Do you have the habit of hitting the search button multiple times even before it loads the search results? Well… I used to do that and so do many other users. Clicking the search button multiple times results in additional server requests and slows down the page’s loading time.

Why do users click again?

Because they are users! They aren’t developers who understand what happens in the back end.

Its our job as developers/designers to let the user know that the results are being loaded and to ask them to wait until it loads.

How do I do it with just CSS?

Its pretty simple. Click and hold the search button below and see.

I am sure, I don’t have to explain how it works for the experts, but if you are novice continue reading…

The trick is to use CSS sprites and show the animated loader image while the user clicks the button(on focus), indicating that the page is being loaded. You can download the sprite here.

Now, how do I avoid multiple clicks?

Its impossible to disable a button just with CSS, but we can ask the user to wait by replacing the hand/pointer with a “wait” cursor. So this is how the final CSS code looks like.

CSS
01
02
input.submit{
03
width:16px;
04
height:16x;
05
display:block;
06
overflow:hidden;
07
text-indent:-999px; /* To remove any default text on the button*/
08
line-height:16px; /* required for safari */
09
background:url(search-sprite.gif) no-repeat 0 0; /* This will display the search icon by default */
10
cursor:pointer; /* Hand cursor for the normal state */
11
border:none;
12
padding:0;
13
}
14
 
15
input.submit:hover{
16
background-position: 0 -16px; /* This will display the dark search icon on hover */
17
}
18
 
19
input.submit:active{
20
background-position: 0 -32px; /* And finally, this is the one that shows the loader */
21
cursor:wait; /* Shows the wait cursor on click */
22
}
23

If you really want to disable the button, check out this JQuery solution. And, don't forget to put in your thoughts and ideas.

Recently, while working on some client projects, I noticed a few requirements(I know there are many) that were common. I strongly feel, this will be useful for your next web project.

1. Empty form field value on focus/click

This is a very common requirement. You would have noticed form fields that have a value by default which disappears when you click/focus on them. When you click outside, the value appears again.

Javascript
01
02
<script src="http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.3.2/jquery.min.js" type="text/javascript">
03
</script>
04
 
05
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="jquery.emptyonclick.js"></script>
06
 
07
<script type="text/javascript">
08
$(document).ready(function(){
09
    $('.emptyonclick').emptyonclick();
10
});
11
</script>
12

2. Truncate lengthy text with either a "more" button or 3 dots at the end

I am sure that most of you would already have faced this issue, especially with lengthy breadcrumbs. You don't have to run behind and bother a programmer anymore for a solution.

Truncate is an awesome jQuery plugin that helps you achieve this in seconds. Download the plugin and include the following code within the head tags

Javascript
01
02
<script src="http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.3.2/jquery.min.js" type="text/javascript">
03
</script>
04
 
05
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="jquery.truncate-2.3.js"></script>
06
 
07
<script language="javascript" type="text/javascript">
08
$(function() {
09
    $(".classname").truncate( 60 );
10
});
11
</script>
12
 
13

Replace the .classname with the class name of your HTML element that contains the text. Also, the number 60 in the code above is the maximum number of characters you would like to allow before truncating. Replace that with your value.

Adding a "more" link at the end of the text is another cool usage. You can find more about the usage here.

3. Adding classes to the first and last list items

I don't think there will be a HTML/CSS developer who haven't abused wordpress for not adding first and last classes for their lists

Just imagine a menu that needs a different background for the first and last list item. You'll find this handy when creating themes for a CMS like wordpress where you have no control over the HTML code.

After spending a few minutes on google, I found this snippet

Javascript
01
02
<script src="http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.3.2/jquery.min.js" type="text/javascript">
03
</script>
04
<script type="text/javascript">
05
$(function(){
06
  $("li:first-child").addClass("first_item");
07
  $("li:last-child").addClass("last_item");
08
});
09
</script>
10

This can also be achieved using the :first-child and :last-child CSS pseudo-classes.

Step 1: Bookmarking the gallery forms

Step 2: Prepare a list of all possible form fields

Step 3: Using InFormEnter to fill the forms

Step 4: Prepare your images for submission

Step 5: Start Submitting… Enjoy!

If you are looking for a definition of parallax, here it goes. As far as the web (especially design) industry is concerned, parallax is the arrangement/animation of images in a way that lets you feel the distance between them.

