine, Apple have added masks to CSS. The Webkit CSS implementation is starting to overlap with SVG quite a lot
Continuing with the innovations to the Webkit engine, Apple have added masks to CSS. The Webkit CSS implementation is starting to overlap with SVG quite a lot
CSS variables?
Developers have been calling for variables in style sheets for a long time. Personally I am unconvinced - CSS is rapidly becoming unwieldy
Developers have been calling for variables in style sheets for a long time. Personally I am unconvinced - CSS is rapidly becoming unwieldy
Popularity of programming languages
One which might interest the developers. Of note is that Javascript is number 11 on the list with only 2.4% of the "market" share
One which might interest the developers. Of note is that Javascript is number 11 on the list with only 2.4% of the "market" share
Criticism
Andy Rutledge has written up his thoughts on design criticism. Do yourself a favour and read this article!
Andy Rutledge has written up his thoughts on design criticism. Do yourself a favour and read this article!
Opera 9.5b2
Busy week for the Opera people this one. Opera 9.5 is shaping up to be an excellent browser
Busy week for the Opera people this one. Opera 9.5 is shaping up to be an excellent browser
Dragonfly
Unsurprisingly perhaps, Dragonfly is the new Opera developer tools. Looking forward to seeing what they have cooked up
Unsurprisingly perhaps, Dragonfly is the new Opera developer tools. Looking forward to seeing what they have cooked up
Online advertising: Entertainment
Very interesting article about how markting online might develop. I am always more interested if it is entertaining
Very interesting article about how markting online might develop. I am always more interested if it is entertaining
Is it fair to criticise bad design?
Not only is it fair - it should be actively encouraged. We can all learn more, and constructive criticism is often what is needed
Not only is it fair - it should be actively encouraged. We can all learn more, and constructive criticism is often what is needed
Setting type on the web
This is something all designers should have a strong grasp of - particularly web-designers
This is something all designers should have a strong grasp of - particularly web-designers
QuickTime Javascript
Video plays a fundamental role on many new web-sites, and although Flash rules the roost, other technologies are getting in on the act as well
Video plays a fundamental role on many new web-sites, and although Flash rules the roost, other technologies are getting in on the act as well
ALA 257
It is all about Ruby on Rails this time
It is all about Ruby on Rails this time
Acid 3 bug
Hixie has more discussion about what smoothness is in Acid 3, and fixes a bug which has been bouncing around the W3C lists
Hixie has more discussion about what smoothness is in Acid 3, and fixes a bug which has been bouncing around the W3C lists
Spiral ornaments
These little glyphs are popping up in designs quite frequently now, and often to good effect. This is a nice tutorial on how to create your own
These little glyphs are popping up in designs quite frequently now, and often to good effect. This is a nice tutorial on how to create your own
Web content noise
There seems to be so many sites out there which just re-hash the same old content, and only a small number of sites actually producing original content
There seems to be so many sites out there which just re-hash the same old content, and only a small number of sites actually producing original content
The power of design
Moving issues with journalistic values aside, this is an interesting analysis of how design can effect your thoughts and behaviour
Moving issues with journalistic values aside, this is an interesting analysis of how design can effect your thoughts and behaviour
Javascript jobs
New from John Resig, this is a jobs site aimed at Javascript professionals. Excellent
New from John Resig, this is a jobs site aimed at Javascript professionals. Excellent
SVG news
Jeff Schiller has an interesting post with the latest information from the SVG world. Lots going on, and support for SVG is getting better and better
Jeff Schiller has an interesting post with the latest information from the SVG world. Lots going on, and support for SVG is getting better and better
Passive marketing
If you freelance, then much of your timee can be taken up looking for the next round of work. Passive marketing is the key to this, letting you do what you want to do
If you freelance, then much of your timee can be taken up looking for the next round of work. Passive marketing is the key to this, letting you do what you want to do
UCD is dead
Jared Spool has pointed out that User-Centred Design is an outdated methodology. There are also some interesting facts from the UIE research presented here
Jared Spool has pointed out that User-Centred Design is an outdated methodology. There are also some interesting facts from the UIE research presented here
Canvas backgrounds
The Webkit team have added another new feature to their rendering engine - the ability to use Canvas objects as CSS background images
The Webkit team have added another new feature to their rendering engine - the ability to use Canvas objects as CSS background images
Typing finger print
I really like the idea of this. This program can monitor our typing pattern to identify a particular user. Great thinking!
I really like the idea of this. This program can monitor our typing pattern to identify a particular user. Great thinking!
@media 2008
@media is always a fantastic conference, and the list of speakers for this year is firming up. It is going to be another good one
@media is always a fantastic conference, and the list of speakers for this year is firming up. It is going to be another good one
Form design
The form is the corner stone of user interaction on the web, and this is a terrific collection of forms. So really nice and clean examples
The form is the corner stone of user interaction on the web, and this is a terrific collection of forms. So really nice and clean examples
Pogo browser
Based on a Mozilla core, this is a new browser looking to redefine how we interact with a browser. Quite a difficult thing to do...
