Google Chrome is a great browser with many shortcuts built in – learn how to jump between open browser window tabs with shortcut keys, when using Google Chrome – by the Irish Guy
Join Gary Crossey for computer training classes in Asheville NC (Buncombe). Visit the Charlotte Street Computers website for a fun list of upcoming Google Chrome, Gmail and Doc’s computer training classes and workshops.
New method for design websitesYesterday, Adobe release Muse (code name), and in one step has transformed how we can now build our websites. Muse generates clean code, that follows all web standards, is easy to work with and loads in every browser or device, like a charm.
Adobe Muse is free until the end of 2011 – be sure to download your copy at Adobe Muse – and let me know what you think.
Transcript from video may content typos -
I have just installed the new software Muse from Adobe. At the moment you can download a free copy of the software. As I said, I just installed it a few moments ago. If you are used to working with Dreamweaver in the past you are certainly going to find this application different. First of all it’s very clean.
I just love the really easy instructions on what I want to do here. I what to create a new site let’s see what happens.
I haven’t looked at this before so I’m just simply going though this for the first time but I do like that we’ve got page sizes, with heights (you know that’s certainly something new for web design. Prefect, I’m going to do three columns. We’ve also got gutters; it is going to be interesting to see what happens here.
I’m going to go ahead and press OK. So I have my home page setup here.
Well that’s pretty nice; we can go ahead and make a really simple sitemap. As you can see I’m just clicking around. I’m not really sure what I’m doing to be honest but I am just clicking around and seeing that Adobe Muse is creating a really nice sitemap here for me. I would assume I can just rename the pages.
All I am doing is simply double checking. I am going to make up some general pages that most basic websites might have.
Now, I’m assuming here that this Master A is kind of probably some type of template that you can work with. Oh there we go; at the bottom of the page, we have the master template. That’s going to provide us with navigational menus on master pages. Set header and footer guides too. Oh that’s pretty cool.
Guys, I think we’re going to love this Adobe Muse software.
Adobe Muse feels very much like InDesign and this is definitely an InDesign 5 feature. You can round these corners off. Really can give them (corners) a really nice treatment unlike before where we could change the corners to round corners you can now control each corner independently. That’s something that we’ve always wanted to do for a long time.
I’m going to make a header something like so I’m going to keep it straight on one side here. I am looking for a filled color. You know what? I can probably just click here? I’ve got my color picker over here that’s kind of cool. You got some swatches here already programmed in. I’m really like that idea able to work with color in the same way you would with InDesign or Illustrator.
We can hyperlink to any page. All of those pages that we set up in the sitemap now already have preset hyperlinks to jump to. So I’m just going to actually adjust this rectangle that I just made there, and I’m going to say that go to the home page.
Held the ALT key here; and for people who don’t understand what that ALT key does in Adobe look at the cursor you see the way it has a double arrow now that’s an automated duplication tool.
As soon as I press ALT on the first square it’s going to go ahead and duplicate that for me. The other thing I’ve noticed here that it’s given me a precise management of the distance between each one of these objects. This is also in InDesign trait that we’ve really got used to and the publishing world. I just love that the ALT shortcut key is showing up here.
Now if my guess is right, we can probably go ahead and reprogram each one of these just pretty quickly. This is going to be something that people really gravitate towards.
Now everything has been distributed, the Master buttons have all been distributed to every one of the pages I’m going to double click on the home button. We’ve got our entire font styles that we are really accustomed to. We’ve got our indent to first line. Indent the whole paragraph. Most of the type setting tools that the majority of type designers are used to working with.
Adobe Muse also has export type as images. So, my entire font is now able to go out as an image.
With the preview mode on we are able to test to see if the buttons are working. As you saw from the earlier example, I didn’t do any type of programming. But, there we are, our buttons are all in place. We can go back to the design mode we can add our text fields directly in Web Site Create with Adobe Muse.
