Personal blog of Yzmir Ramirez

Don’t download from these other sites tools that claim to remove probably the most prevalent virus in computer history.  Go to this site on Microsoft’s website:

http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/viruses/worms/conficker.mspx

Any web developer today is probably running Firefox because of some of the great add-ons they have (i.e. WebDeveloper, Colorzilla, Firebug, Hackbar, etc…). But you may also want to install some addons for security:

Security and privacy are some of the major concerns these days while choosing a web browser to use. So much so that all the major players in the “browser wars” are providing or developing a private browsing mode.

Firefox with the myraid of add-ons that it has to offer is never far from action. Here are some of the top Firefox addons that you should install for better privacy and security

Check out this article for the list of 10+ Best Firefox Addons for Security and Privacy.

I sometimes forget what cursors will look like on the different browsers. Here is a handy little CSS Cursor Tutorial that I keep handy.

Great Classic Comedy Film

Was going though my DVD collection and watched one of my favorite movies, Spaceballs – its a timeless comedy.

I would argue the Firefox (currently #2), is probably the easiest of the browsers to develop for because of the great add-ons they have available. If you’re not already using any of the below, download them now:

1. Web Developer: Next to Firebug, this is a very useful tool for manipulating and inspecting web pages.  It gives you tools for Javascript, Cookies, CSS, Forms, Images, Validations, and other useful utilities (I use the on-screen Ruler alot as well to get dimensions).
2. Firebug: If you find yourself having to debug Javascript or integrate some of the popular frameworks, you’ll need this tool.  It has some overlap with Web Developer, but when you really need to inspect the DOM and debug Javascript, I can’t think of a better add-on.
3. Colorzilla: Ever wish you had an eyedropper inside Firefox?  Well here’s your tool.  A small add-on that allows you get the colors from a page quickly without having to open up your graphics program or search the style sheet for the color.
4. HackBar: When manipulating a URI is too cumbersome, you may want to invest in this little add-on.  Take a URI you’re on and split each parameter into a separate line in a small text editor in your toolbar.  Then you’ll have quick access to encode, encrypt, increment or decrement parameters easily for POST or GET calls.

So the adage, “Sometimes newer is not always better,” is true when it comes to software. I find myself getting used to older software and don’t necessarily need all the newer features.

Sometimes I buy a version or two older than the newest to save some money, but that’s another article.

Now obviously Windows has a built-in extraction tool, but I will harken back to WinZip days…that’s why I go here to download the older version of Winzip – Version 7 is my favorite.

You can goto Oldversion.com and download a whole-host of older applications.

CampaignMonitor has a great article they host summarizing the CSS in email clients.  If you ever find yourself needing to know what CSS styles you can or cannot use when creating emails this is the definitive source.  They update this page often as new versions of the browsers are released.

Slashdot.org has found a site that allows you to navigate the Linux kernal like Google maps!

Currently reading Twilight

Well after my last book, I’m now reading Twilight.

I felt kinda weird looking though the Teen section at Barns & Noble.  This young blond girl giving me a look half of astonishment and half annoyance as I made room for her to go by before picking up the book.  I ignored her and made my way to the front of the store to check out.

And Indian woman in a blue blouse showing one shoulder smiled at me sheepishly as I politely smiled an nodded.  Her eyes darted to what was in my hands and she then rolled her eyes – she purposefully did not make any eye contact.

As I checked out the clerk noticing my uneasiness said, “Don’t worry, you haven’t lost your man card just yet.”

So far its an easy read.  I wished I read this in high-school; boy never knew girls noticed the smallest things about you – I’m still oblivious to all that.

Click to invade Europe!!!

Here is a great example of a photo-realistic Virtual Tarantula Spider using Flash – Adobe Flash is really getting refined.