TL;DR

TLDR #5 - November 2021

Discover November’s best developer finds: playful cursors with Blobity, cross-version Python scripting with Compatlib, unit test UI with Lode, Spotify customization with Spicetify, and Files – a modern Windows file manager.

MrAnyx

04 Nov 2021 — 4 min read

Photo by Christin Hume / Unsplash

Create Animated Cursor Effects with Blobity

The cursor is central to any user interaction on the web. Blobity takes it a step further by transforming it into a playful, animated experience using JavaScript-powered blobs.

Blobity is a highly customizable JavaScript library that lets developers add dynamic cursor effects to their websites. It integrates smoothly with common page elements like buttons and links and offers fine-tuned control over behavior and visuals.

Key features include:

Smooth blob animations around the cursor
Interactive behavior with HTML elements
Configurable styling options

Licensing: Blobity is free for open source projects under the GPLv3 license. For commercial use, licenses start at $24.

Write Cross-Version Python Code with Compatlib

Maintaining compatibility across multiple Python versions can be tricky. Compatlib offers an elegant solution by allowing version-specific logic within the same script using decorators.

Here’s how it works:

from compatlib import compat

@compat.after(3, 6)
def main():
  return 3.6

@compat.after(3, 9)
def main():
  return 3.9

If run with Python 3.7, the version-aware system will select the function registered for Python 3.6, ensuring compatibility without convoluted if-else logic.

This is a young but promising project that could simplify development for projects targeting multiple Python environments.

Run Unit Tests in a Visual UI with Lode

Unit testing is critical, but many developers find command-line interfaces limiting. Lode is a desktop application that brings a visual interface to unit testing.

Built with Electron and VueJS, Lode lets you run and manage unit tests from a modern GUI. It currently supports:

You can run and view test results visually, speeding up feedback loops and improving productivity.

Cross-platform availability: Lode runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Get started on the Lode official site, and consider submitting additional framework support to the active developer community.

Customize Your Spotify Client with Spicetify CLI

Want to personalize the Spotify desktop app? Spicetify CLI is a command-line tool that allows you to customize themes, colors, and layout on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Features include:

Custom background and accent colors
Support for community-made themes
Easy installation via Chocolatey, Scoop, or Homebrew

Spicetify is a must-try if you’re tired of Spotify’s default UI and want a more personalized experience.

Files: A Modern File Manager for Windows

Files is a sleek, modern file manager built specifically for Windows. With its clean interface based on Microsoft’s Fluent Design System, Files is both powerful and visually appealing.

Top features include: