So I’ve done a bit of cross-browser testing for my new CatCubed design:

• Safari, Chrome (i.e., Webkit): works perfect
• iPhone Mobile Safari (i.e., Webkit): works but any fixed attachment is ignored (this is due to how the iphone browser works)
• Firefox, Camino (i.e., Gecko): works except for multiple background images
• Internet Explorer 8: Works (after a small fix) but is ugly due to lack of CSS3 support
• Internet Explorer 7: fails dramatically because of IE float bugs
• Internet Explorer 6: fails dramatically because of IE float bugs and lack of CSS2 support
• Opera 10: fails somewhat due to a bug in how Opera handles floats. Also is ugly due to lack of CSS3 support

Also, thanks to Jason I found (and fixed) a bug that only occured on large monitors (24″  or more).

As I mentioned, I added a small fix for IE so it’s readable, but I’m not bothering to fix the IE6 or IE7 massive fails and I added a very basic stylesheet for IE6/7 so they could at least read the content. Also, I added a “why don’t you try another browser” warning to the site for IE users.

Just thought I’d mention that this redesign is meant as a means for me to experiment with new techniques and do so quickly, which is why I am no longer fully supporting IE with this site. There are workarounds for many of the techniques that I am using on this site, but it would take me at least twice as long to implement. All my real work projects will continue to be built with a graceful degradation / progressive enhancement process in mind.

Cube the Cat doesn't seem hungry

I’ve added a Cube the Cat Adventures group photo pool on Flickr. I will continue taking pictures of my own Cube the Cat as he explores the world, but I would be overjoyed to see other Cube the Cat’s out there. If you are inspired to make your own Cube, please take pictures and add them to the pool!

I know there is already one other Cube the Cat out in Medicine Park!

Download the Cube the Cat, papercraft PDF (version 0.6 beta).

I’ve been inspired… and I have a long weekend, which means that I’ve spent the last couple days buried in my laptop. My back aches, my eyes are screen burned, but nothing stops the freight train called inspiration.

I give you the new and improved CatCubed.com! Also, I’m releasing Mr. Cube the Cat as an adorable papercraft doll that you can make yourself! Like the new version of the site, he’s still in beta but he’s stable and I’m releasing him into the world anyway!

Download the Cube the Cat, papercraft PDF (version 0.6 beta).

Yep, I’ve gone and scratched that designer itch that has been bugging me for a while. I’ve decided to use CatCubed as a means to experiment with new web techniques. Besides the cute little paper Cube the Cat, the new site includes:

• HTML5 semantic structural elements – minimizing the use of divs except where appropriate. I’m still not perfectly happy with the semantic structure of the HTML. Some limitations were due to the layout particulars and the wordpress CMS. I will revisit this at a later point so that it is more in line with proper HTML5 semantics.
• Extensive use of new CSS3 styles – multiple background images, rounded corners, rgba, box shadows, etc.
• CSS built using SASS
• Simplified navigation – Got rid of the sidebar modules clutter. Also, post categories have been reorganized with a focus on the three main things I write about art, code, design.
• Coming Soon – more robust art, code, and design sections with highlights of my various projects. Mobile version of the site (it’s a image heavy site now, so I think a mobile version is in order.)

The site works best in webkit browsers (e.g., Safari, Chrome, or Internet Explorer with Chrome Frame). If you are on a gecko browser (Firefox, Camino) everything works but you are missing a few design elements due to lack of Firefox’s ability to use multiple background images (this is supposed to be added in Firefox 3.6). I have not tested the site in Opera, but Opera is decent so it should work (except for some of the CSS3 styles). I also haven’t tested in any version of Internet Explorer, and I don’t plan on it. I’ve added the HTML5  shiv so that IE will recognize the HTML5 elements, but considering the fancy things I’m doing with floats, it likely fails pretty bad.

I’ve kicked this whole thing out fairly quickly and I’m experimenting with a few things so there are likely a few issues here or there. If you are running webkit (Safari, Chrome) or gecko (Firefox) and run across any bugs let me know.

I have a few additional things I want to do to this site over the coming weeks and months. So expect to see more changes.