Ethan Marcott, the one who coined the term Responsive Web Design, stated in his article that Fluid Image is one of the ingredients of Responsive Web Design. The problem with Fluid Image, however is that eventhough the image seems to be responsive and could fit nicely in various viewport size, the same image size is downloaded by the users regardless of the medium the image is being viewed on.

This is bad news for users who have a limited data plan but is not in the know, and it makes your site seem ‘slow’ in areas with dismal Internet speed connections.

This is one of the most discussed issues among web developers. And there is a whole lot to do before RWD can be a proper end-solution for building a mobile-optimized website. At the moment there are various emerging techniques and tools that try to solve this hurdle. Let’s look at them a few of them now.

Recommended Reading: 50 Useful Responsive Web Design Tools For Designers

1. Adaptive Image

Adaptive Image is a small PHP script that detects user screen size and deliver the proper image for that screen size. It does not require the changing of your current <img> markup, but the implementation is rather intimidating for less tech-savvy users.

(Image source: AdaptiveImage)

2. Responsive Image Using Cookies

Keith Clark has his approach on serving responsive image with Cookies. It technically detects the screensize by using JavaScript and sizes the proper image size using PHP before it is served and loaded on the page.

However, this technique has a lot of issues and require some more experimenting before it can become a practical solution. You can read his explanation as well as get the code from the article at Clark’s blog, Responsive Image Using Cookies.

3. Sencha.io Src

Sencha is a mobile development framework that allows us to build a native-looking app with HTML, CSS and JavaScript. If you build your app with Sencha, you can utilize its API, Sencha.io Src, for resizing your images in a smart way, based on users device screen size.

The API has a set of functions allowing flexibility over the output. For more technical details, head over to this reference.

(Image source: Sencha)

4. HTML5 Picture Element

This seems to be the future standard of responsive image. A new element called <picture> is proposed to allow us to set different sources of images, and also to refer to the breakpoint for which the source of image should be served, like so:

 <picture id="images"> <source media="(min-width: 45em)" srcset="large-1.jpg 1x, large-2.jpg 2x"> <source media="(min-width: 18em)" srcset="med-1.jpg 1x, med-2.jpg 2x"> </picture> 

This element, however, is still in a Working Draft stage. It is not yet applicable. Until then you can use a Polyfill called Picture Fill.

Picture Fill

Picture Fill is a tiny JavaScript library that is developed by Scott Jehl. It mimics how <picture> works using the <span> element.

 <span data-picture data-alt="A giant stone face at The Bayon temple in Angkor Thom, Cambodia"> <span data-src="small.jpg"></span> <span data-src="medium.jpg" data-media="(min-width: 400px)"></span> </span> 

Plugins

If you are using WordPress as your publishing platform, you are lucky, as there are several plugins that serve the image in a way similar to the <picture> element.

• PB Responsive Image
• WP Responsive Image
• Simple Responsive Image
• Picture Fill WP

If you use Drupal, there is a project called Picture that works the same way.

5. Focal Point

Focal Point is a framework that allows developers to “crop” images and control the focus on its focal point for responsive design. This technique is purely done with CSS; the author simply adds the classes in the element that contains the image.

It is worth noting though that the trick in this technique is by using overflow:hidden to hide part of the image. So the image is not (technically) cropped, which means we end up of downloading the same image size. In addition, this also might not work in the case where the image is not wrapped with an element.

(Image source: Noupe)

Final Thought

As said, there isn’t yet one implementation that sets a standard to answer this issue completely. These techniques and tools although listed above as solutions, have their own drawbacks and none can come out as the final solution for every case.

It is also unsure whether the new proposed property, <picture> will be a recommended solution in the future. So, until then, it seems that we are stuck with Fluid Image.

Google Chrome is simply awesome when it comes to speed. Moreover, its superb support and stability for running games inside the browser make it stand out from all other modern browsers. Google Chrome Experiments, an attempt to test the capability of browsers, when combined with JavaScript, is a source of Web games that can be played your smartphone, tablet or computer, without downoading or installing any file beforehand.

