I am frequently asked what tools I use for web design.  Many of the add-ons and plugins that I use are free and you might want to investigate for your own use if you don’t already use them.

Hardware, etc.:

• Macbook Pro 3.06  8GB RAM(upgrading the RAM to 8GB makes all the difference in the world!), Dell 24″ LCD, Apple wireless keyboard and magic mouse
• Rain Design M stand – raises the MB Pro to right height to use  as 2nd monitor with the Dell,  cools the Mac, and gives me a little space underneath for stuff
• Harmon Kardon Speakers – you gotta have good sounds when coding!
• Nikon Coolpix P6000 Camera – you can see some photo samples here

Apps, Tools, and Misc.:

• Evernote (use the free version for internet version, desktop app and iPod Touch app)
• Filezilla (free FTP client)
• Skype (I use the $30 annual version so I can make outgoing calls to clients that don’t use Skype)
• Bluehost – my favorite hosting.  Really cheap, but reliable, and you get to talk to someone knowledgeable 24-7 for support.  The more I use other services that my clients have, the more I love Bluehost.

Software:

• WordPress
• Operating System – Snow Leopard
• Adobe Design Premium CS4
• Microsoft Office for Mac

Free Browser Add-ons for Firefox (I use lots of others, but these are more specific to web design):

• Firebug
• Font Finder
• Colorzilla
• MeasureIt
• NoDoFollow
• Window Resizer
• CSS Validator

Premium Themes to modify:

• Woo Themes addict (also a Woo Affiliated Worker and Beta tester)
• Thesis

What do you use?  Pls comment with your setup and any suggestions!

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

To give you a little bit of history, I had(still have, but selling) a 1 year old loaded (at the time) MacBook Pro.  It had a matte screen, 2.8 MGz, 4 GB RAM, 200GB 7200RPM drive and more.  Although I had been a Mac user since they first came out, I took a job 8 years ago where I needed to use a PC.  It was a big deal to switchback last year, but VMWare Fusion made it easier so that I could connect to VPN and get my exchange email.

Being the geek that I am, I was ready for a new machine several months ago.  I delayed because I wanted to see if there was an improvement announced at WWDC.  Although the rumors didn’t seem to predict a big MBP announcement, I was pleasantly surprised to see the upgrade.

I purchased my new MBP the afternoon it was announced.  A yummy new unibody 15″ MacBook Pro 3.06 Ghz, 8GB RAM, 500GB 7200 speed HD.  Yup, I splurged for the top of the line and the big bucks for the 8GB RAM.  That way when I have a zillion Firefox windows, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Filezilla, Tweedeck, Office, etc. open, I can still glide.

The ordering process was simple from Apple, and I paid for the upgraded shipping, which turned out to be a fiasco with Apple making a mistake and sending it ground.  So, not a great start, but I did get accommodated with a credit for their mixup.

I had called Apple and talked about a clean install and moving the files.  Was told how to move the files using my TimeCapsule.  What a joke that was.  Soooooo sloooow.  Finally wised up and dragged the files to external drive via Firewire and then to new machine.  All software installed fresh.  Another important note, when making your backup the first time on TimeCapsule, use an ethernet cable so you don’t wait a zillion hours for it to finish.

I have it tricked out in the home office with a nifty stand next to a 24″ Dell Ultrasharp matte monitor and Apple bluetooth keyboard with Kensington bluetooth mouse.  So it acts like a desktop, but goes with me each day.  I loaded the following software and apps:

• Microsoft Office 2008
• Adobe CS4 Design Premium
• Firefox
• Skype
• EvernoteVMWare Fusion and XP
• Filezilla
• Tweetdeck
• VZ Access Manager
• Flip4Mac
• Things
• Skitch
• Picturesque
• iSale5
• Bento2

So once I got everything loaded and configured, I was pleased with the performance.  Such elegance.  Speedy, and new.  Keyboard has a nice feel, trackpad is good.  Feels very solid.  Super sexy machine.  Only negative is the screen.  while it is beautiful to look at and the blacks are rich, the glossy environment isn’t great for design.  Pale colors look washed out, and with darks like black, there is reflection in certain light.

Then there is the “chirp”.   I only heard a little when I first got it, but now it is more prolific.  And annoying.  Having read the Apple blogs and apple.com, it appears that there is no fix yet.  Planning to give it a little bit longer, then consider having them replace with 5400.  Ugh.  Way to ruin a perfect purchase.  Sigh.   But I still love it.