Tools
7 Highly Useful Online Tools For Website Validation And Testing
Website testing and validation are the must to conduct processes before making any website live. By Validation, we mean the process of checking out the website data against a standard or requirement. It has become extremely important to verify the quality and correctness of web page code. These are the necessary and fundamental process and one should never overlook to check and test the web pages in order to make sure that they are working fine with great look.
Therefore, we compiled an excellent collection of some of the best online tools for website validation and testing. We hope that these highly useful online tools for website validation and testing will make your life easier. Enjoy!
W3C markup validation service
This validator checks the markup validity of Web documents in HTML, XHTML, SMIL, MathML, etc.
WebAIM Wave
WAVE is a free web accessibility evaluation tool provided by WebAIM. It is used to aid humans in the web accessibility evaluation process. Rather than providing a complex technical report, WAVE shows the original web page with embedded icons and indicators that reveal the accessibility of that page.
Feed Validation Service
This is the W3C Feed Validation Service, a free service that checks the syntax of Atom or RSS feeds.
Functional Accessibility Evaluator
Use this tool to evaluate the functional accessibility of a single web page.
Browsershots
Use this tool for testing your site on all browsers on most operating systems.
Pingdom Tools
With this tool you can Analyze your website speed and breaking down the way elements are loaded.
Links Validator
This tool analyzes anchors (hyperlinks) in a HTML/XHTML document. It is very useful to find broken links.
Three Useful Web Applications For Designers And Alike
There are many tools out there for internet users, but getting by free and good ones is not that easy. That is why I am sharing Three Useful Web Applications For Designers And Alike. Read each entry in the list and see which one suits your needs best.
You are welcome if you want to share more tools for designers that our readers/viewers may like. Do you want to be the first one to know the latest happenings at SmashingApps.com, just subscribe to our rss feed and you can follow us on twitter and follow us on Digg as well to get updated.
BrandMyMail
BrandMyMail is a service that stands between you and your recipients: mails that you send pass through our servers, where your templates are applied, and are then sent along to their final destination. Currently, this is working with Gmail.
Web Colorizer
To recolor sites, templates, and generally any web-related stuff, you can use this web app. It does the job automatically in seconds or minutes instead of hours or days of manual work.
Makeuptor
Makeuptor is a new incredibly simple tool for adding custom graphics to your website as easy as possible.
7 Best Free Android Alternatives for Siri
Now that the iPhone 4S’s Siri has been cracked, the rest of the smart phone world can indulge in their fetish for barking commands at their favorite Mobile piece of plastic.
For those wondering what a Siri is, it’s Apple answer to the Personal Assistant of the future. Like a human PA, Siri can help with daily time management, scheduling meetings, correspondence, note taking, answering questions, and perform actions by sending requests to an expanding set of online services.
Some claim It even delves into the realms of Spooky AI because the application, by default, can make recommendations; and over time (assuming you’re one of those lucky people who actually can stick to a schedule fed into your phone/PDS) Siri can even go to extent of making dinner reservations or hiring a taxi cab.
Much as we were excited, however we at Smashingapps took a step back and asked ourselves “Do we really *HAVE* to wait for a hacked iPhone app to fulfill our Intelligent Knight Rider like needs ?” For all those Android(ers) out there, who crave to have something as cool as the ‘Siri’, we roll in a list of some of the best alternatives to make your Android handset look as smart as the Apple’s iPhone.
Tagged as the best voice-powered Virtual Assistant on Android, Vlingo presents the perfect Siri-like functionality. Loaded with a great User Interface, your Personal Assistant (Vlingo) is always by your side to help you when sending messages, calling someone, opening Android apps, finding restaurants and businesses or performing a certain search. In addition, Android handset owners can use the app to update on social networks, including Twitter and Facebook.
A simple tap on “Speak It” would start the app’s listening process and rest you can leave on Vlingo to perform. Whereas, Voice recognition is termed as one of the toughest technology to master on, we were very impressed with Vlingo’s perfomance.
