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admin — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:41:24 +0000

Disasterous Godaddy hosting

admin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:27:07 +0000

http://www.facebook.com/notes/jurij-cvikl/disasterous-godaddy-hosting/10150533700162290

After customer paid 2 years hosting plan 1,5 year ago at godaddy and he cant add new domain for 6 months, sending a dosens of mail on support staff he ended discusson. Indeed he excpect from support staff new 5% discount if he prolongue hosting for 5 years

Customer:

Dear sirs,

Can somebody take a look over our hosting: why we can not see enything from my web

www.notra….com

Now is over 6 months, I cant add any domain to my account, I send you a lot of questions, at least 15 but hosting doesnt work.

I want something I can add painless new domain from name.com and activate new web site. Your hosting is worst hosting I ever seen on the planet. I dont want a nice and responsive support staff, I want 1 button hosting if I pay for 2 years.

You offer me a lot of additional services, premium zone files I dont know what you dont offer but your basic services does not work! Try to activate a new domain on my account from your self.

Thank you for understanding, regards,

**************

Godaddy:

Support Staff Response

I understand you need assistance with nameservers for your hosted domains.

Typically the nameservers that need to be assigned to a domain are determined when the domain is added to the hosting plan. This would mean that domains added after the hosting plan has been set up could be assigned different nameservers than the ones used by the primary domain. I apologize for the inconvenience.

When you add a new domain to your hosting plan please let us know and we would be able to confirm what nameservers that domain is assigned to.

Please let us know if we can assist you in any other way.

Regards,

Theresa P.

Online Support

*****************

Customer:

Customer Inquiry

Hello,

When I started with hosting, name servers where

Ns25.domaincontrol.com

ns26.domaincontrol.co

Some time after that they where

Ns51.domaincontrol.com

ns52.domaincontrol.com

Now they are

ns73.domaincontrol.com

ns74.domaincontrol.com

Indeed at your page time ago was an article (which is gone), which nameserver is active trough the time.

Every time I had problems to inform myself and activate new domain into hosting. And every time support staff didnt know, their company change nameserver for their customer and why this happening

Please discuss between your technicans, why my domains at one hosting runs 6 name servers?

**********

Godaddy:

If you need further assistance with this matter, please contact customer service at (480) 505-8877 and reference [Incident ID: 13859248].

Please let us know how we are doing by completing the survey located here.

To thank you for your patience, we’d like you to enjoy 20%* off your order of $65 or more at GoDaddy.com. Simply use source code gdb555 when you order or mention the code when you call (480) 505-8877.

Thanks,

Go Daddy

P.S. As a Go Daddy customer you’re already a member of our affiliate program. Click here to start earning commission instantly.

For more: Marcelino best web adviser and hosting

indexer google

admin — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:26:59 +0000

Facebook postaje ‘Mercedes’ među društvenim mrežama – doslovno

Nebojša Grbačić — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 07:45:52 +0000

Mercedes-Benz, odnosno američka ispostava ovog proizvođača automobila, ponudit će svojim korisnicima novo iskustvo u vožnji - društvene mreže, odnosno Facebook. Naime, u svojem novom putnom računalu koje će predstaviti na Costumer Electronics Showu u Las vegasu tijekom ovog tjedna, Mercedes-Benz, predstavit će i 'Facebook za vozače'.

Canon PowerShot G1X Announced

Darren Rowse — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:13:36 +0000

Another new camera announced today comes from Canon – the Powershot G1X. This camera too comes with a larger CMOS sensor – however unlike many other cameras with larger sensors is an all in one camera with no interchangeable lenses.

Canon are billing it as an alliterative to a DSLR (or a 2nd camera for those with a DSLR who want something smaller) in that it has a higher quality image but in a portable body but I have to wonder whether the recent array of smaller interchangeable lenses are going to make people overlook this option – it’s definitely a statement that they’re not looking to head down that route with their larger sensor compact cameras.

The beauty of not having to include lens mounts means that they’re able to keep the size down, quality up and still have a pretty good focal range.

The Canon Powershot G1X comes with a 4x zoom (a 28-112mm equivalent) lens (f2.8-f.8) and a 14 megapixel sensor. It has a wide array of manual controls, optical viewfinder, ISO of 100-12800, 3 inch swivelling LCD and 4.5 frames per second shooting (and up to 6 frames).

The G1X has a retail price of $799.

Canon PowerShot G1X News Release

Canon today introduces the PowerShot G1 X – a revolutionary new compact camera with a large CMOS sensor, designed to produce DSLR levels of image quality and control in a highly portable metal body. Created for professional and serious photographers, the PowerShot G1 X creates a prestigious new category at the top of Canon’s legendary G-series line-up, and redefines the performance achievable from a compact camera.

A high-quality camera in its own right or the perfect complement to a professional DSLR, the PowerShot G1 X combines EOS sensor technology with DIGIC 5 processing power, a new precision Canon lens and extensive manual control – creating the finest compact camera Canon has ever produced. Designed to be highly portable, the PowerShot G1 X features a zoom lens which retracts into a discreet, robust metal body, providing photographers with an unimposing camera that delivers high quality images and superior handling.

Professional levels of image quality

Incorporating Canon-developed technologies and expertise trusted by professionals worldwide, the PowerShot G1 X offers a level of image quality previously only possible with a Canon DSLR.

It’s Canon’s first compact camera to feature a large, 4:3 aspect, 14.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor measuring 18.7mm x 14mm – similar in height to the APS-C sensors used within EOS DSLR models. Featuring the same pixel size and structure as the EOS 600D, and a surface area approximately 6.3 times larger than the sensor in the acclaimed PowerShot G12, it provides DSLR image quality in a body small enough to carry anywhere.

The increased sensor size allows photographers to have greater control over the depth of field, with increased potential to creatively and artistically isolate a subject from its background. Improved dynamic range enables users to accurately capture shadows and highlights within the same frame, while the 14.3 Megapixel resolution allows for the output of large-sized prints, or permits images to be cropped for more powerful compositions.

The PowerShot G1 X also features a range of benefits that result from the advanced CMOS sensor technology developed within Canon’s EOS range. On-chip noise reduction ensures images are clear, even at high ISO speeds, while a 4-channel read-out provides high speed image capture – ensuring fast, responsive performance in all conditions.

Combining the large sensor with the DIGIC 5 image processor, the HS System in the PowerShot G1 X sets new standards for low-light performance, with a maximum full resolution ISO range of 100 to 12800 – a level never before seen in a Canon compact. Photographers can shoot using the ambient light in even the darkest of conditions, capturing natural shots with incredible detail and low noise – providing a powerful basis for low-light photography.

Precision lens technology

Developed using the same design, manufacturing and quality processes as the world renowned EF lens range, the lens in the PowerShot G1 X is built to achieve professional levels of image quality. Utilising Ultra high refractive index Aspherical (UA) elements and precision glass moulding technology, the lens achieves both a compact size and pin-sharp clarity for the most discerning of photographers. The lens retracts compactly into the camera body while offering a flexible 4x optical zoom range of 28mm – 112mm, giving photographers the option to use the zoom creatively and change the framing and perspective of their shot. A 6 blade aperture also combines with the largesized sensor to produce beautiful background blur.

To help ensure optimum image and Full HD movie clarity, the lens features a 4-stop optical Image Stabilizer (IS), allowing photographers to shoot in darker conditions and use shutter speeds up to four stops slower than would be possible without IS. The optical Image Stabilizer is supported by Intelligent IS which analyses the focal length, focal distance and type of camera movement and applies the most appropriate Image Stabilizer mode1. For example, when a panning motion is detected, Panning IS is activated and stabilises in only one direction for more artistic capture of movement across the frame. Hybrid IS technology is also included to capture macro subjects without the blur associated with shift camera shake.

The lens also includes an in-built 3-stop Neutral Density (ND) Filter, permitting the use of wider apertures in bright light to achieve a shallower depth of field, or to use slower shutter speeds to intentionally blur motion.

Extensive control

Following on from the control historically offered by the PowerShot G-series, the PowerShot G1 X offers Full Manual Control with shooting mode and exposure compensation dials for quick and intuitive access to a range of settings. For maximum control over the final image, the PowerShot G1 X fits seamlessly into the EOS photographer’s workflow, supporting 14-bit RAW capture for smooth gradations and natural colours which can be fine-tuned using the supplied Digital Photo Professional (DPP) software.

Giving photographers the option to capture split-second action, the PowerShot G1 X features High-speed Burst HQ, capturing bursts of six full-resolution shots at 4.5fps to freeze fast-moving action. Alternatively, users can shoot continuously at 1.9fps right up to card capacity in JPEG format – ensuring longer sequences of action are captured.

High quality, Full HD movies

The PowerShot G1 X supports Full HD (1080p) movie capture instantly at 24fps, via a dedicated movie button. Taking advantage of the camera’s large CMOS sensor, users can experience high quality movies, even in low light conditions, with the shallow depth of field associated with a larger sensor. Additionally, the 4x optical zoom can be used whilst filming, offering versatility, while stereo sound is also captured.

Professional handling

With its robust, stainless steel chassis and compact design, the PowerShot G1 X offers professional-quality handling. A large vari-angle, 7.5cm (3.0″) PureColor II VA LCD screen allows photographers to shoot from virtually any angle or position, to get the composition they desire. The bright, high-resolution, 920k dot LCD provides a sharp, detailed platform for image framing and review, while an optical viewfinder (OVF) with dioptre adjuster gives photographers the option to shoot according to their individual style. A newly-integrated manual pop-up flash provides the option to add additional light to a scene, and, using the hotshoe, external Canon Speedlite flashes can also be used.

Advanced shooting modes

A range of advanced shooting modes are provided to assist photographers in capturing challenging scenes and situations. When shooting in very dark conditions without a tripod for example, Handheld Night Scene captures a high-speed sequence of shots, combining the data to produce one well-exposed image with minimal blur.
Additionally, High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode captures scenes with a particularly high range of bright and dark tones, taking multiple exposures and combining them to deliver rich detail in shadows and highlights.

Expanded potential through accessories

Ideal for EOS DSLR users, the PowerShot G1 X is compatible with a range of EOS System accessories, allowing photographers to instantly expand the potential of the camera. Canon’s EX Speedlite flash units can be used for creative lighting, while the WP-DC44 waterproof case provides protection to a depth of 40m – ideal for shooting in the heavy rain or taking shots underwater – with full access to all controls.

An optional lens Filter Adapter, FA-DC58C, also enables photographers to use a range of filters, such as a circular polariser to enhance blue skies or remove reflections. For more even lighting when shooting macro subjects, a Macro Ring Lite adapter (MLA-DC1) allows Canon’s Macro Ring Lite or Twin Lite flash units from the EOS System to be used.
Offering truly advanced levels of professional control alongside unprecedented image quality, the PowerShot G1 X is the ideal camera for professional and serious photographers who demand DSLR flexibility and quality from a compact camera.

PowerShot G1 X – key features:

Large 14.3 MP CMOS, DIGIC 5, HS System
Compact 4x zoom; Intelligent IS
7.5 cm (3.0″) vari-angle LCD; OVF
Full Manual, RAW, DPP
Full HD, HDMI
High-speed Burst HQ
Smart Auto
Extensive accessories
HDR mode and ND filter
Optional 40m waterproof case

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

Canon PowerShot G1X Announced

Building approvals rose in November: Midday Roundup

All Content — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:11:50 +0000

The number of building approvals granted rose during November, according to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Ford invests $103 million in Australian operations, governments kick in $32 million

All Content — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:05:55 +0000

The future of the local car manufacturing industry has been boosted by a $103 million investment by Ford to complement $32 million in Government grants.

Super Retail Group defies the retail gloom – there are three keys to its success

All Content — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:58:45 +0000

The gloom in the retail industry has put a dampener on Christmas trading, but Super Retail Group has managed to speed ahead of the pack, yesterday confirming a sales increase of 35% for the first half of the year to $758.6 million.

Fuji Release the Fujifilm X-Pro1

Darren Rowse — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:47:29 +0000

One of the fastest growing segments of the digital camera market is the smaller bodied interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras that have been released by many manufacturers in the last 12 or so months. Filling the gap between DSLRs and compact point and shoots – these cameras give the flexibility of being able to change lenses with the benefits of not having to lug around a larger camera. Increasingly they’re providing these benefits with a really high standard of image.

One manufacturer doing great things in this space is Fuji who have won a lot of fans in the last little while with their highly acclaimed X100.

Today they went one further and released the Fujifilm X-Pro1 – an interchangeable lens system aimed at the professional and advanced amateur audience. It’s a 16 megapixel camera with a new custom APS-C sized sensor and hybrid optical and electronic viewfinder.

It is being launched with 3 lenses – a 18mm (27mm equivalent) f2.0, a 35mm (53mm equivalent) f1.4 and a 60mm (90mm equivalent) f2.4 macro lens. It’s great to see them releasing some nice fast lenses.

Design wise it’s a pretty minimal design – still a little retro and rangefinder-ish like the X100 but all in black this time.

There’s a lot more to say about this camera but rather than rehash all the details check out the news release and hands on video below. We’ll do our best to put hands on an X-Pro1 to test it for ourselves but until then check out the video below.

The Fujifilm X-Pro1 will be available in February and price is expected to be released later this month.

Here’s a video from Fujifilm with a good look at it:

Also below is the official news release for the X-Pro1.

Fuji X-Pro 1 News Release

Fujifilm is proud to announce the new model changes the rules in the new interchangeable lens system: Fujifilm X-Pro1. This camera is aimed at a professional audience and advanced amateurs and incorporates advanced technologies such as Trans-X’s unique sensor CMOSTM megapixel APS-C 16, a new X port for mounting the lens, a viewfinder and three hybrid optical the base.

X-Pro1 sets new standards in image resolution

For this camera, Fujifilm has developed a new CMOS sensor called X-TransTM CMOSTM which is able to provide a response similar to that of a sensor “full frame”.

The new array (CFA – Color Filter Array) opens the way for an ideal sensor that does not require an optical low-pass filter. This filter is in fact essential for the reduction of false colors and moiré generated by conventional sensors, but at the same time, also degrades the resolution. Fujifilm has developed a new matrix that is inspired by the CFA random arrangement of the grain in the film, eliminating the need for optical low-pass filter to solve the problems of false colors and moiré. In the matrix, RGB pixels are arranged in groups of 6×6 pixels with high aperiodicity (randomness).

Increasing the degree of randomness eliminates the root cause of the false color and moiré, a problem that occurs in conventional matrix elements during the filming of rows and other repeating patterns. The presence of a pixel R, G and B in each series of horizontal and vertical pixels minimizes the generation of false colors and provides superior color reproduction themselves.

The use of a matrix inspired by the film has necessitated a more powerful processor to process image data for this FUJIFILM EXR Processor Pro has created this project to optimize the potential of the Trans-X sensor CMOSTM providing high speed and high-precision image processing.

Fujinon XF for the best image quality

The Fujinon lenses used for television broadcasts and medium format cameras, have always been associated with high image quality. All the experience in the design of the optics has been used in the study phase of the objectives dedicated to X-Pro1.

The targets are launched with the machine, and three are part of the new XF series Fujinon: “XF 18mm F2 R”, “XF 35mm F1, 4 R” and “R XF 60mm F2 Macro 4. These objectives are compact, very bright and offer precise control over depth of field effect and the possibility out-of-focus bokeh thanks to the design of the curved blades of the diaphragm. The slats are curved to create a circular image at all apertures, while the edges of each blade is carefully rounded for a sharper image.

The feeling of solidity and the precise mechanics of optics will satisfy the desire of photographers to capture multiple images with every shot.

