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Shopify is the best eCommerce platform I've ever encountered. It's very easy to set up shop and has a lot of features to get you started. There are tons of apps to meet whatever your shop needs. However, just like WordPress plugins, it can jack up the overall cost, so be wary and use only the ones that are really needed. As a web developer, one of my favorites is the free Advanced Custom Fields, very useful for customizations. The online shop comes with blogging features and email marketing, but is limited.
For startups, Shopify Starter is ideal. It costs just $5/month but without the online shopping feature. No problem, you can add products to a WordPress website or to any website using the Buy Button. To easily add products in WordPress, you may try WPShopify.
In this time of the pandemic, they have offered pause plans, which is a big help for owners. One of my clients is an event organizer that hosts seasonal events, so the Pause and Pause and Build plans come in handy for them. The Pause plan completely pauses your online site, including any admin work, for 3 months at zero cost. After that, it is automatically upgraded to Pause and Build, which charges just $9/month. In this plan, the online store is still not available, but you can do backend admin tasks.
Shopify also offers POS, both as a mobile app and an in-store terminal.
To spare you the trouble, take advantage of drop shipping. They have an extensive post about it here. Personally, I like Spocket. They source products from the US and EU. Don't ruin your business by selling cheap but low-quality products.
As a web developer, I also create custom-built apps for clients. To do so, register for a Shopify Partner account. It comes with a free online shop you can experiment with. It's not live, of course.
The easiest way to create an app is to use an Ajax call to an external service hosting the files that process these requests. To prevent any cross-domain issues, use the built-in Application Proxy App extension. Here is a cheat sheet and Liquid examples.
Some of the useful Shopify apps are Better Reports, Connected Inventory (syncs inventory of variants), and LockSmith(locks content).
For any problem that's difficult to resolve, contact Shopify Support. They're friendly.
UCraft is a drag and drop builder that comes with an online shop, albeit not at the same level of flexibility. SquareUp is a good alternative. Ecwid is cheap. and allows you to sell 10 products for free. Plus, they have a widget you can integrate on your site without a need for a plugin or extension. SnipCart is similar to Shopify's Buy Button. OpenCart is free to install and self host.
MedusaJS is flexible and open-source commerce platform with a built-in framework for customizations. The free version is self-hosted.
To easily add a PayPal cart in WordPress, take a look at Simple PayPal Shopping Cart.
In the world of WordPress, WooCommerce(WC) is king. It is free but they charge hefty amounts for add-ons. There are free plugins though, such as Beeketing for WooCommerce and Kadence WooCommerce Email Designer are some of my favorites. Decorator and Email Customizer for WooCommerce are other options worth trying.
Akaunting is a free, open-source, and online invoicing and accounting software for small businesses and freelancers if self-hosted. InvoiceNinja has a free plan but with limitations.
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Office applications are always a big help, may it be in writing a document or preparing a presentation. But let’s admit it, this software is expensive, and if there’s a free but good-quality offering, I would choose the free one every time. I’ve scoured the web looking for exactly that, and I didn’t come up empty-handed. Check out my list of free office productivity suites.
LibreOffice is composed of several apps that enable you to do pretty much anything. It has Writer for word processing, Calc for spreadsheets, Impress for presentations, Draw for diagrams and vector graphics, Math for mathematical formulae, Base for databases and Charts. LibreOffice is actually a fork of OpenOffice. In fact, they have almost the same apps, except Charts and interface. It has installers for Windows, OS X, and Linux platforms and has good compatibility with Microsoft(MS) Office.
In turn, Collabora Office for Desktop is a by-product of extensive contributions with LibreOffice, but with a minimalist interface for easier use. Same suite, but Draw is only a PDF viewer, and not an editor.
SoftMaker FreeOffice is another alternative, but it is limited to TextMaker for word processing, PlanMaker for spreadsheets, and Presentations only. It supports Windows, Linux, and the Android OS!
OnlyOffice offers a document, spreadsheet, presentation and a dedicated PDF editor. It is Singapore-based.