Chrome Experiments was launched in 2009 by Google to showcase the power of browsers. This project lists creative experiments built by Google and various other programmers. These games are created using open web technologies such as HTML5, JavaScript, Canvas, SVG, and WebGL.

If you want to give one a try, pick one from this list of top games from Google Chrome Experiments here. All you need is your Chrome browser and the game link. If you haven’t truly realize what a browser can do, time to be amazed.

Recommended Reading: 30 WebGL Experiments That Are Just Wow!

1. World Wide Maze

World Wide Maze turns any website into a 3D maze! The game however is afoot when you tilt the plane to move a ball to its goal. You can play it with your Android phone or iPhone, or you can use the arrow keys on your keyboard. It’s really an innovation! Check out this post for an inside look of World Wide Maze. [Play now]

2. Racer

Want to race on a virtual track? Start Racer and turn on the engines! You can enjoy the game with your friends using its multi-player mode. Racer not only turn your screen into a racetrack, it can extend the track to multiple screens, of up to five devices (phones and tablets). Just touch the screen to accelerate and avoid running off-track. [Play now]

3. Cube Slam

It’s Pong! Cube Slam recreates the classic game of Pong and upgrades it to 3D. Play against a bear or with a friend and just try to keep the ball out of your side of the court. Three strikes and you are out. Things get levelled up as you advance into higher levels; expect shields, obstaclesm power-ups and gravity fields! [Play now]

4. GeoGuessr

GeoGuessr is a simple game which takes the guessing game to new heights. The game uses Google Street View which allow you to view a place in 360 degrees, then you take a guess of where that place is by pinning it on the map provided. Points are awarded as per the accuracy of the guess. You can even ‘cheat’ by looking at the signboards, names of premises in the view or other clues in the 360 view then Google it! [Play now]

5. Roll It

Roll It is the version of a skee-ball game, but you do the throwing with your smartphone. Sync the game on your screen with up to three smartphones using the same Wi-Fi network and Chrome browsers on desktop and mobile. Touch to aim, then swing your smartphone (don’t let go) to fling the ball into the slots. [Play now]

6. Tomorrow & Yesterday

Get the circle to the triangle and move on to the next level. The rules behind Tomorrow & Yesterday is very simple but once you start playing this puzzle game, you will understand how time travel plays a vital role in you completing the maze. Entering the black box (time machine) lets a second you reenact your actions from the start up until you enter the time machine. Intrigued? Try it. [Play now]

7. CrossCode

CrossCode is a 2D game of puzzles with the unique theme of throwing energy balls. It’s an action-RPG type game, where you complete tasks and overcome obstacles along the way. Jump over block, move around the plot and destroy eneies with energy balls. Good, clean fun and a fascinating game to run on a browser. [Play now]

8. Z-Type

Z-Type is a shooting game with a twist. To clear the invaders, you need to type the ‘enemy’ words correctly to wipe them off the screen. It not only improves your typing speed but is an engaging shooting game with pretty decent graphics. [Play now]

9. HexGL

HexGL is a modern, speedy and futuristic racing game. You earn points for the distance you travel while trying to not damage your plane. Tracks have speed-booster packs which help boost your vehicle’s speed and you can stay in the game so long as your vehicle does not get damaged beyond operation. Prepare for an adrenaline rush, that’s all I’m saying. [Play now]

10. Redgie Roll

Redgie Roll asks you to guide Redgie, the Hedgehog, in her prickly quest to reach the bottom of the valley. You need to collect the coins in between to get points in the game. Dodging trees and other obstacles make the game interestingly difficult but so, so addictive. [Play now]

Conclusion

Games and apps from Google Chrome Experiments are amazing examples of what can be done using HTML5, JavaScript and other web technologies. These games don’t just run in the browser, you can interact with these games, essentially play with them on the browser! Don’t wait, choose a game, and just play!

Before we begin, let’s set the record straight. If you are a webmaster or ecommerce website owner who cannot write… you need a good content writer. There are some very talented people out there that write wonderful content.