FUJIFILM Attack “X-Mount” to maximize performance

Designed specifically to maximize the design “mirrorless” of the body, X-mount flange has a short distance posterior to the sensor plane, equal to only 17.7 mm. This means that the rear lens as close as possible to the sensor. The wide opening allows you to attach the lens deeper inside the body – up to about 7.5 mm from the mounting surface – minimizing the distance of “back focus” of each lens for high resolution to the edge of the image.

Hybrid Multi Viewfinder

FUJIFILM’s revolutionary hybrid viewfinder appeared first in the X100. With its ability to instantly switch between optical viewfinder and an electronic viewfinder, the viewfinder hybrid has added a new dimension to the pleasure of composing photographs.

The user may choose to use, depending on your mood or need, depending on the optical viewfinder for a picture as real as possible and have all the information electronically in real time.

The advantage of hybrid viewfinder is the ability to combine the two technologies to get the ultimate in visual quality and functionality, allowing you to place the composition of images through a bright viewfinder and offering the ability to overlay important information for the release of photos. The change from a crosshair to another is easy, thanks to the switch on the front of the body of the X-Pro1.

When mounting a Fujinon lens on the X Series XF-Pro1 in the viewfinder magnification and size of the light frame automatically change to support its focal length. The viewfinder magnification, equal to 0.37 for x and 0.60 x 18mm lens for the 35mm and 60mm, allows you to compose the scene with the brilliant optical clarity and sharpness of an image. The X-Pro1 also gives the freedom to manually set the focal distance and switch to another magnification of the viewfinder.

Technology and careful design

The top and bottom made of aluminum alloy die-cast and hand enameled precise engravings on the top and the camera lens, point to the fact that all the X-Pro1 is built with attention to detail and uncompromising quality.

This attention to detail extends to dial in shutter speed and exposure compensation control, precisely machined from solid metal. In addition, the locking mechanism and the shutter switch exposure compensation set back, are designed to prevent accidental change of settings. The edges of the selectors have a knurled finish, knurled detail, for a grip and an excellent feeling.

The seal “Made in Japan” also present on the body of the new X-PRO1, confirming that each part of the building meets the highest standards FUJIFILM.

The lens hood with precision knurled aluminum, supplied with the lens is designed exclusively for Fujinon XF. The hood is compact and lightweight and offers excellent performance with a design that perfectly matches the style of X-Pro1.

The diameter of the aperture ring and focus of the three interchangeable lenses Fujinon XF is only slightly larger than the diameter of the objective to standardize the elegant design. The precise machining of the metal, the reassuring click each picture to the aperture ring and a comfortable pair of resistance when using manual focus, contributing together to improve the shooting experience.

The coating of X-Pro1 was designed to be weather resistant and provide a look of quality. The body of X-Pro1 was designed for the complete comfort of the photographer, the natural form of the eyepiece also provides excellent protection from light. The viewfinder you can use an additional lens (optional) for diopter adjustment.

Fujifilm continues the myth of the films

Further improvements have been made to the options Film Simulation Mode with the new “Professional Color Negative Film Modes” (Pro Neg. Neg Standard and Pro. Hi) designed for users who work in the studio with the X-Pro1. If you want to take the same scene in different film simulation modes, X-Pro1 offers the option of bracketing “Film Simulation”, along with AE Bracketing, Dynamic and ISO.

Fujifilm has also included the Film Simulation mode by which X-Pro1 simulates the color and tonal qualities of popular FUJIFILM emulsions. These include the colors of Velvia, the skin tones soft and natural look of the ASTIA TEST.

Pro1-X allows you to use special color filters to expand the photographic interpretation: to increase the contrast with the yellow and red filter, make brighter green and red filter with the deepest green. Just as professional photographers when selecting a filter paper and printing to complement their creative vision, now you can easily adjust the image quality with these filters. For those who wish to achieve a more nostalgic is also a sepia filter.

Through advanced digital processing, X-Pro1 is able to simulate the multiple-exposure technique: simply select this mode and the first shot. In the hybrid viewfinder or LCD you can see what the end result and then framing the precise second shot.

A series of exclusive accessories

The handle HG-XPro1 optional, helps balance the weight of the camera, allowing a more comfortable grip and offers a uniform look to the lines of X-Pro1.

The Flash EF-X20 option, to be mounted on the hot shoe is designed as a complementary accessory to the X-Pro1. A switch lets you choose between two modes: AUTO, which automatically optimizes the flash to daylight for outdoor and indoor shooting in low light; MANUAL for manual control. In addition, the built-in speaker, easy to use, it helps to soften the effect of excessive contrast created by the flash.

The leather case LC-XPro1 optional *, X-shaped to protect Pro1, is designed to allow quick access to the camera. Particular attention was paid to every detail: the red interior that contrasts with the black leather exterior, the accuracy of the stitching and the adoption of a magnet hidden for closure. This beautiful case is completed with the inclusion of a genuine leather strap and a protective cap bellows for different optics.

Filter Protector and Protector Filter 39mm 52mm optional protective filters are dedicated to the new XF goals. Super EBC treatment of these filters effectively reduces reflected light. The ring of the filter, made with a special process, fits the overall design of the optics.

Fujifilm and X-lenses Pro1 18mm F2 R XF, XF 35mm F1, 4 R and R XF 60mm F2 Macro 4 will be on sale from March 2012.

Key Features

• New CMOS sensor called X-TransTM CMOSTM
• New EXR Processor Pro
• Three Fujinon dedicated XF
• FUJIFILM Attack “X-Mount”
• Hybrid Multi Viewfinder
• Sensor Cleaning System Ultra Sonic Vibration
• RAW files
• Full HD video and stereo audio
• Shutter: Focal Plane Shutter
• “Made in Japan” extremely accurate
• Film Simulation Mode Advanced
• Range of optional accessories dedicated

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

Fuji Release the Fujifilm X-Pro1

Builders gloomy about year ahead: MBA

All Content — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:45:00 +0000

Builders surveyed by Master Builders Australia expect overall residential and commercial construction activity to be lower over the next six months, in line with a bleak forecast released earlier by the Housing Industry Association (http://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/new-housing-outlook-bleak-for-2012-hia/2012010852981).

Cotton On delivers another controversy, but SMEs urged to tread carefully with provocative products

All Content — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:43:59 +0000

Retailer Cotton On turns 21 this year, and has come a long way since that single store in Geelong.

Retailers call for more education on wages after Fair Work report reveals SMEs confused on pay

All Content — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:37:48 +0000

Australian retailers have criticised the findings of a new Fair Work Ombudsman report revealing 26% of 1,800 businesses surveyed were incorrectly paying their employees, saying the result implies SMEs are confused about current wage rates and industrial relations law.

Awards for confusion

All Content — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:17:35 +0000

It's important to put a positive spin on things, and that's exactly what the Fair Work Ombudsman has done in its report on its audit of more than 2,000 retailers, which found a staggering 26% were not complying with Labor's modern award regime.

Creditcard.net.au sold in record transaction for $18,000

All Content — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:59:01 +0000

An Australian financial products entrepreneur has set the record for a .net.au domain name purchase, snapping up creditcard.net.au for over $18,000, just months after purchasing creditcard.net for $138,000.

Growing a franchise

All Content — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:53:40 +0000

This article first appeared July 19, 2011. For many people who buy a franchise, it is usually their first time in business.

Six ways to build brand resilience

Larry Schlesinger — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:51:22 +0000

This article first appeared June 7, 2011.

There is a lot of talk around these days about sustainability, and it's a term I have used more than once about brands. I was reminded on the weekend, that when I talk about sustainability what I really mean is resilience.

Spotify Curtails Free Music For U.S. Facebook Users

Jackie Cohen — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:42:56 +0000

What a bummer for those of us who’ve gotten hooked on Spotify in the U.S.: The company is limiting the free version of its music streaming service to a six-month period.

People who’ve had Spotify accounts since the service became available in the U.S. can only have the free version for just ten hours per month, and that’s with advertising and no more than five replays of any single song per month, according to The Verge.

New users who sign up now would still get six months of the unlimited free version, which plays an advertisment around once every half dozen songs.

The ads disappear on the premium version of Spotify, which starts at $4.99 a month and goes up to $9.99 a month with the ability to download playlists to mobile devices.

You can try the latter version for a month before having to cough up the $9.99 a month.

This pricing plan brings Spotify U.S. to the same model employed in Europe, where the service ranks number one among online music streaming.

This implies that the company’s growth trajectory in America resembles what Spotify has enjoyed elsewhere.

According to our brilliant peer site, AppData, Spotify has 4.3 million daily active users and 12.5 million on a monthly basis, but those are global figures. The numbers also don’t break out paying subscribers versus free users.

We plan to update this post such data, once found, but in the mean time, readers, perhaps you could help us fill in some gaps: Would you — or do you already — pay for a streaming music service connected to the social network?

Ikea’s Facebook Campaign Tops Vivaldi Ranking

David Cohen — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:50:49 +0000

Ikea received prominent mention in Vivaldi Partners’ Social Currency 100+ list, which uses six factors to score brands on their online marketing, which these days means Facebook promotions.

The furniture retailer was acknowledged for a perfect rating in five of the six factors, with its campaign on the social network to encourage users to friend its showroom managers highlighted.

The six factors, which Vivaldi calls the “Social Sixes,” are:

Affiliation: Through this initiative, I feel like a member of a community
Identity: Through this initiative, I can express a part of myself to others
Information: This initiative helps me receive and share valuable information with other people
Conversation: This initiative makes others talk a lot about the brand
Utility: Through this initiative, other people can help me get more value from the brand
Advocacy: This initiative makes me talk positively about the brand to others

The Social Currency 100+ is made up of companies in 12 industries from the Americas, Europe, and Asia, with sectors including automotive, media, confectionary, luxury, and toys, and the list takes the past three years into account.

Vivaldi said its goals are to:

Show how companies use digital and social networking technologies around the world;
Inform and inspire best practices in the application of these tools and technologies;
Stimulate people to discuss and evaluate the effectiveness of these initiatives;
Provide a forum for sharing and contributing by everyone; and
Promote the applications of digital and social networking technologies.

Readers: Have you interacted with any brands on Facebook that perform strongly in the “Social Sixes?”

Kodak Captures Facebook Integration At CES

David Cohen — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:28:41 +0000

Kodak may be exploring the idea of filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but that hasn’t stopped the photography giant from integrating its products with Facebook.

The company used the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to introduce two cameras with easy sharing of photos to the social network, as well as two applications that enable what’s essentially the opposite — printing images from profiles.

The Easyshare Wireless Camera M750 (pictured) is Wi-Fi-enabled, and it allows users who install the accompanying app on their Android, Apple, or BlackBerry devices to wirelessly send pictures to Facebook, the Kodak Gallery, and via email, or to email them directly to Kodak All-in-One Printers.

And the Playfull Dual Camera is a combination 1080p/60-frame-per-second HD video camera and 12-megapixel BSI CMOS digital camera with a share button for one-touch uploading to Facebook, YouTube, the Kodak Gallery, and email.

On the Facebook application front, Kodak touted its My Kodak Moments and Kodak Photo Collage Print.

The first allows users to create premium photo books made up of images from their profiles and those of their friends, while the second enables the creation of collages that can be printed by users at home.

How to Migrate your App Profile Page to a Facebook Page

Tim Ware — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:00:49 +0000

Facebook’s December 9, 2011 announcement that as of February 1, 2012 they are removing App Profile Pages has confused a lot of users. The big change is that Facebook doesn’t — at least at this time — create a link users can click to add an App to their Page which was the main purpose of the App Profile Page.

However, now you can embed a link for adding an App to any Web page.

How to add an App to a Page post-migration?

First, users had difficulty understanding that they could now put a “Add App to My Page” link for their application on any web page or iFrame page tab. I wrote a detailed tutorial on how to add an App to a Page after February 1, or after you’ve migrated your App Profile Page to a Facebook Page.

For our TabPress App, we created a Page named “TabPress,” migrated the TabPress App Profile Page there, added a TabPress tab and named it “Add TabPress to My Page” and, for the content of the tab, we just added the link users can now create and embed on Web pages to facilitate adding the App to a Page.

Who actually NEEDS an App Profile Page?

If you’ve created your own iFrame Page Tab app, and you intend to just add it to your own Page, or perhaps to several Pages you admin, then you don’t really need an always-available “Add to My Page” link. I recommend following the instructions on my recent tutorial on adding Apps to Pages after February 1.

The need for a publicly available Page where users can go to add an App applies primarily to App developers.

What takes the place of an existing App Profile Page?

As for what takes the place of the App Profile Page, Facebook said users would have to migrate their App Profile Page to “an existing Facebook Page with the same name and of Product/App category.”

If you are an admin of an eligible Facebook Page (must be of the Product/App category and match the app name), you will be prompted with the ability to transfer Likes to this Page. Transferring Likes will give you the ability to publish updates to these users from your new Facebook Page as you do today.

Please note that we will only transfer Likes, and not the content of these Pages. Before you go through the migration process, please ensure you have downloaded all photos, posts, Insights, and any other material that you want to keep. Once you hit the migrate button, the App Profile Page will be deleted.

Unfortunately, the migration option was rolled out gradually and I only just recently saw the option at the top of my App Profile Page for TabPress:

So I went through the migration process and created this step-by-step tutorial to help others in this process.

So how do you migrate your App Profile Page to another Facebook Page?

Actually, Facebook’s instructions on how to do this are quite clear.

App Profile Page Migration — Requirements and Preparation

Target Page for Migration must have the same name as your App: Before migrating, you must make sure you either already admin a Facebook Page (NOT a Personal Profile) that has the same Page Name as your app.

What exactly which name must the Page name match? In your App’s “Basic” settings, you’ll see there’s “App Display Name” and “App Namespace”:

I named the Page I created for the migration “TabPress” and had no problems. So it appears that it’s the “App Namespace” that you have to duplicate for the Page name.

Remember, you can re-name a Page ONLY if the Page has fewer than 100 fans/likes. (See this Facebook Help Center article.)

In my case, I’d already used the vanity URL “TabPress” for another Page, but had named the Page something different (dumb!), so I had to create a new Page for the App Profile Page migration.

NOTE: If you need to create a new Page, go into the editing area of your Page. In the bottom footer links you’ll see “Create a Page” text link. Click to get started.
Category: Brands & Products / App: The Page that you target for the migration of your App Profile Page MUST be set to the category “Brands & Products / App” under “Basic Information” in your Page editing area:
IMPORTANT: As Facebook warns, ONLY Likes are migrated to the new Page. If you have any photos or other media on your App Profile Page you don’t want to lose, make sure you save them to your computer. AFTER THE MIGRATION IS COMPLETE, YOU’LL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE OLD APP PROFILE PAGE!

OK, I’m ready to migrate my App Profile Page!

Once you’ve confirmed that the Facebook Page to which you wish to migrate your App Profile Page meets the above requirements, you’re ready to do the migration.

In your browser go to the Facebook Developers site where, if you’re logged into Facebook, you’ll see a list of the Apps for which you’re an admin.
Click the App name in the left navigation, then click “Edit Settings”;
Under “Related links” in the left column, click “View App Profile Page”;
In the yellow banner announcement at the top of your App Profile Page, click “Click here to migrate to an existing Facebook Page” which will spawn a popup dialog:

(NOTE: If you don’t yet see the yellow banner, then the change hasn’t yet rolled out to your particular app.)

You should see the eligible Page in the “Choose a Page” pulldown list in the popup dialog.

After selecting the Page and clicking the “Migrate” button, you should see this success screen:

Although it says “allow up to 7 days for the Like migration to take place,” my migration began immediately. Each time I reloaded the page, the number of likes increased until they were all migrated.