We also have other features. Menus, so we can insert a horizontal menu. Let’s go ahead and do a quick preview to see what type of mess I just made. Now look at that for a menu.
So, if I want to jump to resources, I can quickly do that. That we can just pop that menu in anywhere we like. If you notice, it’s just a simple rollover, a little buggy, but still seems pretty cool.
Again that is jumping from the previous plan that we did in the plan mode before jumping into the design mode. I am just thinking those designers are going to just really enjoyed this.
Let’s go ahead and I’m going to grab a photograph. Okay, so I have a loaded image, and this is something that I’ve seen in InDesign before. That’s pretty nice. Now I’m not sure if Adobe Muse wants me to drag or drop so I’m going to try it first. I dropped the image. Way too big, that’s not going to work. I am simply going to undo, and simply place that image where I want it to be. Well you know what, that seems pretty easy to me. You can also float that image; you can see its giving me a little bit of guidance here.
Also able to add a custom menu, not very pretty but works really well. I am able to go back to the plan area. I can duplicate the master plan. And make a new master plan. The one feature that I really do like here though is placing an image. I’m going to go ahead and do Place image which you’ll notice has the same shortcut as place in InDesign. I’m going grab this photograph of one of our goats in Adobe Muse. I’m bringing in an enormous image that I’m able to click and drag and add to my website. You can notice here when I make the image larger than the described page size is. The website goes ahead and extends the page height and adds additional columns in there for me and provides the space that I need to add that image directly into the composition.
I’m going to go back to the home page. I’m going to jump to a deep page from here. Now I’ve got my new layout without buttons to the side. I did use Master 1 to at least setup the header. It’s got the same columns, it’s got the footer, just modified the color. But, you can see the potential here very quickly.
There are a number of different approaches to installing a WordPress website. From my experience the installation should be the SECOND consideration that you need to take if you are thinking about switching to the WordPress platform. The biggest and FIRST concern you should have about a WordPress website is how you plan to update the system.
Due the nature of WordPress updates, you really can’t delay doing them – update are there to keep your website safe, active and out of harm’s way.
BTW – WordPress updates are released often – and each time you perform an update you should first back-up all the content, themes and database. Backing up the files for a website can take hours, if not days. Installing an update is essential, but can also bring your website down – the more custom the website, the bigger your problems will be.
When doing WordPress updates, select a host provider that will provide Free WordPress Updates, with a rollback period, in case the update installation goes wrong.
For my hosting company, I always recommend www.fastfwd.info – FastFWD Online Services provide domain registration, web site hosting, email, merchant account and an installation of WordPress (for FREE).
FastFWD will email you when there is a new WordPress update. To complete the WordPress update, simply log-in to your account and follow the instructions, FastFWD will do the back-up and if something goes wrong, FastFWD will can also let you restore your entire website back (for up to 14 days).
Having an easy method for installing WordPress is the SECOND feature I want from my host provide. Here are the steps for installing WordPress with FastFWD Online Services – they have made it very easy.
FastFWD will send you a confirmation email, once your WordPress installation has been completed.
The average Facebook Business page has 4,596 fans, with each fan having an average of 130 friends. With the correct message your business could possibly reach a large pool of new customers.
What makes a business popular online?
One aspect of business that a small business can often deliver better is honest customer service. Having a Facebook Business page can help improve your customer service. Unlike responding to email or phone inquiries, when you respond to a question on Facebook you are providing information to your collective. You are showing that you are available, reachable and responsive.
Don’t forget to reference your social media answers with links back to more in-depth information on your business blog or website.
Discover how to best connect to your target market with my one-day fast paced Improved Facebook for Business seminar.
How to Improve WordPress FunctionsTo appreciate the capabilities of WordPress you have to include a few choice plug-ins. Do not go overboard, only use what you really need.
Here are my top three plug-ins to help your WordPress blog/website rank well on the Search Engines and to control Spam.