Google Docs is an online app offering Docs, Sheets and Slides. One advantage of working online is it enables easy collaboration between team members. It is surprisingly compatible with MS Office.
If working with Excel, here's a tutorial on how to search data using VLOOKUP with INDEX and MATCH functions.
Scribus is a free desktop publishing application.
So you would want to use a commercial version? I think not.
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PDF is a file format used to present and exchange documents reliably across different devices and software. It was created by Adobe and is designed to be versatile and can contain links and buttons, form fields, audio, video, and even business logic. It can be electronically signed and the contents are viewable using a free PDF reader.
This might be a surprise for most, but Chrome and FireFox browsers have built-in PDF readers integrated. No wonder you can open PDF links or files, haha. If you prefer a desktop app, there's Sumatra PDF. Okular, and Papers are Linux based, free and open source PDF viewers.
Have a small PDF problem? Want to create PDFs? Edit forms? No sweat. Don't worry, I'm sure PDF2Go has your back. The site offers conversion, compression, resizing, editing, sorting, deleting, splitting, merging, rotating, and protecting PDF files, for free. In similar molds are Sejda, SmallPDF, i2PDF, and PDFCandy. PDFAid, and BestPDF, require an email address to download. Some of these services also remove password protection. Adobe itself has free tools such as the PDF to Word Converter. Canva offers a PDF Editor in their free account. FireFox have a PDF editor.
TinyWow offers free PDF, video, image, file and writing tools. It is ad-supported.
Stirling is an open-source PDF editor. There is a free online account with limitations, self-host is completely free. PDFMore is its implementation.
BentoPDF is another self-hosted PDF toolkit. Here's an instruction on how to self-host in a PC using Docker. Docker Desktop is free for personal and non-commercial use. Here's how to install Docker in Arch Linux.
Online services are limited by the maximum file size they can support. For big files, it's better to use desktop apps like PDF24 Creator or PDFSam Basic to merge, split, rotate, extract, and mix PDF pages.
PDFTK Builder is free with no ads, but with limited features. If you need a more powerful option, there's PDFGear.
You can also create and edit PDF using LibreOffice, and OpenOffice. Oh yes, both are free. Another free editor of the same mold is AbleWord.
Tabula is a Java-based desktop app that extracts table data from PDFs and exports it to CSV or Excel.
To convert a web page to a PDF file, use PrintFriendly Google Chrome extension. You can use it to remove the header, footer and sidebar. To extract specific pages, I use the browser's print button, select the pages, and save them as PDF or Microsoft Print to PDF. It works like magic!
On the web development side, you may need to export HTML content as a PDF file. I've tried several PHP-based HTML to PDF converters in one of my projects, but they all failed to generate accurate PDF documents. Complicated CSS results in garbled PDFs. Only mPDF stayed true to generating PDF files based on the original HTML design and layout. For it to convert properly, the HTML file must be UTF-8 encoded. It is based on FPDF and HTML2FPDF, but it beats both in performance. jsPDF is a JavaScript library to generate PDF.
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As a web developer, meeting clients on the other side of the world is a problem. If the date and time are set in a different timezone from mine, it is important to know their equivalent in Philippine time. This is especially true during job interviews. Even if you're just a minute late, that's already a big turn off, and there's a good chance of losing a potential client.
EveryTimeZone is a free online tool for scheduling meetings on a global scale. The interface displays all the major timezones in rows and the current local time as a vertical line in dark purple. To set a time, move the green local time and it will show the time in the other timezones. Get the link to share with the other members. Time.IS is a timezone converter.
SpaceTime.AM is a paid meeting scheduler. It provides a free account for unlimited team members.
Now that you know the local time and date, don't be late. There's also an option to notify participants by email, so they won't be late either.
Booking or scheduling page is an important tool to set up appointments, meetings, etc. OnceHub is offering calendar, form and live chat integrated into their chat bot for free. Koalendar, Calendly, PickTime, Appointlet and Zeeg.Me are alternatives.
