5 Aug 2007

Miscellaneous

Sunday Links #3

You want links? I got them! From web dev tools to funny videos, featured friends to interesting reads. It’s Sunday, this is akamike, and here are this weeks links.

• Blog: Fake Steve Jobs - While this blog has been around for a while, I only actually stopped by it this week (via Gary Marshall) and I have to say it’s a pretty funny and interesting read. Check out his post on Linux.
• Tool: Formatpixel - I found this a while ago, checked it out and then didn’t bother to post about it. They dropped me an e-mail this week to notify me of some updates, so I thought I should give them another look! Formatpixel is an online publishing tool that you can create “page” based presentations, such as magazines, portfolios and leaflets. You can collaboratively work on projects with whoever you choose by sharing them, and there is a list of features that you can dig through, rather than me listing them here! It uses flash and there is a number of priced packages to suit your needs.
• Vidcast: The GigaOM Show - This started last week but I didn’t get round to watching it until this week. Om Malik and Joyce Kim run through this weeks Hitlines, or top stories, then interview various entrepreneurs and review hot startups. There has only been two episodes so far, but I enjoyed both and can’t wait for more! Not your thing? There are plenty of other great shows over on Revision3 such as Diggnation, The Totally Rad Show and Systm.
• Fun: Ms. Dewey - Search engine with a sassy kick, Ms. Dewey comments on your searches in this fun little flash app.
• Tool: SMILE - Semantic Interoperability of Metadata and Information in unLike Environments. Yeah. As Kevin Rose put it, it’s a “DHTML AJAXy widget for plotting time”. To be honest, I don’t really have a use for it and I am not entirely sure how it’s useful, but someone reading this might want to know!
• Tool: JumpChart - Now, here’s something I can use. With a tagline stating “Start Websites Right.”, it immediately had me interested. Jumpchart is a web application for organizing sitemaps, a websites structure, that can be used to quickly and easily plan a site and show it to a client.
• Fun: Snoop Dog Kirby Remix - Originally, I found this as a YouTube video but noted that it was a rip from a YTMND. It’s worth a quick laugh, even if you don’t like his music (like me!) and who can resist Kirby anyhoo?
• Video: Sigafoo Needs A Theme Song - I said I would give this a little plug here to see if anyone can help him out. Basically, Sigafoo needs a general theme song for his videos and Sigafoo Reviews. If you are chosen and have a site, he’ll provide a link back every time the song is used so you can get a little extra traffic as thanks for your contribution. Even if you can’t make a theme song, watch the video, it’s hilarious! But I warn you: Excess Penis.
• Video: Libertyville Abortion Demonstration - I found this video to be very interesting. These people have been protesting against abortion and yet they haven’t even thought about the consequences of their actions. This man asks the question “What should happen to women who have a legal abortion?” and most of them don’t have an opinion on it. Isn’t part of making something illegal tagging on a punishment?
• Tool: Dust-Me - Have you ever found yourself fruitlessly digging through your CSS and template files to find out which CSS selectors are being used across your site, and which aren’t? Speed up the process and spend less time looking at the mark-up with the Dust-Me Firefox add-on. As you browse a site, Dust-me can scan for unused selectors and list them, removing them from that list should they be seen on another page. All you have to do is check each of your pages filled with the content they would use, look at the log file and you can quickly strip out the ones listed.
• Animation: Death knight Gnome - With the upcoming WoW expansion, Wrath of the Lich King, people are sprouting more rumours and theories about what Blizzard has up their sleeves. Despite my ranting, here is an animated mock-up of a Gnome Death Knight, from Ian of Three Panel Soul.
• Research: Project Planning and Documentation - I am doing a little bit of research for a post I will be making this week (at least, that is the plan) so I would like to ask readers to contribute! I just need you to tell me your approach to planning and documentation, very briefly. If you have Pownce, drop by the note and give me a reply. If not, catch me on MSN or IRC, it will only take you a couple of minutes and would be much appreciated!
• Friend Watch: Nyssa J. Brown - Nyssa recently redesigned and reformatted her blog/site and I have to say it is beautiful. Not only is she a great designers but, as I have said in the past, you should be reading her blog as it has many posts of interest. Such as WordPress tips & tricks, Wordpress theme releases and posts that quiz designers on design related issues

So, there you have it for this week. The next 7 days are going to be very busy for me, but I’ll try to gather together some stuff to post up here next Sunday. As usual, add your own contributions in the comments or, if you have a blog, start your own weekly link dump!

Oh, and a quick little note. I have updated my blogroll to fuller names with better titles. I hope this improves SEO for all listed, and if you would like anything to be changed just let me know!

Tags: Links