GOOD TUTORIALS -ADOBE PHOTOSHOP

http://freephotoshopguides.com/drawing-painting/water-droplet/ http://www.entheosweb.com/photoshop/ http://www.photoshopcafe.com/tutorials/ http://gug.sunsite.dk/tutorials/ http://www.gimptalk.com/forum/ http://www.dibujando.net/

YAHOO ANSWERS

A new manner to find help when you need it!
Ask real persons on YAHOO ANSWERS
Ask me on yahoo answers! It is true that I haven't any question yet
But I answered a lot and are good answers, I sure you :)
I'm only at level 2 but I'm there since July 25
I answer in English and Spanish

WORKING WITH STYLE!

The growing trend on the Web today is to separate design from content. So let’s give thanks to CSS -- after all, separating these two elements is what CSS was envisioned to do, and what it now achieves so well. CSS allows you to create the look and format of a Website without affecting your content. You, the developer, benefit, as do search-engine spiders and text readers. In addition, CSS makes Website maintenance easier. With a single modification to an external CSS file you can effect a change across multiple pages of your site. CSS has the ability to serve up content in its purest form, which makes this technology well-suited for delivering pure content to search engines and legible text to text-only readers. Combined with the power CSS provides site owners to make modifications across their entire site by changing a single file, it’s easy to see why so many people have fallen in love with this technology. I use this for ajax but also for the flash application especcially for the small keffe site who illustrated again the power of flash to handling external data in this case simple html page and the external CSS. It is true that flash at this version(7.14) dont implement all the feature of the CSS language but provide the core functionality of this. Finnally I send you an invitation: Visit the: CSS Garden at: http://www.csszengarden.com/ - to show the power of the CSS. But if you want to show the power and the originality of CSS you must visit CSSPlay at: http://www.cssplay.co.uk/ A really original and creative site!

USE AJAX - THE NEW WARRIOR OF THE WEB 2.0

In terms of building applications for Web 2.0, I believe the key underlying theme is the separation of data and user interface through open data formats, RSS/Atom feeds, (in fact the semi structured data in XML format) and programming interfaces made publicly available. This enables not only a revolution in machine to machine communication, as all the excitement about web services has been about, but also human to machine as we\'re seeing with remixing applications and new user interfaces on data. It's also no accident that scripting languages such as PERL, PYTHON, PHP, and now Ruby, play such a large role at web 2.0 companies. Dynamic languages (often called scripting languages and looked down on by the software engineers of the era of software artifacts) are the tool of choice for system and network administrators, as well as application developers building dynamic systems that require constant change. And Ajax and Flash we have the outstand role for doing this. And Ajax olay the major role for the web 2 development Search about it a good start could be www.ajaxian.com But if you want more read the Manning book "AJAX in Action" it is extraordinary and this it is not only my oppinion The book was the world best seller for Ajax.

WEB DESIGN-GRAPHICS

ADOBE IMAGE READY
For create quickly banners or other images for WEB pages, you can use variables to define which elements in a template are dynamic (changeable). A variable's type corresponds to the type of data you want to change in a template. Visibility variables let you show or hide the content of a layer. Pixel Replacement variables let you replace the pixels in the layer with pixels from another image file. Text Replacement variables let you replace a string of text in a type layer. This option is available for Adobe Image Ready 7.0 or CS but saving in SWF formats is valid only for CS versions
Follow the next steps:

Defining variables

• In the Layers palette, select a layer for which you want to define variables. (must by a normal Layer not a Background layer; you cannot define variables for the Background layer.)
  
Choose Image > Variables > Define, or choose Variables from the Layers palette menu.

• Choose Image > Variables > Define, or choose Variables from the Layers palette menu.
• 1. Select one or more types of variables:
• Pixel Replacement to replace the pixels in the layer with pixels from another image file.
• Text Replacement to replace a string of text in a type layer.
• Visibility to show or hide the content of the layer.
• 2. If desired, enter names for the variables. See the help for conventions about variable names
• 3. For Pixel Replacement variables, click Pixel Replacement Options, and do the following:
• Choose a method for scaling the replacement image:
• Click a handle on the alignment icon to choose an alignment for placing the image inside the bounding box.
• To define variables for an additional layer, choose a layer from the Layer pop-up menu. Repeat Steps 1 through 3.
• Click OK.

Using data Sets

Follow the next steps:

• Choose Image > Variables > Data Sets, or choose Variables from the Layers palette menu. Then choose Data Sets from the pop-up menu at the top of the dialog box, or click Next.