Furthermore, the app has the ability to read incoming text messages and emails while you drive via SafeReader component. The voice clarity is way above other apps, even when compared to Google’s very own “Voice Actions” as it speaks with perfect punctuation. In a recent update, Vlingo InCar feature has been added to allow users to make hands-free call, send, reply to and receive text messages and email as well as search the web without the need to touch the phone.
Whereas Android phones come pre-loaded with some impressive voice command tools, for all those looking forward on taking this feature to the next level, Edwin helps you super charge your voice commands by giving verbal responses to your queries.
Power up Edwin from your home screen or using a hot key and get ready to have your queries answered. Get to know the outside temperature, premiere of a movie happening or a nearby theater, on-going promotions on the local store or identifying your location, Edwin is the perfect companion to help you on this.
Questions asked are responded out loud and in easily parsed text instead of long search results for you to filter.
In the early days there used to be planners, sticky notes, and various gadgets to keep up the daily appointments. With fast development in the mobile phone world, a great change has been witnessed. Your smart phone is now your handheld computer, a notepad, a GPS guide, a music library and much more, that too in a sleek device which fits your pocket.
Whereas your handset can perform on all these things, it lacked the feature to directly interact and follow your commands. Voice Actions for Android is the ultimate solution to control your Android handset using your voice. Call, text, email, search the web or complete certain tasks, all that can be done by just speaking into your phone.
One of the best thing I experienced while testing out the app, it helps you call a particular business, even when you have no information on it. Example, you need a cake for your manager’s birthday and that too from a particular bakery. Instead of looking for contact information, all you do is “SAY IT” and it simply Google’s the information and makes the desired call.
Every now and then, you would have found yourself messaging your friends and family while driving. Whereas this diverts your attention from the road, we have found the perfect app for safe driving as your texts are sent.
Sonalight’s Text By Voice app is the perfect solution compared to others which require attention from your eyes and fingers while driving. Launch the app and simply shout, “Text By Voice”, which will launch the feature and all you need to do is to follow the spoken voice cues to respond or compose texts.
One of the best thing I discovered while testing out the app, Text By Voice is always listening even when your phone is sleeping which means you can send out texts without the need to unlock your phone.
Yet another possible Siri alternative for Android, called Speaktoit Assistant. Having to test it out, the Android based app worked pretty much the same as the popular iPhone Siri.
Speaktoit Assistant for Android will launch apps, answer questions and connect with social networks including Facebook, Foursquare and Twitter. And this is not all it does, you can browser maps, search for news and images, weather updates, send emails, and much more.
The app presents an avatar allowing you to change his/her look to something like a street guy to an Asian girl.
This might be the 6th app I have tried out during my search for a ‘Siri’ alternative for android. Upon launching the app, you would be welcomed by a collection of buttons you can use to explore questions and tasks you can have Skyvi to perform.
Skyvi has the knowledge on almost everything from Local Businesses to a healthy meal. The app talks back to you with various jokes and remarks. Users can access and update Facebook and Twitter using voice instructions.
Might call this as the perfect ‘Siri’ alternative with ability to find and call places, load directions, define words, look for weather updates, search local businesses, access social networks and much more.
On lookout for Siri like apps for Android, bumped into ‘Iris’ with tech geeks calling it “Sort Of Siri for Android”. This app allows you to search on various subjects including art, biology, history and more. Just ask on almost anything and it would reply with a paragraph from Wikipedia.
The app was completely designed in 8 hours by Android dev Narayan Babu and his team. Whereas designed in a record time, the questions you ask by voice are answered back in a smart voice. Although not as accurate as Siri, the results are surely amazing.
5 Really Useful Web Apps You Might Not Know About
There are many web apps out there for general web users, but getting by free and good ones is not that easy. That is why I am sharing 5 Really Useful Web Apps You Might Not Know About. Read each entry in the list and see which one suits your needs best.
