Resources

Software | Recommended code | Favourite websites

Resources

One day I’ll use this page to share some useful snippets of my own code but I also want to pass on some of the applications, free code and online resources that I find useful in my own work. I use both Windows and MacOS on a daily basis so you’ll find software for both platforms below.

 

Software for Windows

RapidPHP (Windows) Any Windows-based PHP developers who have stuck with Dreamweaver purely as a text editor should give this excellent value piece of software a try. www.blumentals.net/rapidphp/ (€45)

WampServer (Windows) I usually work off a dedicated development server but when I just need to write a quick script I do it on my own PC with this server software – it’s the best Windows solution I’ve found. www.wampserver.com/en/ (Free)

ColorPic (Windows) I have to do a lot of colour work and this tool makes it so much easier, especially with it’s ability to manage multiple pallets. www.iconico.com/colorpic/ (Free)

IcoFX (Windows) This application has limited scope but it’s superb for creating favicons. icofx.r (Free)

Software for Mac

Coda (Mac) My software of choice for Mac development. It contains an excellent project manager and a very pretty user interface that’s a pleasure to use. www.panic.com/coda/ ($99)

VMware Fusion (Mac) It’s important for Mac developers to test websites in a Windows environment and this is the best way of running Windows programs without leaving OS X. www.vmware.com/products/fusion/ ($80)

VirtualHostX (Mac) A very convenient way to setup multiple development websites while avoiding nested folders in the address bar. clickontyler.com/virtualhostx/ ($20)

Versions (Mac) I’ve always found versioning overly complex and slow but this SVN client takes a lot of pain out of the process. versionsapp.com/ ($39)

 

Recommended code

While I’m all for reusing code I do like to reuse my own stuff rather than take it from external sources. The websites I create are used as key business tools so if I haven’t written the code I need to be sure that it is either from a reliable source or is fully tested by myself. That said, I do use the following 3rd party code on a regular basis and would thoroughly recommend it to others. I hope you’ll find these as useful as I do.

class.upload.php
I don’t know how I managed before discovering this PHP class. I’ve been using for years now and it must have saved me solid weeks worth of coding time. Essentially it handles files as they’re uploaded via form but it’s image manipulation tools are the most useful feature.
www.verot.net/php_class_upload.htm

PHPMailer
This makes sending emails from your website very easy, especially when sending multipart messages. It’s an integral part of all websites I create.
phpmailer.codeworxtech.com

jQuery
Like the upload class above, jQuery has saved me endless hours of work and has allowed me to create many features that I otherwise wouldn’t have had time to do. It also helps me to be sure that my JavaScript work is compatible with past, present and future browsers.
jquery.com


Favourite websites/podcassts

The following websites feed my interest in web design/development and help me keep up to date with emerging technologies