HTML5 has some extremely cool features, and a couple of weeks ago I took a deep dive into Websockets. This protocol, which you can recognize by the ws:// and wss:// (secure websockets) URL prefix, enables "Server side push events".

During my deep dive, I learned a couple of things that are pretty interesting. If you're into/learning HTML5, you really should try out Websockets! In my opinion, it's one of the coolest technologies they've added. Are you ready to dive and learn more about Websockets? Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when working with Websockets.

A while ago, the popular tech blog TechCrunch launched a new design for their website. Along with this design, they released a new logo. I wanted to generate this logo in HTML using jQuery.

This logo looked like the perfect candidate to do so, since it uses huge pixels and only a couple of colours (4 shades of green). With only little HTML, CSS and jQuery, I was able to generate this logo with not much effort.

  

Did you check out the demo to see what we're going to do? This is how you can generate this pixellogo yourself!

Do you remember the Advanced jQuery background image slideshow I posted last year? Because of that tutorial, reader Evens sent me an e-mail, asking how the effect on the website from Climate Crisis could be recreated. It seemed liked an intersting thing to do, so I took the time to try to create the same effect.

With the help of some small HTML, nifty CSS and loads of jQuery, we're able to create an animated fullscreen background image slideshow. Read the rest of this article to learn how it's built.

You can easily change the script by changing some variables. It also features image preloading and keyboard navigation (try pressing the numeric keys). The background images have a width of 2000px, just to cover most of the currently used screen resolutions. Check out the demo what we're going to create!

  

The script uses the Templates and Easing jQuery plugins. Tested and working on Firefox, Safari and Chrome. I've added a reference video below to show how the page should look like. As always, comments are left on the source code to explain what it does.

Time for yet another jQuery quickie! These relatively simple jQuery tutorials will show you a simple, yet beautiful effect making use of jQuery. This way, you can learn and create something very cool at the same time.

A couple of days ago, I saw a commercial on TV showing some quotes from people displayed in boxes. I wanted to take that concept, and bring it to the web using my favorite JavaScript framework. Today, we'll learn how to create a smooth animated quote display for you to use!

Simply check out the demo to see what we're going to create. Download the source code to learn how it works, or read the tutorial for more explanation.

  

Sadly, fonts will render different in several browsers. I've tested this script (and made it working for) on Firefox, Chrome and Safari (even the iPhone displays it correct). Other browsers aren't tested, but the video below also shows how the animation should look like.

Ready to take a look at how this example works? Let's dive under the hood!

It's pretty amazing at how fast people can learn certain technologies. A couple of months ago, I learned my friend and ex-classmate Sidney te Grotenhuis some (basic) jQuery. Last week, he contacted me to show off his latest creation: jPong. I was blown away.

By combining jQuery with a collision detection plugin, a line drawing plugin and some own scripting, he was able to create this game. Feel free to dig in the source code (comments were added) to see how it works. But for now, simply start the game and play.

As you might already see, this game is based on the popular Flash version called Curveball.

  

I want to thank Sidney a lot for sharing this great example with us. Take note this is just a simple proof of concept and not fully tested in any way. Now let's see if you can beat your browser at this neat little jQuery game! What highscore can you get?