Wednesday, March 09, 2011

8 Free Placeholder Image Services For Instant Dummy Images

8 Free Placeholder Image Services For Instant Dummy Images: "

When designing websites, images-to-be-used usually doesn't exist at first as it is the layout that matters the most.


However, the sizes for the images are usually pre-set and inserting some placeholder images help us better seeing/analyzing the layout.


Rather than creating these placeholder images manually, there are free to use services which can automate the process and save us time.


Here is a list of 8 free placeholder image services for instant dummy images:


Flickholdr


FlickHoldr


As the name tells it, Flickrholdr fetches images from the huge database of Flickr.


Besides the size of the images, it is possible to mention tags in the URL which is great for using related images in each spot.


Placehold.it


Placehold.it


The service is full-featured with the ability to mention sizes, image format (.gif, .jpg, .png) and can also display text.


The size of the images generated are displayed on them as well.



{placekitten}


Placekitten


Placekitten is thematic placeholder service that can display any size of kitten images.


There is also a jQuery plugin for dynamically changing any or all of your images to placeholder kittens with just a single line of code.


Dynamic Dummy Image Generator


DummyImage


DummyImage.com is a placeholder generator with a huge set of customization options including size, colors, text, multiple file types and preset sizes.


And, it is an open source script.


nosrc.net


nosrc.net


A simple generator where you can only define the width and height. Also, the source of the script is shared as well.


FPOImg.com


FPOImg.com


Again a simple service where you can mention a text to be displayed besides the sizes.


IpsumImage


IpsumImage


IpsumImage is a Google App Engine hosted, open source placeholder service (built with Python).


It is possible to customize the sizes, background-foreground colors and text to be displayed.


lowersrc


lowersrc


The service follows a different approach than others and requires a JavaScript to be installed and works without defining "image sources" but simply adding a specific class to each.


Other than sizes, colors and text, you can also set whether the image will be rectangle or a circle.

Microsoft asks for your help to remove IE6 from the Internet

Microsoft asks for your help to remove IE6 from the Internet: "


Once the most popular browser anywhere Internet Explorer 6 refuses to die holding back the entire Internet. Firefox, Chrome and independent groups including creativebits have been fighting IE6 for years with little success. IE6 is still very strong in some countries and has a 12% market share globally. That means serious businesses can't stop supporting IE6 just yet.


Getting rid of IE6 will mean we can start using web technologies that are only supported by modern browsers and not need to worry about backward compatibility. It would save a lot of time and nerves to developers. It would consequently save money to clients. And most importantly will help internet users enjoy a better web overall.


Microsoft now wants to help too. They launched a new site called IE6 Countdown that monitors the drop of IE6 usage. The goal: go below 1%, so everyone can just disregard IE6 for good. I think many designers will open a bottle of champagne that day.


You can help the cause too. Put the code MS provides that will suggest visitors to upgrade. And you can also share this post to let your friends know about this initiative.


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