NOTE: The URL for your old App Profile Page will forward to your new Page after you’ve successfully migrated.

“No Eligible Facebook Pages to migrate to” Error

If you get the following error:

the problem is that Facebook detects no Page you admin that has the same name as your application name.

Make sure your “App Namespace” name matches the name you’ve given the Page to which you wish to migrate the App Profile Page.

How does this work for new Facebook Apps you create?

When you are setting up your new App, you will no longer automatically get an App Profile Page. Instead, you’ll have the option of setting up the App Page in the “Settings > Advanced > Contact Info” area of your Dev App.

However, you don’t have to set up a special Page for your App. As I mention above, if you’re just creating an iFrame Page Tab app, then you should just follow the instructions in my previous tutorial on creating the Add to My Page link.

How we set up the new TabPress App Page

After I created the new TabPress App Page and completed the migration process, I simply added the TabPress iFrame App to the Page, changed “Welcome” to “Add TabPress to My Page” for the left navigation, and pasted in the code to create an Add-to-my-Page link, into both the non-fan and fan-only screens.

NOTE: Your old App Profile Page URL will automatically forward to the new Page you set up.

Good luck!

Better Engagement Than Facebook, Or Fuzzy Math?

David Cohen — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:05:15 +0000

Flowd, a social network for music fans, claims that artists in its community experience engagement rates 350 percent higher than those of Facebook. But when comparing numbers with a social network with more than 800 million users, a little perspective is necessary.

Flowd made the 350 percent higher engagement claim in a press release touting its successful promotion of an 18-date tour by indie pop band Honor Society, saying that the band experienced a 14 percent check-in rate during the tour, with some shows topping 20 percent.

However, that figure clearly represents 14 percent of a much smaller total than the Facebook user base, as at the time of this post, the Flowd Facebook page had 3,263 fans, and its Twitter feed had 1,364 followers. At the time of this post, we were still waiting for user totals and artist totals from Flowd.

In addition, Flowd touts among its featured artists Armin van Buuren, Alex M.O.R.P.H., HeadHunterz, Markus Schulz, Gareth Emery, Fenech Soler, Ferry Corsten, and We Are the Ocean — no disrespect intended toward those artists, but none is actually a household name. Meanwhile, nearly all top artists have some sort of presence on Facebook.

Flowd does allow its users to share check-ins, messages, photos, and the names of songs they’re listening to via Facebook and Twitter.

Readers: How seriously do you take other social networks when they compare figures such as engagement with Facebook?

Justin Bieber Is Facebook’s Third Most Engaging Page

Brian Ward — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:22:33 +0000

.Justin Bieber has advanced to third place in Facebook page engagment, but even the pop superstar can’t keep up with the rate at which religious pages elicit likes and comments from fans.

Facebook’s Most Engaging Pages

Name	Fans	Interactions
1. Jesus Daily	10,793,374	4,654,504
2. Dios Es Bueno	4,924,265	2,072,875
3. Justin Bieber	38,824,512	1,317,489
4. The Bible	8,416,471	1,282,479
5. Mario Teguh	5,289,072	1,217,350
6. Manchester United	21,148,832	842,522
7. Real Madrid C.F.	22,942,488	739,642
8. Joyce Meyer Ministries	1,766,845	715,242
9. Terima Kasih Ibu	2,889,659	648,017
10. ILoveAllaah.com	6,680,346	641,240
11. Renuevo de Plenitud	2,867,693	580,105
12. Werevertumorro	3,108,986	577,805
13. Jesus Christ	3,362,080	564,859
14. Kevin Hart	4,240,804	558,561
15. “Pretty Little Liars”	3,422,159	498,527
16. “MTV Roadies”	3,441,267	502,757
17. Im a Muslim & Im Proud	6,684,721	478,410
18. Luciano Huck	4,772,476	434,324
19. We Are All Khaled Said	1,830,154	395,678
20. Texas Hold’em Poker	54,922,534	386,952

Religion

Still far ahead of the competition, Jesus Daily ends in first with 4.6 million interactions. Making a strong case in second engaging over two million likes and comments, Dios Es Bueno is increasing in interactivity.

Found one place behind the text’s previous ranking, The Bible ends in the fourth position after a 1.2 million week. An improving 715,242 total pushes Joyce Meyer Ministries forward to eighth; the non-profit engages 40 percent of their overall audience.

Both Islamic pages endure slowed conversation in the past seven days. ILoveAllaah.com cuts the countdown in half connecting with 641,240 likers. Slipping to 17th, Im a Muslim & Im Proud hears 478,410 voices partaking in the discussion.

With a huge return in 11th, Renuevo de Plenitud sees a 580,105 comeback total. Now in 13th, this main page dedicated to Jesus Christ tallies 564,859 interactions.

Sports

Matches resuming for European sports are ushering in increased engagement totals for a few of the biggest clubs worldwide. Manchester United leads the trend in sixth; the club sees 842,522 interactions since last week’s rankings. On its heals, Real Madrid C.F. nabs a 739,642 sports talk total.

Television

Teenage drama unfolds on ABC Family’s “Pretty Little Liars,” and the show’s typical social media approach invites social networkers to discuss and watch sneak peaks of upcoming episodes. The show places in 15th amassing 498,527 interactions. Just behind, “MTV Roadies” stays put with 502,757 contributions added to the conversation.

Luciano Huck hangs on as a top engaging page after a 434,324 finish places him in 18th.

Games

Freebies continue to play a focal part in Texas Hold’em Poker’s ranking on the countdown; 386,952 social gamers continue to chat.

Readers, where are you chatting on Facebook’s top engaging pages?

If you want to measure interactions on your own page and compare them to others, take a look at AllFacebook Stats, which allows you to track and compare your pages in different dimensions. The tool is available in a free version, along with multiple business packages.

Focus on Mattijn Franssen ~ An Introduction to his Fictional Universe

Valerie Jardin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:04:26 +0000

I recently discovered the work of Dutch artist Mattijn Franssen. I must admit, I did a double take on his amazing photomontage work. Photomontage is the technique of making a composite of several different pictures with a photo editing software. It is commonly used by Photoshop users but few people can create such stunning imagery as Mattijn does. He creates this amazing fantasy world where he, and his cat, are the protagonists. It may be this human element that makes his work so unique. I was blown away by his imagination and talent and I keep going back to some of his images to discover new interesting details. He not only learned the technique on his own, it is only one of his many talents. He is also a painter, a drawing artist, a musician and song writer. I interviewed him recently for the dPS readers. I hope you enjoy his work as much as I did. You can learn more about Marttijn Franssen by visiting his website.

Crossing ©Mattijn Franssen

Is your background in photography? No, my background is oil painting and drawing.

What made you decide to do photomontages? I started using the camera as a tool to help set up compositions for possible paintings. I liked the result so much that I haven’t painted much since then. A friend got me a digital camera and I started taking pictures of everything.

How do you work from concept to creation? Sometimes I start working from an idea, I make a little sketch and then go out to find the necessary photos. Other times I take photos of an object, a tower for example, and then build a world around it.

Do you work with Photoshop exclusively? For the photomontages, yes.

Once you are in the digital darkroom, how long does it take to create the final image? It can take a few hours or a few days depending on the number of pictures and the complexity of the montage.

How did you learn the technique? I learned the technique on my own. I had worked with layers for animations I had made with Flash. I did a lot of experimenting and got better at it over the years.

You and your cat are the protagonists in most of your creations, what prompted you to do that? My cat and I are in all my personal work. It’s like a trademark. Also, I like the idea of being able to visit these worlds and experience these adventures myself. I often put my cat on a montage the way she is when I take the pictures unless I need something specific.

Who are the artists, visual or other, that inspire you the most? I’m inspired by movie makers like David lynch, Michel Gondry and Terry Gilliam painters like Breughel and Willink

Digital Photography School readers will want to know what photo gear you use. I shoot with an Olympus SP-800UZ

What is your next project? I’m showing my work in various galleries. I am also working on short photo animation projects, it’s basically animating photomontages and I’m learning how to create 3d animations

What do you see yourself doing in 5 or 10 years? I would like to do something with film or animation. I may still make photomontages once in a while.

Reflecting ©Mattijn Franssen

Discussing the Elephant ©Mattijn Franssen

Bullies ©Mattijn Franssen

Harmless Figments ©Mattijn Franssen

Horsing Around ©Mattijn Franssen

Sharing a Drink ©Mattijn Franssen

Theme Park Mountain ©Mattijn Franssen

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

Focus on Mattijn Franssen ~ An Introduction to his Fictional Universe

Zynga’s 1st Post-IPO Facebook Move: Hidden Chronicles

David Cohen — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:58:21 +0000

Facebook game developer Zynga has come out of hiding with last week’s release of new game Hidden Chronicles.

The new game marks the first from Zynga since its initial public offering last month.

As reported by sister blog Inside Social Games, Hidden Chronicles players must solve the mystery of their fictional uncle’s disappearance in his mansion, by completing hidden object puzzles within the mansion and on its grounds.

Players receive soft currency, experience points, a static ranking called Estate Points, and the unlocking of new puzzles upon completing puzzles, and finishing all of them in a specific location provides more clues.

Inside Social Games added that the game is virtual money-driven, as players who accumulate enough coins, reputation, Estate Points, and clues can unlock every level, and those assets can be purchased with premium currency, which, in turn, can be purchased with Facebook Credits.

The last Facebook game launched by Zynga prior to Hidden Chronicles was CastleVille in November.

News – 1/9/2012

Communication Arts — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:45:00 +0000

Always making things easy, Seth Godin does it again: "Simple thoughts about fair use."

From Kevin Purdy, "How To Work From Home Like You Mean It."

A reminder of how system restarts used to look. From Soon in Tokyo and rehabstudio, The Restart Page.

Facebook Tests Game Stories Beyond Just Mobile Ones

David Cohen — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:39:15 +0000

Facebook announced last month that it would test game stories on its mobile platform, but the screen shot below hints that the social network may have extended its testing.

Tipster Eti Suruzon points out that she personally plays Zuma Blitz and The Sims, but she has never played nor authorized CastleVille.

Still, the screenshot she sent jibes with the mobile plans Facebook announced to prevent users from being bombarded by game spam by posting aggregated stories, about several users playing games, rather than individual stories.

Readers: Have you seen any similar game-related content in your news feeds?

Would Facebook Go Dark To Boycott Online Piracy Bill?

Jennifer Moire — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:24:40 +0000

We highly doubt this particular rumor would ever come true, but the blogosphere and Twitterverse are chattering that Facebook could pull the plug in protest over the Stop Online Piracy Act pending in the U.S. Congress.

Consider a day without Facebook — or Google, Twitter, Wikipedia or Yahoo, for that matter.

These heavily trafficked web sites are joining Facebook in considering a coordinated blackout as a powerful demonstration of what the Internet might look like if SOPA went into effect.

While implementation at this point seems unlikely — it’s dubbed the “nuclear option” after all — the rumor mill went into high alert after Markham Erickson, an executive with the industry trade group NetCoalition, confirmed to Fox News that companies were mulling over a blackout of services, despite what a boycott would do to users.

“Companies typically don’t want to put their users in that position,” Erickson said. ”The difference is that these bills so fundamentally change the way the Internet works. People need to understand the effect this special-interest legislation will have on those who use the Internet.”

So what might a boycott look like? Would Facebook go completely dark, or would users be re-directed to a site that posted a message about SOPA. And, would Facebook ask users to take action–write a letter to a member of Congress, sign an online petition, or share a message with friends?

Actually, Facebook is a great platform to launch that type of advocacy campaign. Anti-SOPA ads and sponsored stories could be developed, and of course, the option to share links to anti-SOPA news stories would spread quickly on the social networking site and could build support against the legislation.

Opponents claim one provision of the controversial bill would require Internet providers to monitor customers’ traffic and block web sites suspected of copyright infringement, which sets off alarms among Facebook and its counterparts.

SOPA is scheduled for a debate in the U.S. Senate in late January before its put to a vote.

Readers, what would you do if Facebook went offline for a day?

Developers Can Offer Alternatives To Facebook Credits

David Cohen — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:49:28 +0000

Facebook Credits surrendered its stranglehold on in-application coinage as developers can now have their own in-app currency.

This past July 1 , Facebook Credits became the mandatory currency for most apps, and developers were also required to funnel 30 percent of app revenue to the social network.

While the social network will still take its 30 percent cut, developers will now have the flexibility to pursue revenue via methods other than Facebook Credits.

Zynga, Playfish from Electronic Arts, Playdom, and a few other select developers had the ability to offer in-app native currency due to their exclusive five-year commitments to Facebook Credits, and that freedom is now extended to all developers.

The social network is likely aiming to expand its revenue from virtual currency, as well, by giving its users more choices, said TechCrunch.

Here’s the juiciest part of the post about Credits on the Facebook developer blog:

Facebook gives users the ability to earn virtual currency by completing advertiser offers. For app developers, these offers can be a valuable additional source of revenue by helping them monetize users that may not otherwise pay for virtual currency. Today we’re launching in-app currency offers, which lets developers award users with their own in-app currency (e.g., Fred Currency in Fred’s game) upon completing an offer.

Previously, developers were able to integrate Credits offers, where users earned Facebook Credits by completing offers. The new in-app currency offers product is in addition to the Credits offers product, and you can utilize either or both in your app.

In-app currency offers supports both Offerwall and DealSpot. An Offerwall implementation enables your app to open a Facebook dialog with an interactive list of advertiser offers. A DealSpot implementation lets you prominently spotlight one offer. For more details, please refer to our offers documentation.

Readers: Will the ability to receive specific offers from app developers, rather than only Facebook Credits, encourage you to engage more within apps?

Will Facebook Debate Spur A Huntsman Shakeup In NH?

Jennifer Moire — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:00:44 +0000

Sparks flew at the Facebook/NBC News “Meet the Press” Republican Candidates debate ahead of Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary.But will the drama affect the outcome of Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary?

The issue before the first primary in the nation is not who will win — most polls indicate that will be Mitt Romney.

Despite the blows he took at Sunday’s debate, Romney still has the most Facebook fans of all the GOP candidates at more than 1.2 million, adding nearly 5,000 new Facebook fans in the past day.

The bigger question is, who will capture second place?

Jon Huntsman appears to be the man with the momentum. Here’s a look at where the candidates fighting for second stand using Election Tracker 2012.

Jon Huntsman

While Huntsman had a strong debate performance Sunday (see his post-debate Facebook message at the end of this post), he hasn’t seen that translate to Facebook enthusiasm quite yet.

He remains in ninth place among the GOP contenders in Facebook fans, with 33,396. That’s roughly half the fans of his next closest competitor, Rick Santorum, who saw a bump in likes after his Iowa caucus win. In the past seven days, Huntsman has added 2,772 new Facebook fans.

At least someone — or three — in his family have a strong social network presence. Three daughters have taken to Twitter, @Jon2012Girls, to pump up their dad’s candidacy.

Ron Paul

Despite two polls Sunday night showing Ron Paul in second place, experts predict his New Hampshire race may be faltering as Huntsman closes in, with Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich on his heels.

Paul remains a solid second in total Facebook fans among the contenders with more than 702,329. He added 3,296 fans in just the last day, one of the highest daily totals among all elected officials.

Rick Santorum

Talk about an Iowa bump! Rick Santorum, the man who came from behind to virtually tie Romney last week, has seen his Facebook fan page growth steady. But not before garnering more than one-third of his total Facebook fans in the days following his improbable caucus showing. Will waning enthusiasm online, and lackluster debate performances, indicate a stall in his campaign?

