jQuery: the evolution of jQuery

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jQuery, the famous JavaScript library, today is a web development standard.
Started in 2005 by John Resig, the library gets to a 1.8 version (still in beta while I write) with many new features. Today jQuery is used by major companies in their web sites, and many web developers include the library in their projects.

CSS & ASP: let the user choose the style

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When we create a web site, we usually decide the look of it and the way the visitor is actually experiencing it. Sometimes we might need to create different look for the same site, especially if we are dealing with specific groups of users. I'm going to explain in a simple way how to let the user choose the style of the web page according to its needs. To do so, we are going to use CSS and ASP.

Web Design: the good use of white space

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White space in web design is, in my opinion very important. The correct use of it can really make a difference.
In this short article, I would like to share my ideas on the good use of white space in web design. What I write here is my personal opinion, and it comes from years of web design. I may have read the following things somewhere in the past, but I truly don't remember where and when. So, if you find something that you have already read somewhere, please remember the above.
Now, follow me, and don't forget to share your thoughts.

jQuery: what if Google Libraries API is offline?

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When we build pages with jQuery, we have two possible way of including the library.
First we can actually save the .js file in a specific folder of our web site and then include it directly.
Another way is to use the Google Libraries API deposit and get it from there.

But what if the GLA is not available? In those cases some functionality might be lost.
Here I show you how to create a proper fallback.

CSS: the resize property

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With the introduction of CSS3, one of the new properties available is resize. With it we are able to make an element resizable vertically, horizontally or both.
We have to take note that the property is available only for Firefox, Chrome and Safari. For those browsers, some elements like the textarea are considered resizable by default (and you may have already noticed that).
Let's see how to use it.

iPhone: web design and web development apps

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Do you like your iPhone so much that you take it everywhere and play with it every spare moment? Are you a web designer and/or developer? Well, here's a list of interesting iPhone apps that you should have.

Enjoy!

JavaScript: smooth scroll to the top of the page

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If you have long pages, it is quite clear that a user will scroll your pages and eventually reach the end of the content area. In some case, however, menus or other relevant elements of the web site will stay at the top of the viewport. How do we create a link which will scroll smoothly back at the top?
We can use a small JavaScript function. Here I explain how...

Web Design: Designers Toolbox

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Today I will share a very useful web site called Designers Toolbox.
As the name says, on the site there are different interesting tools making the life of a designer easier. Keep in mind that it is not just for web designers, in fact it contains information even for general design.
The list of the tools includes:
-  a lorem ipsum generator;
- web safe areas;
- HTML characters;
- banners sizes and formats;
- how to use fonts for the web.

Add to the above, useful info on envelope sizes, folding methods, paper sizes and so on.
The site is very well done and easy to navigate, with a simple design that will make the visitor curious.

I believe you might find the resource interesting... so have a look and let me know.

SQL Server: useful query for DBAs

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If you are a Database Administrator and you work with MS SQL Server, there are some useful queries you could use to check how things are going with your databases. Being always aware of what's going on is very important, and in some cases a good control panel with appropriate queries can be developed just to quickly display the databases status.
We are going to explore some interesting administration queries. Just select those that you might be interested in and add them to your personal control panel.

It's a new day!

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Today it's my first day at a new job.
As I said last week, I'm starting a new adventure in a completely new and unknown place.
Wish me good luck and keep on following the web thought.

"There are those who think that life has nothing left to chance take. A host of holy horrors to direct our aimless dance.
A planet of playthings, we dance on the strings of powers we cannot perceive.
"The stars aren't aligned, or the gods are malign..."
Blame is better to give than receive.
There are those who think that they were dealt a losing hand, the cards were stacked against them; they weren't born in Lotusland.
All preordained, a prisoner in chains, a victim of venomous fate.
Kicked in the face, you can't pray for a place in heaven's unearthly estate.
 
You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice.
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.
You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill.
I will choose a path that's clear, I will choose freewill.

Each of us... a cell of awareness, imperfect and incomplete.
Genetic blends with uncertain ends on a fortune hunt that's far too fleet."
[Rush - Freewill 1980 lyrics by Neil Peart]