(You must define at least one variable before you can edit the default data set.)
• 1.Select a variable from the Name pop-up menu or the list at the bottom of the dialog box.
• 2. Edit the variable data:
• For Visibility variables , select Visible to show the layer's content or Invisible to hide the layer's content.
• For Pixel Replacement variables , click Browse (Windows) or Choose (Mac OS) and select a replacement image file.
• For Text Replacement variables , enter a text string in the Value text box.
• Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for every variable in the template.
• Click OK, or click Next..

Importing data sets from external files

You can quickly create a large number of data sets by creating an external text file that contains all the variable information and loading that file into a PSD document containing variables. One good way to accomplish this is to enter your data into a text file and then export it to a tab or comma-separated file.All the variable names are listed on the first line, in the order that the values are given in subsequent lines. Each subsequent line represents one data set, with the values for each variable given.
Example data set:
<<For a template with 3 variables: a label which can be visible or not, a text layer with the image name a layer with image itself
Variable1, Variable2, Variable3
true, TULIP, c:\My Documents\tulip.jpg
false, SUNFLOWER, c:\MyDocuments\sunflower.jpg
false, CALLA LILY, c:\My Documents\calla.jpg
true, VIOLET, c:\My Documents\violet.jpg >>

• Choose File > Import > Variable Data Sets.
• Choose Image > Variables > Data Sets.
• Click the Import button.
• Enter the name of the text file to import.
• Set up the appropriate import options.
• Click OK.

Preview data-driven graphics:

• Enable Preview Document mode.
• In the options bar, choose a data set from the Data Set pop-up menu, clicks the next and previous arrows. The data changes in the document window

Processing all data sets
Once you have variables and one or more data sets defined, you can output, in batch mode, images using the data set values. You can output images as PSD files, optimized images, or SWF images.
To process data sets:

• Choose File > Export > Data Sets as Files.
• Enter a base name for all files generated. You may create your own file-naming scheme if you want.
• Click the Choose button to select a destination directory for your files.
• Choose data sets to export.
• In the Save As text box, choose an export format and set the format-dependent export parameters.
• Click OK.

When exporting to SWF format, you can see multiple images in one HTML file. This is useful for quick visual scans. For instance, you can check if text was truncated, or choose a version from multiple data sets you've exported all to one file.

WEB DESIGN- FLASH

Adding sounds to a movie
To add a sound to a movie from the library, you assign the sound to a layer and set options in the Sound controls in the Property inspector. It is recommended that you place each sound on a separate layer.
To test sounds that you add to a movie, you can use the same methods you use to preview frames or test movies: drag the playhead over the frames containing the sound, or use commands in the Controller or the Control menu.

For more consult the Macromedia Flash Help or Macromedia PDF Documentation available at: http://macromedia.com/devnet/

Adding sounds dynamically (from an external file)
We construct a mini player for control the sound
Open a new flash file
Establish the document property to 300pxX300px;
With text tool select the font "Webdings" size 24 (or more) type an "X" (with "CapsLock" activated). Will appears a speaker Convert it to MovieClip.
Check the box "Export for ActionScript" at get the identifier "speaker".
Type the same name in the Property field <Instance Name>.
On the new layer above this in the same place type with the text tool a lowercase "x". Will obtain the interdiction sign.
Check the box "Export for ActionScript" at get the identifier "speaker".
Type the same name in the Property field <Instance Name>.
Introduce also the three movie clips a bar bellow themovie clip "speaker" and get it the identifier and the instance name "scale" and two MovieClips plus and minus with plus and minus identifier and instance name.
Create a layer named "as" and in this first and only frame write the next code:

this._lockroot=true; // establish the root for the external swf (available in Flash 2004);*
mute=false; //initialize the volume*
_soundbuffertime=100;//establish the sound buffer to 100s*
no_sound._visible=false;// hide the movieclip "no_sounnd"*
volume=75; // set the volume to 75%*
vd=0;// vd(volume direction) variable indicate that volume increase or decrease*
var music=new Sound();// create the new Sound Object*
music.loadSound("music.mp3",true);// the external mp3 file is loaded*
music.start()// start the audition*
// a function is attached to the movieclip _root With it we assure that the volume increase or decrease in function of the vd value.*
//Also, the movieclip scale is resized to the appropriate value*
_root.onEnterFrame=function(){
if(!mute){
 if(((vd>0)&& (volume<100))||((vd<0)&&(volume >0))){
 volume+=vd;
 music.setVolume(volume);
 scale._xscale=volume}
 }
 }
// when the movieclip "speaker" is clicked the volume was muted and the movieclip "no_sound".apears*
// the next function is attached to the clip "speaker"*
speaker.onRelease=function(){
_root.mute=!_root.mute; // balance between the two situation  the sound is muted or not*
if(_root.mute){_root.no_sound._visible=true;
_root.music.setVolume(0);}
else{
 _root.no_sound._visible=false;
 _root.music.setVolume(volume)}
 }
//The movieclips plus and minus are clicked for increase or decrease the volume*
//for this:*
plus.onRollOver=function(){
 vd=2;
 }
plus.onRollOut=function(){
 vd=-0;
 }
 minus.onRollOver=function(){
 vd=-2;
 }
plus.onRollOut=function(){
 vd=-0;
 }

