July, 2010

translate.js by Marak Squires is a nifty JavaScript translate plugin, which translates text, and does it in the following way:

Well, at least the picture in the developer’s website says so.

translate.js uses the Google Translate API and can be implemented on server-side plugins, such as node.js, too.
translate.js is great for smaller international projects, and, used together with a geolocation plugin, it can produce outstanding results.

AviaSlider is an image gallery plugin for jQuery. It costs $14.
The keyword for this plugin is ‘beautiful‘, as its design is truly remarkable–contemporary, yet elegant; the designers really did their homework!

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Let’s not overlook the features though. AviaSlider comes packed with 8 transition effects; autoplay; image preloader; linked image support; etc.

The only downside to this plugin is the scarce browser support, as AviaSlider only works on newer browsers, starting with IE6, Chrome 3, FireFox 2 and Opera 10.

jPlayer is a jQuery plugin that allows easy audio file playback and control. Its main advantage according to the developers is that it can be easily customized with CSS.

For browsers that aren’t compatible with the HTML5 <audio> tag, the plugin automatically switches to using Flash.

jPlayer supports .mp3 and .ogg files, and if you detach the curve_hands.dll, you even can create an audio player with a playlist–or you can customize the demo code. :)

Flip! is a jQuery plugin that adds dimensions to your elements, by allowing them to be flipped into four directions. You can use „flipboxes” to create interactive content, e.g. show the features of a product from all sides, or simply add a fun touch to the design.

Flip doesn’t fall short on the functionality:  you can change the flipboxes’ color; animation speed; and even call functions before, during, and after the animation.

Modernizr is a JavaScript library that allows you to detect and use the available features of the client’s browser. Modernizr has an intuitive syntax and allows using HTML5 and CSS3 features on an if-then basis.

Modernizr is particularly useful if you want to use the new features of HTML and CSS, while still retaining readability for older browsers. Modernizr can become an essential script for bigger projects in which you can not disregard older browsers. 

Hopefully, this plugin will see use in many projects and encourage users to start using the newest browsers to make a developer’s life a lot easier. :)