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We like free tools. A lot.
How many freelancers do you know that’s got wads of cash stashed under the mattress, waiting for the latest Microsoft software to hit shelves? You know the software I’m talking about – the one’s promising to save you oodles of time (not to mention your hairline). Quite often there’s free (some technical minded ones dare call it “open source”), online alternatives that looks amazing, works perfectly, and leaves you with a warm fuzzy feeling of accomplishment.
Toolwatch is a weekly roundup of the latest tools available online and for free – Phwoar!
gomockingbird.com – Allows you to make mock-ups and wireframes quickly and easy. It supports all the nifty bits you’d normally use (e.g. shapes, links, and text) and even allows you to export to a PDF or PNG file. It’s great for freelancing on the move.
ajaxload.info – When using Ajax it is customary to include a small animated gif file that gets displayed while JavaScript fetches the information from the server. At Ajaxload, they generate those animated gif files as per your order: No more complicated software – simply click, click, voila!
browsersize.googlelabs.com – Ever wondered which parts of your website would be visible by what percentage of people? The folks at Googlelabs allow you type in your website and then overlay it automatically with a picture file indicating what is the most visible. This is sure to influence the way we design.
cleanCSS.com – Did you know that whitespace is the number one cause of obesity in CSS files? With CleanCSS you get to minify your files significantly. Be aware though, depending on the settings you choose, your file might be nigh impossible to read by humans.
patterntap.com – Tired of trolling through substandard template websites in search of cutting-edge inspiration? Patterntap gathers the best of user interface designs under one roof and allows you to store your favourites under neatly organized lightboxes. Patterntap is the prescription for the “blue-Monday-creative-block” illness: take high volumes at regular intervals.
Got any suggestions for tools that need to be in this list? Leave a comment, and we’ll be sure to check it out before the next issue. Remember, it’s got to be online and free…
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