Test the movie and save it as "sound swf".
For adding this file to an other flash file in this target file create a n empty movie clip named "music" and on the "as" layer write:

_root.attachMovie("music", "music", 1000);
_root.music.loadMovie("sound swf");// load the external file*
// position the container movieclip "music" on the Stage(the values can be changed and adapted to a specific file)*
_root._x=620;
_root._y=20;
_root._xscale=75;
_root._yscale=75;

My- a silver sketch

My- with a litle touch of Photoshop.
Interesting no?
The original photo was a black and white drawing.

BROWSERS/EMAIL

Give me a calendar, please !
For many people is very important to use efficiently the email address, contacts and calendars. Until now the email client Thunderbird together with Firefox offers only two pieces for this puzzle - mails and contacts. But now the project Sunbird adds the last piece - the calendar. Even if it is only at 0.2 version Sunbird is available for Windows, Linux and Mac and allow the sharing calendars. The address is: http://mozilla.org/project/calendar/sunbird_download.html. The address may be changed in time, but remember that always the search engines are at your disposal :)

WEB DESIGN-GRAPHICS

Photoshop and PaintShop Pro
If you are not content with the Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro default filters you can try the Harry's filters. This are grouped by categories and offer many options for controlling each filter. But one of them are so radical that you couldn't recognize the original photo. Use them with moderation. The link: http://www.thepluginsite.com /products/harrys-filters/index.html

WEB DESIGN-FLASH

MACROMEDIA STUDIO 8
Macromedia announce the new version of his famous suite Macromedia Studio 8
New features of this version

• "the most customer-driven release in the history of the company.";
• expressiveness - groundbreaking new graphical capabilities from us; (now Macromedia and Adobe are partners !!);
• workspace and workflow refinements, state-of-the-art rendering technologies, a new feature called Script Assist that greatly simplifies writing ActionScript in Flash;
• innovation in video;
• mobile authoring;

The new flash will be better and exciting again!!
For more about this but also for more advices, tutorials, tips and tricks for all application of the suite visit their own site at: http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/

WEB HOSTING -GEOCITIES

GEOCITIES
For many years GEOCITIES was the best site which offer free hosting.
Although it no offer the spectaculars add-ons like the others but this few are the quality add-ons. Adds up this pop-window for the free page are "thin" and don't increase the download time.
For upload a site to GEOCITIES follow the next steps:

• Establish a ftp connection to the GEOCITIES ftp server at: ftp.mx.geocities.com (if you have or want a Mexican domain)

For this you could use:
  - the ftp command of the Total Commander (Net>FTP Connect;)
  - the shareware program Smart FTP (with more option)or the
  - ftp server included in Windows XP.
It is more Spartan but in the manner you can learn the true ftp command that are begind this graphical programs :).   - For this last option type ftp in the Run command and type help. For more information search for ftp in Help and Support
• Use your Yahoo email for the User name and this email password for password.

After the connection you can upload your files similar to copy between two folders.
The ftp service is available for free on YAHOO MEXICO;
For YAHOO INTERNATIONAL edition you can use free only the Files Administrator service of GEOCITIES.

BROWSERS-FIREFOX, IE, OPERA

FIREFOX
More speed with FIREFOX
The FIREFOX the alternative browser from Mozilla org. is a little but extraordinary browser that became the choice of many and many people every day.
It is so little (only 4,5 MB) but is so strong due to many extensions options. Take a look at Tools>Extensions.
Even if it is a rapid browser you can obtain much with a little tweaking: Two alternative:

• use FIRETUNE. It is a Windows program available at: http://total-idea.com/freestuff4.htm_.
• modify some option in FIREFOX configuration file. Type about:config in the Address Bar and modify some options.

For information to how doing this visit: http://mozillazine.org/viewtopics.php?t=53650

INTERNET EXPLORER
More security with IE
For not allowed the modification of your own options in IE doing the next:

• go to Run in Start Menu and type regedit.exe
• go to HKEY _CURRENT_USER \Software\Policies\microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions and find or create a Dword value named NoBrowserOptions and apply to it the 1 value;
• go to HKEY _CURRENT_USER \Software\Policies\microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel and find or create a Dword value named HomePage and apply to it the 1 value too;.

