topbanner_forum
  *

avatar image

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
Did you miss your activation email?

Login with username, password and session length
  • Tuesday March 19, 2024, 12:22 am
  • Proudly celebrating 15+ years online.
  • Donate now to become a lifetime supporting member of the site and get a non-expiring license key for all of our programs.
  • donate

Author Topic: Stylizer 5.1 - a sophisticated CSS editor  (Read 22855 times)

Tuxman

  • Supporting Member
  • Joined in 2006
  • **
  • Posts: 2,466
    • View Profile
    • Donate to Member
Stylizer 5.1 - a sophisticated CSS editor
« on: December 07, 2010, 07:04 AM »
Basic Info

App NameStylizer
App URLhttp://www.skybound.ca
App Version Reviewed5.1.10.1119
Test System SpecsWindows 7 on a Dell Vostro 1510, 3 GB RAM, about 13 GB free hard disk space
Supported OSsMicrosoft Windows, Mac OS X
Support MethodsE-mail, forum (while e-mails are answered rather fast)
Upgrade PolicyPay per upgrade to a new major version (next would be 6.x): C$ 29.99
Trial Version Available?Free trial version for both OSs available, it does not support multiple browsers though
Pricing SchemeC$ 79.99 per license (includes 1 laptop and 1 desktop)
(A "desktop" is a system without a battery attached during the activation process, so if you only own two laptops, feel free to remove the battery for a few moments.)
Screencast Video URLhttp://www.skybound.ca/stylizer/videos/

Stylizer_5-2010-12-07_13.30.49.pngStylizer 5.1 - a sophisticated CSS editor

As I don't have a Mac OS X machine here, I'll describe the Windows version, so if anything's different, don't blame me.

Intro:

Stylizer is probably the most advanced CSS editor I have ever stumbled upon. As it lacks a way to edit local CSS files, it follows a completely different approach than Rapid CSS, CSSEdit and all those "alternatives". Basically, you take a website and do some WYSIWYG modifications without having to type everything into a boring text editor window.

After startup, you only have some kind of a browser window with (modifiable) toolbar buttons and (not modifiable) menus. Enter a website or a local HTML page there to make Stylizer parse the included style sheets and the Stylizer controls appear. See the screenshot above to get a clue how it actually looks.

(Stylizer comes with two built-in styles, the default one is black, but I prefer the greyish look.)

Who is this app designed for:

I bought a license for my job as a webworker. Things that were done with Firebug (CSS debugging) can be done better with Stylizer. Also, it is not limited to one browser engine, switching it only takes one click when added to the toolbar.

The Good

You can control Stylizer entirely by keyboard, but using the mouse to control the buttons is also rather fine, especially as you see all changes directly. You can't make CSS errors without noticing it using Stylizer, as you can't type anything into a boring white window here. It forces you to focus on the actual design.

Stylizer comes with a built-in CSS check that tries to find errors when parsing the page's CSS files initially or when it is called manually. Below is a screen shot of the Cleanser dialog that came up when opening DC for the screen shots:

Cleanser-2010-12-07_13.05.40.pngStylizer 5.1 - a sophisticated CSS editor

You can easily fix the shown errors (the bottom part of the window is a simple text editor window with direct links to the erroneous lines) and upload the changes automatically if Stylizer knows the FTP login data, so you don't have to upload it manually again.

The main thing other CSS editors are missing is the possibility to preview changes directly in several browsers. The default engine is Webkit. An activated Stylizer can also download Firefox 2, 3, 3.5, 3.6 and several Internet Explorer engines (including IE6) and switch them immediately. Anyway, Firefox 4 support is missing yet. I assume it will come in a later version when it's done.

Stylizer supports proprietary "pseudo-styles" for CSS3 (-moz-* and -webkit-*) and displays them in its auto-completion popup when adding a new style. You can set the different CSS3 approaches with shortcuts like +opacity (for the various opacity implementations).
IE-specific styles are possible by initialization commands and so-called Browser Filters.

