Sponge Project

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4

Guide to resizing test in your browser
2008-03-22 17:33:00
Changing the size of the text within our chosen browsers seems to be a hidden and dark art to some, hence the prevalence of text-size widgets on websites. Personally I'm not a fan of them, as I think education is the way forward. You don't need the widgets as every modern browser has text-resizing functionality built-in. Sadly people don't know how easy it is. But Joe Dolson's guide to modifying font attributes through your web browser makes it child's play!
More About: Guide , Browser , Test

Want to protect your kids when they?re online?
2008-03-18 10:01:00
Then try Glubble. It's a plugin for Firefox that allows parents to control what their children see (or don't see) when surfing.
More About: Tools , Kids , Online

Good Barry, sounds like a good service
2008-03-15 14:08:00
GoodBarry essentially combines all of your website analytics, tracking, customer database and email marketing into one slick interface. I haven't tried it out myself, but the concept sounds great.
More About: Tools , Sounds , Service , Good

Advanced editor for Wordpress
2008-03-14 20:31:00
I'm constantly being surprised by the quality of the free plugins developed for Wordpress . The latest to blow my mind is essential for anyone using Wordpress - TinyMCE Advanced.
More About: Tools , Editor

Virtual Stan
2008-03-12 20:58:00
Old hat to some no doubt, but sometimes you're surfing around aimlessly and come across something truly amazing. Virtual Stan allows you to take control of a virtual version of Jason Santa Maria. You can make him happy, angry or even sing a song (Roxstan is my favourite)! Truly aimless, but excellently well done by Rob Weychert.
More About: Random

How to convert an image to a vector?
2008-03-11 14:25:00
Not your every day question granted, but it's a question I ask sometimes when I don't have the original artwork or image source. Vector Magic basically allows you to upload an image in whatever format you have it in (currently supports JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, TIFF, PSD) and exports it as a vector (EPS, SVG, PDF, and PNG). The main benefit for those not in the know is that a vector image allows you to re-size or re-shape it with out getting the traditional blurred or jagged edges with non-vector images (find out more). Fantastic for a free service!
More About: Tools , Image , Convert

How to design beautiful websites
2008-03-10 13:42:00
I'm not going to give you that secret, however one great pace to start is by buying "The Principles of Beautiful Web Design " by Jason Bearid. I did and I'm very glad I did so. As the design of this site will attest, my design skills have a little room for improvement, mainly around the detail and polish. My hope was that this book would help me with some design structure and concepts on which to base my thinking.
More About: Random , Websites

Top web applications of 2008
2008-03-10 11:41:00
In an attempt to ?discover the world's most popular web? the chaps at Carsonified launched a not scientific, but nevertheless useful survey at the recent Future of Web Apps conference. The results have been published and the winner is: Gmail.
More About: Tools , Applications , Research , 2008

My first guest post
2008-03-09 11:43:00
Rachael put out a plea for support with her new blog Rawrr. The aim is to offer web designers a useful repository of information and tips. So being the kind chap that I am, I obliged with a re-worked article of mine. Check it out: Rawrr » Web hosts.
More About: Post , Work , Guest

Design Police | Bring bad design to justice.
2008-03-08 11:24:00
Brilliant! Design Police - ?Bring bad design to justice?! Lots of nice little Post-It note style cut-outs to plaster all over people's work if you don't think it's up to scratch. Please don't use it on my site :)
More About: Fun , Justice , Random

Wierd
2008-03-06 18:12:00
Link thanks to Dark Roasted Blend Contact Rob Mason for details on website design and build services in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.
More About: Fun , Random , Aside , Wierd

Bugger me: Mircosoft shocks the world and listens to the community
2008-03-06 15:16:00
I'm no fan of Microsoft, however I have to doff my cap to them. They've decided after all the flak and commentary they got, not just from me, from around the world, from big names in the game, to do a complete u-turn and do things right! No more IE-specific hacks. They've even released a beta version for us to test. Hurrah!
More About: World , Community , The World

Vote for Wordpess?
2008-02-28 20:18:00
...it's one of the best CMS/blogging platforms around, so what are you waiting for? While you're at it take the time to vote for the best web browser around: Firefox.
More About: Fun , Vote , Aside

IAB get a new website?
2008-02-27 20:49:00
...shame it can't do the basics! For those not in the know the IAB are a UK-based trade association for the internet marketing industry. They've just re-launched their website with a new look and feel, which is not too shabby and also offers a mobile version.
More About: Website , Random , Rant , Aside

Owning a hammer does not make me a builder?
2008-02-26 15:56:00
...but apparently owning some design software does make someone a website designer! Freelance Freedom at FreelanceSwitch has done a great cartoon on a very serious issue which has been bugging me for a while.
More About: Rant , Aside , Make , Hammer , Builder

