Last year we did a post on Web development tools. A lot has changed in the past year, and there are tons of new tools available to developers. Options include drag-and-drop application builders, code repositories, project management and testing apps, and frameworks for working with a variety of coding languages, from Ajax to Ruby to Python.

Which do you use? Tell us more about your experiences in the comments.

Application Builders

DreamFace - Framework for creating personalized Web apps.

Organic Incentive - Tools for creating viral widgets with a drag-and-drop interface.

dbFLEX - On-demand business application development platform.

app2you - Online tool for creating custom Web applications.

Qrimp - An affordable database platform that builds applications around your data (which you can upload in an Excel spreadsheet).

Lightspoke - Application builder with drag-and-drop application design, dynamic filtering and sorting, and a true relational database backend.

Tersus - Visual application creator with no coding or scripting required.

Qt - Cross-platform application framework that lets you develop applications and user interfaces simultaneously.

Code Snippets, Search Engines and Repositories

byteMyCode - Code snippet search engine.

Snipplr - A code repository where you can store and organize all of your code snippets.

ErrorKey - Error code search engine.

findJAR.com - JAR file search engine.

github - Code repository that includes both public and private repositories (the private repositories are only accessibly through SSH and SSL, providing extra security for your code).

merobase - Search engine to find components for your development projects.

Codebase - Code repository, ticketing support and deployment tracking app.

CONFiles - Online storage and sharing for your configuration files.

CodeSnippets - Public source code repository that also allows users to keep private repositories.

GWT-Ext - Free, downloadable widget library.

Development Environments, Platforms and Frameworks

SocialGO - A social networking hosting platform that includes messaging, video chat, custom member profiles, photo sharing, blogging and more.

Pringo - Social networking platform with a variety of features, including video and MP3 support, galleries, groups, podcasting, and more.

slinkset - Hosted platform for creating custom social news sites.

iWidgets - A turnkey “Social Syndication Platform” that allows you to syndicate your content to social networks and portals.

WackWall - A hosted social networking platform.

WhiteLabelDating.com - Platform for creating your own branded dating, social networking or community site.

ONEsite - Social networking platform and hosting that includes blogging, photo & video galleries, rating & tagging, message boards, private messages and more.

jinity - Free social networking platform and hosting that includes message boards, chat, groups, journals, polls, news, and more.

Magnify.net - Website video platform with a full suite of media tools.

ShoutEm - Microblogging social networking platform and hosting.

Soceeo - Social networking platform and hosting that includes file sharing, news, polls and more.

Swift - A mobile website creator that includes multiple design options, RSS feed support, multimedia support and more.

SnappVille - Social networking platform that includes groups, blogging tools, instant messaging, and more.

Ning - Social networking platform and hosting that includes custom branding, member profiles, event listings, and even Facebook integration.

mixxt - Social networking platform that includes events, forums and more.

zembly - A platform for creating social apps. Currently in private beta.

Yuku - Community platform and hosting solution that is customizable and has powerful administration tools.

SocialEngine - PHP-based social networking platform that features multi-part profiles, subnetworks, search-friendly URLs, blogs, groups, and more.

Cappuccino - Open source framework for creating desktop-quality Web apps.

Jaws - A user-friendly framework and CMS for dynamic Web sites.

General Development Tools

Tabifier - A tool that automatically puts the proper indents in your source code.

Sms2do - A free tool to demonstrate and evaluate SMS applications.

Pretty Printer - A source code formatter that works with PHP, JavaScript, CSS and more.

Jitterbit - Open source integration solution that improves scalability and performance.

Bitizer - Conversion tool for Binary, Decimal, Hex, Base 36 and ASCII.

thmbnl - Show thumbnail images of pages being linked to from your site.

ID Selector - OpenID utility that helps increase logins by helping your users memorize their OpenID.

consoleFISH - Free Web-based SSH server access.

form site - Web form builder and hosting that offers free and paid plans.

99Polls - Create custom surveys and polls to get feedback on your site.

Warehouse - Subversion browser with multiple repository support and fine grain permissions settings.

rendur 2.1 - Sandbox app that renders your page as you code.

Languify - Translation management system for dealing with multiple language support in agile software projects.

ROR Sitemap Generator - As the name says, this site creates a ROR format sitemap with up to 1,000 URLs for your website.

MicroMaps - Create interactive maps (geographic, facility, or others) to put on your websites.

Newsfeed Maker - Create a custom newsfeed to include on your blog or website.

WriteMaps - Online sitemap builder.

Project Kenai - Free hosting of open source projects and code that includes collaboration and issue tracking.