You are welcome if you want to share more useful web apps that our readers/viewers may like. Do you want to be the first one to know the latest happenings at SmashingApps.com, just subscribe to our rss feed and you can follow us on twitter and follow us on Digg as well to get updated.
Virustotal
Virustotal is a service that analyzes suspicious files and URLs and facilitates the quick detection of viruses, worms, trojans, and all kinds of malware detected by antivirus engines.
SignNow
SignNow is perfect for simple, free signings. You can use it as much as you’d like. They offer the most effective way to e-sign digital files without the need to scan, fax or mail documents.
TransferBigFiles
TransferBigFiles.com makes it very easy to send and share large files that are generally too big to email. It does this by allowing you to upload your file to their servers and it sends a link to a page where the file can then be retrieved by your recipient (or yourself if you are the recipient).
Zwiggo
Zwiggo is a platform that makes sharing and collaborating in groups incredibly easy.
Twiddla
Twiddla is a real-time online collaboration tool. Its beauty is in its simplicity and accessibility: no plug-ins or downloads, no need to work around complex firewalls, no advanced scheduling. It’s available 24-7 and the only requirement is a computer with an internet connection and a web browser. It’s browser-agnostic, user friendly, and probably more fun than you’re supposed to be having at work.
Congratulations To The Winners Of SyncMate Expert (All-In-One Sync Tool) For Mac
Thanks to all of the participants of contest in which SyncMate Expert (All-In-One Sync Tool) For Mac were givingaway. We ran the MySQL random query and selected these comments to give them SyncMate Expert for Mac.
Winners of SyncMate Expert (All-In-One Sync Tool) For Mac
- Zee Patel
- Hugo
- Cheryl
- Buddy
- Jawor5
With SyncMate you can sync data between your Mac and various devices and accounts within one app. You don’t need to install many apps to achieve that – just one SyncMate.
SyncMate will sync data in your Mac with:
1. Mobile phones (Android, Windows Mobile and Nokia S40 devices).
2. Other computers (PC or one more Mac, doesn’t matter, they will be synced with your Mac)
3. iOS devices (iPhones, iPods Touch, iPads).
4. Online accounts (Dropbox, Google accounts; SyncMate also offers online storage for backing up your personal data).
5. Any mounted storage devices (Mac partition, portable USB storage, any locally connected disk, FireWire hard drive disks, devices connected via USB, etc.).
6. iPod Nano and Sony PSP.
SyncMate lets you sync Address Book, iCal, iTunes, iPhoto, Safari and Firefox Bookmarks, Entourage and Mail Notes, ToDo’s, Mail, Time, Stickies and separate folders (sync options depend on the device you are syncing).
SyncMate also offers AutoSync option which lets you set various parameters of automatic sync for any of supported device.
With Expert Edition you can create, send, delete, search and export text messages from Android, Win Mobile or Nokia on your Mac.
You will find detailed list of sync options available here for each device.
Thanks to SyncMate for sponsoring this wonderful contest at Smashing Apps.
If you want to conduct any contest at Smashing Apps just contact us and send us all the details.
Five Online Graphic Makers To Create Simple Design Elements
There are many websites out there for generation and creation of graphical elements, but getting by free and good ones is not that easy. That is why I am sharing Five Online Graphic Makers To Create Simple Design Elements. Read each entry in the list and see which one suits your needs best.
You are welcome if you want to share more graphical element generators that our readers/viewers may like. Do you want to be the first one to know the latest happenings at SmashingApps.com, just subscribe to our rss feed and you can follow us on twitter and follow us on Digg as well to get updated.
Logotype Maker
This is a dead simple yet free logo maker web tool which can helps you create a logo in just few easy steps.
BgPatterns
BgPatterns is a tiny web app for making background patterns in a few clicks. It was created mostly for fun and experimentation but you can use it according to your custom background need for your designs.
FreshGenerator is a webdesign tool which can create interesting graphic elements used in many web 2.0 sites. You may use it to create boxes of different styles and colors.