Other goodies are the "bullseye" (by pressing the Space bar) that works like element selection in Firebug and enables you to add CSS classes for any single element on the site, a "ruler" which helps you measure (do tell...), a "lens", and "stakeout" which highlights all elements matched by a selected CSS rule.

Activating a licensed Stylizer is rather unobtrusive: Once it can connect to the internet, it determines what kind of machine you are on (see the Basic Info table) and gives you a trial activation so the Skybound guys can give your money back easier if you decide that you don't like it within the first few weeks after you bought a license. If you change your hardware equipment later, you'll only need to send an e-mail to Skybound; they'll disable your previous activation then and you can activate again.

The help and FAQ on the website are not really long but helpful for new users as they describe everything related to hotkeys, shortcuts and stuff.

The Bad, The Ugly

The only real "con" I found is that the UI takes a bit to load and (sometimes) feels sluggish. That might be because the devs do not follow "design rules" which makes Stylizer a really flexible GUI anyway. Probably new users might also wonder why there is no way to open a CSS file directly, but that is not Stylizer's main goal either. CSS files without a HTML structure are rather unlikely to be out there anyway, so probably Stylizer teaches those users to do it all in the correct order.

C$ 79.99 might seem like a high price, but if you earn your money with CSS stuff, it is well worth it as you save a lot of time during development process.

Why I think you should use this product

The only reason to use a separate CSS editor is not to waste time for typing and testing styles you can only guess and see if they work. Stylizer automates that for you. People working in the web design business know: Time is money. That said, Stylizer effectively saves money.

Home users who do CSS for the thrill of it might consider sticking with their preferred text editor, but the Stylizer trial could convince them, too.

How does it compare to similar apps

There is no similar app I know about. :)
Probably there is Firebug which also does some kind of WYSIWYG modification but it does not have Stylizer's CSS controls. You can't switch the browser engine on-the-fly with it either, so Firebug is rather different.

Conclusions

Stylizer might look odd, but it feels alright. The time it takes to learn to know all of its features can be minimized watching the great video tutorials. If there was a rating for Stylizer-like applications, I would give it quite 100%. Too bad there is none yet.
« Last Edit: December 07, 2010, 10:48 AM by Tuxman »

Gwen7

  • Participant
  • Joined in 2009
  • *
  • Posts: 134
    • View Profile
    • Donate to Member
Re: Stylizer 5.1 - a sophisticated CSS editor
« Reply #1 on: December 07, 2010, 10:10 AM »
fyi: current 'new license' price is $79.99 (not $59.99) per their website on 07-Dec-2010.  :-0

https://www.skybound.ca/buy/default.aspx

« Last Edit: December 07, 2010, 10:14 AM by Gwen7 »

Tuxman

  • Supporting Member
  • Joined in 2006
  • **
  • Posts: 2,466
    • View Profile
    • Donate to Member
Re: Stylizer 5.1 - a sophisticated CSS editor
« Reply #2 on: December 07, 2010, 10:45 AM »
Oh, LOL, yep. My fault. Gonna fix it above.
(That's when you pay in €.)
« Last Edit: December 07, 2010, 10:47 AM by Tuxman »

cthorpe

  • Discount Coordinator
  • Supporting Member
  • Joined in 2006
  • **
  • Posts: 738
  • c++thorpe
    • View Profile
    • Donate to Member
Re: Stylizer 5.1 - a sophisticated CSS editor
« Reply #3 on: December 07, 2010, 05:19 PM »
I have used Stylizer off and on since 2007.  When I purchased it, I already owned a license for TopStyle.  I had been using TopStyle for quite some time, but I always felt like it helped me but that CSS was still difficult.  I felt that the Stylizer (then called StyleSpread) was the first program to actually deliver on the promise of making CSS easy.  Like others mentioned above, the UI it took a little getting used to, but after vie3wing their help videos, I was quickly on my way.  The trial was more than enough time to decide that it would be my CSS editor of choice.

At the time I bought StyleSpread, they were offering lifetime licenses.

I was worried when they changed the name to Stylizer that they would claim that the lifetime license was not valid since it was a "new" program.  It wouldn't be the first time.  As you all know, some companies even decide not to honor lifetime updates without a name change.