Launch Splash - Free tool to create a pre-launch page to put on your website.

Browser Shell - Browser-based SSH tool.

foigo - Create customizable forms, surveys and databases.

AggData - Premade lists for your development projects.

SnapCasa - Free, easy to implement website thumbnail provider.

Versionshelf - Secure subversion repository that includes one-click backups.

Mashups and APIs

The Echo Nest - APIs for a host of different music-related development services (including in-depth artist information and music recommendations).

Zeep Mobile - An API to add text messaging to your site.

Clickatell - An SMS gateway that lets your website send messages worldwide through a number of different connection options.

Nonoba - A multiplayer API for online game developers.

Zong - Mobile payment platform with a developer API.

Web Shots Pro - API for developers to add website screenshots to their apps.

Pushpin - Easy to use online mapping API that allows for thousands of markers (pushpins) and other advanced features.

Datamash - Create widgets and mashups for your site with information anywhere on the Web.

Spicy Pipes - Mashup builder.

Reference and General Resources

COfundOS - Platform for discussing open-source software ideas and finding funding.

Mac Yenta - Social network for independent Mac developers.

CorkDump - An online cork board for keeping commonly used resources (code snippets, CSS, Flash, etc.) handy.

All Developers Network - Social news network for developers.

CodePlex - Open source project hosting site from Microsoft.

UnmatchList - A resource directory for developers and designers.

developerAnalytics - Social media ratings and report services that help you find the hottest up and coming social media applications before they get big, find out who’s making the most money, how your competition is doing and more.

CollabFinder - A place for designers and developers to collaborate.

Testing, Monitoring, Bug Tracking and Project Management

CloudStatus - Independent monitoring of some of the Web’s most popular cloud services.

BetaBitz - A site that helps you solicit beta testers and increase the visibility of your site.

observu - Free website and server monitoring service.

UserFix - Report bugs or request features for any website.

OctaGate SiteTimer - A tool to see how long it takes your site to load.

Cuzillion - Simple page testing and checking app.

Mob4Hire - Crowdsource your mobile application testing.

Beanstalk - Hosted system that makes it easy to setup, browse, and track Subversion, including built-in integration with sites like Basecamp and Campfire.

BUGtrack - Project management and bug tracking.

UserZoom - User experience testing platform.

devunity - This used to be betabug, but has undergone a facelift and is now a social development platform.

BuiltWith - Technical analysis and SEO information for any website.

fixx - Issue and bug tracking software that includes filtering, a mobile interface, and collaboration.

BugWiki - Simplified bug tracking application.

litmus - Web-based testing app for checking your designs across different browsers.

Bugtagger - Bug tracking with tagging capabilities for reviewing how your bugs are related (even between projects).

FEED Validator - Validate your Atom, RSS and KML feeds.

pastebin - Debugging tool that allows you to work collaboratively on solving issues.

JUnit.org - A testing framework for writing and performing automated testing programs.

Ruby & Ruby on Rails Resources & Tools

Open Source Rails - A showcase of open source Ruby on Rails sites.

Exceptional - Exceptional tracking and management utility for Rails apps.

TuneUp - Check the performance of your applications using this Rails plugin.

heroku - Ruby on Rails platform that requires no setup or configuration, allows coding right in your browser, and has elastic scaling.

RSpec 1.1.8 - Development framework for Ruby that includes a Scenario Framework and a Code Example Framework.

Lovd By Less - An open-source, Ruby on Rails social networking platform.

Merb - A Ruby framework that includes comprehensive features.

Camping - A Ruby on Rails microframework.

Ajax, Java & JavaScript Resources & Tools

Javxs - Online tool for converting HTML to JavaScript.

frevvo - Ajax form creator that includes full XML support and drag and drop controls.

AjaxDaddy - Ajax application demo showcase.

WaveMaker - A visual, open-source Ajax WYSIWYG editor.

AppJet - JavaScript app programming platform.

SproutCore - JavaScript framework for creating desktop-quality Web apps.

Bungee Connect - Ajax Web app platform that is cross-browser compatible and instantly scalable.

Spring - Enterprise Java application framework that aims to increase development productivity and application quality.

jQuery - JavaScript library for rapid Web development with Ajax.

KSS - Develop your UI without writing any JavaScript with this framework.

PHP Resources & Tools

Flow3 - A PHP framework initially developed as the foundation for TYPO3 5.0, but that can be used independently.

Prado - A component-based programming framework for PHP 5 that is object-oriented and event-driven.

Perl Resources & Tools

Mason - A Web site development engine that’s Perl-based and includes tools to handle debugging, templating, and more.