Memey-ness?
2008-02-26 11:29:00
Not sure Memey-ness is a word, but if Jack P thinks it is then that's good enough for me. :) Anyway, I think I am a random person in relation to Jack never having actually met him in real life, so here goes. Six random and totally unimportant things about me: I'm wearing grey socks right now with orange toes and heals I have a freebie Mr Benn DVD on my desk right now My hair is blonde I have a pair of very feminine wellingtons in the boot of my car I have a BA Baracus / A Team van on my key ring Beat that suckas!
More About: Random , Aside , Ness

Google may be great at building stuff?
2008-02-25 20:54:00
...but they're rubbish at offering a consistent user experience (IMHO). When using services from one organisation as a user I expect or at least anticipate some level of consistency with things like navigation and layout. However, Google seem intent on doing their own thing product by product.
More About: Building , Random , Great , Stuff

Chuck Norris Action Jeans - Amazing!
2008-02-24 16:33:00
Truly fantastic! With a "unique hidden gusset" for extra flexibility - Denimology: Chuck Norris Action Jeans . Thanks to Geektronica for the link.
More About: Random , Amazing

Competitions?are they a good thing or not?
2008-02-21 16:36:00
For some people web design or website coding competitions can be a great way to get recognition for their work and where possible make some cash. Take 99Designs as an example. However, are they actually worth it? I've entered a couple of competitions previously both of which I didn't win. Now I'm not bitter about it because in both of these a better designer was chosen and well done to them. But I do wonder whether the time spent on these competitions (because I have some time on my hands of an evening) was spent wisely?
More About: Random , Competitions , Good , Thing

W3C site in need of TLC?
2008-02-20 11:36:00
The W3C site bugs me. I know it's a small thing, but it bugs me. One word: bland. But why does it have to be this way? Quick answer is it doesn't. Some would argue that such organisations don't need funky sites, but surely some level of visual appeal is needed? Come on chaps, pull your finger out a re-design it!
More About: Random , Site

Usability Guidelines: Web Design for Users With Disabilities
2008-02-19 12:42:00
Free stuff! Slightly outdated (2001), but still useful stuff nonetheless. Provided by Nielsen Norman Group, apparently it's richly illustrated, which isn't strictly true, but the content offers some sound research about how people with disabilities access websites and how we as website designers should accommodate their needs. Download it now. Thanks to Matt Bailey for the link.
More About: Web Design , Design , Random , Usability , Guidelines

Embarassing outbursts
2008-02-08 10:22:00
Thanks to Dark Roasted Blend for the link
More About: Aside , Embarassing

What happens when you publish a post?
2008-02-07 21:48:00
Apparently some weird and wonderful things…according to Wired magazine at any rate! Great little interactive view of the pipes behind a blog and how that information is disseminated across the web. Thanks to Peter for the link. Contact Rob Mason for details on website design and build services in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.
More About: Post , Publish

Trend Map 2008
2008-02-06 11:07:00
The iA Trend Map 2008 shows all the big internet players and lively web trends. Not only that, it visually shows you how they are all connected using the Tokyo Metro map as a reference. Not very scientific, according to the authors, but fun nonetheless. In all seriousness it does show how the internet changes over a period of time, just compare last year's map to this year's.
More About: Fun , Random

Great visual design
2008-02-06 10:09:00
DONE is the home of German designer Jonas Buntenbruch and is a really nice site. It's bright, colourful, easy to use and offers bags of character, whilst at the same time not feeling cluttered or confusing. Nice little touches abound, such as the black and white logo changing to a coloured version when you hover over it. Good work!
More About: Fun , Design , Great , Visual

One good thing about Super Bowl
2008-02-05 11:56:00
It kind of passes us by this side of the pond, but apparently the Super Bowl is a big thing in the US…whatever, but the adverts are kinda cool: Thanks to Forty Media for the link Contact Rob Mason for details on website design and build services in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.
More About: Fun , Random , Good

An award!
2008-02-04 16:51:00
I don't get many awards, but when I do I'm very touched. The guys over at Web Designer Forum have awarded me "Member of the Month" for January, basically for being an all-round top chap and helpful type. Woot! Thanks to Ben and Dizi for the nomination.
More About: Fun , Award

CSS resources
2008-02-04 13:36:00
I'm always on the look out for good, easy to read and detailed CSS related material. The latest one I've come across is the Sitepoint CSS Reference. Written by the greats Tommy Olsson and Paul O?Brien, it's a very detailed, yet accessible look at what CSS can achieve. Sort of a reference guide and tutorial as it combines the detailed explanation as well as specific, relevant examples. I urge you to go and read it.
More About: Resources

Quick and easy sitemaps
2008-02-01 20:58:00
There are many ways of doing sitemaps, some even involve using technology! A personal favourite of mine is WriteMaps.
More About: Quick , Easy , Sitemaps

Competition entry
2008-01-26 13:14:00
Time for another competition entry, this time over on Sitepoint. Simple and clean entry for a legal firm in Washington DC. See the live demo of this design.
More About: Competition , Work , Entry