A note about the Facebook debate: The integration of Facebook into the event coverage really worked. NBC News used the last 15 minutes of the debate to ask the candidates questions from the “Meet the Press” Facebook page, where more than 4,600 comments were shared, and posts were culled from the social network and featured on-screen during the program. (see above.)

Readers, do you plan on tracking the results of the New Hampshire primary on Facebook?

Photo: courtesy Associated Press

Webpick of the Day – Beast and the Hare Restaurant

Communication Arts — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:42:16 +0000

Everything potential diners need in a single, elegantly-designed, typographically-treated page that works beautifully on mobile devices.
Credits: robcollignon.com

Tempo As Life Unfolds TV spot

Communication Arts — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:42:04 +0000

London-based animation production company, Film Club Productions, directed and animated this commercial for tissue brand Tempo commissioned by Publicis London. The 30-second TV spot, “Bike,” is the first in a series for the new pan-European “As Life Unfolds” campaign that will launch across mainland Europe. The animation promotes the Tempo Hanky Classic pocket packs of tissues in a classic boy-meets-girl love story showing a bicycling boy racing to catch up with a girl and helpfully dispensing Tempo tissues to people he passes along the way. It captures Tempo’s reputation as a long-established and trusted brand in a commercial that effectively engages consumers on an emotional level by showing how Tempo is a constant, caring companion throughout life. The idea is executed through hand-drawn animated stories brought to life through director Vida Vega's calligraphic brushwork and exquisite 2D animation.
Credits: www.filmclubproductions.com | www.publicis.co.uk

Ty Cole

Communication Arts — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:41:48 +0000

"From a personal series documenting Brutalist architecture. The Orange County Government Center, designed by Paul Rudolph, was completed in 1967."

"Gene Ivey is a renown fiddle-maker based out of Ider, Alabama. This image was shot in his studio as personal work."

Shot for the "Off the Grid" feature in Dwell magazine.

How To Use Zoom Blur To Add Action In Your Photos

Peter West Carey — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:05:46 +0000

Most of us own a zoom lens of one type or another. While I have no specific stat, I’ll say 98% of us do. It seems like a good number and might even be low.

With nearly all of you armed with this type of lens, let’s take a look at a fun way you can add action to your photos. The technique is actually quite simple but takes some practice to master. It is known as zoom blur; blur caused by activating the zoom feature on your lens while the shutter is open. NOTE: While the same effect can be achieved by physically moving your camera closer or further from a subject while shooting, we’ll stick with the zoom feature in this post.

There are three factors that are most important when using zoom blur:

Where you start the blur (zoomed in or zoomed out)
How much zoom travel
How long you spend with the shutter open

Where You Start The Blur

Where you start has a big impact on the outcome of the photo. You can either start zoomed back or zoomed in. My preference is typically to start zoomed out and I’d suggest it for anyone starting out. The reason is it typically allows for the clearest image of the subject before the zoom blur is added. It also gives more of a feeling of the object moving away from the photographer. Here by example, are two different shots of the Memorial Stupa in Thimphu, Bhutan. First, going from zoomed in to zoomed out. (Click on each image for a larger version.)

This image is dominated by the golden frame around the statue as compared to the full stupa in which is sits. This is mostly due to the shutter length (1.6 seconds) and spending more time zoomed in than in transition. For a second example, this shot was started zoomed out and then, using a tripod, I zoomed straight in.

This shot was 2 seconds long and I allowed more time at the beginning to burn in the stupa image before zooming in. Allowing more time toward the main subject, versus time spent zooming, will allow your main subject to stand out more.

How Much Zoom Travel

Next, it matters how much you zoom while the shutter is open. For the shot above, I wanted the lights to extend all the way off the screen. But it didn’t quite work as too much light filled the screen for my liking, obscuring the stupa. Instead, I decided to zoom only part of the way in, hoping it would allow for more of the scene to be visible. I also started further zoomed in to see more of the base of the stupa.

I am also helped here by the center point of the zoom being lower than the brightest lights. This helps when the scene is brightly lit and the light can have a tendency to wash out areas of the subject. For instance, the statue in the center is not blurred because the zoom was fast enough to not let too much of its light be exposed.

BONUS TIP: Give It A Bit Of Movement

Especially when dealing with lights at night, adding in a bit of movement can give some interesting effects. For instance, in the examples below I panned slightly up or down to change the path of the blurring lights.

I will be the first to admit these images aren’t stellar, put-on-a-magazine-cover images. They’re about experimenting and having fun. At times though, with practice, zoom blur can produce some remarkable results as seen in the examples below from Flickr.

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

How To Use Zoom Blur To Add Action In Your Photos

The Great Migration Game: Sea Turtle Tracking in Bonaire

Lat Long Blog — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:30:00 +0000

Over the years we’ve shared a variety of Google Earth tracking opportunities, including oceanic expeditions, hurricanes, and even Santa's annual flight around the world on Christmas Eve. Recently, the Google Earth Outreach team has been following another type of long distance journey: Jklynn, the female Hawksbill sea turtle, on her annual migration.

Jklynn’s travels are available to all -- thanks to the efforts of WIDECAST, the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network, a recipient of a Google Earth Outreach Developer Grant. Using the Google Maps API, they’ve developed the “Great Migration Game” to follow the movements of Jklynn and make the task of tracking her journey interactive for students in Bonaire. Middle and high school students can predict where the sea turtle will end up after the nesting season for the chance to win prizes.

The migration began in October 2011, when Jklynn was outfitted with a satellite transmitter by Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire. The study aims to improve our understanding of the migration routes and nesting areas of Hawksbill turtles. Jklynn has nested and laid eggs multiple times off of Klein Bonaire, with 86 students eagerly watching her progress. Now, she’s now well on her way again and keeping the students guessing every step of the way!

Follow Jklynn’s migration in Google Earth

Jklynn’s satellite transmitter sends regular updates of her position to the map, developed by Ojingo Labs. Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire was also on hand to film Jklynn’s first hatchlings emerge from their nest on Klein Bonaire.

Jklynn’s first nest hatches!

As her trek continues, you can also follow Jklynn on Twitter or on Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire’s Facebook page. Enjoy the rest of the journey!

Posted by Tanya Birch, Google Earth Outreach

Weekly Photo Assignment : Fresh Start

Sime — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:27:24 +0000

Welcome back to the weekly photo assignments “from the forum” and, as it is our first of this year on the blog, it works well that the theme was “Fresh Start”

We are looking at some slightly different formats for our forum assignment this year, so keep your eyes open for that! we also have some cool “weekly assignment” prizes lined up for the coming weeks and months, so make sure you check in every week and see what is happening! –> Here’s the assignment section of the forum if you’re new around here! (Welcome!)

The winner this week comes from MattJohnRobinson with his self portrait in the mirror, before we show you his winning image, here’s what he had to say about it;

“Every day is the first day of the rest of your life…through free will a fresh start can made at any time. It all begins with some serious introspection, self-reflection.

I took this in my tiny apartment bathroom with my tripod and a small torch-style desk lamp covered with my twisted up (the way it’s made to fit in the zip-up pouch) 42″ diffusor/reflector to soften it.

This was my first time shooting and processing RAW and also my first self-portrait. Really liked being able to fine-tune the white balance and sharpness. Got my first camera in the fall of 2011 and I’ve just been totally thrilled with this entire world of photography that I’ve immersed myself in…looking forward to learning a lot in 2012 with the help of all the wonderful enthusiasts and professionals sharing their knowledge on the net.”

Congratulations Matt, you did well – and great job on the lighting with what you had! [Ghetto lighting, anyone?!]

You can see more of Matt’s work on Flickr

In second place this week was Prasad_Shejale with “A sunset on 2011″ which I liked very much, and as Wulf pointed out, it was if the sun was weighing down the left hand of the image.. We all thought very cool.

You can see more of Prasad’s work on Flickr too!

We have two third place winners, so I’m going to post them both! Great!

So, on her health kick, all the way from Sheffield is RozSheffield! Roz is also back from a little “time away” from her camera, so welcome back to the shutter button Roz!!

Here is Roz’s image of “Fresh Start”

Roz is on Flickr, Too!

And “Second” third place goes to Nita.W (who may need to have support take that . out of her user name as they cause problems – sorry!) with her “Relax, let go and wash away” photograph, taken whilst on holidays! (Hararu Falls in NZ! Nice!) (I almost remember what holidays are!)

Here’s Nita’s photograph – lovely work, Nita!

You can also find Nita.W on Flickr!

That’s our “From The Forums” wrap up for this week! Don’t forget “The color Yellow” is happening in the assignments section right now and there are many other interesting threads bobbing along.. This one, for example! “A Few Shots from India” or, here’s my current fave… a 305 second (!!) exposure, during the day!! – See how it was done.

You can find DigitalPS on Facebook and Twitter, too!

See you next week! —Sime

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

Weekly Photo Assignment : Fresh Start

Pick & Zip će vam besplatno skinuti sve vaše fotografije s Facebooka u ZIP ili PDF formatu

Nikola Krajačić — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:25:48 +0000

Koliko su vam bitne fotografije s Facebooka? One u vašim albumima vjerojatno imate spremljene i na vašem računalu, no što je s onim u kojima ste tagirani, a koje su kod vaših prijatelja? Pick&Zip besplatna je aplikacija koja će vam besplatno preuzeti sve vaše fotografije s Facebooka i organizirati ih u mape kao što su organizirane na Facebooku u albume. Nakon što odaberete želite li skinuti samo pojedine fotografije, pojedini album ili jednostavno - sve vaše i one u kojima ste tagirani, aplikacija će pripremiti fotografije te ih spremiti u ZIP arhivu ili PDF datoteku i ponuditi vam ju za preuzimanje.

19 free ebooks on journalism (for your Xmas Kindle)

Paul Bradshaw — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:04:07 +0000

As many readers of this blog will have received a Kindle for Christmas I thought I should share my list of the free ebooks that I recommend stocking up on.

Online journalism and community management

Starting with more general books, Mark Briggs‘s book Journalism 2.0 (PDF) is now 4 years old but still provides a good overview of online journalism to have by your side. Mindy McAdams‘s 42-page Reporter’s Guide to Multimedia Proficiency (PDF) adds some more on that front, and The Society of Professional Journalists‘s Digital Media Handbook Part 1 (PDF) and Part 2 provide a pot-pourri of extra bits and pieces including computer assisted reporting (CAR).

For more on CAR, the first edition of Philip Meyer‘s classic The New Precision Journalism is also available in full online, although you’ll have to download each chapter in Word format and email it to your Kindle for conversion. It’s worth it: 20 years on his advice is still excellent.

On community management, Jono Bacon‘s The Art of Community (PDF), comes in at over 360 pages. It’s a thorough exploration – told largely through his own experiences – of an area that too few journalists understand. A useful complement to this is Yochai Benkler‘s landmark book on how networked individuals operate, The Wealth of Networks, which is available to download in full or part online from his page at Harvard University’s Berkman Center.

Staying savvy in the information war

If you’re reporting on health issues – or ever expect to deal with a press release from a health company – Testing Treatments (PDF) is well worth a read, providing an insight into how medicines and treatments are tested, and popular misconceptions to avoid. It’s littered with examples from reporting on health in the media, and well written. And if you need persuading why you should care, read this post (all of it) by Dr Petra Boynton on what happens when journalists fail to scrutinise press releases from health companies. It’s also free to download, so what’s your excuse?

And also on the subject of keeping your wits about you, Dan Gillmor‘s latest book on media literacy, Mediactive, is published under a Creative Commons licence as a PDF,

Culture, copyright and code

Lawrence Lessig has written quite a few books about law and how it relates to the media when content becomes digitised, as well as code more generally. Most of his work is available online for free download, including The Future of Ideas (PDF), Code 2.0 (PDF), Remix, and Free Culture.

Matt Mason‘s book on how media culture is changed by “pirates” gives you a choice: you can download The Pirate’s Dilemma for whatever price you choose to pay, including nothing.

Investigative Journalism

Mark Lee Hunter has written 2 great free ebooks which strip away the mystique that surrounds investigative journalism and persuades so many journalists that it’s something ‘other people do’.

The first, Story-Based Inquiry (PDF), is an extremely useful guide to organising and focusing an investigation, demonstrating that investigative journalism is more about being systematic than about meeting strangers in underground car parks.

The second, The Global Casebook (PDF), is brilliant: a collection of investigative journalism – but with added commentary by each journalist explaining their methods and techniques. Where Story-Based Inquiry provides an over-arching framework; The Global Casebook demonstrates how different approaches can work for different stories and contexts.

For more tips on investigative journalism the Investigative Journalism Manual (you’ll have to download each chapter separately) provides guidance from an African perspective which still applies whatever country you practise journalism.

And if you’re particularly interested in corruption you may also want to download Paul Radu‘s 50-page ebook Follow The Money: A Digital Guide for Tracking Corruption (PDF).

Related subjects: design, programming

That’s 17 books but if you want to explore design or programming there are dozens more out there. In particular, How to Think Like a Computer Scientist is a HTML ebook, but the Kindle deals with HTML pages too. Also in HTML is Digital Foundations: Introduction to Media Design (h/t Jon Hickman).

Have I missed anything?

Those are just the books that spring to mind or that I’ve previously bookmarked. Are there others I’ve missed?

Šminkerica.com: u novom ruhu uz 7 tisuća posjetitelja dnevno

Nikola Krajačić — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:26:22 +0000

Šminkerica.com ima novi dizajn koji je omogućio i bolju organizaciju sadržaja, pa će tako stari, ali i dalje aktualni tekstovi više dolaziti do izražaja. Make-up blog kojeg je pokrenula Ivana Blažoti (Netokracijina lipanjska geeketa ;)) na Internetu je od prosinca 2009. godine, a za svoj drugi rođendan dobila je vizualno i konceptualno osvježenje. Dok je stara Šminkerica imala bazu kvalitetnog sadržaja, stari sadržaj je prebrzo tonuo u arhivu.

Slovenski internetski izdavači počinju naplaćivati sadržaj – jesu li Hrvatska i Srbija sljedeće?

Nikola Krajačić — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:08:04 +0000

Piano Media dolazi u Sloveniju i uz devet izdavača počet će naplaćivati sadržaj na slovenskim internetskim medijima. Nakon što su postavili pay-wall u Slovačkoj u svibnju prošle godine, Piano Media, koja je dobila 300 tisuća eura investicije će isto napraviti u Sloveniji, počevši već od 16. siječnja. Od tog dana, tzv. Piano Bar pojavljivat će se na internetskim magazinima svih izdavača koji su se udružili s Piano Medijom, ali plaćanje neće biti nužno od samog početka, već će se čitatelji poticati da se registriraju radi privikavanja na sustav Piano Medije. Prava naplata sadržaja kreće od ponedjeljka, 30. siječnja 2012. kada će online sadržaj biti enkriptiran u Piano sustavu i oni koji se nisu registrirali morat će plaćati pretplatu u iznosima:

iPhone slavi rođendan: Prije pet godina Steve Jobs predstavio prvi model

Nebojša Grbačić — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:34:48 +0000

Najpopularniji pametni telefon na svijetu, Appleov iPhone, na današnji je dan prvi put predstavljen svijetu. Pokojni Steve Jobs pojavio se na pozornici Macworld Expo eventa i riječima 'danas ćemo napisati povijest' predstavio Apple iPhone prve generacije, a koji je pet godina kasnije dobio i svoju - petu verziju.

Erste mBanking za Android tražio je više pažnje od iPhone verzije: preuzmite ga već danas!