Flash Resources & Tools

OpenLaszlo - A rich Internet platform that lets you compile to both Flash and DHTML while only writing once.

Python Resources & Tools

GTK+ - A toolkit for creating GUIs that works with Python among others.

Wing IDE - A professional Python development environment that offers a free 30-day trial.

Cheetah - An open source, Python-based template engine and code generation tool.

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Source:Mashable!

I don’t know whether to think recent calculations for mobile video consumption (or lack thereof) via the four top wireless carriers in America are just a little bit Halloween spooky, a big point of concern, or perhaps a good omen.

It’s come to be a common refrain that most of the country’s residents are mobile phone users. But what they do with their devices is, particularly in media consumption, very unlike the advanced markets of Asia and places elsewhere. Less than 3% of American subscribers bother to consume on-demand video in any form. “Woe is US?”

That number, released by Comscore yesterday, is certainly not an attractive one for any carrier to next to its name, especially given the activities made possible by new(ish) strides in mobile broadband penetration across the country by various networks. Whether it is a 4.4% usership that AT&T managed to serve circa June-August 2008, the 4.2% tallied for Sprint, or the the 2.4% figures each given to T-Mobile and Verizon, none shine very brightly.

To get specific for a moment, so-called amateur video clips (a la YouTube) ranked #1 among those who did use the carrier’s video services, followed by music videos, comedy clips, and film trailers. Each segment managed to net over 1 million users. (Alternatively, Web browsing, email transfers, and photo and video sharing are all working double-digit percentiles themselves, totaling over 100,000,000 users.)

As anyone with a good perception on data rates demanded of video downloads knows, the “packaged” experience delivered by carriers is 1) nowhere near like using a desktop-sized Web browser, and 2) costly. These factors, compounded with unavailability of many media options and television channels and whatnot, do much to make media services somewhat unappealing to many people. New software breaches that barrier, no doubt, but such developments are young and far from a common convenience.

What’s more, present platforms used to deliver streaming and on-demand video to handsets (only few of which manage to interface with online services really well) should really be taken for what they are: mobile broadband and Internet use. It’s entirely reasonable to think, then, that consumers wish to consider mobile broadband and Internet use very much the same way they do their land-based residential and at-work broadband connections. Which is to say, “give me access for a fee and let me do what I want to do and see what I want to see.”

Wireless carriers of course don’t appreciate this sensibility very much, since it essentially designates their task as a dumb ISP, so to speak. No value added. Just build the towers, sell the handsets and monthly connections and allow the user to do what the user wants to do from there on out. (How very libertarian and Ron Paul-like of the user. And we all know how wigs in the major parties regard independent thinkers.)

All said, I would think that an average of 2.8% penetration for the on-demand mobile video market is just a notch or two above crumb-sized. So I can only imagine that the figure is directly attributable to the age-old law of supply and demand. If the product isn’t adequate, nor will demand be. Time for carriers to be a little more free-thinking (philosophically, if not financially) with their mobile media delivery models, it seems.

—Related Articles at Mashable | All That’s New on the Web:Verizon First to Offer Direct Video Upload to YouTubeBill Gates Falls to #2 Spot on List of World’s RichestComcast Practically Admits to Controlling Your Bandwidth Usage. So Not Net Netural.The Race for China: Google Outlines its Mobile StrategyMySpace Mobile Now in CanadaVerizon Gets More Social with Loopt IntegrationSonos Raises $6M in Series B Funding

Something tells me Sprint CEO Dan Hesse is a little bitter about his company getting passed by the #4 wireless telecom operator to become debut provider of an Android-based handset that the world has seen so far.

Being a lossy network at #3 might have something to do with it. According to Sinead Carew of Reuters, Hesse was quoted as telling the National Press Club that the Android open source operating system is not “good enough to put the Sprint brand on it.”

Not to be a stickler for accuracy, but I don’t believe Sprint could technically brand Android as its own. The carrier might affix its logo to a device installed with the operating system, and might deliver the device custom crafted to appeal to Spring users and the various mobile broadband-enabled services offered by the company. But the Sprint brand on Android? No, I don’t think so. That sort of defeats the purpose of the so-called Open Handset Alliance, in one way or another.

Be that as it may, Hesse vowed to release an Android-equipped phone “some time in the future.” Which of course will happen. The company would be quite foolish to not pursue at least a few devices with the software installed. I imagine that future being one with most all carriers providing handsets featuring the major software options of the day. For example, T-Mobile will eventually support the iPhone. It may take a few years, but there eventually comes a time where user demand gets its time in the sun. It’s unfortunate that it is taking this long to do, but such is the way of the corporate world. Consumer desires continually outpace the production schedules of Apple, Google, Microsoft, Nokia, and other warehouses.

