Web-based operating systems are becoming more and more solid everyday (thanks to JS frameworks that offer a desktop-like experience).

They are mostly hosted web applications which is not surprising. However,Lucid Desktop is an open source webOS that is built with PHP and uses a SQL database for storing data.

It is a multi-user application which is very modular with the support for installable applications.

Lucid Desktop already comes with lots of applications like text editor, calculator, image viewer, simple games, web browser, feed reader, music player and more.

With the help of a file manager, you can add-edit-delete files and folders (a context menu makes these steps easier), change the appearance of the desktop with theming support and auto-update the OS to the latest version.

Requirements: PHP5 & SQL database
Compatibility: All Major Browsers
Website: http://www.lucid-desktop.org/
Download: http://www.lucid-desktop.org/download/

@anywhere is a set new JavaScript-based methods by Twitter which helps integrating websites with the service easier and better.

It simply works by registering to the @anywhere platform and inserting few lines of JavaScript.

The integration methods are:

• Auto-linkification of @usernames
• Hovercards
• Follow buttons
• Tweet Box (enabling users to tweet from your website)
• User login & signup

It is possible to let the script search for the Twitter usernames in a whole web page or, better, define specific elements/IDs/classes to make it work faster.

BrowserLab, a web-based service by Adobe, enables you to test websites on multiple browsers and OSs.

It is possible to create a custom browser set where the screenshots will be created only for those browsers (also helps speeding up the results).

Screenshots can be previewed in 2-up or onion-skin views which makes comparing multiple versions easier and x/y rulers can be used for sensitive measurements..

The service currently supports different Firefox, Safari and IE versions for Windows and Mac OS X. However, it is still in beta and new browsers are added within time.

BrowserLab is part of the Adobe CS Live and free for 1 year if you sign-up before April 30, 2011.

ShareKit is an open source package for quickly adding share features to any iOS application with just 3 lines of code.

It supports popular services like Delicious, Twitter, Facebook, Google Reader, e-mail and more.

The kit enables sharing images, URLs or files and only displays the appropriate services for the type of the content.

ShareKit has a customizable UI to match the look of your application and it works offline as well (sends the pending items when there is a connection).

Compatibility: All iOS Applications
Website: http://www.getsharekit.com/
Download: http://www.getsharekit.com/install/#download

There are various online and offline tools to find out the loading speeds of websites. And, now, there is a new one with few different features.

Which Loads Faster? is a free and open source web service which enables you to compare the speeds of 2 websites while watching the results live.

You simply mention the URLs of both websites and before submitting the request, it is possible to select:

• whether this will be a parallel or a serial request,
• number of times the test to be repeated

There is also a fun feature named "race" where you can set multiple websites on both sides and they will load one after another (like a flag race).

And, once a test is completed, the service provides you a sharing linkwhere you can send it to friends or bookmark to perform the test regularly.

Website: http://whichloadsfaster.com/
Download: http://github.com/ryanwitt/whichloadsfaster

Creativity, no matter you're a designer, developer, photographer or .. can help you get inspired easily.

To see the talent in "many different areas together" (graphic design, copywriting, packaging, etc.), advertisement are great.

Creative Ad Awards is an impressive showcase of beautiful advertisements with over 1500+ items that's growing regularly.

They are very well-categorized with the sector, creative director, agency, client and location.

Tip: Under the "Articles" menu, it is possible to find collections of attractive thematic advertisements.

Website: http://www.creativeadawards.com/

WebMatrix is a free kit by Microsoft which includes everything you need for creating websites on Windows.

The application itself enables you to control almost everything from a single interface like the code and database editor, web site and server management, search optimization, FTP publishing, and more.

The kit comes with:

• IIS Developer Express (a development Web server)
• ASP.NET (a Web framework)
• SQL Server Compact (an embedded database)

and with just a click, you can install open source applications like WordPress, Drupal, DotNetNuke, etc.

WebMatrix has also some nice features like the ability to run a SEO reportor monitor real-time Web requests and responses to track down problems right at the source.