Setting up and maintaining a website involves various activities like design, scripting, SEO, customer support, domaining etc. There are a category of webmasters who prefer to do all these activities by themselves instead of outsourcing to others. I confess I am one of those. From designing a website (or using one of the ready to use templates) to writing the login script to all the database creation and deciding of primary keys to marketing the website - I need to do all. Why? Because I enjoy the challenge.

And the truth is I frequently get into trouble. Be it with deciding on the ideal web framework to use or with some syntax of the language or be it with the correct color combination to use for the Adsense ads. I am sure I am not the only one with similar problems. The best ways out in such scenarios is to get help from the right resources. This is why I make it a point to to always have a ready reckoner of important books, tips, tools and websites.

For an example, RGB color codes are something that get on my nerves. Just when you feel that all is set and Adsense has to be blended, you realise that you are struggling with the color codes. Exactly for such scenarios, I use this simple utility called Instant Eye Dropper. This utility, once installed, rests on your toolbar (in Windows). When you need to find the color code, just drag this utlity over the color pixel and you can see the code for it.

Another important resource for me are help forums. Be it a problem in PHP or mySQL databases or some issue with JSTL (like this problem), I can visit one of the various forums I am a member in and get a solution. And I get a solution usually within hours. And being a member of such communities have their own benefits (which I will look at in another article).  Some of the forums that I use frequently are the Digital Point forums, the java forum and a few others.

Yet another useful set of resource that helps me in times of crisis are my set of books on various topics. These include the PHP/mySQL bible to elementary Java books. Added to it are my notes collected over a period of time and it is a formidable power I am talking about.