Responsive Nav is a really nifty (and light-weight) Javascript plugin that will allow you to easily create an off-canvas navigation menu that slides down from off the screen. Here’s a quick and easy way to use an icon instead of your run of the mill plain text.
Read More “Quick Tip: Use an Icon with Responsive-Nav.js an Icon Font”
Since the Samsung Galaxy SIV was announced, I was pretty much waiting on baited breath for its release for Verizon customers; I was so excited I went out and picked it up the day after it was released, the soonest I could (I had actually pre-ordered it on May 18th through Amazon, but due to some issues I cancelled the order and picked it up at my local Best Buy). I really liked the form factor, features, and of-course, the amazing 13MP camera it touted. So does the phone live up to my expectations? Let’s see.
Thanksgiving and Black Friday officially kick off the Holiday, and subsequently the gift-giving, season. I often like to publish lists like this, that will help you shop for the web nerd (or just nerd) in your life, and 2012 is no different. With all kinds of new services, gadgets, and toys, 2012 is a great year to be a nerd! Here are some of my recommendations.
I recently purchased a Nexus 7 and absolutely love it. It’s small enough to use with one hand, but really great for watching videos. I use it more than my iPad (3rd generation). However, if you are looking for a bigger tablet, Google also released a Nexus 10, and a Nexus 4 smartphone to boot. These devices are great and the price points are fantastic. Plus, they are great for testing, reading, or just geeking out.
Alternatives: iPhone 5/iPad Mini, Kindle Fire
I cannot recommend these books enough. I have all of them, and still need to read a couple, but I’ve learned an incredible amount from them. You can pick up the whole series using the link above or pick and choose the ones you want to start with. These are a necessity for any web developer’s bookshelf.
Related: Don’t Make Me Think | Adaptive Web Design | .net magazines Top 50 Books for Web Designers
Everyone needs a good place to keep their ideas, sketches, and random thoughts. Ugmonk (@ugmonk on Twitter) makes really fantastic things and this journal is no exception. I got one for my brother last year and his exact words were, “This is so nice I need to find something really good to use it for.”
Alternatives: Moleskine | Field Notes notebooks
This is bar-none the best web development magazine in the world. For us stateside it’s a little pricy but well worth it. You’ll get the latest news, recommended tools and techniques, interviews, and more. My favorite section is the website build-off, where 3 designers get a type of site (college, ebook, etc) to build. They then explain their decisions.
Other Formats: Kindle Version | Zinio (works on Android and iOS)
Related: Wired
The ones I link to/picture above are the V-MODA Crossfade LP Over-Ear Noise-Isolating Metal Headphones, which I picked up in August and I love them. I can’t hear anything while using them, they fit comfortably, and include a really nice carry case, as well as interchangeable wires for standard headphone jacks and amplifiers.
Alternatives: Audio-Technica ATHM50S Professional Monitor Headphones | Buying Guide
Related: A good pair of earbuds is a must too! I’ve been loyal to Skull Candy, but have been considering these by Klipsch
As a web developer I usually carry around a bunch of gadgets, my laptop, notebooks, pens, pencils, etc. so I, like most developers/designers, need a good bag to lug that stuff around. I just picked up the one above and I love it. It’s reasonably priced, durable, and there is a ton of room. This makes for a great and thoughtful gift!
Alternatives: Â If you’re looking for something more high end, I’m a Fossil faithful and would recommend the Fossil Estate Messenger.
I really can’t recommend this enough. Access to new music every week, no commercials, and mobile support to boot. This is absolutely perfect for anyone who sits at a computer all day.
Alternatives: Pandora One
Related: Taking a break once is a while is a good thing too. Netflix and Hulu+ (includes a free 2 week trial) are both really good for that.
So this one is a bit more abstract as everyone gets inspiration from different places. I saw a fantastic talk by Meagan Fisher (@owltastic) recently where she mentioned where she gets her inspiration and it lead me to buy some none-web related books to use when looking for that stroke of genius I so desperately need. Meagan recommends Posters for People: Art of the WPA. Lately I’ve been looking for inspiration through architecture, but in general, here are a couple of books I would recommend.
I love accessories for my gadgets. Here are some that I would recommend for varies devices.
I hope this list is helpful! If there’s anything recommendations you’d like to make or anything you think I left off, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section!
Also, I’ve created a Delicious account for Manifest Development. I’ll post tech/web dev/business related links there. Check it out. They also get automatically posted to @manifestdev on Twitter.
A few weeks ago, the fine folks at Google announced the web based version of their Android Market. Much like the iPhone/iPad App Store in iTunes, the online Android Market let’s you browse from your computer and install apps on your phone. The main difference, and it’s a big one, is there is no sync required. Click install on the web, it gets installed on your phone.
Recently I signed up for online music streaming site Rdio as I was looking to fill the void that lala left after Apple ate them up and never spit them back out. I was using Grooveshark for free, but everything was pretty unorganized. I decided to take the plunge and pay the $5 monthly subscription for Rdio, and justifying the purchase is pretty easy.
Read More “How to Justify the $5 (or $10) for Rdio”
One of my clients asked how I run 3 podcasts with 3 kids at home. The answer: my processes and automations. And now, you can get those templates, completely for free.
Get Instant Access using the form below!
"*" indicates required fields
Want to start automating, but not sure where to…well, start? Get ahead of the game with 14 of my favorite automations, across a bunch of tools, like Zapier, Make, Hazel, and Apple’s Shortcuts. Get Instant Access using the form below!
“Your automations are always so fascinating – I really need to step my game up!”
Joe, this is amazing. You’re seriously the king of automation.
