We want to make the Dev Interrupted podcast a vital, enjoyable part of your week. Please take 2 minutes and answer our new Listener Survey. It lets us know a bit about you, what you want from Dev Interrupted and what you want from podcasts in general!
At LinearB, we like to think we spend all our time figuring out how to unlock developer potential. To find ways to let devs do more of the work they love and reduce the amount of time they spend dealing with needless hurdles, idling and churn.
Whether you are a designer looking for the best themes for your clients or a new website/blog owner, there are numerous theme marketplaces to cover your needs.
CMS (content management systems) like WordPress, Shopify, and Wix offer built-in theme collections. But there are also trusted third-party marketplaces for themes.
Most beginners are pretty overwhelmed when it comes to choosing a website theme. With thousands of themes to choose from, this is more than understandable. In this article, we will first highlight all you need to consider before selecting a template/theme for your website.
By the end of this 5-minute read, you will also know which are the best third-party and CMS-based marketplaces for both free and premium themes.
You might consider many parameters when choosing a theme for a blog or website. To narrow down the options and find a theme that suits your needs and preferences, you can:
Following these simple steps will ensure that the theme you choose will benefit your website in the long run. Now that we have analyzed that let us look at the best places to find themes in 2022.
If you are looking for a comprehensive list of premium themes, ThemeForest from Envato is just what you need. The marketplace offers thousands of pre-built templates and themes for pretty much everything: from responsive WordPress themes to the best-selling templates for eCommerce websites on platforms like Shopify.
Although ThemeForest offers a vast selection of themes, Creative Market is simply the best choice for non-WordPress themes. The platform includes an analytic filter section to select the CMS you use, file type, price range, and much more.
Tumblr, Drupal, Bootstrap, and Joomla are just a few examples of the specified templates available.
The same goes for our next suggestion, the Template Monster website. This third-party marketplace offers some of the best themes, plugins, and graphics that you can use to improve the look and performance of your website. From WordPress and WooCommerce templates to themes created for the Shopify platform, nothing is left out.
StudioPress marketplace allows you to find the best theme for your website through a comprehensive sorting feature. You can sort your search by your niche, the features you need, the layout (columns), and the template’s developer. Even though StudioPress offers its own theme (Genesis Pro), the marketplace also includes numerous third-party themes.
Our final third-party provider is CSSIgniter, one of the most well-known marketplaces for WordPress website owners and developers. This site offers demos for numerous themes, from minimalist, very popular templates (especially for blogs) like Olsen to comprehensive WooCommerce themes like Amaryllis.
This way, you can try out the premium themes before choosing one that suits your needs. Note that CSSIgniter only offers themes for the WordPress CMS.
Although all third-party marketplaces mentioned above offer a wide selection of premium themes, it can be challenging to find free themes for your website. If that’s what you are looking for, there’s simply nothing better than WordPress’ built-in theme marketplace.
The WordPress marketplace contains more than 4,000 free and premium themes for you to choose from.
According to statistics, Shopify is the second most popular CMS, after WordPress. So, it should come as no surprise that the eCommerce platform has an integrated marketplace where you can find numerous free and premium themes.
So, if you are looking for a beautiful template for your Shopify-based store, you should check out the Shopify platform first.
Like WordPress and Shopify, Wix has had a marketplace for themes since day one. Keep in mind that when you build your site through Wix, you do not have as many options for finding third-party themes as you do with WordPress. Still, you can find many premium and free themes on the Wix website to solve this problem.
BigCommerce is one of the most popular CMS on the market, tailored for professionals. On the website, you can find numerous free and premium themes, and you can find the best one based on your industry.
Last but not least, we have Squarespace’s official theme marketplace. With a comprehensive filter section, it’s straightforward to find a great theme on Squarespace. If your website or blog is built with Squarespace CMS, there is nothing better than this.
Of course, the list of places to find themes for your website in 2022 could go on forever. But if you know what you’re looking for in terms of layout and features, choosing the best theme will instantly become easier.
Besides, the providers mentioned above prove the most trustworthy and offer the variety you need for your final selection.
