Useful Resources

This is a page with resources and links I've found useful on the interweb. Last updated Apr 22, 2013.

▼ Table of Contents

▼ 1. Manuals & Documentation

This is where you can find how to do something or what something does. This includes user manuals, API documentation, tutorials & how-to's, etc.

▼ 1.1. Computer Graphics

2D image processing and video processing, 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, etc.

▼ 1.1.1. 2D Computer Graphics

Image editing/processing, video editing/processing, procedural textures, etc.

▼ 1.1.2. 3D Computer Graphics

3D modeling (excluding CAD and engineering modeling), Lighting, Effects, etc.

▼ 1.2. Programming and Computer Science

▼ 1.2.1. C

Items dealing with the C programming language.
  • cdecl
    Translates C code to and from english.

▼ 1.2.2. Java

▼ 1.2.3. Microsoft

Resources provided by Microsoft including mobile, XBox, PC, and more.

▼ 1.2.4. Qt

Items related to the Qt Framework.
  • Qt 4.8 Documentation
    Qt 4.8 Documentation. I believe going forward Qt-Project is the official Qt website.

▼ 1.2.5. Web Development

▼ 1.2.5.1. Client-Side

Javascript, HTML, AJAX, CSS, JQuery, etc.

▼ 1.2.5.2. Server-Side

Apache, EnginX, SQL, PHP, etc.
  • NginX Wiki
    The wiki-based documentation for the NginX web server.
  • PHP Manual
    Documentation for PHP.

▼ 1.3. Math

Items related to math. Calculus, boolean algebra & logic, number theory, linear algebra, differential equations, and more.

▼ 2. User Groups

What other people around the web are doing/using the same stuff? Get connected and participate in forum discussions, use Q/A resources, and help advance development.

▼ 2.1. Computer Graphics

2D image processing and video processing, 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, etc.

▼ 2.1.1. 3D Computer Graphics

3D modeling (excluding CAD and engineering modeling), Lighting, Effects, etc.

▼ 2.2. Programming and Computer Science

▼ 2.2.1. Java

▼ 2.2.2. Qt

Items related to the Qt Framework.
  • Qt Centre
    A users group devoted to the Qt Framework.

▼ 2.3. Electronics & Electrical Engineering

  • Electronics Stack Exchange
    Q/A for electrical engineering type questions.
  • AVR Freaks
    User group for AVR microcontroller development.
  • EEV Blog
    A video blog for Electrical Engineers. This is a forum for people to discuss all things related to electronics.

▼ 3. Where to get stuff

Parts distributors, software download links, and official websites to stay up-to-date with the latest product news. Unless stated otherwise, I'm not directly associated with any of these groups other than being a happy customer/user.

▼ 3.1. Computer Graphics

2D image processing and video processing, 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, etc.

▼ 3.1.1. 2D Computer Graphics

Image editing/processing, video editing/processing, procedural textures, etc.
  • Gimp
    Open source image manipulation program.

▼ 3.1.2. 3D Computer Graphics

3D modeling (excluding CAD and engineering modeling), Lighting, Effects, etc.
  • LuxRender
    Open source physically based unbiased rendering engine.
  • Blender Official
    Open source 3D modeling, texturing, video processing, etc. Official releases.
  • Blender Swap
    A place to exchange Blender models made by various users.
  • GraphicAll
    Unofficial builds of various open source computer graphics software (Blender, LuxRender, Yafaray). Has daily builds, development branches, etc.

▼ 3.2. Programming and Computer Science

▼ 3.2.1. C++

Items dealing with the C++ programming language.
  • Boost
    Free peer-reviewed portable C++ source libraries. Libraries are designed in the style of the standard C++ libraries.

▼ 3.2.2. Google

Resources provided by Google. Includes Google API's, Android, etc.
  • Google API Java Client
    Allows you to integrate Google's products into your Java applications via the Google API.
  • Google Developers
    The central hub for all things related to Google development.
  • Picasa Web
    An image hosting service provided by Google. After a bit of looking around I think this is my favorite because images are not automatically removed if not seen for a period of time.
  • Google API Explorer
    An online interface demonstrating how to use various functions of the Google JSON API.

▼ 3.2.2.1. Android

Development tools for Google's Android platform used on mobile phones, tablets, etc.

▼ 3.2.3. Integrated Development Environments (IDE)

  • JS Fiddle
    An online playground environment for client-side web development.
  • IDE One
    A web-based IDE featuring compilers and debuggers for tons of different languages.
  • Eclipse
    Eclipse is an open source IDE used for developing Android, C/C++, Java, Javascript, HTML, XML, PHP, and more.
  • Visual Studio Express
    The free version of Microsoft's Visual Studio IDE.