There are only two possible conclusions one can make from Hesse’s statement made before the NPC. The first is as I explained from the start: he’s bitter about not being first up to bat. The other: he’s borderline delusional and has managed to ignore all critical reviews of the now-public OS, which frequently regard the software as a serious second-place finisher to the thoroughly elegant and arguably more refined iPhone platform. Door #1, folks. Door #1.

—Related Articles at Mashable | All That’s New on the Web:Google Buying Sprint Nextel? Doubtful.Vonage Settles Patent Agreement with SprintGoogle & Sprint-Nextel Partnering for Mobile WiMax Open NetworkVerizon Wireless to Support Google AndroidGoogle Building Mobile OSThe Daily Poll: Do You Social Network on Your Mobile?Sprint Nextel Offers Access to Social Networks and a GPS Community

Key points from the announcement:

624MHz CPU
802.11 a/b/g and GPS
Half-VGA screen (480 x 320)
Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP support
microSDHC support […]Source:TechCrunch
Eye-Fi announced two new wireless memory cards today, and they’ve dubbed their original card with a new name.

The new line-up:

Eye-Fi Explore: The Explore card can automatically locate nearby WiFi networks and geotag your photos using Skyhook’s global Wi-Fi positioning system. It can also automatically connect to any of Wayport’s 10,000+ hotspots (in other words, […]

The iPhone’s text-message storage capacity has been increased from 1,000 to 75,000. If you get anywhere near that limit, either you’re texting way too much or you’re subscribed to egoblogger Robert Scoble’s Twitter feed. Actually, this is good news. I recently hit this limit on my iPhone — I had some messages from September stored on there. Here’s my question: why is there a limit at all?

Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg may be getting all the money and media attention lately, but News Corp.’s MySpace still dominates when it comes to traffic. The site commands more than 70 percent of visits to social networks, according to this latest chart from Hitwise. Still, its share declined 8 percent in the last year. Which might explain why News Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch was rumored to be poking around runner-up social network Bebo recently. Oh, and by the looks of things, maybe Barry Diller should have acquired MyYearbook for IAC back when he reportedly expressed interest.

Source:Valleywag

Google’s mobile operating system Android is a bad idea, Apple CEO Steve Jobs told the New York Times after yesterday’s keynote at Macworld. “Having created a phone, it’s a lot harder than it looks,” he said. Larry Page, Sergey Brin, and Eric Schmidt should be happy with the apps they’ve created for the iPhone. “I actually think Google has achieved their goal without Android, and I now think Android hurts them more than it helps them. It’s just going to divide them and people who want to be their partners.”

But Jobs is always rough on the competition. In the same interview with the Times, he ripped MacBook Air competitors for needing too many rubber footpads glued to their bottoms. Still, with prognostications like these, Jobs might want to be wary of not sounding like another CEO Steve.

Back before the iPhone launched Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer had this to say about the new device’s prospects:

There’s no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance. It’s a $500 subsidized item. They may make a lot of money. But if you actually take a look at the 1.3 billion phones that get sold, I’d prefer to have our software in 60 percent or 70 percent or 80 percent of them than I would to have 2 percent or 3 percent, which is what Apple might get.

Of course the truth is that Jobs is on much better footing doubting Android. Unlike the iPhone, it really is a bad idea. So why didn’t Jobs shoot Schmidt a warning SMS last summer? We know the Google CEO and Apple board member is on his iPhone’s short list. (Photo by AP/Paul Sakuma)

A big-league reporter emailed us to imply that he (or was that she? I forget) has inside info on today’s Macworld product announcements, and that my hunch that there’s a MacBook with AT&T wireless built in is totally wrong. Of course, the real point of the email was nyah nyah I’m special. But thanks for the tip.

Jerry Yang has made Yahoo Go 3.0, Yahoo’s mobile application platform, a key piece of the strategy to keep his business relevant. Rather than trying to run everything, like Google or Apple, Yahoo will focus on being a friend to all. MySpace, eBay, and MTV. But Yang is once again focused on the wrong partners.

Yang’s friends are in low places — positions of weakness relative to the wireless carriers who exercise control over the services used on their phones. While Yahoo has signed up some phone manufacturers to carry Go, the carriers who buy their phones have final say over what runs — and they have deleted Go before it gets into users’ hands. Consigned to obscurity as an add-on download, Yahoo Go is just another example of Yahoo’s strategic blundering.