Search Engine Optimization for WordPress
SEO can help index your website for the Search Engines that can improve your ranking. All-In-One SEO plug-in for WordPress helps you adhere to Search Engine guidelines. While also making it easy to control your website Meta-data (Page Titles, Page Descriptions, Keywords and more).
PLUG-IN : All-In-One SEO
NOTE: Do not use more than one SEO plug-in at a time as they do not play well together.
Stopping Spam On Your WordPress website
Comments can play an important role in providing valuable discussions to your website. Think again before turning off the comment function. The Akismet and Cookies for Comments plug-in can greatly reduce spam comments.
Akismet
Akismet plug-in is developed by wordpress.com . The plug-in requires an API key by creating an account at https://akismet.com/signup/
PLUG-IN: Akismet
Cookies for Comments
Cookies for Comments has many build in features that will help to determine if a comment is from a person or a machine. With tools that identify cookie browsers and length of time to complete the comment form.
PLUG-IN: Cookies for Comments
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I use Google documents everyday, both on my Android and on my laptop. Using Google Chrome seems to make sense when accessing Google Documents, however my web surfing is a better experience when using Google Chrome. Here is a start video on some of the basic tools that makes Google Chrome easy to use, as well as being fast.
Be sure to also watch the related links – as the videos are VERY short. Hope you enjoy.
For more videos and tips on Google Chrome – Google Chrome Help
For many businesses setting up their Facebook account is the easy part. What to say next is the challenge.
Social Networking may be a new technology – but connecting with your client is not.
Creating a Facebook Business Page is simply creating an interactive online newsletter. Companies have developed newsletters, catalogues, brochures, fliers and postcards for decades. Facebook Business Page is now your paperless version, which can reach over 500 million Facebook members.
I would suggest that before you start posting photos, adding links and stock piling fans*, first consider the social message that you wish to create. Facebook certainly has some amazing tools for developing your message – as long as you have one to share.
Never forget content is key. Keep the content interesting and valuable – create a complete message and picture beyond posting an online catalog. Give your fans the inside scope. Here are a few suggestions.
Use Facebook to report new business news.
• Articles about your company – including Press Releases and news coverage
• Feature Team member profiles and special interests and achievements
• Share your products/services with Facebook Galleries
• Include client related reviews, comments or complaints (and solutions)
• Industry News – be the voice of reason
• New product development/release
• Promotions/Giveaways
Consider the different people who are a part of your business. Staff members, vendors, clients, target markets and interest groups, all with compiling stories and insights. What can you share about each of these different people that would help to form your Social Message?
Facebook comes with a terrific Events planner and invite service – if used correctly.
First off, do not assume that because you created an event on Facebook and invited everyone and their uncle that anyone will confirm to attend your event. Often, you have to simply get on the phone, email, text message, get on a bike, whatever it takes to get that confirmation.
Beyond the Events feature, there is also the opportunity to share news of events. When posting status updates let your fans know about all the small details.
When hosting your own events be sure to have a photographer photographing the event and the guests. Considering establishing a fun photo booth to create new Facebook Profile shots with product placement and business branding – it is a good idea to get permission prior to publishing photos of people on Facebook – which could be as easy as having a clip board with your statement of purpose and signatures of permission.
FACEBOOK PHOTO POLICY -When you do post photo to Facebook “you grant us (Facebook) a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any Intellectual Property content that you post on Facebook. This IP License ends when you delete your IP content or your account unless your content has been shared with others, and they have not deleted it”.
Your Facebook Business page can be an effective educational tool. Share articles, case studies, Surveys, Time Saving Tips, or How to do’s, New Approaches that would appeal to your Facebook fans.
Permit your company to be a little lighted hearted (at times), your news does not have to be all serious – but do resist posting every funny YouTube video you see (not funny).
Once you have your message together, then consider how to best share that content on Facebook
• Simple Status Update
• Link to Website
• Video Post
• Photo or Photo Gallery
• Blog Post
• Event Posting
• Group Discussion
• Business Email
* The term Fan was once used to describe a person who selected to follow your Business Page. The term has since been changed to LIKE – I prefer using the term Fan.