For example, imagine that you are looking through the window of a moving vehicle. You will see the objects closer to you moving faster compared to the distant ones. The sun stays still while the trees, buildings and other objects move.

In this post I would like to walk you through different posts, examples and tutorials that would help you achieve this effect.

This technique was initially used in 2d video games and now mostly seen in single page portfolio websites and website headers.

2. Parallax in use

I would like to show you a few hand-picked websites that uses parallax before I proceed.

Eric J – This is one of my favorite websites using Parallax in the way it should be. The motion of the wheel and the smoke that comes out of the silencer as the scooter moves adds up to the parallax feel.

Markus Neidel – This is an awesome 3d vertical parallax (flash).

Silverback – To see the effect in this site, you would have to resize your browser window and notice the header region.

Umaghet Zeggen – All you need to do is move your mouse (towards any direction).

Squaredeye – Resize your browser window and notice the movement of clouds in the header. A css based parallax.

Dezignus – Move your mouse over the header region (towards any direction).

3. Now, how do I create Parallax?

Let’s see how to create this effect using javascript, flash and other frameworks.

Using JQuery

You’d probably be aware, I am a JQuery fan and for that reason I would like to first list down the methods using JQuery to achieve the Parallax effect.

These tutorials use jparallax – a jQuery plugin to create parallax

Create a Parallax Website Header

Using Mootools

Not familiar with JQuery huh? Here goes a tutorial that uses mParallax a mootools adaptation similar to jParallax.

Another demo using Mootools

Using Scriptaculous

This one uses scriptaculous another popular javascript framework.

Using Javascript – A Vertical Parallax

Using pure CSS

Unlike the ones above, this would work only when the user re-sizes the browser window. This is achieved using css positioning.

A tutorial on how to create the Silverback Parallax (shown above) using CSS.

Examples of and How to Create the CSS Parallax Effect

This is a really interesting one! A parallax illusion with CSS

Parallax using Flash

A step by step tutorial by webdesignerwall.

Creating parallax with flash cs4

Are you an AfterEffects freak?

If so, this tutorial is for you. Create a Realistic Camera Move with Parallax.

So, that’s all about Parallax. I hope this post was informative

This post is about 10 commonly used css properties that were impossible to implement in IE6. While redesigning ProductiveDreams, I came across a few css compatibility issues with IE6 and had to spend hours searching the solution for each issue.

So I just thought of putting them together to save your time. These css hacks (I would rather call them ’solutions’ since, not all of them are purely css based) solves the major compatibility issues in IE6.

1. Rounded or Curved Corners

As you would know, all modern browsers support border radius. Curved corner is something that was merely impossible to achieve in IE6. Recently I came across an htc file (especially for IE) developed by Remiz from HTMLRemix.com, which solves this issue.

The first thing to do while using htc is to add the correct MIME type for htc behavior on your server. This is REALLY important before you proceed. The following are steps:

For more details on how to add MIME type visit Microsoft Support

All you need to do is download the htc from HTMLremix or Alternate Link and include the following code in your CSS.

CSS
1
2
.div_class_name{
3
behavior:url(border-radius.htc);
4
}
5

Jquery Alternative: jQuery Corner a jQuery plugin that creates crossbrowser compatible rounded corners!

2. The popular PNG transparency issue

Every designer would have faced this issue, obviously! Though there are a number of javascript based solutions, I couldn't find anything that supports background position. As far as I know all JS based solutions end up with the same result. This is something that worked flawlessly for me. All other solutions are based on this filter.

Preview

CSS
1
2
.class_name{
3
_background:none;
4
filter: progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.AlphaImageLoader (src='image_name.png', sizingMethod='scale');
5
}
6

HTC Alternative:If the solution above doesn't work for you, you may try this htc alternate.

Known Issues:
1. Doesn't support CSS Sprites: If you are using sprites, then just forget this hack. Background positions doesn't work with PNG hacks .

If you need background-position support for PNG, then go for DD_belated

The best solution is to use a .gif or png-8. Check out the best way to do this without using hacks!

3. Opacity

This is pretty much straight forward and easy to achieve compared to the other hacks.

