Lately I have seen more and more jobs posting requirements for HTML5 development experience. I honestly haven’t paid that much attention to it yet because I know it doesn’t work across the board. But apparently there are some neat tricks that I should start experimenting with, because it’s only a matter of time before we put IE6 to bed for good.

Here are two articles that explain the basics, as well as some examples of how HTML5 can be used “in the wild” so to speak. HTML5 was one of those futuristic possibilities (like CSS3 or the flying car) that I never thought we’d see come to life. I guess the future is closer than I thought.

“HTML5 and The Future of the Web”
“HTML5 Examples in the Wild”

There seems to be a lot of buzz for useful WordPress plugins lately. This list, by an awesome agency I like to keep an eye on, shows some random yet useful plugins you may find handy for that next blog or CMS site. I’m especially interested in trying the shopping cart, invoice system and social network plugins.

“10 Obscure but Useful WordPress Plugins“

I fell in love with CSS sprites from the moment I first learned the technique. Thanks to savvy JavaScript writers, and awesome frameworks like jQuery we can now add a little flair to an already cool method. This tutorial shows you how to make CSS sprites, but what I’m really interested in is the bit of code that puts a really nice transition effect to a button on rollover. These techniques that used to be reserved for Flash are now accessible to little ol’ developers like me. Making a mental note of this goodie for use in the very near future.

“Use Sprites to Create an Awesomeness-Filled Navigation Menu”

This link will definitely come in handy. As an avid WordPress developer I am always looking for new tricks, shortcuts and better ways to accomplish the end results. Perishable Press has complied a massive list of WordPress goodies after working on a new book. You never know what the next client (or designer) is going to want for their sites, and having so many resources in one place will really save time and may even save your sanity.

“Stupid WordPress Tricks“

This has been circulating for a few weeks now, but I still love it. The Muppets are classic, brilliant and never cease to make me laugh. If you need a little smile, check out the video.

“The Muppets: Bohemian Rhapsody

Found this link from Script & Style this morning and wanted to save it for reference. It’s a massive list of useful tutorials that came out in November 2009. Some links include:

• 10 Usability Crimes You Really Shouldn’t Commit
  By Chris Spooner, November 30th, 2009
• The Basics of Object-Oriented JavaScript
  By Leigh Kaszick, November 11th, 2009
• Simple CSS Tips that Go a Long Way
  By Tom Kenny, November 5th, 2009

There is quite a list, and I’ll have to check it out in detail when I have more time. Until then, here’s the link…

“Really Useful Tutorials You Should Have Read in November 2009“

This is a new trendy usability effect using jQuery to make a “bottomless” scrolling effect. Basically your page will go on forever, but it loads the data as you scroll. I first saw this effect on Cypher13’s portfolio site and I really liked the effect. I haven’t tried this code out yet, but wanted to save the link for later. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before this becomes the norm for scrolling through long content, search results, etc.

“Paging Records Sucks – Use jQuery to Scroll Just In Time“

Jason Santa Maria has contributed an article to A List Apart that I need to dig through at some point. The debate of web typography over the past few years has been getting especially heated. I need to make sure I know the lastest arguments, solutions, and people making waves for the advancement of better type on the web. This article also focuses on the importance of typography knowledge moving into the future so we don’t “overdo” it with all the new and tasty fonts that will suddenly be available to us.

“On Web Typography“

I use these free patterns all the time. They’re fun to mess around with, add some texture, depth, etc.

“400+ High Quality Patterns“