Based on a Mozilla core, this is a new browser looking to redefine how we interact with a browser. Quite a difficult thing to do...
JS particle generator
Lots of people are having fun with canvas, and this is a nifty little script (heavy on the processor). How does the futue of the browser shape up now that canvas is so popular and powerfu?
Lots of people are having fun with canvas, and this is a nifty little script (heavy on the processor). How does the futue of the browser shape up now that canvas is so popular and powerfu?
Javascript 1.9
With Firefox 3 almost out the door, the Mozilla Javascript guys are turning to now plan the step between Javascript 1.8 and Javascript 2
With Firefox 3 almost out the door, the Mozilla Javascript guys are turning to now plan the step between Javascript 1.8 and Javascript 2
Last call - XMLHttpRequest
Looks like the object which drove through the resurgence in Javascript is finally going to be fully standardised
Looks like the object which drove through the resurgence in Javascript is finally going to be fully standardised
CSS gradients
This is something developers have been asking about for years, and Dave Hyatt has just implemented it in Webkit. The Webkit team are really forging ahead with new CSS features now, and the CSS specifications and other browser makers are falling behind
This is something developers have been asking about for years, and Dave Hyatt has just implemented it in Webkit. The Webkit team are really forging ahead with new CSS features now, and the CSS specifications and other browser makers are falling behind
Webkit and SMIL (again)
Jeff Schiller has updated has charts of SVG spec conformance, and Webkit is pushing 75% now. Good stuff
Jeff Schiller has updated has charts of SVG spec conformance, and Webkit is pushing 75% now. Good stuff
Kuler update
Kuler has always been a great application, but now it is even better with photo colour extract and more
Kuler has always been a great application, but now it is even better with photo colour extract and more
Disconnect
Great article about how to disconnect from the web and the pressures it can bring. Enjoy what you do and be happier and more productive for it
Great article about how to disconnect from the web and the pressures it can bring. Enjoy what you do and be happier and more productive for it
RSS upheaval
The future of RSS seems to be causing friction between bloggers. In particular how should comments be included?
The future of RSS seems to be causing friction between bloggers. In particular how should comments be included?
eBook readers
We are still only at the start of what is sure to be a revolution in how we read data, and there is plenty of interesting research going on
We are still only at the start of what is sure to be a revolution in how we read data, and there is plenty of interesting research going on
SMIL in Webkit
Here is a massive checkin to the Webkit trunk by Antti Koivisto. Webkit passes 35 of the 56 W3C SVG animation tests now - awesome!
Here is a massive checkin to the Webkit trunk by Antti Koivisto. Webkit passes 35 of the 56 W3C SVG animation tests now - awesome!
Virtual walking
There are a lot of very challenging obsticals to enabling an immersive real-time virtual walk for a person. Interesting research
There are a lot of very challenging obsticals to enabling an immersive real-time virtual walk for a person. Interesting research
IE8 DOM fixes
There is an interesting post over at the IE Blog about the fixes they have implemented in IE8 in relation to DOM standards. I never knew getElemenyById matched names in IE before...
There is an interesting post over at the IE Blog about the fixes they have implemented in IE8 in relation to DOM standards. I never knew getElemenyById matched names in IE before...
Opera Mini for Android
The web-browser arena is quite busy at the moment. Webkit now has a competitor on the Android platform
The web-browser arena is quite busy at the moment. Webkit now has a competitor on the Android platform
Saving Cavas data as image files
This is fabulous work by Jacob Seidelin. Using base64 encoding you can save your canvas creations as images
This is fabulous work by Jacob Seidelin. Using base64 encoding you can save your canvas creations as images
Footer inspiration
Given that scrolling is completely commonplace for web-users now, footers are an important part of any web-site
Given that scrolling is completely commonplace for web-users now, footers are an important part of any web-site
You pay for what you get
If you want a proffessional service, you need to pay for it - just like any other industry. What 99designs is doing is absolutely shocking. Take no part in it
If you want a proffessional service, you need to pay for it - just like any other industry. What 99designs is doing is absolutely shocking. Take no part in it
Information overload
One of the big challenges which faces our industry is how do display the vast amount of information which is available. Up for the challenge? I certainly am!
One of the big challenges which faces our industry is how do display the vast amount of information which is available. Up for the challenge? I certainly am!
Yahoo say no thanks for now
Turning down the Microsoft offer in no uncertain terms, Yahoo say they want more money. This one is going to turn hostile
Turning down the Microsoft offer in no uncertain terms, Yahoo say they want more money. This one is going to turn hostile
Moowheel
Data visualisation using MooTools and Canvas. Quite a lot of applications could benefit from this, including Integrity
Data visualisation using MooTools and Canvas. Quite a lot of applications could benefit from this, including Integrity
Javascript saving the world
Here is a fun one - some of the code shown on screen in the recent Stargate TV movie was Javascript...
