For awhile now I have wanted to review some of my favorite websites that I frequently visit. This review is my honest and truthful opinion. If there’s something I love or hate about the site reviewed I will let it be known. I have not been paid by the reviewed website’s owner for this post.

iDesign Studios is a web design and development company owned and operated by Selene Bowlby. Selene’s original intention for her site was to use it as a showcase for her portfolio of previous work. From the moment that I first visited the iDesignStudio’s website I was impressed with the overall look and design of the site.

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Earlier this morning while going through my normal morning ritual (coffee, email, rss, etc) I noticed a new post by Matt Mullenweg regarding a new site design for his personal blog. I thought the old design was great, but Matt’s designer Nicolò Volpato has once again outdone himself with this new design for Spring. The new color palette is much brighter than the previous red and gray them from before, especially the header.

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I’m back for the conclusion of my post from yesterday (My Web Development Tools). Part two will focus mainly on my browser of choice…FIREFOX! I know that Firefox is probably not new to most of my readers, but I have installed a great set of add-ons that will make any web developers life easier. By the way don’t forget that Firefox Version 3 is now available in Beta4. If you’d like to check it out it can be found here.

Tool Number Four: Firefox 2

I LOVE FIREFOX! There, now that that’s out of the way I can concentrate on giving you details as to why I use Firefox to develop sites. I use Firefox for two main reasons. I code every site and test as I go with Firefox. The main reason is that the fine folks at Microsoft have discontinued Internet Explorer for Mac; which quite honestly is fine with me. I do have a standby Windows machine dedicated to testing once I am sure everything looks fine in Firefox. The other reason I prefer to do all of my work with Firefox is the great add-ons that you can download from the mozilla site. That’s the beauty of using an open source browser; the community of developers come up with some of the coolest add-ons to make your internet experience more enjoyable.My favorite add-on for Firefox is the Web Developer Toolbar by Chris Pederick.
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I have been asked many times what are the best tools (programs) to use when designing and developing websites, or what do you use when you develop a site. For me it all starts with the most simplest of tools…pencil and paper. What you say? This clown uses a pencil and paper to design websites? I find that by drawing out ideas first helps me to find a direction for the design. This approach really isn’t any different than how an author approaches writing a novel or a sculptor creates a masterpiece out of bronze or marble. Only after I have a good idea of where I want to go with the design do I sit down in front of my computer (Mac of course!) and get busy with Photoshop.
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