Ivan Brezak Brkan — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:20:33 +0000

Kao što smo najavili u prosincu, Erste banka i Infinum službeno su predstavili svoju Erste mBanking mobilnu aplikacija za Android. Aplikacija vas je sudeći po reakcijama na originalan članak oduševila mnoge netokrate s obzirom da se ističe kvalitetnim sučeljem, naprednim mogućnostima te prilikom da platite uplatnicu slikanjem svojim iPhone te sad - Android uređajem.

Hrvatima kroz ruke (ne) prolaze milijuni kuna na domenama

Goran Duškić — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:36:28 +0000

Propustili ste, ali ne krivim vas. Niste ni mogli znati. Jučer, u nedjelju popodne dok ste vjerojatno uživali u suncu i kavi, planetrx.com je prodan za 1.2 milijuna dolara. Niste nikad čuli za Planetrx? Netko je ipak ozbiljne novce istresao. A što je sa dudu.com? Zdravko Mamić je propustio tu domenu tako da je ona otišla je u Dubai za 1.000.000 dolara i time nakon manje od tjedan dana postala prva domena u 2012. godini koja je prodana za milijun dolara. Na popularnoj stranici Flippa svakodnevno prodaju kompletne web stranice koje su preradili nakon što su kupili korištene domene. Šteta (u nedostatku bolje riječi) što je ovo u Hrvatskoj protuzakonito sa .hr domenama. Propušta li tržište .hr domena milijune?

iStudio otvorio ured u Bosni i Hercegovini: Facebook tržište kao hrvatsko prije 2 godine

Ivan Brezak Brkan — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 06:00:05 +0000

Zagrebački iStudio, jedna od vodećih hrvatskih agencija za pozicioniranje na društvenim mrežama koja se specijalizirala za marketing te izradu aplikacija za Facebook, u siječnju otvara svoj prvi inozemni ured - u Bosni i Hercegovini. Radi se o agenciji koja istovremeno pokušava razviti 2 internetska projekta: Socialnumbers za praćenje rasta Facebook fan stranica te MediaToolKita za praćenje popularnih internetskih sadržaja.

Morbidno.com: Umri u virtualnom miru uz lažnu osmrtnicu

Ivan Brezak Brkan — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:31:27 +0000

Ne brinite, šalim se. Tko kaže da internetski servisi ne mogu biti zaista korisni? Treba li vam osmrtnica, možete je od danas besplatno stvoriti na web stranici Morbidno uz nekoliko klikova te unos potrebnog teksta. Krajnji rezultat je morbidnim standardima odgovarajuća osmrnica koju potom možete podijeliti s (ne)prijateljima na Twitteru, Facebooku, Google Plusu ili pak spremiti za tiskanje.

Photographing The 4th Dimension – TIME [ebook REVIEW]

Peter West Carey — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 14:29:21 +0000

I have high hopes for Jim Goldstein’s new ebook series titled Inspired Exposure and the first offering Photographing The 4th Dimension: Time is the subject of this review. Some of you may know Jim from his writing here on DPS or from his ever popular blog. While I know Jim personally, this review will be an objective look at his book and if it may be of value to you, the reader.

Who Is This Book For?

This book is geared toward the beginner and intermediate shooter. It lays out the basics of techniques and then takes the time to order the steps for those new to the system. He also includes field reference cards you can take with you while shooting (no batteries needed!).

What You’ll Find Inside

Jim’s first ebook attempts to give readers tools and understand in order to capture an aspect of photography most beginners, or even intermediate shooters, don’t often think of; time. With an extremely fast shutter speed and so much concentration on making sure it is fast enough to not blur images, expressing time in anything other than split second shots is a technique that takes some studying as well as trial and error. Jim starts the reader out on this path by laying down the basics in the first section titled: Exposure 101. Exposure, Shutter Speed, Aperture and ISO laid out in four pages. If you’re brand new to photography, you might need a bit more learning than what is presented in this section. For those with even an inkling of understanding, the review helps cement the concepts and prepare you for the advanced techniques to come.

The next chapter touches on human perception. This is a valuable and needed step before the techniques. It’s also nice to see video included to explain certain concepts, such as the Phi phenomenon. Jim uses video sparingly in this book and only to really highlight a topic, not as a cool new gizmo that adds action where it is not needed. This chapter gets a little deep and is worth a reread to really understand how the human brain ‘sees’ time and action. Footnotes with links to the web give the reader a path for further exploring.

Now you’re ready for the basics of a long exposure. Jim touches on the base technique and it will take a couple of read-throughs to get the system down. While he notes it in later sections, I’m not sure why he doesn’t suggest locking focus in step 5 of this section. It’s nice to see he lists the recommended gear with a link to the full gear selection description in the back of the book. Again, he uses the technology of this format well to make information easier to access. There is an important video in this section describing how light meters work in camera to make sure you understand why it’s not perfect.

The placing of the next section confuses me a bit. It centers on light painting, indeed a fun technique, but it seems out of place in the flow of the book and I would have liked to see it further back. It contains a number of different techniques, always with Jim’s great photography as an example. I also would have liked a bit more quantification on light sources to use, especially in regards to flashlights. I have tried a number of sources and a suggestion here would help a beginner. Lastly, a video in this section would have been perfect. To see someone painting with light (especially the colors Jim uses) and then the final product would aid novices. Still, it is a fun technique and he provides picture perfect inspiration. His hints for exposure settings are a nice jump-start for those new to the idea.

Composites: Star Trails and More covers a lot of ground and gives solid suggestions for software. I like that he walks through the post production (as much as can be expected) to help take the mystery out of the process. I have found when showing others the fun with star photos, that post-production can be the largest stumbling block and Jim’s software suggestions and steps help a lot. He also laces in some preferred settings and dedicates a page and a half to showing you what not to do. I think this is valuable information to cut down on the trial and error time most of us experience with a new technique.

Sequences is a beautiful section that dabbles into story telling. This section is helpful for those who aren’t traveling far and wide every weekend and might not have access to the clear skies Jim enjoys on his travels while shooting star photos. He includes many examples in this section to spark imagination in directions most beginners don’t consider. The 16 shot sequence of his son’s expressions is priceless for new parents to consider and the section on time-lapse photography is helpful for starting out. What’s most helpful here is the use of video to show four examples of time-lapse is action. My only problem was getting each video to play as Windows kept asking me if I wanted to grant permission twice per video. A minor annoyance for good content.

The last instructional section before getting to gear recommendations is Mixing Motion With Still Photography and it is a cornucopia of advanced techniques. Rear-curtain and front-curtain sync are discussed and then it is right into the more advanced technique of Cinemagraphs. This technique is new to me and Jim laid out the steps clearly. It should be noted his instructions are only for Photoshop CS4 or later. From the looks of it, this technique could be ported to GIMP for those without the Adobe software.

Gear Recommendations lists out multiple options for each piece of gear and, even more importantly, what to look for when making a purchase. It is obvious Jim is not trying to make a buck by steering readers to one brand or another, but helping novices find what they are looking for.

Very last in the book is likely the handiest of sections. Yes, this is an ebook and meant to be carried on an electronic device no matter where you shoot. But Jim also realizes some people like things printed out. He provides quick reference cards that can be printed and taken with you for when your iPhone runs out of battery. Its’ a nice touch and will help cut down on the learning curve when out in the field.

What I Liked

I liked Jim’s voice throughout the book. He writes in an easy to read manner, as you might have found here on DPS. He also includes all the shooting data for images in the ebook, which is perfect for those looking to improve and understand how a shot came together. He also provides easy to find tips and shortcuts in a larger font or sidebar. The book, designed by Naomi Creek, has a pleasing layout and is easy to move through.

What Can Use Improving

Personally I would have liked to see the gear section up front. That’s just my way of thinking, to know what I need first before diving in. I would have liked to see more use of GIMP or Aperture steps for those without Photoshop and Lightroom (when applicable). He also mentions film a few times but this book is certainly not geared to those shooters. Lastly, I’m not so sure about the placing of Light Painting more forward in the book.

Jim’s ebook sells for $20 and is available at Inspired Exposures (a site he created to offer other subjects in the series) as a PDF download for any platform.

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

Photographing The 4th Dimension – TIME [ebook REVIEW]

Understanding Light: A Series of Tutorials

Darren Rowse — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 14:54:35 +0000

Over in the forum area of dPS we have an area called ‘Tutorials’ where members submit their own tips and tutorials for the community.

In recent weeks a wonderful series of articles on the topic of Light has been published by one of our wonderful members – Richard Taylor.

Rather than republish the tutorials here on the blog I would strongly urge you to check out what Richard is producing. So far he’s up to 5 parts (there could be more to come). Check them out at:

A BIG thanks to Richard Taylor for posting these (and many other) great tutorials. Check out more of his work on his Flickr Stream and on 500px.

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

Understanding Light: A Series of Tutorials

Netko je registrirao vaš brend na Twitteru – preuzmite ga kao što smo mi @walloftweets!

Vibor Cipan — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 09:01:12 +0000

O važnosti branda u kontekstu digitalnog i online identiteta, dosada je već mnogo rečeno. Sada kada svijetom marketinga dobrim dijelom vladaju društvene mreže, osigurati da vaš brand bude upravo vaš na Twitteru ili Facebooku, po važnosti stoji uz bok s osiguravanjem toga da vaš brand ne biva kopiran i krivo povezivan u offline svijetu. Na raspolaganju vam je niz opcija i alata kako to postići - prvi ga registrirati i zaštiti je svakako najjednostavnija od svih. No što se događa ukoliko je netko već preuzeto vaš brand i koristi ga? Jesu li tužbe i prepucavanja s odvjetnicima jedini način da povratite i ostvarite pravo na svoj digitalni virtualni identitet? Napokon, ni Vlada nije imuna od lažnih profila...

DEADLINE FOR ILLUSTRATION COMPETITION TODAY!

Communication Arts — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:20:16 +0000

by Commarts

The Illustration Competition Deadline is Today.*

Introduce your work to the world. Enter the most prestigious illustration competition for creativity in illustration, the Communication Arts Illustration Competition. Any illustration first printed or produced from January 2011 through January 2012 is eligible.

*Late fees apply after Jan. 6; no entries will be accepted after Jan. 20.

News – 1/6/2012

Communication Arts — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:45:00 +0000

To Resolve Project: Chris Streger asked designers to create a resolution for the new year as an iPhone background.

Tina Roth Eisenberg's talk at the Future of Web Design: "The Power of Side Projects and Eccentric Aunts."

From mono, monotunes, the musical-8-bit-avatar-follow-up to monoface.

Fun with Macro Photography

Valerie Jardin — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:57:15 +0000

Macro photography has been on my bucket list of photography genres to experiment with for a long time. Unfortunately, a good macro lens is not cheap and, since I have no use for it for my commercial work, it is not an expense that I can easily justify. However, I am a firm believer that when you make a living with your photography, it is essential to work on personal projects to keep your passion alive and fresh. Just like the fish eye lens, the macro lens is the perfect toy for any photographer. I received one for my birthday last spring and my adventure into the world of macro discoveries and challenges began.

It took a few shots to get the timing right but I learned a lot in the process!

Like many photographers, I concentrated first on capturing macro images of flowers and insects. I enjoyed it and learned a lot, but quickly realized I wanted to try other things. Besides, there is snow cover for four to five months a year where I live, so opportunities for outdoor macro photography are limited. I decided to step up my macro photography efforts and experiment with other shots.

There are many great macro tutorials available online, but I enjoy creating my own experiments and learning that way. Part of the fun for me is figuring out the setting that will get the right shot. I also prefer looking at pictures over tutorials for inspiration. Most online tutorials give away the exact settings you need to get a particular shot. What’s the point of that? They may be a good place to start, but you will have more fun and learn more “off line.” Photography is a craft that is best learned by trial and error. To achieve real skill and experience, figure out all the settings by yourself by photographing those things that interest you. I’m confident you will quickly learn how to get that perfect macro shot on your own.

Although I occasionally shoot macro handheld, I use a tripod and a remote trigger most of the time. (You can also use the timer on your camera.) Keep in mind that macro photography requires you to shoot at a really small aperture (big numbers) in order to get the most depth of field possible. And the slightest camera shake will ruin your shot, so be sure to use a good, steady tripod.

What do I shoot with my macro lens? I still enjoy getting close to beautiful flowers, but I have found many other interesting subjects around my house. Once you start seeing things up close, you can’t stop looking for new things to shoot. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your macro lens. There are hundreds of fascinating subjects around you right now! Macro photography is much more than photographing flowers and insects – it’s a unique way to see, and experience, everyday objects. Put a macro lens on your wish list and maybe your own amazing adventure will begin in 2012!

I had never paid much attention to those old French coins until I decided to experiment with macro photography!

Water and oil don't mix! Here the glass dish was set up over colored pencils to add interest.

This broken pocket watch was just too beautiful not to take a closer look!

Open your refrigerator, I'm sure you'll find a few interesting subjects in there!

Of course, I will always love photographing flowers with my macro lens but there is so much more out there, just look around and dare to experiment!

Note: The photos above were shot with the Canon macro 100mm f/2.8 on 5D Mrk II

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

Fun with Macro Photography

Webpick of the Week – Volkswagen Beetle

Communication Arts — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:29:56 +0000

Part of Volkswagen’ s global 21st Century Beetle campaign, this site will be the landing page for all communications during the next few years of international product rollout and the digital platform for the VW Beetle brand.

Set on a HTML5 framework, and including a WebSocket connection and a multiple device responsive design that includes the sales platform, the entire site is based on a scrolling concept that offers direct access to content, orients users and offers up a narrative for moving through the content vertically and horizontally.

• Users can connect an iPhone and scroll through the Beetle story in lean back couch mode.

• Since the site is a responsive scrolling environment and loads a huge amount of animated objects, positioned relatively and semi-relatively inside the viewport, with dimensions that vary between devices and user controls that change the speed and direction of animations, the development team created the “pin factor” concept to keeps the code object oriented and flexible. It defines the distance of an object entering and leaving the viewport with three states: entering, pinned and exiting.

• After trying smart lazy loading mechanisms to load content when scrolled to a certain proximity, and always ending up creating a nearly uncontrollable half-loaded user experience, the team decided to load all image assets upfront so the scenery always appears as intended. To minimize requests and load times, an initial preloader grabs only the assets necessary to guarantee a liquid UX at the beginning; afterward each module loads only on demand and is unloaded as soon as it's out of the viewport.

• Response to the site from the social web was overwhelming. Without any media attention the site leaked on Twitter and got almost the same traffic in the first week that was achieved with the first banner flight two weeks later.
Credits: www.ddb-tribal.com

Intuition Ale Works packaging

Communication Arts — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:29:37 +0000

Intuition Ale Works of Jacksonville was just ending a very successful first year (during which its customers could only buy its beer on tap), when owner and head brewer, Ben Davis approached Texas-based DeRouen & Co. with his vision of being the first Florida craft brewery to package beer in cans. Long associated with college kids and bad beer, canning beer actually provides better taste quality and is better for the environment. DeRouen worked closely with Davis to develop packaging that extends the brand and evokes their handmade and sophisticated personality. I-10 West Coast, represented by a cross-country interstate, speaks to Davis’s connection with the beach lifestyle on the East and West coasts; Jon Boat Coastal conveys the joy of fishing (with a fresh, cold beer in hand) in the coastal waters around Jacksonville; and The People’s Pale Ale label represents the demand for a great American-style pale ale.
Credits: derouenco.com | www.intuitionaleworks.com

A day’s basic training in data journalism

Paul Bradshaw — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:03:17 +0000

I’m delivering a special day of data journalism training in Birmingham later this month, at the nominal cost to attendees of £25.

The course is being organised by the Centre for Investigative Journalism and Birmingham City University.

