TinyOptimizer - Optimize files locally
I find myself optimizing a lot of files by hand, by hand I mean, using online tools. I’m sure the cycle is pretty familiar.
- You go to your favorite online yui conversion site – mine is http://compressorrater.thruhere.net/
- Then go to the site that has the js you want to minify and download it,
- Next, open the file in notepad and then copy into the minification site.
- The site works its magic you download the file and then upload it back into your project.
That is how I handle Js and css. For Images I use smush.it now found in firebug
- Go to a website
- Click on yslow
- Click on tools
- Click on smush.it
- Download all images and then figure out where they came from in your directory structure and then save them back to the web.
Like most of you I have been doing this for longer than I care to admit. I am also not one that goes too long without a cool solution. If you have no idea what I’m talking about above then great, I have come up with a tool just in time.
Most of my time is spent working with custom applications and consulting with Quotient Solutions. TinyCDN is a new venture that I lean on to help with some of these issues, but I can’t rely on all of my customers to be on board with it just yet. Needless, to say I have become pretty quick at the above flow. Anyone’s optimization kit should contain just about the same stuff.
- Javascript – Minification
- CSS – Minification
- PNG’s – Smashing
- Jpg - Exif data
Well this weekend I got a new tool by building a small desktop client that significantly improve the flow. the key is to abstract what you are really doing. Optimizing across file types. Ideally your bag of tricks should really just be 1 merged tool. All of the non automated solutions (aka those sitting on the webserver at runtime) require you to take an additional step. Let me explain. As a user of sites like Smush, now found in ysow via firebug, do a great job at optimization but they are not good at real world use. The reason? Because they don’t persist the directory structure of the images and require you to take a micro focus on a per page level. Essentially we are using the wrong tools to really solve the problem. Something is needed that can traverse the file system/director and make these optimizations and leave everything where it found it. Traversing the file system means that I can point my application at the root directory and allow it to run its course from top folder to bottom most folder to find png’s, css, and js files. Ahh, now it takes less time to optimize. No more excuses!
Here is what we came up with
Simply drag the file or folder into the app, click start, and it will take it from there, it also takes the task out of saving the original by making a backup folder in each directory that had a change.
Here is what the app looks like when it is done
The application is named TinyOptimizer because over time we will continue to plug-in other optimizations. The exe was built and deployed using what is called click once technology. This allows it to be more easily installed and maintained. Similar to that of a web app because you can bookmark its url and that will run the application. Each time you run it, a quick check is done to see if there are any updates or if you app has been corrupted. If you have used GoToMeeting or similar applications then the process will look familiar.
I am hoping by now you are ready for the app. Here we go:
Go to
http://www.tinycdn.com/Utilities/TinyOptimizer
then you will see a window
After the application has verified the environment it will then ask for confirmation
And then finally it will download the necessary files
and then finally you will have it installed on your machine.
Ways to use the application.
- Drag all of the famfam pack onto the application and watch it work. The app was tested into the thousands.
- Find the root of your site and drag the folder onto the application and watch it minify your js and cs
- Grab any static folders onto the application and let them run. Keep in mind it will automatically generate a new folder in each directory location to store backups. So should you find some unexpected behavior, it will be easy to revert.
You might be wondering why we are giving this application away for free?
Because I genuinely care about speed, I care that people take the time to visit a site and expect to get a fast website.
Why is this different than TinyCDN services?
A big driver to TinyCDN being different is that we want you to optimize your files before you serve them on a CDN. Again going back to the saying “Serving bloated files faster”. Files should be optimized before you try and serve them quickly. Many of the CDN providers don’t offer this and to that point many people not on CDN’s dont have the tools or time to optimize their files. This application can be used for anyone, in any hosting environment.
Is this application Opensource?
No, you are free to use the application in any capacity that is not competitive to TinyCDN.
Can I use this application for my company website or commerical web application?
Yes, go for it. We are advocates of speed. If you end up with good results please drop us a line, we would love to hear about your success.
What do I need to run this app?
A Windows machine with .net 3.5 installed. The clickonce app should take care of checking for dependencies but if you run into any issues please drop us a line.
What are you using to optimize the files?
- PNGcrush
- Yui Compressor (no munge, preserve semi, disabled micro optimizations)
How did you get a windows app to animate like that?
WPF, welcome to graphics card application acceleration.
I hope you enjoy the application. Share it with others and let us know any feedback that you feel would really add value to the app and its users.
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Download TinyOptimizer here
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