10 Free CSS & JavaScript Snippets for Creating Animated Loaders

Custom loading bars offer a way for websites to update visitors using strong visuals. Sometimes a static “loading” message isn’t always enough!

And if you want to add a custom loading bar to your website then this collection is sure to have something that’ll suit your needs.

1. Loading Bar with Counter

Nicolas Slatiner created this incredible loading bar with a top tab displaying the loading percentage. It moves along with a custom animation that can be changed using JavaScript.
But the best part is the animated bar design and the clean style. This loading bar would fit on any website and it offers an incredible user experience.

2. Light Loader

If you prefer a simpler loading spinner with a twist, then this light loader might be just what you’re looking for. It uses the starburst shape coupled with pure CSS3 animations to create a loading effect that draws the eye.
You can adjust the animation style and loading time all in CSS which is pretty neat. And the shapes are all created using CSS too so you can adjust the size, speed, and structure of the starburst icon.

3. Multi-Animated Loader

Perhaps the most complex loading feature I’ve ever seen is this circle created by Glen Cheney. It does use a few lines of JavaScript to add a show/hide feature but this isn’t required for the circle animation to work.
So you can get this thing running on your site in pure CSS3 with options to change the color, size, and speed. My favorite part of this animation is the off-kilter look where the center rotates against the outside.
It offers a really cool effect that just grabs the eye.

4. Canvas Fractal Loader

This striped fractal canvas loading icon feels like an old-school Windows screensavers. This technique uses a lot of JavaScript to make the looping effect and to keep the color transition consistent.
Even though it’s called a canvas element it does not use a canvas element on the page. Instead it’s powered by Sketch.js which is a natural canvas library. Awesome design if you like the fractal style and don’t mind toying with JavaScript to get it running on your site.

5. OuroboroCSS Loaders

The OuroboroCSS loaders are a unique creation from developer Geoffrey Crofte. These loaders are powered by pure CSS and they operate on a repeating animation cycle that gives the illusion of disappearing into the shape.
I like this design more for internal loaders rather than a full-page loader. It’s quaint and easy to spot from a distance, but not so powerful as to take up the entire page.

6. Thermometer Loader

This custom thermometer-style loader feels more like an amazing proof of progress rather than a practical element for your website. But creator Hugo Giraudel really pushed the limits of CSS with this loader moving through a number of different colors from bottom to top.
It only has three HTML elements nested inside each other and the colors and animations are all pure CSS which is breaktaking.

7. Three.js Loader

I have to throw this into the collection just because it’s so darn cool. This Three.js loader by Lennart Hase uses the free Three.js 3D library to create a rotating cube on a small surface.
The animation is controlled through JavaScript and WebGL rendering. 3D design is much more prominent on the web these days and this code snippet is proof of how much you can accomplish.

8. Organic Circle

This crazy canvas circle loader reminds me of air traffic radars or the types of blips you’ll see on submarines. It’s built entire on the HTML canvas element using ctx and JavaScript calls to create this effect from scratch.
You may not find a great way to work this into your site, but you have to admit this thing is impressive.

9. Simple Circle Rotator

Short, sweet, and to the point best describes this canvas loader. It rotates the inner circle of a canvas element infinitely with some basic JavaScript controlling the animation.
I do think this rotator is simple enough to fit onto any site and it’s pretty easy to customize too. Everything runs through JS code so you won’t even need to copy the CSS at all.

10. Pure CSS Loader Dots

Another simple yet fun example is this pure CSS loader with alternating dots moving in & out of view. It’s one of the coolest loading effects that really gets the point across without being too blatant.
You can fit this onto any page and it’s simple to setup. The dot shapes and animations run through CSS and there’s no JavaScript required.

Wrapping Up

If you’re looking for a custom loader for your website then I guarantee you’ll find something here. These loaders are wildly diverse but they can all work well for different projects.
Take another look at this collection to see what you can find and feel free to customize these snippets for your own use.

31 Best Websites for Scoring Freebies

As the world becomes even more commercialized, an increasing amount of free stuff can be had through discount offers, recycling efforts and Internet loss leaders. Learning where to look for these deals and free samples can save you a significant amount of money on a variety of stuff. Below are the 31 best websites to check out for free stuff, although not in any particular order:

1. Craigslist

While Craigslist has a mixed reputation -- users need to use caution and common sense when interacting with total strangers -- it is also a great source of free stuff. As the phenomenon known as freecycling becomes increasingly popular, Craigslist can be a great resource for finding these offers. Freecycling is based on the idea that many people have used items that have remaining useful life but they are replacing those items anyway. Rather than throwing these items away, the owners offer them to the general public for free.