With the arrival of the crocuses and the daffodils comes the beginning of spring and time to shake off those winter time cobwebs and seasonal blues with a spring fever computer clean.
When I clean my computer, there are a number of different areas I wish to impact. First off, I want to make sure that my computer is receiving an adequate air supply. With dogs and cats, you can rest assured that the vents on my computer always have some type of amalgamated animal hair and dense dust balls.
Occasionally, I open the entire tower and “carefully” use a small vacuum cleaner to remove dust from around the fans and off the motherboard; I would not recommend using a vacuum cleaner, unless you really know what you are doing. Be sure to earth the vacuum cleaner and yourself prior to you poking around the inside of your computer, or have the machine professional cleaned in your local computer repair store. The computer will run faster and generate less heat and noise.
The second area I want to clean is the computer data files. I work on many different types of projects that involve working with a large assortment of digital media files. Often I am jumping between different computers that are not networked, which results in files being emailed and transferred with Flash key or CD. Any which way, the result is duplicate digital files.
Spending the time to figure out which files are duplicate files is a daunting task, and quite impossible, unless you have the very convenient tool – NoClone 2010– an easy to use software package that will analyze your computer files and determine which ones are duplicates. The software can be modified for different search criteria, including duplicate Outlook email messages and comparing folders.
The compare folder feature one that I especially appreciate. I often carry project folders on my Flash Key and for speed reasons I tend to grab the entire project folder and pull it onto the computer desktop to access the files quickly, certainly beyond the USB 2.0 connection that would be obtainable via the Flash Key. This workflow is not ideal as you quickly end up with copies of copies of copies, and that is where NoClone 2010 jumps in to help by first identifying the duplicate files – quickly and effectively.
After scanning my music library, NoClone 2010 found over 200 duplicate files that were taking up over a gig of storage space on my hard drive.
To download a free test copy of NoClone 2010 please visit http://noclone.net
Work faster with Adobe InDesign with this easy shortcut key for selecting the First Field from the Control Panel.
I do have to omit that I am a big fan of Dreamweaver, since the 1997 release, I have found the software to be easy to use and reliable. Other than a few interface changes, and improvements with software stability and workflow, Dreamweaver has not changed much over the years. While deploying internet content has completely changed.
Many web designers/developers have found their roles disappear as clients move toward popular and dependable user controlled content management systems and Social Network sites.
WordPress, Joomla and Drupal offer solid, steady framework websites that integrate User Privileges, Social Networking, Blog Posting, Google Webmaster Tools, Shopping Carts, CSS capabilities and successful SEO integration. While Social Networking websites like Facebook and Twitter provides cost effective communication tools.
Clients can now easily post/share content, create advanced online galleries, upload video and deploy endless amounts of content without any help from a web designer or developer. The only noticeable difference by removing the developer and designer is that the websites look the same, which is generally clean, uninteresting and dull.
For advanced web developers who already had a familiarity with FTP servers transfers, Local Hosting, CSS, PHP, HTML, JavaScript and function based commands, then using Dreamweaver still remained a strong web development tool within their web developers arsenal.
For the advanced web designer, adapting to CMS Framework websites was more difficult, if almost impossible.
CMS (Content Management Websites) are dynamic websites that populate content during runtime, meaning that website content is generating in real-time for a particular user or request. Unlike static websites that present the same content to all users, CMS produce content based on the assigned role for a specific user. For a website like Amazon indentifying and producing relatable content to the user is an essential component to their success. However, beyond deploying independent content, the sidebar, header, footer and pages can be adapted to coincide with user permissions.
The problem that many web designers have had for the past five years, is that the resulting website is difficult or impossible to see and complex to update in Dreamweaver.