Nikon D4 to blow our minds?

Sime — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:17:31 +0000

Jared Polin from FroKnowsPhoto.com has just handed me this press release from Nikon on their new D4! Which he says is pure awesome.

Sniff test it? Yes he did… Watch the video below for Jared’s reaction to the newly announced Nikon D4

Potentially available end of Feb 2012 and coming in at around $6,000…

Here’s the video, press release right below it!

Follow @FroKnowsPhoto for more updates (He is spree casting at 11:30 PST)

Here is the FULL Nikon Press Release for the brand new Nikon D4

The New 16.2 Megapixel Nikon D4 Wields a Formidable Fusion of Swift Performance, Battle-Tested Technologies and Innovative New Features to Create High Caliber Photo and HD Multimedia Content

MELVILLE, N.Y. (Jan 5, 2012) – The new Nikon D4 digital SLR builds upon the legacy of the proven Nikon flagship D-SLRs before it, engineered to give today’s professional multimedia photographers a new apex of speed and accuracy with unparalleled image quality, low-light capability and Full HD video. The Nikon D4 hosts a multitude of advanced new features and useful functions that deliver speedy performance and amazing image quality for when missing the shot is not an option.

Every aspect of the new Nikon D4 D-SLR has been designed to emphasize rapid response and seamless operation to help professional photographers consistently capture incredible content. Nikon’s proven 51-point AF System has been further enhanced for maximum speed in a variety of challenging shooting situations, even at 10 frames per second (fps). Considered the new Nikon flagship, the D4 renders supreme image quality, a feat accomplished with a new 16.2-megapixel FX-format CMOS sensor, coupled with the latest generation of Nikon’s EXPEED 3 image processing engine to help produce images and videos with stunning clarity and color. Photographers are also able to shoot in even the most challenging environments and lighting conditions with the assistance of Nikon’s new 91,000-pixel 3D color matrix meter and a broad ISO range from 100 to a staggering 204,800 for low-light capture like never before. The Nikon D4 is engineered for the modern professional and incorporates never before seen HD-SLR video features for those who also need to capture multimedia content from the field.

“Speed without accuracy is irrelevant,” said Bo Kajiwara, director of marketing, Nikon Inc. “The status of a Nikon flagship camera is not given lightly; this next generation of Nikon’s most professional body exceeds the needs of a wide variety of both still and multimedia professionals that rely on Nikon to make their living. Besides overall performance and burst speed, the D4 provides Nikon’s most advanced AF system to date, as well as enhanced workflow speed to give professionals the edge in the field.”

Velocity Meets Versatility
Speed is a necessity for today’s multimedia photographer as milliseconds matter when the action commences. Whether an assignment relies on fast processing power, burst rate, write speed, enhanced workflow or even streamlined camera controls, the D4 is the epitome of professional-caliber photographic horsepower. Ready to shoot in approximately 0.012 seconds, the new Nikon D4 can capture full resolution JPEG or RAW files at up to 10 fps with full AF / AE or up to 11 fps with AF / AE locked. Immediately before image capture, the camera interprets data from the AF sensor, including subject color as detected on the 91,000-pixel RGB sensor, to deliver consistently tack-sharp focus frame after frame. Whether a photographer is shooting a full-court fast break under gymnasium lighting or the downhill slalom in the bright sun and frigid temperatures, the D4 will instill the confidence with consistently great results.

The Advanced Multi-Cam 3500 AF autofocus system is the next generation of Nikon’s proven 51-point AF system. The fully customizable system offers users the ability to capture fast moving subjects and track focus with precision or select a single AF point with pinpoint accuracy. The Nikon D4 D-SLR aligns 15 cross-type sensors in the center to detect contrast data in both vertical and horizontal planes. In addition to detecting each AF-NIKKOR lens with an aperture of f/5.6 or lower, the camera also utilizes nine cross-type sensors that are fully functional when using compatible NIKKOR lenses and TC14E or TC17E teleconverters or a single cross-type sensor when using compatible NIKKOR lenses and the TC20E teleconverter with an aperture value up to f/8, which is a great advantage to those shooting sports and wildlife. For maximum versatility in situations such as photographing nature from afar or competition from the sidelines, photographers are also able to select multiple AF modes, including normal, wide area, face tracking and subject tracking, to best suit the scene.
The Nikon D4 D-SLR also employs a new 91,000-pixel RGB 3D Color Matrix metering system that meticulously analyzes each scene and recognizes factors such as color and brightness with unprecedented precision. This data is then interpreted and compared against D4’s on-board database to implement various settings, resulting in vibrant images with faithful color reproduction and balanced exposure. In addition, this new AF sensor now has the ability to detect up to 16 human faces with startling accuracy, even when shooting through the optical viewfinder, allowing for correct exposure even when the subject is backlit. Additionally, to capture every brief moment from a bouquet toss to a photo finish under nearly any condition, the 51 focus points deliver fast and accurate detection down to a -2 EV with every AF-NIKKOR lens.

All of this image data is funneled through a 16 bit pipeline and are written to dual card slots which have been optimized for the latest UDMA-7 Compact Flash™ cards, as well as the new XQD™ memory card. The D4 is the first professional camera to harness the capabilities of this new durable and compact format, which offers blazing fast write times and extended capacity essential for multimedia professionals shooting stills and video.

Image Quality That Hits the Mark
The heart of the new D4 is the Nikon-developed 16.2-megapixel FX-format (36 x 23.9mm) CMOS sensor that provides amazing image quality, brilliant dynamic range and vivid colors in nearly any lighting condition. By achieving the optimal balance of resolution and sensor size, professional photographers will realize exceptionally sharp, clean and well saturated images throughout the entire ISO range.

Like the D3 and D3s before it, the Nikon D4 retains Nikon’s status as the sovereign of low-light capture ability, with a native ISO range from 100 to 12,800 ISO, expandable from 50 (Lo-1) to an incredible yet usable 204,800 (Hi-4). From a candlelit first dance to nocturnal wildlife, the large 7.3µ pixel size absorbs the maximum amount of light to excel in any situation. Additionally, the sensor’s construction features a gapless micro-lens structure and anti-reflective coating which further contributes to images that retain natural depth and tones with smooth color gradation. For ultimate versatility, photographers can also take advantage of the camera’s extreme high ISO ability while recording video.

Another factor contributing to the camera’s rapid performance and stellar image quality is Nikon’s new EXPEED 3 image processing engine that helps professionals create images with amazing resolution, color and dynamic range in both still images and video. From image processing to transfer, the new engine is capable of processing massive amounts of data, exacting optimal color, perfect tonality and minimized noise throughout the frame.

There are also a variety of shooting options available to help capture the highest quality images and video. In addition to standard NEF (RAW) files, the D4 is also capable of shooting smaller compressed RAW files to ease storage and speed up workflow. Users are also able to capture even more dynamic range with the in-camera High Dynamic Range (HDR) function that merges consecutive exposures. For deep contrast and further tonality, Active D-Lighting can also be activated during shooting for balanced exposures even in backlit scenes. Additionally, the camera features a dedicated button for quick access to Nikon’s Picture Controls, allowing users to quickly select one of six presets.

Professional Multimedia Features
The Nikon D4 D-SLR is engineered with innovative new features for the multimedia professional that needs the small form factor, low-light ability and NIKKOR lens versatility that only an HD-SLR can offer. The new features add functionality for those professionals looking for the best possible experience to capture a moment in Full HD 1080p video at various frame rates, providing footage that is more than suitable for broadcast.

Full HD video recording – Users have the choice of various resolutions and frame rates, including 1080p 30/24fps and 60 fps at 720p. By utilizing the B-Frame data compression method, users can record H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC format video with unmatched integrity for up to 20 minutes per clip. This format also allows for more accurate video data to be transferred requiring less memory capacity. The sensor reads image data at astoundingly fast rates, which results in less instances of rolling shutter distortion.
Full manual control of exposure – Shutter speed, aperture and ISO can be changed while recording to adapt to lighting and alter depth of field for professional cinematic results that help realize a creative vision.
Uncompressed output: simultaneous Live View – By using the camera’s HDMI port instead of the CF or XQD card, users can stream an uncompressed full HD signal directly out of the camera. This footage can be ported into an LCD display or appropriate external recording device or routed through a monitor and then to the recording device, eliminating the need for multiple connections.
Audio recording for professionals – The Nikon D4 features a stereo headphone jack for accurate monitoring of audio levels while recording. Output can be adjusted in up to 30 steps for precise audio adjustment. The D4 offers high-fidelity audio recording control with audio levels that can be set and monitored on the camera’s LCD screen. The microphone connected via the stereo mic jack can also be adjusted with up to 20 steps of sensitivity for accurate sound reproduction.
Multi-area Mode Full HD Video: FX/DX, and 2.7x crop mode at 1080p video modes – Whether shooting for depth of field in FX format mode, or looking for the extra 1.5X telephoto benefits of DX mode, the high resolution sensor of the D4 allows videographers to retain full 1080P HD resolution no matter what mode they choose. With the 2.7x crop, users can experience ultra-telephoto benefits in full HD resolution all at 16:9 aspect ratio.
Simultaneous live view output without display / simultaneous monitor – Shooters have the option to send the display signal directly to an attached monitor via the HDMI port. This signal can be viewed on the camera’s LCD screen and external monitor simultaneously. Additionally, the image data display can be cleared from the screen, to remove distracting data or when feeding a live signal.
Full-time AF – In addition to manual focus, four modes are available, including normal, wide area, face detection and subject tracking, which uses fast contrast detect AF to accurately focus while recording video and in live view.
New LCD screen – The large high resolution 3.2-inch LCD screen is 921K dots, and includes auto brightness adjustment. Users can also zoom in up to 46x to check critical HD focus.
Time lapse shooting – This new feature combines a selected frame rate and “shooting interval” in a dedicated time lapse photography menu. Playback can be achieved with a wide variety of speeds from 24x to 36,000x while producing a fully finished movie file output for faster multimedia workflows.
Remote shutter operation – Using dedicated Movie Custom Settings, recording can be set to be engaged by the shutter release button -users can now use a variety of remote accessories to trigger video recording.
NIKKOR lens compatibility – The highest caliber optics are vital to creating HD images and Nikon is the world leader in optics manufacturing with a legacy spanning more than 75 years. Nikon has a vast NIKKOR lens system, with more than 50 lenses with a variety of focal lengths and features, including VR II vibration reduction.

Professional Construction, Superior Operability
The reputation and respect bestowed upon a Nikon D-Series flagship camera is earned from those who use it; therefore the chassis of the Nikon D4 is machined from magnesium alloy for maximum durability and reliability. The body of the camera is sealed and gasketed for resistance to dirt and moisture, as well as electromagnetic interference. Photographers are able to easily compose through the bright optical viewfinder, which offers 100% frame coverage. The shutter has been tested to withstand 400,000 cycles for maximum durability, while sensor cleaning is employed by vibrating the OLPF. The self diagnostic shutter unit also encompasses a mirror balancer to minimize the residual “bounce” to enhance AF and extend viewing time. What’s more, the viewfinder is coated with a new thermal shield finish which works to resist overheating during prolonged use, enhancing overall reliability. Users can easily compose on the camera’s wide, bright and scratch resistant 921,000-dot high resolution 3.2-inch LCD screen.

The overall controls and operability of the camera has also been engineered with a renewed emphasis on speed and functionality. During critical moments, users will appreciate refined button layouts with renewed ergonomics, such as a quick AF mode selector placed near the lens mount for fast access on the fly. A new joystick style sub-selector is also placed on the camera’s rear for AF point and option selection, while vertical controls have been enhanced for improved operability. Finally, to continue the D4’s moniker of the best tool for just about any condition, key control buttons on the back of the camera can all be illuminated, making the camera simple to operate in complete darkness.

Nikon has also made enhancements to overall workflow, adding options to streamline the process and maximize shooting time. Users are now able to automatically generate IPTC data for their images and image sets, making organizing and chronicling images easier for both the photographers and their editors. A wired Ethernet port is also utilized so that a user can shoot tethered and transfer images easily and quickly to clients. Nikon has also introduced the new WT-5A wireless file transmitter, to transmit via FTP server or computer. The device can be set to transfer either automatically or manually selected images. This device also allows for remote operation of the camera using Nikon’s Camera Control Pro 2 software. A mobile application is also in development to control the camera using this accessory, which will include the ability to trigger the shutter and record video, making this a must-have remote accessory for many professionals.

Price and Availability?The Nikon D4 will be available in late February 2012 for the suggested retail price of $5999.95.*

To see the new D4 D-SLR and other new Nikon products, visit Nikon at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) at booth # 11039 from January 10-13th, 2012 in Las Vegas, NV.

About Nikon?Nikon, At the Heart of the Image™. Nikon Inc. is the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology and is globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Inc. distributes consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, NIKKOR optics, Speedlights and system accessories; Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras; 35mm film SLR cameras; Nikon software products and Nikon sports and recreational optics as well as the new Nikon 1 advanced camera with interchangeable lens system. In 2011, production of NIKKOR lenses surpassed 65 million, creating a new milestone in Nikon’s heritage of superior optics. For more information, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit http://www.nikonusa.com, which links all levels of photographers to the Web’s most comprehensive photo learning and sharing communities. Connect with Nikon and other photographers on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nikon and get the latest news and information from Twitter by following @Nikon_USA.

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

Nikon D4 to blow our minds?

The Best WordPress Tips and Tutorials of 2011

Nur — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:12:31 +0000

First of all happy New years! I would like to share with everyone, all 12 monthly “best of” WordPress tips and Tutorials so for those that missed out on all the great tutorials from the last year, you can find them all in one place. In 2011, WordPress become the best CMS (Content Management System) and taken over other CMS platforms like Drupal and Joomla. There were lot of changes in WordPress which gave new features and updates. In this round up, you will some of the the best WordPress tips and tutorials written this year. There is list of Video Tutorials To Learn WordPress Development, Designing and Blogging.

WordPress Theme Development Tutorials

Creating a Subscription Site Using WordPress

This is a great WordPress tutorial for beginners to intermediate users who want to learn how to easily and effectively create subscription sites and use WordPress as a content-management-system.

create and personalize the WordPress registration page and login page
create custom registration fields in order to gather information tailored to your site
create new post types and post type templates for your premium content
and restrict content to only registered users and redirect all others

Detail Tutorial

WordPress, Beginner to Master

Throughout this six-part beginner-to-master series, we’ll be using the advanced features of WordPress to create our own portfolio & blog, complete with an options page, multiple styles and support for the new WordPress features.

Detail Tutorial

Deploy Your WordPress Blog to the Cloud

For the last decade, hosting a large scale web application has been a daunting task, reserved only for experts. Not anymore; when Amazon opened its server architecture, everything changed. Computer hardware moved to the cloud, and became available to any and all developers. In this tutorial, we will install WordPress in the cloud.

Detail Tutorial

User Friendly Short Codes with TinyMCE

WordPress short codes are everywhere: in practically every theme and many, many plugins. They are extremely useful and provide huge amounts of extra functionality. With all of their greatness, however, there is one major problem with them: they are not very user friendly, particularly for users who are not familiar with programming, especially when a short code accepts more than one parameter. So, in order to help the non-users, we need a new solution.

Detail Tutorial

HTML5 WordPress Music Player & Settings Page Integration

This music player has finally made its way to WP! The design was originally created by Orman Clark after which Saleem from Codebase Hero created a jQuery plugin out of it.