I was very happy to see at the bottom of the email announcing the "new" product that they would be honoring the lifetime updates.  I just checked their account section, and my key updated itself to a Stylizer 5 key with no action necessary on my behalf.  I don't do much web work anymore, so I haven't taken the time to look at ver. 5.  It's very nice to know that I can do so at anytime and my lifetime license is still valid.

They do not appear to offer lifetime licenses any longer.  I do think their history of continuing to honor the lifetime license bought more than 3 years ago, even on to a "new" program speaks to the quality and integrity of the developer.

My communications with the developer have always been helpful.  They clearly took the time to read the question or problem.  I didn't feel like I was getting canned responses at all.

I have emailed the developer to ask about a DC discount.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the program or the developer, and I will receive no compensation for any sales generated by the above comments.

Edited to point out that there are no longer lifetime licenses and add a few comments about the program.
« Last Edit: December 07, 2010, 06:17 PM by cthorpe »

Tuxman

  • Supporting Member
  • Joined in 2006
  • **
  • Posts: 2,466
    • View Profile
    • Donate to Member
Re: Stylizer 5.1 - a sophisticated CSS editor
« Reply #4 on: December 07, 2010, 05:25 PM »
AFAICS they don't have "lifetime licenses" anymore?

cthorpe

  • Discount Coordinator
  • Supporting Member
  • Joined in 2006
  • **
  • Posts: 738
  • c++thorpe
    • View Profile
    • Donate to Member
Re: Stylizer 5.1 - a sophisticated CSS editor
« Reply #5 on: December 07, 2010, 06:10 PM »
You're right.  Lifetime licenses are no longer available.  I have edited my post above to indicate that.  I've also added a few more thoughts on the program.

Tuxman

  • Supporting Member
  • Joined in 2006
  • **
  • Posts: 2,466
    • View Profile
    • Donate to Member
Re: Stylizer 5.1 - a sophisticated CSS editor
« Reply #6 on: December 07, 2010, 06:14 PM »
A pity. I would have bitten my ass if there still were, though. Thank you for making it clear.

Lindaxox

  • Supporting Member
  • Joined in 2010
  • **
  • default avatar
  • Posts: 5
    • View Profile
    • Donate to Member
Re: Stylizer 5.1 - a sophisticated CSS editor
« Reply #7 on: December 08, 2010, 09:04 PM »
Fantastic tool. Have always been using Firebug so far, but this is so much more practical.
Thanks for the review.

Tuxman

  • Supporting Member
  • Joined in 2006
  • **
  • Posts: 2,466
    • View Profile
    • Donate to Member
Re: Stylizer 5.1 - a sophisticated CSS editor
« Reply #8 on: December 08, 2010, 09:08 PM »
Firebug still does its job when it comes to more advanced page analysis, but regarding CSS Stylizer is better. :-)

adi_barb

  • Supporting Member
  • Joined in 2010
  • **
  • Posts: 71
  • Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers.
    • View Profile
    • Donate to Member
Re: Stylizer 5.1 - a sophisticated CSS editor
« Reply #9 on: December 13, 2010, 06:31 AM »
does it support ftp connections to upload your work with ease?

Tuxman

  • Supporting Member
  • Joined in 2006
  • **
  • Posts: 2,466
    • View Profile
    • Donate to Member
Re: Stylizer 5.1 - a sophisticated CSS editor
« Reply #10 on: December 13, 2010, 07:08 AM »
That's what I wrote, right?

Renegade

  • Charter Member
  • Joined in 2005
  • ***
  • Posts: 13,288
  • Tell me something you don't know...
    • View Profile
    • Renegade Minds
    • Donate to Member
Re: Stylizer 5.1 - a sophisticated CSS editor
« Reply #11 on: December 13, 2010, 08:50 AM »
I forget the name of the author... I knew him through the Joel on Software discussion forums and remember when he first released it.

He also has a fantastic wrapper for the Gecko web engine for C#. Love it.
Slow Down Music - Where I commit thought crimes...

Freedom is the right to be wrong, not the right to do wrong. - John Diefenbaker