Wiki is driving me crazy

The media Wiki project sounds awesome; however, I spent a lot of time in debating on my "Tip, Trick, or Tut" in class. I wanted to do something productive for the class and of interest to me. At first I thought of presenting additional photoshop tools to remove unwanted elements from a picture, but it sounded kind of repetitive, easy and boring. I kept going back and forth between topics with professor Cripps during class. Finally at the end of class after discussing my interests and major concentration with professor Cripps, I realized that sometimes we want the easy way to get a job done, but if we invest a little more time and dedication we can come up with something better that will benefit us more in the long run. So...... I have changed my Wiki project, I hope I can get it done nicely without pulling my hair out.

So much for that GREAT pitching staff (so far)

The New York Yankees have me concerned lately. Not to the point of a panic (I mean come on, it's not even may), but they need to step it up. ESPECIALLY the pitchers! Wang seems clueless out there and was even skipped in his start against the Red Sox. Sabathia and Burnett are doing OK, but below their abilities. Joba is also doing decent-nothing spectacular, but thats almost expected since he's still young and transitioning. Pettitte, in my opinion is looking the best. He has brought consistency with every start. Now if only the other pitchers would get their heads out of their asses! It's time to wake up and stay up!

Its Crunch Time!!!

It is approximately three weeks remaining in the Spring '09 semester and around this time students in all majors find themselves in "Crunch Time" mode. The school library is usually filled to capacity.. .all computers are in use and what makes it ironic is that the students that you would never expect to be in a library, is definitely there completing any and every assignment possible. I believe I'm not alone on this one, but we all have this "Crunch Time" sickness. Also, what makes this even worst is that its nearly 90 degrees outside and you can't really enjoy it! Nevertheless in my opinion, its always "work" before "play." Even though we York Collge students suffer from this crunch time sickness every semester, we somehow try to overcome all obstacles and achieve all goals to be successful.

Dreamweaver a Keeper

I like the way Dreamweaver allows you to create, build and manage complex websites. I also like the fact that what I see is what I get which means that I can design my web page visually and whatever I see on the screen is what my visitors will see when they visit my website. I don't know if all the other free web editor out there can do what Dreamweaver does, but I like the interface and the familiarity I get with just a few clicks. The only downfall is that is just way to expensive for a students like me; however I think it is a good addition to your software library once you start marking the big bucks.

Oooh the confusion!

Dreamweaver and Photoshop.. oh boy! What can i say? I dont think they are necessarily difficult programmes to use, they are just slightly confusing if you are not familiar with them... This has been such a roller coaster... Some class meetings go really smooth, and I understand what is being taught, and in that moment I am able to apply it.. and I am sure everyone can relate, cause you actually feel like you have accomplished something.. but then... give it a couple days, and you're back to square one! Wow, this has been a looong road... I only hope that I can get it together in time for the last day of class!!!

Freebies for WEB DESIGN

Go to www.thefreesite.com/Free_Graphics I found this incredible website full of free graphics and clipart resources. The popularity of "TheFreeSite.com" is based on reviews done on Web's top free graphics and clipart resources. So, if you are looking for some snazzy, royalty-free graphics to spice up your website , or how about a nifty animated image to liven up your Web pages, or some eye-popping wallpaper for your desktop, or a free service that allows you to "crunch" your Web site's images so they'll load faster then give "TheFreeSite.com" a try, I think you'll like it.

Computer Software for Course

A number of students have been interested in purchasing Dreamweaver and Photoshop for themselves. Either they want the packages or they have trouble getting to the lab to do the homework.

Pricing is exhorbitant at full retail, with Adobe Creative Suites 4 Web Premium listing at $1699 (students can get it for $599). You get a lot for that price, but you'll go hungry trying to make the payments.

Here are some much more affordable options:

1. Don't buy the "latest" version. Grab a not-quite-the-latest set of Adobe Dreamweaver and Photoshop disks off eBay. It's legal, and vastly more affordable. I have 2 machines with 2004-era versions of Dreamweaver and Photoshop. The programs work JUST FINE, and there are no real compatibility issues. Dreamweaver 8 (circa 2006-8) can be had for under $100 (Dreamweaver MX 2004 is also good), and Photoshop 6 (which works just great!) runs just over $100 on eBay. Make sure that you're not buying a "training dvd" or a book, that you're getting real versions with codes (not "upgrade" disks), and that you buy for Mac or Win, depending on your home computer.
2. Go Craigslist.org and ditch eBay. I did a quick search in my "area" and found a guy selling Adobe CS3 (the software in the lab) for $100. That's an INSANE price. On eBay that package is still going for more than $300. You get Dreamweaver, Photoshop, ImageReady, Illustrator, Flash, Acrobat, and a whole, whole lot more. Crazy. If you search in New York City you'll find it for less. Just use caution and get real disks with real activation codes.
   
3. FREE! Go OPEN SOURCE. We're using Dreamweaver and Photoshop, but you don't have to. There are really good html editors (with a visual interface) available free, and Gimpshop is an open source graphics editor that has menus laid out just like Photoshop. (Why do this? You have to review some software or interface tool as part of the course. Why not get some decent software on your machine, use it, and then do your review. It costs nothing but a little hard drive space, and some time.) I'll work with you if you choose this option.
   
4. Put Adobe's free 30-day trial to use. Download Adobe Creative Suites 4 Web Premium and try Dreamweaver and Photoshop for 30 days. After that you'll be locked out unless you buy the suite, but you can uninstall at that time.
   

Those are the only recommendations I can make.

Got a Minute for Andy Chen?

http://www.andychendesign.com/

You have to like this. Ok, you don't. I like it. I especially like what Andy has done with the Student Design Agency.

Assignment:

1. What is the Student Design Agency?
   
2. How might York create its own Student Design Agency (SDA)?
3. What's stopping you from doing it?
4. If you don't care to engage with the SDA idea, write about Andy's website and portfolio.
   

Recover a Deleted File

If you happened to delete a critical file for which you have no backup, there's a good chance it's recoverable even if it's no longer in the Windows Recycle Bin. Follow the steps on retrieving a deleted file from PC World Magazine Video and try to get those important files back.

Got a Minute for E.Webscapes?

Elite by Design has a blog post entitled, "Getting Inspiration Wrong: Website Rip Offs," in which the author offers paired comparisons of possible rip offs. I open our Got a Minute for E.Webscapes with the EbD link to get you thinking about the boundary between inspiration and rip-offspiration.

Assignment:

1. Take a few minutes to read through that post.
2. Head over to E.Webscapes.
3. I don't think that E.Webscapes is exactly "ripping off" some other design, but there's a very close family resemblance to design elements used by some big company whose logo is a piece of forbidden fruit. Steve Nojobs has compiled all 27 of this company's ads on his blog page, for those of us who need help figuring out the design "inspiration" for E.Webscapes. Is this out of bounds?

Think that "borrowing" a silhouette logo idea and repackaging it in a different format means it can't be a ripoff? Check out youthoughtwewouldntnotice.com and think again.

Need to create silhouettes for yourself? Check this out!