Every once in a while, someone comes up with a tool that makes you wonder what you ever did before using it. For me, Coda is that tool.
If you work on websites, you should take a close look at Coda. Coda has these tools built in: text editor, file transfer, source control system, terminal (SSH), website preview, and resource library for HTML, CSS, Javascript, and PHP.
The interface is clean and doesn’t get in the way of doing work. In Edit mode, the code is color-coded for easy identification.
There’s a very cool CSS editor built in that allows you to quickly add and change your style sheets with a very nicely designed visual editor.
When you need to preview your work, there’s no need to fire up a browser. Coda provides a built-in preview tab.
If you need to SSH into your server, Coda provides that too.
And if you’ve forgotten that bit of PHP or CSS or Javascript, Coda provides a built-in reference library. You can even add more of your own.
Working with Coda on site development is like a dream within a dream!
There is also a good collection of third party plugins that extend Coda’s functionality. Check out their site at: http://www.panic.com/coda/
I expected a change in mood for this year’s MacWorld, and that is what I found.
First came the news that this would be a Steve-less MacWorld. Then, Apple announced that this would be their last year at the event. This double sucker punch to Mac fans couldn’t help but change the normally happy and excited event to a somber and dour chore.
Well, ok, it wasn’t quite that bad, but the crowds were way down this year. The MacWorld Expo folks tried to minimize the poor turnout by cleverly pushing in the dividing curtains on either side of both halls to make it seem fuller. Many vendors were saying that booth sales were sharply down.
I’m hoping that these changes are merely signs of an Apple evolution. Perhaps now, with so many Apple Stores around the country, Apple no longer needs the exposure and display area that MacWorld once provided. Maybe Apple no longer needs the MacWorld events to showcase new product announcements. And just maybe, Apple will be announcing their new products more frquently.
I’m still waiting for the new, more powerful Mac Mini, a new AppleTV, and the Kindle-killing large iPod-like device for reading electronic books.
As for MacWorld 2010, if enough vendors sign on to showcase their cool products, I’ll be there.
