Archive for March 7, 2012

Website Resources Part I: Storage and Website Development Tools

As Bruce Wayne transforms into Batman when duty calls, I too have an alternative identity from morning to night.

When evening falls I unwind by cooking, reading recipes, browsing blogs, editing photos and writing for Gidget Eats. I’d like to be posting content more regularly and baking experimental batches of cookies all for the sake of my readers, but I have a day job. And sorrowfully, it’s not for the food section of Southern Living or Cook’s Illustrated magazine.

I’m a food blogger at night and computer geek by day. Unlike Batman, I refuse to wear a cape.

For work I have been diligently compiling a list of website resources that are available online, for little to no cost. Compelled to share, I figure other people might find these to be helpful. Everyone likes free.

This post will be the first in a sporadic series of website resources ranging from development tools, image editors, pattern generators, font libraries, online publishing and project management organizers. No matter if you utilize the basic blog service from WordPress.com (like Gidget Eats), build sites using Dreamweaver, or code using ASP.net, you’ll be able to use something. Then, back to our regularly scheduled programming…

Online Storage

*Dropbox | https://www.dropbox.com
When you upload files on Dropbox, it automatically saves them to your authorized computers, phones and the Dropbox website. You can then access the files anywhere, change them and share links with other users.

Program download, 2GB free or paid monthly subscriptions

MediaFire | https://www.mediafire.com
MediaFire offers unlimited file sizes, uploads, downloads and does not require a registration. Store files on their cloud and share them through links or email with other users.

Online service, up to 200MB free for a limited time or paid monthly subscriptions for more space and features

*Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service) | http://aws.amazon.com/s3/
The online giant offers a storage service for developers. They have a complicated looking calculator to determine cost, but from my experience it is very minimal – for example, up to your first 1TB/mo the storage rate can be either $0.125-$0.093 per GB.

Online service, minimal cost depending on file actions and size

Crashplan | http://www.crashplan.com
This is a computer backup system for all your computers, regardless of operating system. The free CrashPlan version is designed for personal use, online backup is offered with paid subscriptions.

Program download and online service, free basic plan and 30 day trial of CrashPlan+, or paid monthly subscriptions

Website Development Tools

*W3C Markup Validation Service | http://validator.w3.org
Brought to you by the almighty World Wide Web Consortium who develops and upholds web standards, this tool validates and checks the markup of web documents in HTML, XHTML, etc. You can input webpage by URL, file upload or direct code copy and paste.

Online service, free

*W3C CSS Validation Service | http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/
Same as the markup service, the W3C also offers CSS validation.

Online service, free

SEO Logic | http://www.seologic.com/guide/history/google
This website offers a free online SEO analyzer report, tools, an explanation and guide to the world of search engine optimization, and a large library of FAQs.

Online service, free

Search Engine Land | http://searchengineland.com
Another SEO website, Search Engine Land has all of the tips, news and information regarding search engine optimization you could ever want.

Online, free

net2ftp | http://net2ftp.com
Access your website files anywhere with this web-based FTP client.

Program download or online service

*EVO (Evolution Web Development) | http://www.evowebdev.com
I downloaded and used this free four-column grid for my latest web work, which allows for clear, organized design layouts. There is a Photoshop and WordPress theme template available, in addition to other tools and development tips.

File download, free

MockFlow | http://mockflow.com
This tool enables you to design simple user interface mockups and collaborate with others. The free basic account has restrictions on the number of mockups, collaborators and other features.

Program download and online service, free basic plan or $69/yr for a premium account

Cacoo | https://cacoo.com
Cacoo is another wire framing tool where you create diagrams online and then save, share or download them to your computer.

Online service, free plan, $49/yr Plus plan or different Team levels

Lumzy | http://www.lumzy.com
A fast mockup designer and prototyping tool, you can use this to build wire frames and sketches online for free. There are a lot of different controls and it seems to be easy to use.

Online service, free

*Denotes resources I have personally used.