Keeping up with technology is a lot of work. Luckily, we enjoy wading through the noise just to find the gems of awesomeness sprinkled throughout. Fusion Radar is our gift to you, Current or Potential Client, so that you can enjoy all of the awesome without any of the drudgery. Unwrap it each week, and know that you’re loved by the geeks and pixel-pushers at Agency Fusion.

Jetstrap

Jetstrap is an online tool that developers and designers can use to rapidly build and launch prototype webpages. The interface is fairly lightweight, but it’s completely web-based, and allows you to drag and drop large sets of site components to customize your prototype.

Jetstrap

Text-align: Justify and RWD

This is a handy trick that can save developers from having to calculate margins on sites they’re developing. Instead of measuring the size of the images, text, or menu items, then creating margins that will spread them all out equally, you can simply use “text-align:justify” to do that automatically. The site linked below has a demo and a more in-depth explanation.

Text-align

Damn You Art School

This tongue-in-cheek site lists apps, tools, and other resources for creative professionals. It first divides the tools by occupation or interest (e.g. Architecture, Illustration, Fashion, etc.), and then further sorts them into categories like “color,” “time management,” “accounting,” “client communication,” and others.

Damn You Art School

ToS;DR

ToS;DR stands for “Terms of Service; Didn’t Read.” The people who run this site are trying to fix what’s been dubbed as the biggest lie on the Internet: “I have read and agree to the terms.” Legal professionals and other volunteers go through the terms of service of various popular websites, including Google, Facebook, Apple, and Instagram, and point out the favorable or dangerous conditions in their user agreements.

ToS;DR

Moolta

Moolta is a site that helps users raise money for a charity of their choice. First, users create a challenge – something silly like singing their fast food order, visiting a library in a Speedo, or eating a jar of mayonnaise. Then other site visitors can see their challenge and donate to their campaign. If they reach their monetary goal, they have to record themselves doing their challenge, and the money gets donated to charity.

Moolta

Project Dialect

We’ve previously showcased a map of American English Dialects, and Joshua Katz’s maps of dialect variations are equally interesting. He takes the minor differences in pronunciation (think the word ‘pecan’, or ‘aunt’) and word usage (soda, pop, or coke) and maps them all out.

Project Dialect

Elevatr

Elevatr is an iOS app that helps users take ideas and turn them into viable businesses and products. It asks specific questions about your idea (e.g. who are your customers, what’s the market size, what’s your business model, etc.) and helps you organize all your thoughts so you end up with a marketable idea.

Elevatr

StereoMood

StereoMood is a site that takes user-generated tags and creates mood-based playlists. Anyone can tag any song, and the tags can be simple, like “happy,” or more complex, like “sunday morning” or “beach party.” Then when you go on the site, you can type in your mood and the site pulls up all the songs with that mood tag.

StereoMood

Melon

Melon is a headband and app combo that tracks and quantifies your focus. The headband itself has an EEG sensor that measures brain waves while you wear it. The app has users record the activity they’re engaged in, and then measures their focus as they go. It offers tips for increasing focus, and even has games you can play, just by focusing your mind on a task.

Melon

What Android has that iOS doesn’t

By some metrics, Apple is the dominant player in the phone market, but Android does have a few features that Apple’s OS either doesn’t do well or doesn’t have at all. Things like keyboard replacements, widgets, and cross-app functionality all offer a customizable experience for Android users. The article linked below goes into detail about the benefits of Android, and what we’ll probably see happening in iOS in the near future.

What Android has that iOS doesn’t

Keeping up with technology is a lot of work. Luckily, we enjoy wading through the noise just to find the gems of awesomeness sprinkled throughout. Fusion Radar is our gift to you, Current or Potential Client, so that you can enjoy all of the awesome without any of the drudgery. Unwrap it each week, and know that you’re loved by the geeks and pixel-pushers at Agency Fusion.

GitHub Sudo Mode

GitHub’s taken some inspiration from the Unix sudo command and created their own version of the security measure. In order to avoid forcing users to constantly enter their password, while at the same time keeping all their information secure, GitHub will only require password confirmation if users attempt a “dangerous action” (e.g. adding email addresses or public keys).