Here is a fun one - some of the code shown on screen in the recent Stargate TV movie was Javascript...
Ruby VM in Javascript
Javascript has come such a long way recently, both in terms of browser performance and developer acceptability - a VM in Javascript? Oh yes!
Javascript has come such a long way recently, both in terms of browser performance and developer acceptability - a VM in Javascript? Oh yes!
AIR for Linux
Adobe is pushing hard with AIR, as it is now available for the three major platforms. I might also add that it is really quite a nice platform to work with!
Adobe is pushing hard with AIR, as it is now available for the three major platforms. I might also add that it is really quite a nice platform to work with!
Beautiful type
Typography is absolutely fundamental to how we communicate, and it really can be quite incredibly beautiful
Typography is absolutely fundamental to how we communicate, and it really can be quite incredibly beautiful
Telegraph developer day
Sounds like it could but fun. If you are in London the 26th - 27th April, why not head on over?
Sounds like it could but fun. If you are in London the 26th - 27th April, why not head on over?
Yahoo and Microsoft
Although Yahoo appear to be avoiding it as much as possible - Microsoft have only one thing on their mind
Although Yahoo appear to be avoiding it as much as possible - Microsoft have only one thing on their mind
New Royal Mint designs
The Royal Mint have been working on new designs for currency here in the UK. And I think they have done a very fine job indeed
The Royal Mint have been working on new designs for currency here in the UK. And I think they have done a very fine job indeed
Box-sizing on width and height
The are a lot of advantages to being able to switch which box model is being used for an element, and this is a nice proposal for being able to integrate this into CSS
The are a lot of advantages to being able to switch which box model is being used for an element, and this is a nice proposal for being able to integrate this into CSS
CSS Template Layout Module
Some news on the CSS Advanced Layout Module: firstly it has been re-named, and secondly it will support rectangular shapes only initially. Looking forward to being able to use this!
Some news on the CSS Advanced Layout Module: firstly it has been re-named, and secondly it will support rectangular shapes only initially. Looking forward to being able to use this!
CSS naked day
How accessible is your web-site? Willing to show it naked? Well CSS nacked day is back - 9th April this year
How accessible is your web-site? Willing to show it naked? Well CSS nacked day is back - 9th April this year
What is that colour called?
Data and colour visualisation of what we call certain colours. This is some very interesting work, with quite tangible results. Pretty as well
Data and colour visualisation of what we call certain colours. This is some very interesting work, with quite tangible results. Pretty as well
Light Graffiti
These photos show some excellent examples of long shutter photography. Very cool
These photos show some excellent examples of long shutter photography. Very cool
Firefox 3 beta 5
An extra beta of the Gecko based browser - but it is coming together very nicely. Firefox 3 is going to be a big step forward
An extra beta of the Gecko based browser - but it is coming together very nicely. Firefox 3 is going to be a big step forward
Highland Fling 2008
It was a blast last year, with some very interesting talks. I am sure it will be so again this year
It was a blast last year, with some very interesting talks. I am sure it will be so again this year
Performace of Acid 3
Although both Webkit and Opera render Acid 3 correctly, can either claim a full pass with a somewhat subjective test? Probably not yet
Although both Webkit and Opera render Acid 3 correctly, can either claim a full pass with a somewhat subjective test? Probably not yet
Who write Linux
Linux is absolutely everywhere - whether you know it or not. It is interesting to see who is contributing code. One interesting fact from here - the kernel is modified/increased by 3,621 lines of code a day. Staggering
Linux is absolutely everywhere - whether you know it or not. It is interesting to see who is contributing code. One interesting fact from here - the kernel is modified/increased by 3,621 lines of code a day. Staggering
CSS filters / hacks
This is quite an amazing collection of the CSS hacks you can apply to Mozilla. Of course a little Conditional-CSS would do the trick quite nicely!
This is quite an amazing collection of the CSS hacks you can apply to Mozilla. Of course a little Conditional-CSS would do the trick quite nicely!
Opera and Acid 3
This is the best one of the day! Absolutely hilarious - particularly the final paragraph: "Mozilla Inc. was not available for comment"
This is the best one of the day! Absolutely hilarious - particularly the final paragraph: "Mozilla Inc. was not available for comment"
Advanced searching
Search the web before it is created - thank you Google. Where is all the news today...
Search the web before it is created - thank you Google. Where is all the news today...
More CSS animations
Now that Safari 3.1 is out and about, CSS animations are being experimented with a little more. Fun stuff
Now that Safari 3.1 is out and about, CSS animations are being experimented with a little more. Fun stuff