Preview

CSS
1
2
.opacity_div {
3
  filter: alpha(opacity = 50);
4
}
5

4. Fixed position

All browsers support the css property 'position:fixed', but not IE6. I had to find a solution for this since the social icons in this blog are having a fixed position.

Preview

CSS
1
2
* html .fixed_div{ 
3
position: absolute; /* position fixed for IE6 */ 
4
top: expression(104+((e=document.documentElement.scrollTop)?e:document.body.scrollTop)+'px'); 
5
left: expression(15+((e=document.documentElement.scrollLeft)?e:document.body.scrollLeft)+'px'); 
6
} 
7

Just change the top(104) and left(15) values, to position the element.

This method works very well, but you would notice a jerk while scrolling the page. So here goes a fix for that.

CSS
1
2
* html { 
3
background-image: url(image.jpg); 
4
} 
5

All you need is a 1px x 1px image. This might sound weird but it works!

5. Min-width & Max-width

This is simple as well and was already posted on ProductiveDreams

Preview

CSS
1
2
.div_class_name{
3
width: expression(document.body.clientWidth < 1000? "1000px" : "auto");
4
}
5

CSS
1
2
.div_class_name{
3
width: expression(document.body.clientWidth > 1000? "1000px" : "auto");
4
}
5

Jquery Alternative: This is an alternative solution for the hack above. JQminmax is a cool plugin which allows you to set minimum and maximum values for both width and height.

6. Hover for non anchor elements

Unfortunately, IE6 supports :hover, only for anchor tags. That means css based dropdowns would not work in IE6. CSShover.htc is the best solution for this. You may download the htc file from xs4all.nl

Preview

CSS
1
2
body { 
3
behavior: url("csshover3.htc"); 
4
} 
5

As I mentioned previously, don't forget to add the correct MIME type for htc behavior on your server. This is the key.

7. Min-height & Max-height

Preview

This is not really a hack since it uses valid css.

CSS
1
2
.div_class_name{
3
min-height: 140px;
4
height: auto !important;
5
height: 140px;
6
}
7

CSS
1
2
.div_class_name{
3
 height: expression( this.scrollHeight > 199 ? "200px" : "auto" );
4
}
5

8. Bicubic scaling for images

One line code that solves the image scaling issue in IE6 and 7. Hats off to Chris Coyier for coming up with this solution.

CSS
1
2
img {
3
 -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; 
4
}
5

9. Negative text indent for input buttons

Negative text indent is normally used to hide the text value inside buttons, which lets you use custom background images for them. For some reason, IE doesn't support negative text indent for input buttons. For more details about this issue check out this post

Preview

CSS
01
02
input.button {
03
width:114px;
04
height:37px;
05
border: none;
06
background: transparent url(images/button_image.gif) no-repeat center;
07
overflow: hidden;
08
text-indent: -999px;
09
}
10

10. Text shadow

The shadow filter is one of the useful filters for IE.

Preview

CSS
1
2
.text_shadow{
3
filter: Shadow(Color=#999999, Direction=135, Strength=5);
4
height: 1%;
5
}
6

Step-1: Let’s review the HTML part first.

HTML
01
02
<html>
03
 
04
<head>
05
<title>ProductiveDreams</title>
06
<link href=”style.css” rel=”stylesheet” type=”text/css”/>
07
</head>
08
 
09
<body>
10
<div class=”bg-image”></div>
11
</body>
12
 
13
</html>
14

Colorful PNG Image

Desaturated GIF Image

Step-2: The stylesheet

CSS
01
body{
02
background:#000;
03
text-align:center;
04
}
05
 
06
div.bg-image{
07
background:transparent url(images/pd.png) no-repeat center !important;
08
width:134px;
09
height:134px;
10
}

Step-3: Solution for IE

Consolidating the entire thing

CSS
01
body{
02
background:#000;
03
text-align:center;
04
}
05
 
06
div.bg-image{
07
background:transparent url(images/pd.png) no-repeat center !important;
08
background-image:url(images/pd.gif);
09
width:134px;
10
height:134px;
11
margin:0px auto;
12
}

CSS
1
.div_class_name{
2
width: expression(document.body.clientWidth < 1002? "1000px" : "auto");
3
}

Known Issues:

• Only works with JavaScript enabled browsers
• Not W3C valid