GitHub Sudo Mode

Joli OS

We’ve mentioned Joli on our blog before, but that was Jolidrive, a personal cloud service. Joli OS, on the other hand, is an interesting new product that claims to be a full OS replacement for any old PC. It’s very lightweight, which makes it ideal for old computers, and is completely free.

Joli OS

Mailtrap

This Railsware application allows development teams to test email delivery on staging servers. More specifically, Mailtrap is a fake SMTP server that provides shared access to team members as well as multiple inboxes for single accounts.

Mailtrap

Minbox

Minbox is a lightweight Mac app that lets users send and share files “at least 2x faster” than their main competitor, Dropbox. It also boasts features like integrated address books, unlimited uploading (any file size or type is accepted), and both a free and a premium option.

Minbox

Red Pen

We’ve had our fair share of receiving ambiguous feedback from clients. So we were pretty excited to discover Red Pen, a site that allows you to upload your design, share a short URL, and get live, annotated feedback. The site doesn’t require you to create an account.

Red Pen

Screen Siz.es

Screen Siz.es is a simple but incredibly helpful site that details all of the screen sizes of the most popular devices (phones, tablets, and laptops/PCs). In addition to the screen sizes, it also provides information on the OS, physical size, pixel density, and popularity.

Screen Siz.es

Routehappy

Anyone who’s done a bit of traveling understands that although you may pay the same for every coach seat on a plane, that doesn’t mean they’re all equal. Routehappy is a site that provides scores for flights, planes, and seats. It also helps you find the cheapest prices and details amenities and flyer ratings for each airline and plane.

Routehappy

Zombies, Run!

Zombies, Run! is an app that attempts to provide a little extra motivation for those of us who aren’t really that into exercising. The app gamifies exercising by making each run an adventure where you have to evade zombies, pick up supplies, and build up your base.

Zombies, Run!

Geotagged Twitter Maps

Twitter recently posted maps that use tiny blue dots to display every single geotagged tweet since 2009. Maps of Europe, New York City, Tokyo, and other cities are available to view on their blog.

Geotagged Tweets

Shadow

Shadow is an app that uses escalating alarms to gradually wake you up, with the goal of helping you remember your dreams. The app then allows you to type, speak, or even just answer questions to record your dreams the moment you’re fully awake.

Discover Shadow

Redbox Instant

It looks like Netflix is going to have some competition, coming in the form of Redbox Instant. This is a subscription service that not only allows you to stream anything in Redbox’s library (like Netflix), but also gives you 4 DVD credits every month – all for $8, a steep drop from the $16 it costs to do about the same thing at Netflix.

Redbox Instant

Keeping up with technology is a lot of work. Luckily, we enjoy wading through the noise just to find the gems of awesomeness sprinkled throughout. Fusion Radar is our gift to you, Current or Potential Client, so that you can enjoy all of the awesome without any of the drudgery. Unwrap it each week, and know that you’re loved by the geeks and pixel-pushers at Agency Fusion.

Shortly

Put briefly, Shortly is a serverless pastebin service. Instead of storing your pasted content on a server, all the data is stored in the URL. It does make for really long URLs (as you’ll see if you click on the link below), but it’s a slightly more secure way of sharing a bit of text.

Shortly

BitTorrent Sync

BitTorrent Sync lets developers bypass the need to synchronize all their devices manually or log everything on a server in the cloud. Instead, you can automatically sync unlimited files via secure, distributed technology between all of your devices (and share those files with anyone else).

BitTorrent Sync

Flat UI

Flat UI is basically a flattened version of Twitter BootStrap.

Flat UI

The Archive of Interesting Code

This archive is one person’s impressive effort to research and code every interesting algorithm and data structure ever invented. Java and C++ are the most common languages used, and everything is free to explore and use.

The Archive

A History of Programming

Actually, the full name of this post is “A Brief, Incomplete, and Mostly Wrong History of Programming Languages.” We’re not sure how useful or “factual” this article is, but it was definitely entertaining.

