mediajunk

I use many tools when designing websites, but here are the four I consider to be most important:

• HomeSite -- although the lack of updates in recent years is pushing me, with much regret, towards HTML Kit. (The latter is not really a replacement, but each has features the other could do with, so I use a little of both -- not an ideal scenario, but what can you do?)
• TopStyle -- a CSS editor by Nick Bradbury, creator of HomeSite
• PhotoShop -- of course
• Firefox Web Developer Plugin

The latter is the new kid on the block but, over the last 12 months, I have become dependent on it. I originally discovered the Microsoft Web Developer toolbar. However, I soon learned that the Firefox version (which came before the Microsoft one, natch) had superior features.

Here are the features I use most often:

• Ruler -- indispensable when evaluating, reverse-engineering or redesigning websites
• "CSS > View Style Information" -- for tweaking CSS to relieve cross-browser headaches
• "Information > View Id and Class Details" -- for reasons similar to above
• "Information > Display Div Order" -- to solve those niggling float problems

In fact, I'm still discovering new uses and features -- like "Forms > Populate Form Fields" -- which will save me countless agonising minutes filling in form fields while testing applications such as a shopping carts.

Hats off to Chris Pederick who invented this fantastic -- and FREE -- utility.

Tags: firefox, web design