If you've worked on a web project before, you know the power of wireframing. Distilling your requirements and design ideas to essential components is key to crafting a great UX experience. Here are our favorite tools to create your next wireframes in no time:

GoMockingbird
http://gomockingbird.com
Why we love it: There is no learning curve with this tool, which is impressive considering how flexible it can be. We love that it is fully web-based, has a customizable grid and all the standard UI elements that you can drop & drag onto your layout. Of all of the tools we've used, it has the best UX for both new and seasoned wireframers.

WireframeSketcher
http://wireframesketcher.com
Why we love it: If you're comfortable with Adobe Creative Suite, this tool will be intuitive. Within the wireframe builder you can drop & drag stock components, create storyboards and actively link to other pages within the project. We recommend this for those who have more complex information architecture to tackle. A bonus feature is being able to export your wireframes to PDF, HTML, PNG or via a native slideshow.

Balsamiq
http://balsamiq.com
Why we love it: Beyond the drag & drop functionality, Balsamiq also has a "quick add" function where you can type in (and auto-complete) UI elements to speed up the layout process. You can also add images and "sketch" them to give your wireframes a bit more visual interest if you're ready for mockups.

Here are 5 hidden features in iOS7 that you didn't even know you needed, but now won't live without:

1. You can close multiple apps at once
You probably already know that double tapping the home button will give you a preview of your app window, and that swiping up will close an open task. But did you know you that you can swipe two or more windows up at the same time? Try it!

2. Smart App Updating
Gone are the days of staring at that Update badge steadily climbing as you wait for a wi-fi connection to "Update All." Apple knows you live a busy life and took all of the work out of maintaining your apps up-to-date. Turn on "Background App Refresh" and sit back and let your phone update itself. Fair warning though, this will lock you out of your app without notice - so if you are about to give a presentation and need your notes, be sure to turn off this option so you don't get caught off guard.

3. Time stamps on messages
In addition to conversation time stamps, you can now just swipe from
left to right to see exactly when each message comes in or goes out.

4. Audio-only FaceTime Calls
You don't have to burn through minutes if you're talking to another iOS user. Just go to Facetime and choose the phone instead of the video icon and make crisp audio-only calls.

5. Motion Sensing Controls
Need to launch Siri but have your hands full? Now you can use your iPhone's motion sensing capabilities to complete tasks with a tilt of your head. Pretty awesome.

In a world of acronym overload, the definitions of UX and UI tend to get muddled. And while both are vital to your website, they are not created equally.

Let's start with some basic definitions.

UI stands for User Interface, so when we talk about UI design, we mean the design of the actual tools and elements that people use to navigate through your website.

UX stands for User Experience. UX designers think about how people use the tools and elements on your website and how it makes them feel.

Think about a really great, comfortable pair of shoes. UI is the height of the heel, the curve of the arch, the pliability of the leather. UX is how you feel when you are walking in them.

But the feeling is just the end goal. UX designers take a deep dive into what makes people interact with websites in a certain way by doing field research, face to face interviews, user testings, statistic analysis and creating personas. It's a process that is deeply rooted in both psychology and function. It's intangible, but also vital.

UI and UX cannot exist without one another, but in terms of accomplishing the goals of your website, UX is the closer. The best UX designers create an experience that makes users feel emotionally connected and supported on your website. UX makes people want to click. UX makes people want to stay. UX makes people want to purchase.

UI is the tool, UX is the interaction. UI is the how, UX is the why. You can't have one without the other, but you've been warned: they are NOT the same.