Pack a Mail Blog

Archive for the ‘Open Source’ Category

Last year we ran a blog post titled “Top 40 lists of lists” which got a lot of good feedback so we thought we would make it an annual event. Here is 2010’s top 40 list of lists. They have been grouped in to broad categories of:

• Coding and scripting
• Web design
• Freelancing
• Web copy & blogging
• Social media
• Online marketing
• WordPress
• Analytics, optimisation & usability

Coding & scripting
10 useful online code editors
http://www.catswhocode.com/blog/10-useful-online-code-editors

22 handy HTML5 / CSS3 tools, resources and guides
http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/resources/22-handy-html5-css3-tools-resources-and-guides/

35 fresh JavaScript jQuery tools and resources
http://www.noupe.com/javascript/35-fresh-javascript-jquery-tools-and-resources.html

45 fresh useful JavaScript and jQuery techniques and tools
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/03/12/45-fresh-useful-javascript-and-jquery-techniques-and-tools/

43 essential controls for web applications
http://www.uxbooth.com/blog/essential-controls-for-web-applications/

Web design
44 free stylish graffiti fonts for designers
http://naldzgraphics.net/freebies/44-free-stylish-graffiti-fonts-for-designers/

100 essential web development tools
http://www.noupe.com/tools/100-essential-web-development-tools.html

40 fundamental illustrator tools you must know
http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/tutorials/fundamental-illustrator-tutorials/

30 examples of attractive nav
http://www.webdesignerwall.com/trends/30-examples-of-attractive-nav/

9 things you can’t forget when designing a blog
http://www.tutorial9.net/web-tutorials/9-things-you-cant-forget-when-designing-a-blog/

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The WordPress phenomenon has taken the art of blogging to a global audience, and not without good reason. It is aptly described by its creators as ”a state-of-the-art publishing platform with a focus on aesthetics, web standards, and usability.” This only scratches the surface of what a true publishing force WordPress is though.

Its success can be attributed to three more obvious features; it’s free, simple to install and incredibly easy to use. Adopting WordPress allows designers, bloggers and casual users to create a web presence in just a matter of minutes. The latest incarnation of the blogging tool, WordPress 2.7, has taken all the winning attributes of previous versions and scaled new heights. Usability has always been a big part of WordPress DNA and 2.7 undoubtedly brings with it a host of major updates.

The Dashboard has been completely redesigned and brings together all the essential elements of posting into an easy-toaccess interface. Customisation and configuration are key elements that drive usability and ultimately improved workflow in WordPress 2.7. Beyond the more obvious aesthetically seductive Dashboard design, users are given control of content. Made up of several modules, these are all collapsable and movable. Users get to choose position, state, configuration and ultimately decide which modules stay to make their own customised interface. Beyond the Dashboard, a host of improvements have been introduced to give bloggers better productivity, improved functionality and far greater control.