A History of Programming

How to Help Clients

We were delighted to find the article, “How to Help a Real-Life Knight Achieve His Goals,” which gives some useful tips on how to guide and help your clients achieve their goals. Using the example of a knight slaying a dragon, the author gives suggestions on how you can set a vision for a project, narrow it down, and stick to that vision.

How to Help a Real-Life Knight Achieve His Goals

Chartio

Chartio is an online tool that collects, analyzes, and graphs data from your website. Although it’s not cheap, the program seems to have an easy-to-use interface with a wide variety of visualization tools and collaboration options, as well as the ability to collect and analyze data in real-time.

Chartio

Social Roulette

Social Roulette is a game(?) you can play that has your online identity set as the stakes. You log into Social Roulette via your Facebook account, and you hit Play. From there, it’s a 5-in-6 chance that Social Roulette will simply post “I played Social Roulette and survived” on your Facebook wall; and a 1-in-6 chance they’ll permanently delete everything in your account – games, friends, posts, likes, photos, etc. – before deactivating it.

Social Roulette

GeoGuessr

Speaking of games, GeoGuessr tests your knowledge of geography by integrating Google map images into a “Where in the world are you?” quiz. It gives you a 360-degree view of a location, and you can explore your area before pinpointing it on the world map based on any signs or landmarks you see.

GeoGuessr

American English Dialects Map

This site maps out all the English dialects found on the North American continent. It’s interactive (you can click on locations and it pulls up videos from that place) and details about a dozen different speaking patterns in the USA and Canada.

American English Dialects

Here Is Today

Sometimes we get so focused on one task that we forget the big picture. Here Is Today is a simple HTML5 site that can help you put things in perspective.

Here Is Today

Keeping up with technology is a lot of work. Luckily, we enjoy wading through the noise just to find the gems of awesomeness sprinkled throughout. Fusion Radar is our gift to you, Current or Potential Client, so that you can enjoy all of the awesome without any of the drudgery. Unwrap it each week, and know that you’re loved by the geeks and pixel-pushers at Agency Fusion.

Mocky

Mocky is a simple way to generate custom HTTP responses and test your web services. It’s a tool you can use to mock your HTTP responses to test your REST API.

http://www.mocky.io/

LivIcons

LivIcons are animated icons that use scalable vector graphics to achieve animation. They’re built with JavaScript, and designed to work cross-browser on any device.

http://livicons.com/

Mars One

The Mars One mission is to establish a human settlement on Mars in 2023. They’ve developed life support units, living units, and a whole host of devices, landers, and shuttles. Applications are up online, and you can view and vote on those people you’d like to see man a mission to Mars in 2023.

http://applicants.mars-one.com/

McDonald’s Theory

The principle of the McDonald’s Theory can be illustrated like so: if coworkers are having trouble deciding where to eat, and no one’s really offering any suggestions, try recommending McDonald’s. It’s such a distasteful option to people, that they’ll immediately start suggesting better ideas. The same thing goes for trying to make decisions at work, or trying to come up with product or campaign ideas. Just jump in and suggest something, especially something that’s not a great option, so other people will feel comfortable making their own suggestions.

The McDonald’s Theory

8 New and Necessary Punctuation Marks

We actually wish these punctuation marks existed. From the “I’m Not Angry” Mark (for when you need to be brief, but you’re not upset) to the Sarcastises (parentheses you use when you want to make sure people get your sarcasm), these punctuation marks would be incredibly useful as more and more of our communication goes online.

8 New and Necessary Punctuation Marks

Microwave S’mores Maker

The Microwave S’mores Maker is for anyone who wants delicious s’mores but doesn’t want to smell like a campfire. This little gadget is surprisingly cheap, and takes care of every part of s’mores preparation: weighted arms push down the graham crackers as the marshmallows melt, and a water reservoir ensures even heating.

Microwave S’mores Maker

3D Printed Gun

The Liberator is being touted as the world’s first plastic gun that’s completely manufactured with 3D printing. 15 of the 16 parts are produced by the 3D printer; the 16th piece is the firing pin, which is a simple nail. The plans are available for free download at DEFCAD.