Now if you want to use Internet Explorer options and to change something you have to change temporarily this two values at 0
If you use the Immunize option of the SpyBot Search&Destroy it create and setting automatically this values.

OPERA
Use your voice
Usually you go at Opera to listen the others On the net the Opera ( version 8 of the browser) listen to you.
It is the only browser that support vocal commands. Click on Voice icon in the main toolbar or go to the Tools > Preferences>Advanced >Voice check the option Enable voice Controlled Browsing and follow the screen instructions
The Opera can read and play pages with sounds!!

BROWSERS-shortcuts

Some shortcuts
Option IE

• Open Folders Ctrl-O
• Save Page -
• Print Page Ctrl-P
• Open Help F1
• Find Ctrl-F
• Find next -
• Find previous -
• Go to the home page Alt-Home
• Open a new tab -
• Go to the next tab -
• Go to the previous tab -
• Save a new bookmark -
• Open Bookmarks Ctrl-I
• Open History Ctrl-H
• View Full Screen mode F11
• Increase the text size Ctrl- mouse ScrollUp
• Decrease the text size Ctrl- mouse ScrollDown
• Return to the normal text size -

Option FIREFOX

• Open Folders Ctrl-O
• Save Page Ctrl-S
• Print Page Ctrl-P
• Open Help F1
• Find Ctrl-F
• Find next F3 or Ctrl-G
• Find previous Shift-F3
• Go to the home page Alt-Home
• Open a new tab Ctrl-T
• Go to the next tab Ctrl-Tab or Ctrl-PagDown
• Go to the previous tab Ctrl-Shift-Tab or Ctrl-PageUp
• Save a new bookmark Ctrl-D
• Open Bookmarks Ctrl-I or Ctrl-B
• Open History Ctrl-H
• View Full Screen mode F11
• Increase the text size Ctrl-Plus(+)
• Decrease the text size Ctrl-Minus(-)
• Return to the normal text size Ctrl-0 (zero )

With Opera you can use mouse gestures and you can create your own shortcuts!!

WEB DESIGN - HTML

For beginners (not only, because sometimes all of us are beginners :) If you want to create a simple Web Page you don't need always a very complicated programs. You can use more free programs like:

• HTMLGate Free www.mpsoftware.dk;
• ACE HTML www.software.visicommedia.com;
• MAX's HTML Beauty -2004 www.htmlbeauty.com;

Or for a basic editing you can use the Composer from the Mozilla 1.7 internet suite. All of this offer features that allowed you to create a good page but the problem is the help file. Try to save help program of the trial version of the other HTML Editors (for example at the beginning I use the help program of the Hot Dog -> hd6Help.chm) The help files can have the extension *.chm Or you can use the HTML help Files Search in the program directory the help folder and open the file named index.html Now you can navigate comfortably between all the pages. After you can attach this file to the help system of HTML GateFree.(Tools> Preferences>Help Files). Or remember that Google is always our good friend and search for "html tutorials" on the net The problem will be that you can spammed with many results!! For this always take a look to the maestros - look at the source file of the html pages that you liked A good idea is to use the web developer toolbar of FIREFOX Browser If you prefer a classical variant of the book (for me nothing replace the pleasure of smell the scent of a new book) try to choose a good one. Generally this type of books have their own site when you can find practical exercises and many tips and tricks. An example (for very beginners: www.mkdata.dk/html/us ; www.karbosguide.com). And the last lines are for the advanced users - in fact this remember me a previous discussion with my great on-line friend Eduardo, also a very good web developer) The program "Max's HTML Beauty -2004" have a very good function of extended replace that accept regular expressions and sub-expressions This can be very useful when you have many pages that are not created with templates or for the pages that are not created with the same templates.

E- MAIL - GMAIL

More from GMAIL Gmail offers 2 GB store space for emails. Not always you need so much. You can use efficiently the supplementary space using GMAILFS - a program who allowed you to store the personal files and folders not only emails. You can access this files (sometimes so necessaries) from everywhere!! It is something alike the FTP account. The only limit it that the file can have lees that 10MB (the maxim size for an attachment ). That GMAILFS for Windows can be downloaded from: http://viskoe.dk/code/gmail.htm_. The program create a new drive in My computer Gmail Drive When you are connected to the net (you need good connection ) you can administrate this drive (read write, copy, delete) like a normal drives. GMAILFS don't offer back-up solutions but can be very useful in many situations.