2. FreeStuff.com

FreeStuff.com gives you access to free samples of common household items ranging from coffee to moisturizer. You can use this site to save money on many items you use or to try out new brands for free.

3. Yerdle

Yerdle describes itself as the "people-powered store."  The idea of the site is that the more stuff you give away, the more credits you earn with which to buy other things you might want on Yerdle without having to use cash. While this might seem like it takes more effort than throwing things out, you can get something instead of nothing for items you were going to put in the trash. Using a service like this could be a good option for items that you feel are too valuable to simply give away or throw away but that you're not having success selling.

4. FreeSamples.org

FreeSamples.org is a portal that gives you access to a variety of free product offers for things like household products as well as coupons for products and local restaurants. The offers are updated every day.

5. The Freecycle Network

The Freecycle Network is made up of nearly nine million members worldwide. It is dedicated to enabling members to get and give stuff for free in order to put goods to their most efficient use -- and keep usable items out of landfills. This nonprofit describes itself as a "grassroots movement," and local volunteer moderators help handle network activity to keep exchanges safe and posts accurate. Membership is free.

6. Woman Freebies

Offering people the chance to try before they buy, Woman Freebies supplies free samples, coupons and giveaways of products geared toward women, from candles and shoes to vacations. This site is a good place to look for fun stuff you need or even a cheap gift for your mom, sister, wife or girlfriend.

7. Drugs.com

Drugs.com is an online resource that offers a drug discount program. The free membership card can save you as much as 80% at major pharmacies, according to the website.

8. The ReUseIt Network

The ReUseIt Network serves as a portal to give you access and information on hundreds of freecycling groups worldwide. The site focuses on directing you to freecycling groups and resources in your local area.

9. Free Stuff Finder

Free Stuff Finder shares deals, giveaways and discounts offered both online and at popular retailers. The site shows you both the original price of an item and the price after coupons and discounts to break down your savings for you.

10. Target

Target has a free sample portal that allows you to try products for free. Furthermore, by signing for the store's Red Card, you can save 5 percent on every purchase. Know what you're signing up for before committing. Loyalty cards can come with perks but also typically track your purchases, which some consumer advocacy groups consider an invasion of privacy.

11. SweetFreeStuff.com

SweetFreeStuff.com offers an e-newsletter that includes regular access to great deals online and free samples. The website also lists giveaways and sweepstakes you can sign up for online.

12. Cardpool

Cardpoolis an online marketplace that allows you to purchase gift cards at a discount to use at your favorite stores. While the discount levels vary, there are some attractive deals to be found. You also can sell your gift cards for cash.

13. All You

Lifestyle website All You lists 59 birthday freebies. The site also provides coupons for groceries and household items as well as other exclusive deals.

14. The Penny Hoarder

In addition to listing 100 places that have free birthday offers, the Penny Hoarder offers advice on saving and earning money in unconventional ways.

15. HeyItsFree.com

Another site with a long list of birthday freebies, Hey It's Free also is a good source for free offers throughout the year. Find coupons for everything from free food and moisturizer to free comic books and codes for free rewards points.

16. Freaky Freddie's

In addition to deals on products for grown-ups, Freaky Freddie's has long list of free kids' stuff. Check out offers for books, T-shirts, coloring books and activities like roller skating.

17. Totally Free Stuff

Totally Free Stuff< offers dozens of categories of free stuff as well as daily updates. Search for things in categories for type of person or interest -- such as men, women, business, religious, wedding -- or by product type, such as kitchen, pet products, toys, sports and automotive.

18. I Love Free Things

I Love Free Things is another site with a diverse collection of free stuff for kids, from books to deals on fun activities like bowling. The site has dozens of other categories of free stuff for all ages as well.

19. Freeflys.com

Freeflys.com provides lists of free samples, coupons and coupon codes. You can search the site or look for items sorted by category or brand name.

20. Raise

Raise is an online marketplace that allows you to buy gift cards for products and services from over 1000 stores and restaurants at a discount. The site also gives you the option of selling unwanted or unused gift cards for cash.

21. Recycle the World

Recycle the World is another freecycling website that allows you to post and find free stuff. Whether you are looking to get rid of unwanted items or are looking for something specific, the site lets you target your local area. It also provides a search tool to help you find recycling centers near you.

22. Coupons.com

Couponing has grown from a trend into a lifestyle for many people, and the number of websites dedicated to providing access to coupons has exploded in recent years. As a leader in the industry showcasing more than 2,000 brands, Coupons.com offers multiple ways to get coupons online. You can use the site to print coupons, find coupon codes and find discounts to specific retailers that you can add to your credit or debit card.