With the release of Adobe Creative Suite – Dreamweaver (CS5) the role of the developer and design is back. With new integrated CMS Framework tools, developers/designers can test and author WordPress, Joomla or Drupal websites all within the Adobe Dreamweaver environment. With the Dreamweaver interface now having the ability to view and edit CMS Framework in real time.
All users to Dreamweaver will instantly enjoy the new Live Preview feature. No more having to press F12 to view your webpage in an external browser, and no more of those aggravating activate now warning generated by Internet Explorer 8. With Live Preview you have a real time preview of you website right in Dreamweaver, with the extra bonus of being able to preview your content via any popular browser.
Live Preview works by creating a private proxy website on the Adobe server and relayed back to the Dreamweaver interface. Giving designers and developers a precise picture of how the website will appear to your site visitors, making Live Preview feature a huge timesaver.
Adobe BrowserLab > Give access to Domain
There are two very useful aspects to File Relationships with Filters. That can possibly reduce hours if not days from their workflow. From first file relationship aspect, gives you the big picture, the filtering ability provides the results to have access to precise functions or tools included deep within your website.
Understanding how dynamic website deploys content can be difficult enough to comprehend, but locating the correct line of code that controls the exact function, format or purpose of the content can be the quintessential needle in a haystack.
Forget about spending hours searching PHP, HTML, CSS, XML and JavaScript documents that content thousands of lines of valuable functional code. Dreamweaver CS5 expands on the build-in file relationship feature by including all files used in any capacity in that particular page. With earlier releases of Dreamweaver that included the file relationship tab, active pages no longer have to be include as local files. Dreamweaver will actually scan the server and compile the relationship based on the live active files, rather than the local copy of files residing on the computer hard drive.
One element that I think developers and designers will really appreciate is being able to see how different PHP, CSS and JavaScript documents relate to one another when used to create dynamic content. A basic WordPress page might use many different elements that share hundreds of live file relationships, making the active live File Relationship panel a little overwhelming. Dreamweaver developers have considered how vast source files can become and have included a clever filter feature. Making it easy and quick for developer or designer to access and edit any aspects of a website.
Having the filter gives you the ability to search the website for a particular feature; Header, footer, sidebar or DIV tag – and only show file relate files that include the particular element included for the search.
The LiveView is doing to dynamic website, what Dreamweaver did ten years ago for static web pages. LiveView provides the developer/designer the ability to browse throughout the website without leaving Dreamweaver. All of the website functions are active in the preview – however, the big difference is now any component is editable within Dreamweaver, and fast to access. Simply click the item you need to alter and the corresponding line of code that controls the item will be presented and editable.
For the ultimate experience, combine LiveView with Live Preview.
New Code Hints Specific is that missing tool for CMS developers.
Writing code in Notepad is not a productive method for generating code. To be a productive web developer or designer it is important to become accustomed with viewing, editing and publishing code within the Dreamweaver environment.
Dreamweaver Code Hints is a fast method for writing clean, good and functional code. Dreamweaver has included code hint as a feature as far back as I recall. Early versions of Dreamweaver had code bloating problems that was later resolved to create a coding platform that produces web standard clean precise code. That is color coded and formatted for easy proofing and trouble shooting.
Building content and writing code of a content management system is different for each platform. For many developers it is easier to select one platform and only develop for that CMS. Dreamweaver is breaking that habit, by giving developers / programmers the ability to write CMS specific code based on the particular CMS updated, with Code Hints relating only to that one specific CMS.
Top Menu Bar: Site > Site-Specific Code Hints
Currently Dreamweaver has build in presets for Joomla, Drupal and WordPress and any Custom Framework or custom set of class that are used on any dynamitic website. The best part about the Code Hint feature is when used on a custom website (not one of the top three), Dreamweaver will actually scan the entire server, locating all the website functions, variables, CSS, HTML and PHP creating a code hint based upon those source files. Now you can certainly brag about that Dreamweaver tool.
Adobe Blog – http://cs5.org/?p=1373
Article written by Irish Guy – Gary Crossey