Bannersketch
On BannerSketch.com you can online, without any knowledge of designing, make your own advertising material. Now you can think about making your own banners, headers, footers, business cards or even avatars and avoid spending your money.
Businesscardland
This tool gives you an easy way to make free printable business cards without any designing knowledge. After you have designed your cards, you can create a PDF file to print, save, or take to a printshop to have duplicated.
11 Great Websites To Plan And Organize Your Group Events Easier Than Ever
There are many websites out there for planning and organizing events or meetings for groups, but getting by free and good ones is not that easy. That is why I am sharing 11 Great Websites To Plan And Organize Your Group Events Easier Than Ever. Read each entry in the list and see which one suits your needs best.
You are welcome if you want to share more websites for group events planning and meeting organizers that our readers/viewers may like. Do you want to be the first one to know the latest happenings at SmashingApps.com, just subscribe to our rss feed and you can follow us on twitter and follow us on Digg as well to get updated.
Mobaganda
Mobaganda is a simple way to plan parties, meetings, get-togethers, conference calls, etc. and track who is coming, and who is not.
Congregar
Congregar makes it easy to pick the best date for your event, by asking participants to indicate their availability from the options you offer.
Hangouts
Hangout is a dead simple tool to manage your meetings invites by sending/receiving emails and alerts.
Fasterplan
Fasterplan is a collaborative tool that helps you and your friends or colleagues to organize any kind of event.
MeetMe
Business partners and friends want to meet with you. Show them when you’re busy and available and let them submit meeting requests to get on your calendar. MeetMe is your central hub for scheduling.
WhenShallWe
If you are trying to organise an event with people with little free time it can take a bit of hassle on the part of the organiser to pick a date that the most number of people can make. This website aims to make it easier. You give it some details about the event and who is invited. The website can then email them an invite and then the invitees bring up a (simple) webpage and tell it when they can make and when they can’t.
Divvyus
Divvyus is the place to create shared lists of tasks for others to claim and do. Simply send it to your friends and co-workers and they can easily claim tasks.
Needtomeet
Needtomeet.com is a simple tool that helps you effortlessly find a time to meet. It’s unique calendar interface allows you to select meeting times in an intuitive and user-friendly manner and to see at a glance which times work best for your group.
Permatime
Imagine you want to announce an event with participants across different time zones. Simply set the time, in your time zone, and permatime.com will generate a link for it. If you share this link with others, they will see that time in their own local time zone (and any other zones they choose).
Meet-O-Matic
This is a basic public Meetomatic service for selecting dates or AM/PM slots. You can simply use it to set up and arrange meetings.
WhichDateWorks
WhichDateWorks.com makes it easier to make plans with friends and families. This is a simple, hassle-free planning solution for all the events in your life.
SyncMate Expert (All-In-One Sync Tool) For Mac Giveaway
Eltima Software is running a contest, where 5 licenses of SyncMate Expert Edition are givingaway. Well, you guys know what is SyncMate? Let’s say it once again for n00bs.
With SyncMate you can sync data between your Mac and various devices and accounts within one app. You don’t need to install many apps to achieve that – just one SyncMate.
SyncMate will sync data in your Mac with:
1. Mobile phones (Android, Windows Mobile and Nokia S40 devices).
2. Other computers (PC or one more Mac, doesn’t matter, they will be synced with your Mac)
3. iOS devices (iPhones, iPods Touch, iPads).
4. Online accounts (Dropbox, Google accounts; SyncMate also offers online storage for backing up your personal data).
5. Any mounted storage devices (Mac partition, portable USB storage, any locally connected disk, FireWire hard drive disks, devices connected via USB, etc.).
6. iPod Nano and Sony PSP.
SyncMate lets you sync Address Book, iCal, iTunes, iPhoto, Safari and Firefox Bookmarks, Entourage and Mail Notes, ToDo’s, Mail, Time, Stickies and separate folders (sync options depend on the device you are syncing).