23. SmartSource.com

Another great source of free coupons, SmartSource.com can help you save money on everything from beauty products and groceries to weight loss products and sanding sheets for your DIY projects.

24. The Krazy Coupon Lady

Extreme couponing website The Krazy Coupon Lady< is a great source for coupons from some of your favorite retailers, from discount stores like Walmart and Dollar Tree to high-end brands like Sephora. The site also features deals for stores like Home Depot as well as online retailers such as Amazon.

25. Freebie-Depot

Freebie-Depot has "hot lists" for everything from everyday offers to birthday giveaways across a range of products and services from various brands and retailers. Among its many categories, the site features a wedding freebies section with deals for people who are getting married or are recently married.

26. Lifehacker

While Lifehacker is known for unconventional solutions to everyday problems, the website often publishes articles on how and where to save money, such as a feature on the best retail and restaurant birthday freebies.

27. Freebies.org

In addition to providing access to a variety of offers, Freebies.org offers tips and tricks on how to save money as well as its Complete Guide to Freebie Hunting.

28. I Crave Freebies

Similar to other online sources of free samples, I Crave Freebies offers links to coupons for discounts and free product samples. It also provides links to sites that pay you to take surveys.

29. GetItFree

Updated daily, GetItFree finds free offers for everything from food to household products. As you browse the site, you can add coupons, deals, freebies and sweepstakes offers to your basket just like you would when shopping online.

30. Freebies.com

Freebies.com started as a print magazine more than 30 years ago. As a digital resource, it continues to provide a blend of both products and services that are offered at no charge from major national retailers.

31. Shop4Freebies

Shop4Freebies catalogs offers for everything from free home care product samples and bargains to free cookbooks. Its list of printable coupons and other offers is updated daily.

Hundreds of sites offer consumers great ways to save. This list narrows down the options so that you can more easily find providers of freebies and deals that suit your needs. By checking out the features of these different sites, you can find the online resources that work best for you, whether you want birthday freebies, discounted items, coupon codes or free stuff year-round.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 31 Best Websites for Free Stuff

10 Professional-Looking and High Quality Fonts for Web Designers

The importance of fonts to designers has always been emphasized. Many design blogs also agree that as designers, choosing high quality fonts is like choosing your clothes. People will think of you differently if you sport the wrong one.

That is why we collected ten beautiful fonts for you that you will never hesitate using. They are fonts that will both compliment your body texts and titles. They are very flexible and trendy, so you will have no problem using them in your designs!

I will not make you wait any longer, so here they are:

Myriad Pro

Ubuntu

Lobster

League Gothic

Roboto Slab

Oswald

Stalemate

Josefin Slab

Lato

Pt Serif

Every designer has their own say on things, and we would love to hear what you think about this collection! And if you have a favorite font that you regularly use and recommend to people, feel free to post it below!

Best Password Management Softwares for Free

Remembering passwords, without a doubt, is one of the most difficult tasks. Passwords are the key to every valuable service you use on the web and they cannot be compromised. Forgetting your passwords result in time consuming retrieval, because you have to go through all the verification processes to get your password back. Of course, every problem has a solution. In this roundup we will share some of the best free password management software that you can use to store your passwords securely.

1. LastPass

A Quick Look:

• Price: Free + Premium
• Automatic Form Filling
• Save Secure Notes
• Available for almost every platform, browsers and mobile devices

Since 2008, LastPass have taken the process of securing and managing passwords to the next level.  You just have to remember only one password (that of LastPass) and LastPass will remember all the passwords of every website or service you use. You will be provided with a LastPass Vault, in which you can store all of your passwords. Using LastPass is very simple, suppose that you want to save a new password in your vault, you don’t have to login to LastPass Vault and create a new password field, you just need to visit that specific website and login with you Username and Password, LastPass will automatically ask you whether you want to store the login information or not.

LastPass encrypts your sensitive information on your PC and only the Master Password can unlock it. LastPass has taken major steps to eliminate hacking and key logging risks with services like Automatic Password Generator, Virtual Keyboard facility and a One Click Login feature. It also supports features like sharing passwords with your friends without risk of phishing, importing/exporting your data,  backing up and restoring it. You can access your data from anywhere in the world, you just need to have internet access. You get all of these features for FREE.
Moving on to LastPass Premium, one thing I love about LastPass is their very cheap and affordable Premium Plan. It costs only 1$ per month (billed annually) and you get LastPass applications for your iPhone, Blackberry, Android and all other mobile devices with a leading OS. All the features remain the same in the premium plan as they are in the free package, but you get an Ad-Free experience and an awesome application for your mobile devices. I personally use LastPass, so I strongly recommend it.