Detail Tutorial

HTML5 and Dreamweaver Websites

Lawrence Turton, expert instructor in all things HTML5 -related, guides us step by step through creating a complete website using the latest web technologies. And for those of you dragging your feet on learning the latest features of Dreamweaver CS5 and 5.5, Lawrence shows us how DW integrates in with all this emerging coolness taking over the web. Here’s some of the highlights of what you’ll learn….

How To Create Tabs On WordPress Settings Pages

Using tabs in a user interface can help you better organize content, so it’s only natural that WordPress themes that have a lot of options would benefit from tabs on their settings page. In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a tabbed settings page, and you’ll get to download a WordPress theme that implements the code.

Detail Tutorial

Load Next WordPress Posts With AJAX

How to replace the standard “Older Posts” links on your blog. Our plugin will create a button toinstantly load the next page of posts, without reloading the page (Similar to what Twitter used to do at the bottom of profiles)

Detail Tutorial

WordPress as a CMS -Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3

When most people think about WordPress, they think about blogs. If you look at the front page of WordPress.org, they talk a lot about blogging as well. What they don’t tell you is that WordPress can also double as a very powerful CMS ; you just have to set it up properly. It can be a bit tricky to get setup and working the way that you want; but this is where I come in.

Detail Tutorials: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3

Building Your WordPress Website with iPad in Mind

How you could get your WordPress website looking great on an iPhone, now it’s time to take a look at how you can get it looking fantastic on an iPad. iPad users interact with their devices quite differently to how desktop and laptop users interact with theirs.

Detail Tutorial

How to Display an Admin Notice For Required Theme Plugins

Typically build all the functionality needed directly into each theme I release, but sometimes it makes sense to refer to a 3rd party plugin to achieve what you are looking to do. For instance, most of my video-centric themes require the Press75 “Simple Video Embedder” plugin for embedding videos within each post. In my opinion.

Detail Tutorial

Customizing the WordPress Dashboard For Your Clients

Have you recently started using WordPress for your client’s project and want to further impress your client with better packaging? This article will focus on packaging WordPress so that, in just few minutes after completion of a project, it will feel more unique to the client and not have the generic feel.

Detail Tutorial

Create Perfect Emails For Your WordPress Website

Whatever type of website you operate, its success will probably hinge on your interaction with your audience. If executed well, one of the most effective tools can be a simple email.

WordPress users are in luck, since WordPress already has easy-to-use and extendable functions to give you a lot of power and flexibility in handling your website’s emails.

Detail Tutorial

WordPress Custom Fields 101: Tips, Tricks, and Hacks

Now we will go into sharing some of the cool tips, tricks, and hacks for custom fields. Custom fields are limited to your imagination only, so there are tons of cool tricks that we might miss.

Detail Tutorial

Add a Customizable Header image to your WordPress Theme

WordPress 3.0 brought a host of new features with it and one was the ability to change your theme header from within the admin panel, under the “appearance” tab and was built into the TwentyTen theme. What if you want to add this functionality to your own theme ? Thankfully it’s pretty easy to do by adding some custom code to your theme’s functions.php file.

Detail Tutorial

Useful and Time Saving WordPress Code Snippets

Coding in wordpress is pretty state of the art and the code and logic behind the wp theme is much the same. So you can use many source codes and snippets to save your time while coding for wordpress. We are going to share with you some useful wordpress code snippets to save your time and you can design a great wordpress theme with these handy and ready to work code snippets. So build yourwordpress plugins or theme with these ready made code snippets.

Detail Tutorial

How to Display Ads Only to Search Engine Visitors in WordPress

From our experience and research of many industry experts, it seems that Search Engine visitors are more likely to click on targeted advertisements then your regular readers. In this article, we will share a technique that will let you make more money from your blogs by simply displaying ads to your Search Engine Visitors ONLY. Whereas your regular visitors do not see these ads. This works very well with targeted Pay-Per-Click (PPC) ad units such as Google Adsense.

Detail Tutorial

Killer hacks to enhance WordPress editor

When you’re a blogger, the editor is indeed something very important because it is the tool used to write your posts. In this article, I’m going to show you some hacks and tips to enhance WordPress editor. Enjoy!

Detail Tutorial

Turn your commenters into subscribers!

Only a small percentage of your visitors leave a comment. This group of people is probably also interested in subscribing to your newsletter, if you have one.

Detail Tutorial

Hosting Client Sites on a WordPress Network

Regular updates keep WordPress secure and expand the feature set, ensuring the platform meets both the developer’s and their client’s needs.

Detail Tutorial

How to Add “delete” and “spam” Buttons to Your Comments

Comment section in a site is really important. It represent interaction between you and your readers. It also keeps posts alive and is an important indicator of a popular post.

Detail Tutorial

Move WordPress Admin Bar to the Bottom

Not everybody likes the WordPress Admin Bar, which exists since WordPress 3.1, at the top of the browser. With just a bit CSS you can change it. The following function provides CSS directly in the footer of backend and frontend. It displays the Admin Bar at the bottom.

Detail Tutorial

20 Helpful WordPress SQL Queries Snippets

WordPress keeps every single scrap of information that is fed into it in a MySQL database, whether that be posts, pages, comments, blogroll, the plugin settings… everything. Yes, the WordPress admin backend is fantastic and it does allow you to control and edit all aspects of this information with ease. Up to a certain point anyway.

Detail Tutorial

Speeding Up Your WordPress Website: 11 Ways to Improve Your Load Time

It’s an important question, particularly for businesses who want to scale their website. Of course, the procedures necessary for speeding up your website are going to differ depending on whether you have a site the size of something like WPMU.org or a lamoid little homepage like my own.

Detail Tutorial

How to Embed Google Talk Chatback on Your WordPress Site for Live Support

Making live chat available on your website is a strategy that has been shown to dramatically increase sales. Customers appreciate the ability to get in touch with you instantly.

Detail Tutorial

Comment Form Hooks Visualized

Most themes (e.g. TwentyTen) use the comment_form() function to insert the comment form after posts. There are quite some hooks inside the function but they are hard to localize. The codex documentation isn’t too helpful, neither.
To give you an easy overview the following diagrams visualize the points where the various hooks are anchored. The number of available hooks depend on the discussion settings and the user’s capabilities.

Detail Tutorial

Admin Bar Tricks

there are many awesome ways to make it do virtuallywhatever you want. In this DigWP post, we round up a ton of tips, tricks, and plugins for ultimately mastering the WordPress Admin Bar.

Detail Tutorial

How to Add Post Thumbnails to the WordPress Post and Page Management Screens

If you’re producing a lot of content on your WordPress site, it can be handy to see the main image associated with each post when viewing the post or page listing screen. Adding in the post thumbnail creates a visual association for each post or page.

Detail Tutorial

Adding Input Fields To Comment Form

Most comment forms contain the same input fields: Name, Email, URL and the comment text field. This is sufficient for most use cases but there are situations where you might want to know a bit more about your commenter: their age, the city they live in, or the color of their underwear. This article explains how to add an input field, store the data in the database and how to display the additional data in your blog if your theme uses the comment_form() function provided by WordPress.

Detail Tutorial

How to Sync A Local & Remote WordPress Blog Using Version Control

Ever wondered how you might use Version Control with WordPress? If you prefer to work on your WordPress projects locally but have to get them to sync remotely, this tutorial is for you. You have probably tried to synchronize between the two setups by manually uploading the changed files and using PHPmyAdmin to export and import your database once changed, and (very likely) broke something in the process.

Detail Tutorial

WordPress Plugins Related Tips and Tutorials

WordPress Essentials: How To Create A WordPress Plugin

WordPress plugins are PHP scripts that alter your website. The changes could be anything from the simplest tweak in the header to a more drastic makeover (such as changing how log-ins work, triggering emails to be sent, and much more).

Detail Tutorial

Best examples of jQuery Sliders Effects and WordPress Plugins

jQuery are the best way to display your row images to present to your visitors. There are lots of option and customization that can create very simple, beautiful and good looking image sliders. Yesterday I written a tutorial on HOW TO: Create A Vertical Scrolling News Ticker on WordPress With jQuery Carousel.

Detail Tutorial

HOW TO: Create A Vertical Scrolling News Ticker on WordPress With jQuery Carousel

I had to design a Vertical Scrolling news ticker for my client. Initially, I thought it’s hard to figure it out, but thanks to a tutorial “ Create A Vertical Scrolling News Ticker With jQuery and jCarousel Lite“. I learnt from this tutorial along with other and modified the code and made it into something I wanted, hope this would help you too.

Detail Tutorial

How to Convert Plugins to Use Custom Post Types

If you’re a plugin developer whose been using custom tables for storing information in WordPress the transition to custom post types may be daunting.

Detail Tutorial

Ten Things Every WordPress Plugin Developer Should Know

Plugins are a major part of why WordPress powers millions of blogs and websites around the world. The ability to extend WordPress to meet just about any need is a powerful motivator for choosing WordPress over other alternatives.

Detail Tutorial

How to: Create a Dashboard Feed Reader for Your WordPress Theme or Plugin

Dashboard widgets in WordPress are actually meta boxes. They’re used in other places too, like the Edit Post or Page screen. They can be dragged around, shown or hidden from the Screen Options menu, collapsed and expanded by hitting the tiny arrow on the right side of the box titles. But hey, you should probably know that already!

Detail Tutorial

Essential Plugins for Every WordPress Installation

One of the reasons why people gravitate toward WordPress is the seemingly unlimited numbers of open source plugins available. Today, I’d like to go over a few plugins that I think absolutely warrant your attention. I’m sure I’ve missed some, though, so make sure to chime in within the comments! Hopefully, this article will morph into an absolute monster of a list that can act as a reference for fellow WordPress developers.

Detail Tutorial

How to create your own WordPress functionality plugin

A common, yet unfortunate practice in the WordPress community involves filling themefunctions.php files with tweaks and functionality that is key to a site. The reason this is a bad idea, in short, is that it will tie your critical site functionality to a theme that will eventually change. Good news, though: there is a much better, smarter alternative. It’s called a functionality plugin.

Detail Tutorial

How To Improve Your WordPress Plugin’s Readme.txt

If you’re a plugin developer and you just love to write code, then writing a readme.txt file for a plugin in WordPress’ repository might be your idea of hell. When you’ve written all of that lovely code, why must you spend time writing about how to use it?

Detail Tutorial

9 Ways of Showing WordPress Plugin Authors our Gratitude

WordPress is one of the biggest website platforms used in the world. Its official plugin directory lists more than 13,000 plugins, but there are also more of them available on the internet. Even if these plugins are for the major part free, the investment in terms of time for those who created them, and continued to support and fixing them is huge.

Detail Tutorial

WordPress Security Related

How to Get Better WordPress Security

If you have a WordPress powered website, then security should be of utmost importance. WordPress now powers more than 50 million websites, making it a target the same way hackers target Windows computers. You know you’re “mainstream” once you start becoming a (worthwhile) target. You can see that from the second announcement this year that thousands of WordPress websites were hacked.

Detail Tutorial

How to protect your WordPress site as hackers exploit TimThumb security hole

A month ago we told you about a serious security whole in popular image manipulation script, TimThumb. Used by hundreds of WordPress themes this was a particularly far-reaching exploit that opened up many sites to hackers who could gain entry and do pretty much what they wanted.

Detail Tutorial

Is Your WordPress Website Distributing Malware in Google Image Search?

It turns out that thousands of hacked sites are infecting Google image search results with images redirecting to Fake AV sites. And, unfortunately for you and for me, WordPress sites are a prime target for this kind of attack. A PHP injection into a WordPress site can generate spammy websites, hijack Google Image SERPs and result in your WordPress website tossing unsuspecting Google Image searchers to a FakeAV site.

Detail Tutorial

Cleaning up an infected website – Part I: WordPress and the Pharma Hack

This is part one of a small series of posts showing how to clean up sites. We will start with how to clean up “Pharma Hack” on a WordPress driven site due to the popularity. You can follow the series here:http://blog.sucuri.net/category/guides.

Detail Tutorial

6 .htaccess Tricks for Better WordPress SEO & Security

Here are six htacccess tricks that will help improve the security and SEO quality of your WordPress-powered site. We do this using .htaccess to establish canonical URLs for key peripheral files, such as your robots.txt, favicon.ico, and sitemap.xml files.

Detail Tutorial

How to Automatically Backup Your WordPress Site to Dropbox

Last year Dropbox announced that they have 4,000,000 users, a number which is likely to double very soon. In case you’re out of the loop, Dropbox is a cloud-based storage and file sharing service. It’s become very popular, due to its ease of use and the basic offer of 2GB of free storage space.

Detail Tutorial

8 Tips to Secure a WordPress Site

Security is one of those topics that comes up time and time again. You hear the advice, you know you should do it, but somehow, you never get around to it.

The tips in this post are designed to help make your WordPress installation safer and less likely to be hacked or spammed. If you’re short on time, just start at the top and work down. I’ve (roughly) ordered them so that the most important tweaks come first.

Detail Tutorial

Quick Tip: Backing Up Your Blog with VaultPress

As with almost every other web app, WordPress stores information in a database. There’s always a chance that your data could be lost or corrupted, and it’s wise to have a solid backup strategy in place. This is where VaultPress enters the scene to save the day, providing complete backup and security for your WordPress site.

Detail Tutorial

11 Quick Tips: Securing Your WordPress Site

WordPress is the most used open-source platform nowadays for any type of websites: whether it is blog, CMS or any other custom solution. WordPress is naturally based on PHP (among other languages), so, as a PHP developer I always make sure to cover/apply some tips for WordPress to make secure and speedup the site which I develop. In this WordPress tutorial you will find tips and tricks for securing WordPress and otimizing your WordPress blog.

Detail Tutorial

Securing Your WordPress Website

Security has become a foremost concern on the Web in the past few years. Hackers have always been around, but with the increase in computer literacy and the ease of access to virtually any data, the problem has increased exponentially. It is now rare for a new website to not get comment spam withindays of its release, even if it is not promoted at all.

Detail Tutorial

10 Steps to Securing Your WordPress Installation

WordPress is open source which means that everyone, including hackers with a malicious intent, can scour the source code looking for holes in its security. That is why I’m going to show you some good precautionary steps to take to protect you, your WordPress and most importantly, your users.

Detail Tutorial

WordPress Data Analysis

How To: Display your Google Analytics to the Public

Have you ever wanted to show off your Google Analytics data to your blog visitors? If you sell advertising on your site then this is a very handy metric for advertisers to base their buying decision on. Unfortunately, Google doesn’t make this very easy at the moment but there is a WordPress plugin called Google Analyticator which will let you do just this. It also does a lot more

Detail Tutorial

How to Get Facebook Insights for Your WordPress Site

More than 10,000 new websites integrate with Facebook every day by using one of their social plugins. However most sites that we see are not taking full advantage of what facebook has to offer. Were you aware of the fact that you can get facebook insights for your WordPress site?

Detail Tutorial

Displaying WordPress Site Data Via jQuery Charts

In this tutorial we will use the jQuery Charts Plotting plugin, JQplot, to create a new WordPress plugin which can display some of your blog’s traffic, popular categories, and more with some beautiful visual charts. Looking for a way to pimp out a client’s dashboard (or your own!) with some useful infographics? Look no further… we’ll show you how it’s done right here.

Detail Tutorial

Troubleshooting and Debugging WordPress

How to tweak your website images for maximum SEO

Most of the bloggers use images to improve the search engine optimization and to enhance the website content. And this is fact that photos and graphics bring more organic traffic to their site, specially if we are thinking about Google Image Search.

Detail Tutorial

Your Complete Guide to Troubleshooting WordPress

Before you start tearing your hair out, before you start posting frantically on support forums, you can follow this guide to get a handle on what’s gone wrong and how you can fix it.

