Most useful prototype / script.aculo.us plugins
Prototype is one of the earliest new generation javascript libraries (or javascript frame work) like jQuery & Mootools. Coupled with Script Aculous, it is a powerful library and many extensions/plugins are available for it. The one downside to this library is, it is rather huge and requires script aculous even for basic animations. Size is okay when compressed, but it is not easy to find a compressed version and if compress via javascript compressors, it might produce some errors.
Here is a collection of the most useful prototype plugins grouped in to categories so that you can find your script based on your needs. Includes scripts for image galleries, lightbox, in place editors, form validation, modal windows, image manipulation, auto complete, table sorting etc.
Useful resources
- Prototype tutorials
- Script Aculous tutorials
- Prototype compressed versions
- Prototype & Script Aculous(script.aculo.us) compressed
Highslide – The best image gallery script?
Highslide is a standalone javascript library created mainly for showing image galleries in a more user friendly way. HTML/Ajax and Flash support is added as plugins. It has improved a lot over time. Now it is in version 4.0
Unlike many other libraries, multiple images can be opened at the same time. And a user can arrange the images as he wish on the browser. So it is definitly more usable than image gallery script that can show only one image – typical example is lightbox effect (opening the next closes the current).
The animation is also brilliant. Very smooth zooming of images. To open an image, you just need to click and to close, click on it again (Customizable in different ways). If you want to open two images, just click on the required images and those two will be popped up. Opening one image does not close the other.
Advantages:
- Stand alone javascript. Does not need a library.
- The most user friendly way to show images
- Good effects
- Can show HTML, AJAX content or Flash.
- Can open multiple images
- The opened image windows are draggable so that the user can arrange it in anyway. This is very useful if you want to compare two images.
- Creative Commons License – Free for personal use
Disadvantages:
- Not free for commercial sites. Requries a license. It can be purchased for one site or unlimited
The author has given good documentation and examples in his site highslide.com
Another cool site to check out is, http://youflow.finnrudolph.de. The author has successfully combined coverflow, youtube API and highslide to create a good mashup.
Is it the best?
Well, I think it has improved a lot. Using this script you can completely avoid browser popup windows. The ability to show images and non image (html, iframe) contents in a more userfriendly way makes it one of the best script ever made. The only drawback I see is the license. What do you think?
