The coolness doesn't end with pocket protectors.
Web widgets and stuff
Since our job entails much web surfing (all in the name of research, of course) we run across lots of cool things that we like to pass around. Of course, if you were to sign up for our newsletter, you would already know that...hint, hint...Keep in mind that we didn't create any of these, so if you use them and your computer disintegrates, blame it on one of our competitors.
Web site stuff
Research-Based Web Design & Usability Guidelines
Guide to proper design and usability - wow, are YOU a geek
Wordpress and Blogger
Two of the most popular blog sites
Widgetbox
Massive collection of “widgets” – fun little programs that are easily added to a web site or blog
Graphics tools
ColorSchemer - Online Color Scheme Generator
Colors don’t look the same on paper as they do on the web – use this tool to pick just the color you want; also has downloadable version
Spinwave
Online image optimizer – takes large images compresses them
Easy Thumbnails
A ForeFront favorite, this is a free program that automatically resizes images – one at a time, or an entire folder at once
myImager.com
Another online image tool – this one has a bunch of effects and options such as cropping; lots of advertising unless you are a paid member
Free Stuff
SmartFTP
Free FTP program (tool to upload files to your web site)
Cute PDF
Turn any document into a PDF file
Xdrive
Free online file storage
Not free, but pretty darn cool nonetheless
iContact
Our absolute favorite e-newsletter program – free trial
iStockPhoto
Most inexpensive stock imagery site that we are aware of
Campfire
Online collaboration tools
What's a widget?
- Savvy internet entrepreneurs have figured out that there is a need for small applications - or "widgets" - that folks can place on their web site or blog. Examples include calculators, photo slideshows, and news feeds.
So they make these little bits of code, and hand them out for free (mostly). What do they get in return? A link back to their site, which leads to higher search engine ranking, which leads to more business, which leads to big boats and whatnot.