▼ 3.2.4. Java

▼ 3.2.5. Python

Items dealing with the Python programming language, including libraries and ports.
  • CPython
    The original and official Python release.
  • IronPython
    Port of the Python language to C# and the .NET framework.
  • Jython
    Port of the Python language to the Java platform.
  • NumPy and SciPy
    A scientific and numerical package for use with Python. This is a link to the official releases. Note that Windows users might want to check out Christoph Gohlke's unofficial builds instead.
  • matplotlib
    A Python plotting library which mimics the interface of by Matlab. This is a link to the official site. Note that Windows users might want to check out Christoph Gohlke's unofficial builds instead.
  • Christoph Gohlke's Unofficial Python Packages for Windows
    Various python packages compiled for Microsoft Windows (including NumPy/SciPy). Includes x86 and x64 variants.
  • PyDev
    Python development plugin for Eclipse.

▼ 3.2.6. Qt

Items related to the Qt Framework.
  • Qt Official Downloads
    Where to get Official Qt downloads including source and compiled binaries. Has downloads for the Qt Creator IDE and the Qt Visual Studio plugin, too.

▼ 3.2.7. Revision Control Software

Software which helps you to effectively manage changes in files, mostly source code. Includes SVN, Git, Murcurial, etc.
  • Tortoise SVN
    A SVN client for Windows. It integrates into the Windows Explorer.
  • AnkhSVN
    A SVN client which integrates into the Microsoft Visual Studio IDE.
  • Msys Git
    A Git client for Windows. Required for using Tortoise Git.
  • TortoiseGit
    Based off of the TortoiseSVN client, used for integrating Git into the Windows Explorer. Requires Msys Git.

▼ 3.2.8. Web Development

▼ 3.2.8.1. Client-Side

Javascript, HTML, AJAX, CSS, JQuery, etc.
  • JQuery
    JQuery is a Javascript library which helps accelerate your web page development. It provides a variety of tools which work across a wide variety of platforms. Note that JQuery is hosted by several CDN servers including Google and Microsoft so you don't even have to host the library on your server to use it in a webpage.
  • JQuery UI
    JQuery UI is built from the JQuery general library and provides several helpful UI elements which helps you modernize your webpage design with very little effort. You get all of the added benefits of cross-platform support, too.
  • MathJAX
    A Mathematical display engine written in Javascript. Allows you to use LaTeX/TeX or MathML in your webpage.
  • Javascript Syntax Highlighter
    Alex Gorbatchev's syntax highlighter written in Javascript.
  • JS Syntax Highlighter Brushes
    A list of known brushes that can be used with Alex Gorbatchev's Syntax Highlighter.

▼ 3.2.8.2. Server-Side

Apache, EnginX, SQL, PHP, etc.
  • NginX
    'Engine X' open source web server software. From what I've read this server is new hotness compared to Apache. It has an asynchronous request processing model which differs from Apache's thread and process based approach.
  • PHP
    Server-side scripting language designed to aid with creating dynamic web pages. Note that those using NginX should look into PHP-FPM (basically the same thing, just follows the NginX request handling model).
  • MySQL Workbench (Community Edition)
    Desktop application you can use for browsing and managing your MySQL database. This edition is an open source version, there are enterprise editions, too.

▼ 3.3. Electronics & Electrical Engineering

  • Digi-Key
    Electrical components and tools for hobbyists, prototyping, and low-medium volume manufacturing.
  • Mouser
    Electrical components and tools for hobbyists, prototyping, and low-medium volume manufacturing.
  • Newark
    Electrical components and tools for hobbyists, prototyping, and low-medium volume manufacturing.
  • OSH Park
    Professional PCB manufacturing service for small yield prototyping and hobbyists.

▼ 3.4. Math

Items related to math. Calculus, boolean algebra & logic, number theory, linear algebra, differential equations, and more.
  • Wolfram Alpha
    A mathematics search engine. Based off of the powerful Mathematica software.

▼ 3.5. Mechanical Engineering

  • McMaster Carr
    Mechanical components, tools, hardware, and more.

▼ 4. Fun & Challenges

Links to fun/challenges.

▼ 4.1. Challenges

Fun challenges and mini-games.
  • Project Euler
    Has problems dealing with mathematics and computer science. Solving problems usually involves writing computer programs to solve a mathematical puzzle.

▼ 4.2. Comics

Webcomics I like and read.
  • XKCD
    A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.
  • PHD Comics
    Piled Higher and Deeper webcomic. Pokes fun at the life of grad students.
  • Spiked Math
    Webcomic involving math. Occasionally there's a math puzzle/riddle.

▼ 4.3. Videos

Online videos. May be fun, informative, or both.
  • Minute Physics
    Fun short Youtube webcomic videos, mostly dealing with physics.
  • C.G.P. Grey
    Fun short Youtube webcomic videos, mostly dealing with political systems and criticizing seemingly minor parts of life.
  • EEV Blog
    Video blog for electrical engineers, hosted by the crazy Ausi bloke known as Dave Jones. He does all sorts of different things such as equipment review/teardowns, some electrical design, and other fun stuff like taking multimeters on canyoneering trips.
  • Mike's Electric Stuff
    Videos dealing with electronics and electrical engineering. Nice insights into "uncommon" technology.

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