You should probably look at third-party marketplaces like ThemeForest and Creative Market if you need a premium theme. On the other hand, CMS-based theme marketplaces are the best option for those who are looking for the best free themes.
The post 10 Best Places to Find Website Themes in 2022 first appeared on Webdesigner Depot.
Kubernetes offers developers tremendous advantages… if they can overcome the platform’s inherent complexities. It can be a big « if. » Without additional tooling, developers aren’t able to simply develop their applications on Kubernetes, but must also become experts in writing complex YAML templates to define Kubernetes resources. A relatively new tool called Shipa provides an application management framework that largely relieves developers of this burden, enabling dev teams to ship applications with no Kubernetes expertise required.
Having recently put the tool to the test, this article will demonstrate how to install and utilize Shipa to simplify Kubernetes and ease some common developer frustrations.
MicrostarterCLI is a rapid development tool for Micronaut applications. It helps you as a developer to generate standard reusable codes, configurations, or patterns as you need in your application.
In this article, we will develop an ArabicNames service that has REST and GraphQL endpoints. To begin with the development, we will generate a Micronaut application project from Micronaut Launch. Then, we will use MicrostarterCLI to develop the following:
Every day design fans submit incredible industry stories to our sister-site, Webdesigner News. Our colleagues sift through it, selecting the very best stories from the design, UX, tech, and development worlds and posting them live on the site.
The best way to keep up with the most important stories for web professionals is to subscribe to Webdesigner News or check out the site regularly. However, in case you missed a day this week, here’s a handy compilation of the top curated stories from the last seven days. Enjoy!”
The post Popular Design News of the Week: April 11, 2022 – April 17, 2022 first appeared on Webdesigner Depot.
Ask any seasoned web app developer about their choice of programming language, and they are sure to mention PHP. PHP is a widely-used general-purpose scripting language that is especially suited for Web development and can be embedded into HTML. As per Builtwith, 3,090,319 live websites are still using PHP. However, when it comes to developing massive projects without lag or stability issues, developers tend to use frameworks, and PHP has two remarkable frameworks: 1) Laravel and 2) Yii. Both frameworks have a lot of followers in terms of full-grown communities globally, and there may be questions arising about which to choose.
Laravel is a simple PHP framework frequently used for web-based or web application development initially created as a better alternative to Codeigniter. It is known for MVC Support, articulated ORM systems, reliability, modularity, and uncomplicated coding rules. Some of the key features of Laravel Framework are:
Whether you are a CSS expert or a front-end beginner, using the right CSS framework is crucial for your daily tasks. There are numerous frameworks whose ultimate goal is the same: helping developers target multiple screens, in the simplest possible way.
This is why Bootstrap is by far the most popular framework on the market. All developers have heard of Bootstrap, and more than 80% of them say they are happy using it.
But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some great alternatives if you’re willing to shop around. Bootstrap won’t be top dog forever, and there are numerous new lightweight and powerful CSS frameworks.
If you are bored of coding with Bootstrap and Foundation and tired of using complex CSS rules, this list is for you.
From frameworks that take a pure CSS approach to minimalist frameworks with fully customizable themes, nothing is left out. Let’s get started…
Bulma is one of the most popular alternatives to Bootstrap and Foundation. It is an entirely free, open-source CSS framework that does not have a steep learning curve. No prior CSS knowledge is required to use Bulma.
When you add the variety of colors, responsiveness, and clean flexbox-based grid it offers, it’s no wonder Bulma is becoming more popular every day. Bulma is a well-documented framework that you should definitely try out.
If you’re looking for a lightweight yet powerful CSS framework that can be wired with HTML and JS, Ulkit is for you. It fully supports right to left languages and has one of the best icon libraries out there.
Keep in mind that Ulkit is also easy to use. All in all, Ulkit is an excellent Bootstrap alternative that is perfect for designing web layouts for desktop and mobile screens.
Even though Bootstrap is relatively easy to learn, it is much more than just a front-end template. So what if you need a fully compatible JavaScript, CSS3, and HTML5 template? In this case, HTML5 Boilerplate is a good choice.