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What's your favorite desktop chat program? Mine is Pidgin. It is a multi-account chat program that allows you to communicate with friends on other networks such as Facebook, Google Chat, Microsoft Teams, Telegram, WhatsApp, and Yahoo simultaneously. It supports a wide array of networks and can accommodate a lot more via plugins. It is equipped with basic features such as file transfers, away messages, buddy icons, custom smilies, and typing notifications. It is free and, best of all, it has no intrusive ads. Other options are Ferdium, Beeper, and RamBox.
Google Meet is also free and lasts up to 60 minutes. Zoom.US is an option.
For the security-conscious, there's Telegram. It boasts encrypted and, ala James Bond, self-destructing messages. It has mobile, desktop, and web versions. No subscription, free forever, and no ads. Both have online versions. Of similar mold is Signal. Don't be limited by secure texts and media. Viber allows audio and video calls, voice and video messages, and lots more. Other secure and reliable options are Session, WhatsApp, Line, and Apache's OpenMeetings.
Discord is a group chat for building a worldwide community. Comes with live streaming and games.
WalkieCloud is a free cloud-based walkie talkie application using peer to peer voice communication. WhatsApp have a pseudo Push To Talk(PTT) feature like a walkie talkie with its Voice Chats. Here's a video on How to Use Voice Chats in WhatsApp Group Chats.
Gruveo.Com touts itself as the world's easiest video call service ever, and I agree. Calls are made online and you can make two types of calls: either a video call or just a voice call. Making calls involves a code that both parties agree on. To start the call, enter the code and just wait for the other person to enter the code on their end. It's that easy, really. Jit.Si is also another online alternative.
There are lots of free online text messaging services, but most are just a front for mobile phone number harvesting. If you have used one of these websites, you'll notice immediately that your phone is bombarded by spam text messages. These websites are also very difficult to use and not always reliable, some just don't work. Speaking of spam, one can minimize call and text spam using Phone by Google and Google Messages. Just enable Block all spam and scam calls.
It's a perfect service when a telco offers a plan that doesn't expire. It happens that GoMo offers just that. The physical sim comes with 30 GB of data, plus it's convertible to call and text using Mo Creds, even to subscribe HBO Go. Order online and have it shipped for free for just 499 PHP. There is also eSim with the same data and price. Can top-up with no-expiry 60 GB data for 749 PHP. Use 12 GB data to convert to unli data good for 7 days. Can also top-up with unli data, calls and texts promo for 799 PHP, good for 30 days, but its not convertible.
Using Mo Creds, you can exchange 7 GB of data for a voucher good for one month. It cost less than 100 PHP. Use my code: RICT3974 to get an extra 1 GB of data. Take note: the sim expires after 1 year of no purchases, so keep it active by buying data.
GoMo also offers Unli Fiber good for 30 days for only PHP 899, comes with 15 GB data. But first, you need to buy the modem costing PHP 999, this already includes the installation and Unli Fiber for 7 days with speed of up to 50 Mbps. Red Fiber, a Meralco affiliated offers a 100 Mbps speed for just 1,000 PHP/month, no lock-in, no modem fee, and a 50% discount in the one-time installation fee of 2,000 PHP.
Smart's KiQ takes it a step further. It is an app-based telco with flexible usage plans, everything happens within the app. To subscribe, download the app, purchase the 99 PHP eSIM, personalize your plan, and choose your mobile number.
Smart Multi SIM enables any entry-level Android phone with eSIM capabilities. For 119 PHP, it comes with 5GB open access data, 100 SMS, and 10 minutes of calls valid for 3 days. To use it, insert the Multi SIM, download the Smart Multi SIM app, register the SIM, and add the eSIMs to the app. Buy it here.
To determine the best telco to avail in your area, use CellMapper, it shows the different towers present the signals they used. More towers means stronger signal. This way, you don't have to waste money buying sims and prepaid internet devices only to find out the signal is slow or none at all.