2. KeePass

A Quick Look:

• No need to install
• Offline password manager
• Can run from USB and other portable drive
• No browser integration

Keepass is a very small, free and OSI (Open Source Initiative) certified offline password manager. First thing you will need to do after the installation is to create a database and Composite Master Key (CMK), the CMK is the only password you will need to remember. However, if you forget your CMK, you can use a key file and a Windows user account to access your Keepass database. Key files can be created by Keepass and should be stored securely. If they get misplaced then the Keepass database and all the stored data will be gone. Just be careful while securing your key files.

KeePass offers a very secure Advance Encryption Standard (AES) and Twofish algorithm to encrypt it’s password database. It supports Multiple User Keys; only one master password decrypts the complete database. You can export your data to TXT, HTML, XML and CSV files and can import from many file formats. You can get these and many other small, but useful, features for free.

3. 1Password

Quick Look:

• Cross Platform Browser Integration
• Available for Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad and Android.
• Professional Looking Interface.

1Password enables you to securely fill your username and password in a login form with only a few keystrokes and a single click. You can also create your identities, which can help you in filling web forms rapidly, for example; you can store multiple credit cards to simplify and speed up your online shopping for filling checkout forms with ease.

Mobile versions of 1Password are available for iOS and Android devices so that you can take your information with you. 1Password makes synchronization between your devices easy as you can use Dropbox for this purpose. Dropbox will create a folder on your computer; you just need to simply move your 1Password database to your Dropbox folder; which will be accessible from all the devices supporting Dropbox functionality. 1Password is free for 30 days and after that you can buy it for 29.95$.

4. RoboForm

A Quick Look:

• Free and Pro Plans.
• Save Passwords, Contacts, Bookmarks and Safenotes.
• Cross Browser and Platform support.
• Full USB portability.

RoboForm is a powerful cross-browser extension for managing your passwords and auto form filling. It is available in 30 international languages, offers full USB portability and mobile phone support. You can save your contacts, bookmarks and notes. RoboForm offers profiles which allow multiple users to use the same computer while securely keeping their RoboForm data separate.
RoboForm offers a great multiple login feature if you want to login to multiple websites at once, simple open your editor, ctrl+click on a few of your logins, then click “Batch Login” to login to all those sites simultaneously.

5. Sxipper

A Quick Look:

• Firefox add-on
• Form Filler
• Manage OpenIDs
• No account needed

Sxipper is a free Firefox add-on. It can keep track of an unlimited number of usernames and passwords, it can remember your personal data for accurate form filling and it recognizes OpenID forms and helps you manage your OpenIDs. Sxipper protects your personal data by keeping it secure on your computer system and if you want to share it online, you can easily retrieve it. No account is required, just install the plugin and it will begin to save your data automatically. It is available for Firefox only.

Which password manager do you use? Let us know! :)

40 Beautifully Designed Search Boxes to Inspire you

The search box can be one of the most frequently used elements of a site and an element many users will be looking for. Therefore it has to be easy to spot and easy to use. Search boxes seem to be the "red-headed step child" of the web design world… typically it is placed in a corner, only there because it has to be and with little or no time and energy spent on its appearance. This is surprising given the importance of the search boxes role in the website visitor experience.
Why does that little box have to be so boring and non styled on so many sites? Could a search box be beautiful while still keeping its utility intact? Can it seamlessly integrate into a site design without losing the attention of people that are looking for it? I say no! Here are some examples of search boxes that push the envelope. All are beautiful, some function better than others, but they all have one underlying principle:  they have all been given care and attention. It is little details like this that make the difference between a good design and a great one.

1. Cellar heat

2. Register.com

3. Think Vitamin

4. Spokeo

5. Basmati Tree

6. I Love Code

7. Gamers With Jobs

8. Disassociated

9. MenuPages

10. Visual Thesaurus

11. Trondel

12. The Jazz Mann

13. Deborah Cavenugh

14. Lifepod

15. I Love Typography

16. Spoongraphics Blog.

17. Shopzilla

18. Zadby

19. Carbonica

20. Dont Trust This Guy

21. Family

22. The Black Harbor

23. Lulu

24. The Designed Tree

25. Money Crashers

26. Exteel

27. MothersClick

28. Game Daily

29. Creative Curio

30. Martha Stewart

31. Knoxville Tourism & Sports Corporation

32. Barnes & Noble

33. icontact

34. Jobster

35. Molehill

36. Justin Shattuck

37. Cybers Music

38. CSS Vault

39. Wufoo

40. Massively

What is a good looking search box in your taste? Please leave a comment and let us know what you think and if you know a great design we all should check out!