Detail Tutorial

Troubleshooting WordPress: Common Fatal Error Messages and How to Fix Them

There are some WordPress problems that crop up again and again. And there are few people better equipped to deal with them than the many Support Pros across the WordPress Universe. I’ve teamed up with WPMU DEV’s awesome Mason James, big-boss of our own Support crew, to look at some common WordPress problems. Over the next few weeks we’ll look at how you can address them.

Detail Tutorial

Debugging & Troubleshooting

It is safer to activate the plugin without any current pages or posts already in the system. The plugin adds in extra meta information into the database about a page when it is saved, and all previous pages or posts wont have this information in there. We recommend activating these plugins from a fresh install of wordpress.

Detail Tutorial

WordPress Post Management Related

Three Ways To Display Your Latest Google+ Updates On WordPress

The Google+ Project has been growing rapidly since it’s launch. Many are tipping the service to steal a huge chunk of FaceBooks traffic. Although I have signed up, I haven’t posted much on Google+ as I have been busy over the last few weeks, though I can certainly see the appeal of the service, particularly it addresses the main issue with Facebook by allowing you to allocate friends into different circles.

Detail Tutorial

How to Create and Setup Google+ Brand Page for Your WordPress Site

It was invite only and very limited. They were not allowing any business to join. Some businesses created a profile as a personal account, and they were all banned. Finally Google has given an official go-ahead to all businesses. You can now create your own Google+ Brand page.

Detail Tutorial

Writing WordPress Guides For The Advanced Beginner

Creating WordPress tutorials is a fantastic way to help build the WordPress community and to increase your Web traffic. That’s no secret. Just Google “wordpress tutorial” and you’ll see hundreds of results. The complete novice will find scores of well-written tutorials clearly demonstrating the basics of the WordPress dashboard and of activating the default template, in simple jargon-free language.

Detail Tutorial

News – 1/5/2012

Communication Arts — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:45:00 +0000

Catching up on HypeNotice we spotted Swedish designer Viktor Hertz's tribute to Apple's "Think Different" campaign.

From MyFont... the most popular fonts of 2011.

Social Media Hotsheet. From The Barbarians, what will matter (and why) in 2012.

.Net's 10 New Year's resolutions for designers.

Webpick of the Day – KA-BAR Knives

Communication Arts — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:43:35 +0000

With a redesign that included more than 1,200 pages, a customized CMS and a 3-part animated video series, this massive commerce site markets to new audiences while staying true to a core audience of US military personnel.
Credits: www.rawle-murdy.com | wlion.com

Blue Sky Bridge print ads

Communication Arts — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:43:24 +0000

This child advocacy center helps children, who’ve been sexually abused, feel safe and empowered during the legal process. At the same time they place a lot of emphasis on educating parents about what to look for to prevent sexual abuse from happening in the first place. Colorado-based TDA_Boulder created this campaign to help people grasp that it’s not always easy to identify pedophiles. It dispels the widespread notion that pedophiles are “strangers with candy” and reminds people that, more often than not, pedophiles are people who have gained trust with families and children. Pedophiles pursue careers that will allow them access to children, they are also often people that parents are least likely to suspect; they may or may not drive vans, wear raincoats and have small mustaches. The ads are running in donated space and were designed to be easily resized to adapt to the unpredictable nature of donated media space that Blue Sky Bridge relies on.
Credits: tdaad.com | blueskybridge.org

Seeking Sparks

Communication Arts — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:43:11 +0000

by Susan Hodara

Inspired public dialogue unearths novel concepts and connections impossible to predict. And, when we're lucky, it enables us to witness brilliance in real time.

Catch that Shot! 10 Tips for Weekend Warrior Sports Photographers

Guest Contributor — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:01:28 +0000

A Guest Post by Deb Scally

Many of us spend plenty of time on the weekend watching our favorite sports from the sidelines and, as photographers, we yearn to be able to capture that awesome moment when something great happens. But it’s rarely as easy as it might seem. All the critical elements have to come together to shoot really good action shots: timing, position, exposure, and framing–and you have just a split second to make it happen.

Years ago when my kids were younger and beginning sports, I set my sights on improving my craft, and over the years, and after learning lots of hard lessons, I have seen dramatically improved results. Here are a few tips I’ve gathered along the way.

1. Eliminate that “D’oh!” moment

Take the time to check your equipment…before you leave home. Extra battery (charged), spare memory cards, a dust cloth, and of course, the proper lens for the job, including a lens hood for sunny days, should be packed and ready. You’ll thank yourself later.

2. Exposure: Learn the basics and lock it in

Point and shoot cameras have this all figured out. Just turn the dial to the guy who is snow skiing and you’ll get perfectly exposed shots, right? With an SLR, it takes a bit more thought, but it’s still relatively easy. Just remember the three key settings for optimal exposure: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Change one, and you affect all three. On days with plenty of available light, I set my camera on a low ISO for best image quality. Then I set aperture priority (Av) at a wide-open f-stop, which in turn, allows the camera to select the highest possible shutter speed. If available light is an issue, I’ll simply push the ISO higher to ensure I get the shutter speed I need. My own guideline is a minimum of at least 1/500 of a sec if possible, but occasionally at night, you’ll have to settle for speeds in the 1/250th range. More often than not, I am shooting at 1/1000th or higher to stop the action really well.

3. Depth of field: Zero in on your subject

Selecting a wide aperture has another great benefit beyond faster shutter speed: compression of space and shallow depth of field. Why is this important in sports photography? Because generally there is a lot—and I mean a LOT—of clutter on the sidelines. Spectators, cars, parking lots, signs, concession… all the stuff you did NOT go there to photograph. Opening up your aperture ensures that your subject will be the focal point, rather than the surrounding milieu.

4. Focus: Laser-like precision

Tack-sharp focus is of prime importance to creating winning action shots, and several factors will affect this outcome.

Focus mode. Your camera’s focusing mode can make a big difference with a moving subject. Among the three Canon modes, Al Servo, or Continuous Mode for Nikon lingo, is usually the best choice, as it’s designed to help you hold focus on a moving subject coming toward you.

Focus points. Also consider your selection of focusing points. This is a bit trickier. My Canon 7D offers a superlative 19-point focusing system, but frankly, with a subject that is moving all over the frame, I have found the most success by using a single-point mode and employing the back-button focus method (which can be permanently set using Canon’s custom functions) In this way, I can easily lock in and recompose quickly to have the most control over my composition. It takes a little practice, but once you are used to it, you’ll never go back to shutter-button focus.

Steady as she goes. Even the best cameras can only do so much, and the bottom line is, you have to have a steady, supported hand to manage good action shots. An image-stabilizing lens can be a big help, too, but learning how to brace your camera—using your own body as a makeshift tripod or by mastering the use of a monopod, will greatly enhance the final product.

5. Know your sport, and shoot, shoot, shoot

Anticipation is well over half the battle in capturing a header in soccer, a slam-dunk in basketball, or the perfect equine arc of a hunter/jumper. Understanding what is likely to happen will mean your camera is trained at the right spot–in advance of the moment. Beyond that, it’s simply a matter of practice. After you’ve logged in hundreds and hundreds (and by that I mean, thousands and thousands) of shots over time, your instincts will begin to kick in and pretty soon you’ll have mastered the ability to both continually shoot and enjoy the action at the same time.

6. Use your arms and legs

Remember to move around! Funny enough, your feet can become a cheap but useful piece of camera gear, by allowing you to change your perspective and the relationship of the camera to the action. By the same token, don’t forget to use your arms and turn the camera vertically, especially if the action comes too close and you need to reframe the shot.

7. Know your limitations

This, admittedly, takes discipline. You’ve purchased that awesome 75-300 mm lens… you want to use all 300 mm, don’t you? Here’s a lesson I’ve learned over and over. Even with an awesome zoom, the best shots rarely ever come from the other side of the field! Do I still find myself pegging out to capture that faraway action? Yes, but every time I do, it confirms what I already know—it’s a bad idea. Even with image stabilization and a quality camera, you will give yourself the best options when they are shot from close to mid-range.

8. Good composition—the holy grail

I know I said focus was a primary factor in image quality, but without great composition, your focus won’t matter. In my estimation, and according to many mentors I have followed over the years, a few elements of good sports composition include:

Faces. Make sure you can see the subject player’s face. The shot will fall short if all you see is the back of someone’s head. Faces with great emotion are a huge plus!

Be the ball. Include the ball or other equipment in the shot. These things are an extension of the players’ action, in most cases, so it’s an important element that really communicates what is happening in the shot.

Cropping. Credit where credit is due, I owe this mantra to Jim Bryant, an experienced pro who repeatedly mentions this in DPS forums: “Crop in tight…then crop some more.” Tight shots create excitement and add emotional tension to a shot, so eliminate everything that is not central to the action. One caveat, though, is not to crop at a person’s joint (knee, elbow, wrist). Just above or below those areas create a more pleasing and less awkward aesthetic.

Negative space. Ok, despite what I said about cropping, occasionally the use of negative space can add dimension to a composition. Sometimes just providing logical room for the player to kick the ball out of the frame can be the element needed to balance the composition and communicate something more about the moment.

9. Editing

Be very strict on yourself when it comes to your final product. I may shoot 400 frames in one soccer game but I consider it a success if I end up with 10% to share with others; and beyond that, a handful that I personally am proud of. My advice is to analyze each shoot, learn something, and then delete and don’t look back.

10. Post-processing

When it comes to sports, if all goes well, you should have very little post-processing except for cropping and adding a touch of sharpening. The real post-processing fun comes when you are able to send out a batch of photos that represent special moments to teammates and friends.

Deb Scally is a full-time writer and editor and author of her photo blog, 1107photography, which can be found at www.1107photography.wordpress.com. Her passion is artistic nature photography, but she enjoys challenging herself in all genres and photographic styles including sports, portraits, architecture and travel.

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

Catch that Shot! 10 Tips for Weekend Warrior Sports Photographers

Free Facebook Template # 25 – Management Company

fbpager — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:23:58 +0000

Preview & Edit

HYPERlinks January 4 2012: A Weekly Roundup of Links to Great Design, Web Tools and Services

HyperArts — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:13:48 +0000

HYPERlinks: January 4, 2012

Happy New Year to you! We are excited about getting back to work in 2012 (not to say that we didn’t all enjoy 2 3-day weekends in a row…) and one of the most fun things we get to do each week is share some of our favorite industry links with you.

This week Jenni and Jason share links to websites and blog posts that might inspire some reflection on the past year – both on your own design work and the work of others. If you are feeling like Santa left your wallet nice and full, check out the premuim WordPress tools and icons sets recommended by Tim and Rachel.

Jason Amor / Facebook Designer & Developer

The Great Discontent

http://thegreatdiscontent.com

Inspiring interviews of artists, designers, musicians, and other creative types — all presented on a beautiful responsively-designed website.

Simple Desktops

http://simpledesktops.com

De-clutter your workspace by applying a simple, distraction-free desktop background.

FontShop: Best Typefaces of 2011

http://www.fontshop.com/blog/newsletters/dec2011c/

Take a look back at the best typefaces of 2011.

Rachel Tietjen / WordPress Programmer

2 Essential Premium WordPress tools

Use that Holiday money from Grandpa Bob to buy yourself one of the best WordPress frameworks out there. Throw in a much-needed security precausion – reliable backups of your site.

www.studiopress.com/themes/genesis
Genesis is a great premium wordpress framework (see my blog post) that allows for quick, seo optimized and highly functional theme development.

http://pluginbuddy.com/purchase/backupbuddy/
Backup buddy is the complete solution to your WordPress backup process. This premium plugin allows for regular scheduled backups of your entire site to your own server or a cloud service as well as offering tools for restoring and migrating your WP site.

Tim Ware / SEO, Web Design & Development

Website Backgrounds – Examples & Best Practices

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/03/31/backgrounds-in-web-design-examples-and-best-practices-2/

This Smashing Magazine article is an excellent overview of the use of backgrounds in Web designs, with examples and best practices.

Quality Icons for Print & Web – Overview by Think Vitamin

http://thinkvitamin.com/design/tips-for-finding-the-perfect-icon-set/

When you’re designing a website, there’s often the need for icons. There are many icon sets out there that are free and some that can be up to around $300. The more you pay, the more you get. And, of course, the more you pay, the less likely that a gazillion other sites on the Web will have the same icons!

The more expensive icon sets have more icons and they’re in vector format which allows you to scale them to any size, making them perfect for Web or print.

This Think Vitamin article is an excellent overview, with links to sets ranging from free to $279.

Jenni Schwartz / Designer

We’ve Come A Long Way, Baby

http://www.alistapart.com/articles/what-i-learned-about-the-web-in-2011/

Some of the industry’s most insightful people sharing what they learned about the web in 2011.

Hold On While I Google That For You

http://lmgtfy.com/

Being in the web industry comes with some unforeseen responsibilities. If you’re anything like me, your friends come to you with questions that they can easily Google themselves. I like to use “Let Me Google That For You” to kindly (or not) help them get a clue.

What Was I Thinking?

http://www.archive.org/web/web.php

Need a reminder of how much you’ve grown as a web designer/developer? Wayback Machine is a digital time capsule that enables users to see archived versions of web pages across time. Go ahead and check out what your website looked like in the beginning of the millennium. You are sure to have a giggle.

Please, share your favorite links of the New Year with us!

Technorati Tags: 2011, 2012, design, free, Google, icons, inspiration, Think Vitamin, WordPress

48 Hour Notice: Illustration Competition Deadline

Communication Arts — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:14:40 +0000

by Commarts

The deadline for the Illustration Competition is this Friday, January 6.*

New Year. New opportunities. Don't miss this opportunity to introduce your work to the world.

Any illustration first printed or produced from January 2011 through January 2012 is eligible. The winning entries will be distributed worldwide in the Communication Arts Illustration Annual and on commarts.com, assuring important exposure to the creators of this outstanding work. As a service to art directors, designers and art buyers, a comprehensive index will carry contact information of the illustrators represented.

*After January 6, late fees apply. No entries will be accepted after January 20.

News – 1/4/2012

Communication Arts — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:45:01 +0000

Via Felt & Wire: ink&paper, Ben Proudfoot's short documentary on the last paper company and the last letterpress printer in downtown Los Angeles.

On the heels of the HBO GO app, BBDO New York converts travel time to HBO time.... Pack Your HBO.

The Original iPhone Film Festival has twelve films in its Winner's Circle. Now it needs help choosing the Grand Prize Film. Go vote.

NPR's history behind the technology of touchscreen devices.

Webpick of the Day – MBO Partners

Communication Arts — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:51:44 +0000

This portal transforms three distinct yet integrated business units—one corporate, one for B2B relationships and one for independent consultants —into easy to understand and digest videos, infographics, presentations and tools.
Credits: www.pappasgroup.com

2011 Fubon Art Festival brand illustration

Communication Arts — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:51:28 +0000

In July 2011, the HQ Bank of Taipei chose illustrator Gordon Wiebe as the headlining artist for its annual Fubon [Very Fun Art] Art Festival. Organized by Fubonart a non-profit wing of the bank, the festival runs for two months and features 80 artist installations in local Taipei businesses and shops. The theme this year was “Light Up!” and Gordon’s piece, titled Joy Explosion!, was featured on the 25-story skyscraper that’s home to the bank’s head office at the center of Taipei’s arts district—it will remain there for a year. Gordon’s art was featured on festival maps, T-shirts, fans, watches, buttons and stickers and a tile-painting workshop for kids allowed burgeoning artists to paint their own versions of his characters onto take-home souvenirs.
Credits: www.gordonwiebe.com | www.fubonart.org.tw/veryfunpark2011/index.html