LEO is Amazon's low Earth orbit(LEO) satellite internet to rival Starlink. It aims to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband to remote and underserved areas, using thousands of satellites to improve connectivity nationwide by late 2026.
Looking to buy a phone? Take a look at Samsung Galaxy A13 5G, Samsung Galaxy A17 5G, Samsung Galaxy A32 5G. Sony Xperia and Sharp Aquos phones, are excellent options although they are not sold globally.
Can use smartphone as Android TV box using USB-C to HDMI adapter or a direct USB-C to HDMI cable.
Here's how to set-up Amazon Fire TV Stick.
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I always love to create things cheaply. The thought of how much savings can be had pushes me to be done with it in earnest. A business card is handy, especially when you need a very important person to have your contact details but don't have enough time to say it. You can simply hand in your card.
I'm using Free Business Card Star to design. It allows you to select from a wide number of templates. All of them are good, but I prefer the simple ones. After you enter your information, you can download the design in PDF format and then just print it.
Other options are Brother and Business Card Maker. With the latter, you can create your card all on one page!
Big brands like Adobe's Spark Card Maker and Canva Business Cards require registration.
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Looking for a greeting card to print? T-shirt prints? Anything? Avery allows you to print designs and templates of address and shipping labels; specialty shapes; business cards, greeting cards; name badges and tags, fabric and t-shirt transfers; and so much more. You'll have to visit their site to get the complete list of things you can print yourself for free. To print, select a product, edit the template, and download it in PDF format.
Want it 3D? No problem. PinShape has a huge collection of all sorts of 3D designs. The collection is grouped into toys & games, miniatures, home living, jewelry & fashion, gadgets, art, people & creatures, and more. These designs are shared by community members for free, although some are commercial.
Want to print a website? As the name suggests, PrintFriendly prints a printer-friendly version of the website. PrintWhatYouLike prints web pages without the ads and other junk.
Slic3r is an open source 3D printing toolbox.
Epson Workforce WF-100, Canon PIXMA, TR150, and HP OfficeJet 200 are portable priners.
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As a web developer, I have my fair share of Non-Disclosure Agreement(NDA) signed. An NDA and other forms of contracts are essential in any business or profession. It is the type of paper that keeps the involved parties honest. Below are some sites that offer free legal documents and samples you can use. FormSwift categorized the contracts and you can download them in Word or PDF format. The PDF form is editable and no sign up is needed.
UpCounsel has a searchable collection but requires registration to download. LegalTemplates and LawDepot also have searchable templates that can be customized via their document creator. You have to fill in some needed information before you can generate the contract.
PolicyMaker is a website or app privacy, terms and conditions, and disclaimer generator. The legalities of this site were generated from them.
WPLP Legal Pages is a WordPress plugin that generates Privacy Policy, CCPA Privacy Notice, Terms & Conditions, and DMCA Policy pages for free.
BinPress have a free software license generator. To opt out of the copyright industry's game altogether and set your code free, put your next software project into the public domain using the (un)licensing statement at Unlicense.
This article from Rappler explains how businesses use loans to fund projects and save on taxes. In summary, loan interest payment is deductible expenses.
To search for a corporation's registration, use SEC's Search page.
The Supreme Court E-Library contains the decisions of the Supreme Court and all Laws - Acts, Commonwealth Acts, Presidential Decrees, Batas Pambansa, Republic Acts, Court Issuances, Treaties and Executive Issuance. It serves the entire Judiciary - the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan, Court of Tax Appeals, Regional Trial Courts, Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and Shari'a Courts. It also supports legal education by providing to law schools upon request. This project was spearheaded by former Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio. Read about the case between property owners and agents regarding overprice on a realty transaction.
If you need more information on general legal matters head to Chel Diokno and Chan Robles.
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Think with Google is a resource that provides marketers with insights, data, analysis, and tools to help them understand consumer behavior, identify trends, and create effective digital marketing strategies.
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