Of course, since it’s a template, this framework does not include layouts and component modules. However, if you need a reliable CSS template that offers extensive documentation, HTML5 Boilerplate is a great solution.
Metro UI is one of the most flexible CSS frameworks on the market. This front-end framework can be easily combined with JavaScript-based frameworks like Angular, React, etc.
We found Metro UI to be an excellent open-source CSS framework and a great alternative to Foundation during our testing.
As a two-in-one solution, Skeleton quickly made it on our list. This is both a boilerplate and a comprehensive CSS framework. We enjoyed customizing its 12-column grid during our testing, and we found out that it has virtually no learning curve.
The automatic width resizing works like a charm, and the syntax is fully responsive. This is why we consider Skeleton to be an excellent Bootstrap alternative.
If you are looking for a quick way to create a web app, Bootflat is the framework you need. Bootflat’s components are built with CSS3 and HTML5, and the framework offers a comprehensive panel of color schemes for you to choose from.
Bootflat looks and acts like a simplified version of Bootstrap. However, that doesn’t mean that this CSS framework isn’t scalable and robust. On the contrary, you can fully manipulate the size and performance of the web designs you create.
If you exclude the fact that Semantic UI doesn’t have the utility classes Bootstrap offers, it is a comprehensive CSS framework that you should try. The best Semantic feature allows you to write HTML code without using BEM methodologies.
So, if you need a framework that will help you write readable codes in minutes, Semantic is the one for you.
We know that most developers nowadays use flexbox and native CSS grids. Still, there’s nothing better than Susy if you need a grid system that supports legacy browsers. Although Susy is no longer maintained, it is one of the most flexible old-school grid systems.
Like most CSS frameworks on this list, Materialize is built with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
It’s specifically designed to help you develop faster using a standard template and customizable components. As the name suggests, Materialize is based on the basic principles of Material Design.
If you need a lightweight alternative to Bootstrap, Kickstart is the CSS library for you. A great thing about Kickstart is that it doesn’t require jQuery which makes it very small.
Of course, like a pruned version of Bootstrap, this CSS framework isn’t as robust. Still, this is an excellent choice for those who need a UI framework and a comprehensive boilerplate library.
With a fast styling process and the ultimate freedom it provides, Tailwind is extremely popular among some developers. This is a utility-first, front-end framework that is fully responsive and stable.
Unfortunately, Tailwind CSS requires some time to learn, and it is not the most flexible choice when it comes to revising CSS rules.
Yahoo specially developed Pure CSS to help developers create fully responsive web pages.
We consider Pure a minimalist alternative to Bootstrap that offers every module a beginner needs (navigation menu, grid, tables, etc.).
PowertoCSS is on this list for a good reason. This is an ultimately responsive CSS framework that you can use to create grids and scale web apps on any platform.
PowertoCSS is based on Modular Architecture and Scalable when it comes to design.
Unlike other CSS frameworks, PowertoCSS is very lightweight, beginner-friendly, and comes with detailed documentation.
The coding process is simple, and we found the learning curve to be shallow.
Spectre is one of the most flexible and lightweight CSS frameworks we tested for this article.
It has a modern (flexbox) layout system; it is fully customizable and allows you to get quick, attractive results.
Our last suggestion is Primer, a great open-source CSS framework.
To be precise, Primer is more of a design system that lets you use a BEM CSS framework and create your projects quickly and efficiently.
So, even though Primer is not a CSS framework in the strict sense, it will help you use React and Figma components, icons, and advanced documentation to unify all of that.
Choosing the right CSS framework is not easy. It all depends on your personal needs and preferences as a front-end developer.
Although Bootstrap and Foundation are still the most popular frameworks, many of the alternatives presented above will continue to gain popularity for good reasons.
The post 15 Best CSS Frameworks: Professional Bootstrap and Foundation Alternatives first appeared on Webdesigner Depot.
This month’s collection of the best new sites released in the previous four weeks might seem like a mixed bag, but if you look carefully you’ll see distinct themes emerging. Full-page images and videos are back with a vengeance, and designers are embracing large-scale 20th century-inspired typography from Art Nouveau to ’80s corporate.