And to keep the balance of the force, there are also some unscrupulous writers that will take your money (usually upfront) through less than dignified means then disappear into the vastness of the World Wide Web. With that said, once you find a talented freelance content writer, hold onto him or her as if they were the last one on the planet.

The good ones are either booked solid for months or have moved on to more gainful endeavors. Even talented content writers you can keep do not remain content writers forever. Just like everything else in life, if someone is good at something, other opportunities will open for them to expand and broaden their horizons.

Recommended Reading: 12 Signs That You Are a Writer At Heart

Woes Of The Site Owner

Unfortunately, you as a site owner have little to no control over when your writer needs to take leave, and it’s almost always in some of the worst scenarios possible. You may be in the middle of a huge marketing or branding campaign that just took off, or you might have a large boost in readership in your blog and require a steady in-flow of content, next few week’s worth.

"I’m leaving for greener pastures" is the last and worst possible thing you could hear at this precise moment. So what do you do?

8 Things To Do Instead Of Panicking

1. Take Affirmative Action

As the Master and Commander your ship, it’s time to take charge. Whatever you do, let it not be panic. Panic, at this point, would not only be counterproductive, it makes things that much worse. It is not the end of the world until the deadline, which means there is still time before the iceberg hits the ship.

If you are in panic mode, get a hold of yourself, then:

2. Hot off the Press

New content writers are pouring onto the Internet each day and the demand is still higher than the supply. The US Labor Statistics department tells us that at least 14 million Americans were self employed in 2012. If even a small percentage of that is in content writing, (And it is) there is one out there for you.

Just stop worrying about getting one and go get one. Just be careful how you go about it. Weeding out the bad from the good is a delicate process.

Read Also: Guest Posts: 10 Tips To Distinguish The Good From The Bad

3. You May Already have A Replacement

Don’t have time to engage someone you can’t risk trusting? Have you spoken to your team or family lately then? Perhaps a friend in the writing business? You will be surprised at how many people you know that write or know someone who writes, dreams of writing, or are pursuing it already.

And you can get an inside look into the personality of new writer, if he or she is someone you can bank on for steady content, right from the horse’s mouth.

4. Go Social

Or you can go social with it. LinkedIn.com is the premier website for getting the word out when it comes to Business to Customer or Business to Business marketing as well as a wonderful brand recognition opportunity. One good content writer and six social media websites can create more buzz about your website than two dozen magazine ads. On LinkedIn, content writers abound.

5. Be my Guest

Guest posting is something that comes in handy from time to time. Put out a call for guest posts. Usually, all the guest blogger wants in return is a link in the content, and another link or two in their bio. Some guest bloggers earn for their submissions but for what it’s worth, you get good content at half the time it takes to find a long term replacement for your writer.

Read Also: 35 Tips Tricks To Manage And Handle Multi-Author Blogs

6. Editors are worth their Weight in Gold

If you own an ecommerce website and blog, hiring an editor is a fantastic way to increase your ROI. They will not only ensure your readers see what they need to see, when they need to see it, they also edit the work of your content writers, and can even replace them temporarily. Just make sure not to take advantage of the editor’s writing skills too often.

7. Draw Ideas From The Web

The Internet is a wondrous place. It is filled with all kinds of information on just about every subject you could possibly imagine... including you and your ecommerce endeavors. If your content writer disappears, there is plenty of material on the Internet to pursue and from which to draw ideas.

Don’t however fall into the trap of copying content at liberty. Original content is still gold even in desperate times.

8. Unleash the Writer in You

Have you tried to write your own content? If anyone knows what kind if content you want, it is you. You may not write the best content in the world, but I can guarantee it will not be the worst either. In fact, you may write better than some freelance content writers out there, because no one knows what your readers want better than you.

Read Also: Tips And Tricks For Writing Fast (And Professionally!)

The End Result

The point of all this is really much simpler than 8 reasons not to panic and how to help yourself. If you panic; nothing gets done. If you need a content writer, do not rush into anything. Take your time and find the one that is right for you. In the meanwhile, follow these simple tips to get through the rough patch and always keep your chin up.