John Cox

Blogs · @wyome · Now · Shelf

Interesting

jLinq

jLinq is a JavaScript library that lets you query arrays of JSON objects using fluent, chainable syntax instead of loops and conditionals, making it easier to filter, sort, and transform data. The library supports complex queries like filtering records by multiple conditions and sorting by multiple fields, with readable method chaining (for example, filtering people whose first names start with 'a', 'b', or 'c', then sorting by last name). It's also extensible, allowing developers to create custom functions that integrate seamlessly into the library's query interface.

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DataTables (table plug-in for jQuery)

DataTables is an open-source JavaScript library for transforming HTML tables into interactive data grids with features like pagination, sorting, searching, and responsive design. It requires no dependencies, works with vanilla JavaScript and popular frameworks like React and Vue, and can be installed via NPM or CDN. The tool is designed for developers who need to quickly add advanced table functionality without building custom solutions from scratch.

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jQuery Dock Menu Tutorial Revisit - Dock at Bottom | Queness

This tutorial explains how to build a bottom-docking menu bar that minimizes to a thin strip and expands on hover, solving common problems like browser scrollbars and page length by using a wrapper div with calculated height and absolute positioning controlled by jQuery. The implementation prioritizes clean, minimal code while ensuring graceful degradation so the dock displays correctly even without JavaScript enabled.

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SimpleModal / Eric Martin / ericmmartin.com

SimpleModal is a lightweight jQuery plugin that provides a customizable framework for creating modal dialogs with flexible styling options, callback functions, and cross-browser compatibility. The plugin offers two invocation methods—chaining on existing elements or standalone function calls—and supports extensive configuration through options like opacity, positioning, dimensions, and animation callbacks (onOpen, onShow, onClose). It handles common modal dialog challenges including automatic centering, overlay management, keyboard/click-to-close functionality, and element cloning, while maintaining compatibility with IE6+ and modern browsers.

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pChart | a PHP Charting library

pChart is a free, open-source PHP framework for generating anti-aliased charts that can pull data from SQL queries, CSV files, or manual input, with a focus on rendering quality and performance optimization. The library requires PHP with GD support and includes a caching class (pCache) to reduce server load by storing computed charts for reuse across multiple users. Recent versions have added features like scatter plots, customizable axes, transparent text areas, and support for missing data points.

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Showing Hyperlink Cues with CSS (Ask the CSS Guy)

This tutorial demonstrates how to use CSS attribute selectors to automatically display contextual icons next to hyperlinks based on their destination—such as PDF files, external sites, or mailto links—without requiring additional HTML classes or markup. The technique uses selectors like `a[href$='.pdf']` (ends with), `a[href^='mailto:']` (starts with), and `a[class~='popup']` (contains word) to target links and add background images with padding, and was supported in IE7, Firefox, and Safari at the time of writing.

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Minimalist Design Magazine | Design Inspiration Showcase

Minimalism is a design philosophy focused on eliminating unnecessary elements to emphasize purpose and intentionality, rather than simply creating sparse or uncomplicated visuals. Contrary to common misconception, minimalist design requires significant skill and thought to execute well, as designers must carefully select and optimize each element rather than omitting details carelessly. The approach works across various contexts—from restaurants to bathrooms to homes—by consciously choosing minimal elements that interact harmoniously with their surroundings to create a cohesive, uncluttered aesthetic.

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Home | www.bigbluebutton.org

This is promotional material for BigBlueButton, a virtual classroom platform designed specifically for educational use rather than general video conferencing. The platform emphasizes pedagogical features like breakout rooms, polling, whiteboards, and live engagement analytics, and claims adoption by major learning management systems serving over 75% of the LMS market worldwide, with a case study showing students in online GCSE Maths and English classes achieved full grade points higher than in-person equivalents.

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Make an Editable/Printable HTML Invoice | CSS-Tricks

The author describes creating a lightweight, browser-based editable HTML invoice template that mimics FreshBooks' interface using simple `<textarea>` elements. The approach requires no special software beyond a web browser, can be hosted on a website for access from any computer, and preserves user edits if the page is accidentally refreshed. The solution is deliberately minimal but practical for those with basic invoicing needs who want to print or save invoices as PDFs.

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