About The Tool
This project started out as a learning experience for me. I wanted to learn AJAX and improve with CSS, JavaScript and PHP/MySQL. However, it ended up being a useful tool that I actually use every day, so I decided to make it available to all. I also wanted to share what I've learned about AJAX and everything else and use this site as an example of some of the basic things AJAX does so well. So feel free to use the tool, and if you are interested in learning more about how it was made, read on.
The Code
Feel free to use this code as a reference. If you copy and paste, make sure you cite your source (as my professors say constantly ...)
- The JavaScript - The JS code used on this site
- The PHP backend - The PHP code used on this site
Resources
These are some great sites that I used as references while building this site.AJAX
- AJAX Tutorial - A nice intro tutorial where I learned the basics of AJAX.
CSS
- CSS - Clearing Floats - If you've never done it before, creating page designs using only div tags can be tricky. This site describes how to deal with the float property, usually used to make side menus (like the left and right ones on this site).
- CSS Zen Garden - Exhibits amazing uses of css for page design.
JavaScript
- JavaScript Date Picker - I use this tool by Julian Robichaux to pop up a calendar when selecting dates.
- JavaScript Equivalent for PHP's md5 - Kevin von Zonneveld provides a javascript equivalent to PHP's md5() function, which I use for user authentication.
- Mouse Cursor Position - Describes how to capture the mouse pointer position on the screen in both Firefox and IE. This was very frustrating for me until I found this site.