Here are the sites that grabbed us this month. Enjoy!
I Killed a Cactus is a beautifully rendered 3D site that guides the less-horticulturally inclined of us in the best ways to care for our houseplants.
After a couple of years in which travel has been restricted, we’re itching to get moving again, and this elegant site for Aris Hotel is steering us in the direction of Crete.
With excellent writing and great photography, Emergence Magazine is dedicated to stories that intertwine ecology and spirituality. Its bold typography epitomizes its ethos.
Milton is a textiles manufacturer with an eye for design. Its site showcases its art-inspired collection with big, bold, colorful photography.
Brutally Human is the one-page portfolio/pitch of designer Stanley Vaganov. He has an impressive client list, and his site exudes the confidence that comes with that.
MAAP uses a billowing flag to grab your attention as soon as you land on the site. The whole site is clean, efficient, and cool; exactly what you’d expect from a cycling apparel company.
Outdoor furniture is typically presented as minimal and sophisticated. Diabla throws surrealism into the mix by introducing brand colors to its large-scale photography.
The site for designer and artist Steffie de Leeuw features large typography that appears to be woven through layers of intricate illustration.
What could be better than Garden Eight’s gaggle of 3D-rendered cartoon creatures floating around a page, twisting and transforming into new shapes?
The site for Circus Shanghai uses a rich mid-century illustration to reference both the solar system and the Chinese flag; it’s an arresting combination.
Ever inventive, the new micro-site for Moooi asks you to defy gravity with an engaging scroll through collages based on its product range.
More full-page motion, this time for design studio Josephmark. The site blends rich colors with a brutalist layout and minimalist typography to create its own identity.
We love the infinite scroll on the homepage for creative agency Tony G. It’s a great way to add a slideshow to your homepage without the flaws of slideshows.
This site for furniture design studio Estudio Piedras uses bold lettering mixed with product shots. The straightforward site is punchy and mimics the solidity of the materials used.
The Fleur is a botanical encyclopedia of fictional flowers that Ondre Jzunka has created as NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain.
Gloutir is the site for a “subscription-based workhorse design and development studio” that breaks all the rules of typography, and yet somehow it works.
The rich blue and bright cream of the site for Sophias urban bistro and city garden echoes the welcoming real-world interiors and ties the brand together.
Lucalem is the portfolio site of designer and developer Lucas De Melo. A little more fun than the typical freelancer’s site, it features a disturbingly phallic character.
Soft Power is a creative design studio with an eye-popping list of international clients. Its advertising-style site uses a trendy glitch effect expertly.
Pastel colors and subtle textures evoke a calm mood, ideal for candle company Aather. It’s challenging to visually present smell, but this site does it well.
The post 20 Best New Sites, April 2022 first appeared on Webdesigner Depot.
Hello folks! It’s tough competition these days, and we need to get the right kind of skills from the best resources possible. When it comes to front-end development, ReactJS and Angular are still king and queen, but Vue.js is quickly making its way up to fill the gap.
Vue.js, as you may know, is an open-source view model of the JavaScript framework for building user interfaces. You can also use Vue.js to develop single-page applications. If you are self-teaching Vue.js yourself or want to become a VueJS developer and looking for the best Vue.js resources like free online courses, books, and tutorials then you have come to the right place. In this article, I will share Vue.js online courses and tutorials you can join for FREE, but before that, let’s learn a bit more about what Vue.js is and what benefits it offers.
One of the things the other developer relations advocates here at New Relic and I often hear from customers is, « Even though I understand why observability is important, I’m having a dickens* of a time getting leadership to buy in (literally). »
Let me begin by pointing out how important it is for us — IT practitioners — to be willing and able to speak to management and leaders of the business about the work we do, and to do so in a way that is understandable and meaningful to the audience. I’m not implying you have to explain observability in a patronizing « explain it like they’re five » kind of way. I mean you need to explain the WHY of observability in the context of what the audience feels is important.