3D-Printed Gun

Bacteria-produced Biofuel

Gas prices are a constant source of pain for consumers, which is why researchers have been searching for a way to create biofuel – a renewable source of fuel that will work with the same cars we currently use. Recently, researchers at the University of Exeter used E. coli bacteria to produce a biofuel that has the same molecular makeup as the petrol we already use. If they can work out how to scale-up the project to mass-produce this biofuel, it could become the next viable fuel source.

New Bacteria-produced Biofuel

Download Google Fonts

Google Fonts has always enabled users to download their fonts for web use for free. And now they’ve paired up with SkyFonts to let you  download their fonts for offline use, also free of charge. The fonts are updated by SkyFonts automatically, so they can add new characters or font types without you having to go search for them.

Google Fonts

XE Currency App

XE Currency app is exactly what it sounds like: an app for your smart phone that will show you the appropriate currency conversion rates. If you’re traveling out of the country, you’ll likely run into all kinds of cultural and language barriers, so this app could be handy if you don’t know where to go to exchange currency or what rate you should be getting.

XE Currency app

YouTube Paid Subscriptions

The days of completely free YouTube content may be coming to a close for some channels. Although the announcement hasn’t officially been made, Google has confirmed that they’re looking into enabling subscription-based videos and channels.

YouTube Paid Subscriptions

Keeping up with technology is a lot of work. Luckily, we enjoy wading through the noise just to find the gems of awesomeness sprinkled throughout. Fusion Radar is our gift to you, Current or Potential Client, so that you can enjoy all of the awesome without any of the drudgery. Unwrap it each week, and know that you’re loved by the geeks and pixel-pushers at Agency Fusion.

Gingerice

Gingerice is a handy rubygem that checks and corrects spelling and grammar mistakes based on the context of complete sentences. It compares each sentence to billions of similar sentences from the web as you go, so it gets a fairly good idea of what you’re trying to say and offers suggestions based on that.

http://subosito.com/gingerice/

jQuery Annotated Source

This annotated source for jQuery attempts to minimize the challenge of reading through thousands of lines of code by listing comments side-by-side next to code.

https://github.com/robflaherty/jquery-annotated-source

Csscss

Csscss parses any CSS files you feed it and tells you which rulesets have duplicated declarations. It makes managing CSS files much easier by allowing you to reduce duplication and minimize code.

https://github.com/zmoazeni/csscss

Fivesecondtest

Getting market research can be expensive and time-consuming. Fivesecondtest offers a solution by allowing you to submit short questions about your brand, site, or copy, and then passing those questions on to people who have already signed up to take these short (5 second) tests. And by taking other people’s tests, you can earn credits to have them take yours.

http://fivesecondtest.com/

Chrome Office Viewer

Chrome Office Viewer is a new Google Chrome Extension that is trying to make looking at MS Office docs a little easier for those who don’t have MS Office. Although it doesn’t allow you to edit those documents (yet), the Chrome Office Viewer extension is free, and lets you see Word and Excel docs, and Power Point presentations.

Chrome Office Viewer

Qamine

Qamine is a free resource that analyzes your code and searches for other blocks of code similar to the block you just changed. Developers can push new code to their Github repository and then have Qamine analyze it and search for other, similar blocks of code in your repository and warns you when it finds any, so you know that those need to be changed as well.

http://quamine.com/

Artificial Electric Skin

It seems like not a week goes by on this blog when we don’t mention robots at some point. Well, this week’s installation is about a recent invention by Georgia Tech: artificial electric skin that will allow robots (or prosthetic limbs) to actually feel the tactile sensations when they touch something.

Georgia Tech Artificial Electric Skin

Printable Food

Speaking of stuff we talk about all the time, here comes another round of 3D printer news. Cornell University has developed a way to use 3D printers to “print” (and bake) food – they expect that this sort of application could save time and money when it comes to manufacturing food, as well as in individual kitchens.

Printable Food

A little bit of something

This week, we’ll leave you with a creative, entertaining, irreverent portfolio site by web developer/designer Dan Morgan. The text is funny, the design is clean, and the overall sentiment is something we can really get behind.

http://alittlebitofsomething.co.uk/