Archive for 'Web Design'

Tip of the Day: Secure Your Gmail

Posted 21 March 2007 | By mitch | Categories: Geekery, JavaScript | No Comments

From the “Why Didn’t I Think of That” department: GMailSecure has got to be one of the most elegantly simple, yet useful Greasemonkey scripts ever.

When I say simple, I mean one line of code:

location.href = location.href.replace(/^http:/, ‘https:’);

This script ensures your Gmail session using Firefox takes place over a secure HTTP connection providing a reasonable amount [...]

Sanitize File Names Using VBScript

Posted 18 May 2006 | By mitch | Categories: Geekery, Programming, VBScript | 1 Comment

We use an ASP based form to enable our customers to submit files created as part of a registration process. During the submission, the file is sent as an email attachment to our support staff, and a copy is written to a file server as a backup. The application uses a standard Win32 Save dialog [...]

Linkto: Scriptaculous Cheat Sheet

Posted 24 April 2006 | By mitch | Categories: Ajax, Asides, Geekery, JavaScript | No Comments

Amy Hoy offers up Scriptaculous Cheat Sheet #1, a “Field Guide to Script.aculo.us Combination Effects”. Basic effects syntax all on a single-page PDF. Nicely done.

innerHTML Not So Evil After All?

Posted 21 April 2006 | By mitch | Categories: Geekery, Talk, Web Design | No Comments

There’s been some discussion about whether using the non-standard innerHTML is an acceptable way to add content. Coming to the defense of the maligned property is this article at Robert Nyman’s site, co-authored by Anne van Kesteren a member of the W3C, stating,

When it comes to having greater scalability in a web page, especially in [...]

Linkto: Create Your Own Ajax Effects

Posted 19 April 2006 | By mitch | Categories: Ajax, Asides, Geekery, JavaScript, Talk, Web 2.0, Web Design | No Comments

Thomas Fuchs, creator of the Script.aculo.us JavaScript effects library shows you how to create your own Ajax effects. Roll your own fabulous Web 2.0 effects using the amazing Script.aculo.us effects engine.

Cross-site Scripting Techniques and Prevention

Posted 18 April 2006 | By mitch | Categories: Ajax, Geekery, JavaScript, Web 2.0, Web Design | No Comments

ALA serves up a great article addressing the dangers of cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities. Author Niklas Bivald says,

Validating and sanitizing user input is no longer optional. Consider what your users really need to do, think about what characters they need to accomplish those tasks, and strip/convert as necessary to protect your community.

Part 1 provides examples [...]

Bite Size Standards

Posted 14 April 2006 | By mitch | Categories: Geekery, Web Design | No Comments

Bite Size Standards went online today, offering web development tutorials, tips, etc. In their own words:

The basic idea being that busy web designers don’t always have time to read or write lengthy tutorials but that a daily “bite” of useful information, taken or given, could be good for the soul.

Sounds promising. Hat tip to snook [...]

More Ajax Resources for Beginners

Posted 10 April 2006 | By mitch | Categories: Ajax, Geekery, JavaScript, Links, Web 2.0 | 5 Comments

When I first became involved in a project that would require Ajax techniques, I quickly went to the web in search of tutorials to learn how to use the XMLHttpRequest object. Following are the resources I found most helpful as I learned to create dynamic web applications. Links to various JavaScript libraries and other sites [...]

AJAX for Newbies

Posted 07 April 2006 | By mitch | Categories: Ajax, Asides, Geekery, Links | No Comments

Scoble points to Ajax Resources for Beginners, a great little link source for Ajax tutorials. I’ve seen most of the sites referenced, but one completely new to me (and very valuable) is Ajax Activity Indicators, a page containing dozens of animated gif images for your downloading pleasure.

Links to 30 AJAX Tutorials

Posted 03 April 2006 | By mitch | Categories: Ajax, Asides, Geekery, JavaScript, Web 2.0, Web Design | No Comments

Check out this Round-up of 30 AJAX Tutorials. Great links if you need to get up to speed on AJAX techniques.

A couple of other favorites: The XMLHttpRequest Object, Guide to Using AJAX and XMLHttpRequest, and Getting Started with Ajax.