SyncMate also offers AutoSync option which lets you set various parameters of automatic sync for any of supported device.
With Expert Edition you can create, send, delete, search and export text messages from Android, Win Mobile or Nokia on your Mac.
You will find detailed list of sync options available here for each device.
SyncMate is compatible with mac OS X 10.5 and higher.
This contest will run from November 28, 2011 to December 4, 2011 and we will select the winners randomly by running MySQL query. Result can be announced any day before December 15, 2011 so keep visiting here or subscribe to our rss feed to get the latest updates. To participate in the contest and win Expert Edition of SyncMate from Eltima Software, All you have to do is:
1. Just leave a comment.
2. Use valid email ID in the email box.
3. Make sure that you are following @SyncMate and @SmashingApps on twitter and subscribe our rss feed to track this contest and for future updates.
4. And that’s it!
So, what are you waiting for now? Let’s participate in the contest and good luck!
Five Tools For Webmasters That Are Worth Checking Out
There are many tools out there for webmasters, but getting by free and good ones is not that easy. That is why I am sharing Five Tools For Webmasters That Are Worth Checking Out. Read each entry in the list and see which one suits your needs best.
You are welcome if you want to share webmaster’s tools that our readers/viewers may like. Do you want to be the first one to know the latest happenings at SmashingApps.com, just subscribe to our rss feed and you can follow us on twitter and follow us on Digg as well to get updated.
Smartling
If you want to make your website or app multilingual, Smartling is a cloud-based software platform for translation management for your needs.
SnatchCode
SnatchCode is a one click website backup solution. They help webmaster’s get rid of complicated backup solutions by replacing with their robust service.
Duda Mobile
DudaMobile is a web-based platform to create a mobile website that automatically syncs with your regular website.
Toolspot
Toolspot is the collection of free webmasters tools for research and development.
W3Clove
W3Clove is a site-wide markup validation tool. It allows you to check the validity of the markup of several pages from your website, and gives you a summary of the most common errors and warnings, with a single click.
6 Web Apps To Manage Team Collaboration More Effectively
There are many collaboration web apps out there for business users, but getting by free and good ones is not that easy. That is why I am sharing 6 Web Apps To Manage Team Collaboration More Effectively. Read each entry in the list and see which one suits your needs best.
You are welcome if you want to share more collaboration web apps that our readers/viewers may like. Do you want to be the first one to know the latest happenings at SmashingApps.com, just subscribe to our rss feed and you can follow us on twitter and follow us on Digg as well to get updated.
Binfire
Binfire’s collaboration tools are dedicated to creating multiple communication, sharing and interactivity opportunities between users to enhance productivity. They keep you up to date and in the loop.
Webplanner
Webplanner is an online collaborative project management tool. Brainstorm goals, obstacles, and tasks with our easy-to-use planning wizard. Next, work out scheduling with your team in a click-and-drag Gantt chart.
Otipo
Otipo is a web-based application which provides a new and fun way for scheduling shifts. With Otipo, all the required information is in one place, and all the team members can access it from anywhere, anytime. It’s time to say goodbye to the pen and paper and let Otipo schedule like a pro.
Cohuman
Cohuman is ideal for any group of people that needs to communicate more dynamically and effectively than email or traditional collaboration tools will allow. Startups, Distributed Teams, Small Businesses, Deal Teams, Departments in larger organizations… in short Cohuman is for any group that requires a solution designed to coordinate people and manage projects more intelligently.
Scrumrf
Manage your projects in an agile way, create user stories, sprints, assign tasks to your team members. Scrumrf has only the necessary functionalities to manage your projects, sprints, tasks, and people involved. You can also collab with your team members in your daily work, know who is doing what, comment tasks, sprints, user stories.
ideapi
ideapi allows you to create briefs, proposals and documents quickly, share them easily with your team and/or clients, work together to create better content and share ideas.
