Tools to speed up every process
Unlike my last post where I list the more unusual sites for web designers, in this post many of them will be common but are simply too good to not use.
Firebug
Firebug is an add-on for FireFox that is simply the most must have tool you need. It allows you to manipulate your code on the fly. For larger websites there are often multiple CSS files for layout, block elements etc so you can also see what file could be possibly over-riding your work. This one tool saves me hours and hours of time each month. I simply could not live without it.
(A screenshot of Firebug)
Html validator
A lot of cross browser problems can be fixed by having valid code. If you forget to close a tag there can be a ripple effect down the page which can then start breaking other elements on the page. By having valid code you not only have a more accessible website but helps stop cross browser problems; win win! This FireFox add-on called html validator will show you if you have errors and by double click the icon it will show you where and why.
Cross browser testing is always problematic when it comes to testing your work but none more so than IE. You can have various versions of other browsers running on the same OS but not with IE. Thankfully you have two options;
MultiIE – http://tredosoft.com/Multiple_IE (Windows XP only at time of writing)
Microsoft virtual PC – Free download from http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx
Both have their drawbacks. Multi IE won’t run on vista and virtual PC is time-bombed so you have to update the image from time to time. I have Vista on my main work machine so I have had to go the virtual PC route but I’m glad i did because I can install older versions of other browsers on the same image as IE6
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