Although this may be true, working with browser themes is not easy, due to the wide range of functional obstacles and possibilities web designers are faced with when developing a theme, which can easily lead to errors.

When a web designer or developer creates a new theme, there are plenty of issues to consider such as creating a design that will fit into the limits of a specific browser or keeping clear of copyrighted images and other similar problems.

Internet Explorer, Google Chrome and Firefox are the most popular browsers and here are a few tips to help web designers and developers design effective browser themes on these Internet platforms.

The most common obstacle when designing a browser theme is the environment that can change constantly. A design needs to be adaptable throughout the various browsers and different types of computers so that it is displayed correctly.

Firefox is one of the browsers that offer the best flexibility in the designs, notably in the areas where the URL address bar is situated and those places, which are externally situated from the browser viewport. Firefox is also represents the basis for designing cross-browser themes, which then evolves to other designs.

Sometimes, designs that require to be visualized in their integrity may not appear as they would while the design is being created, as the chrome’s top and bottom are not visible all the time. The images displayed horizontally can cause problems; for example, when a design is stretched horizontally the background designs will move and may not be displayed correctly. A web designer must consider the number of pixels in the design as the images will look completely different from the perspective of the background image. To overcome this obstacle designers can create images that take up all the background space, however, this may lead to a theme with a lower performance due to the larger sized file.

The file format is also an important element when designing effective browser themes. When you need to create an effect of transparency then the best formats are .png or .gif. When these images are not transparent then it is best to use .jpg.

Elements with animation can be used for both Internet Explorer and Firefox and can create attractive visual effects, although must not be carried too far. Minimize your animation effects as these may distract users’ attention. Use .gif with Internet Explorer and .gif and .png formats with Firefox.

Some elements are necessary and need to be visualized during the creation of a design, as the way a design is presented in the background of navigation controls, the search boxes and address bar will change according to the operating system of each specific browser.

Feature image

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

However, as a web developer, there is a bigger picture to consider. We should not just be thinking about how we are helping businesses and individuals reduce waste, but also how the outer walls of the construction work.

Carbon Footprint of One Website

One of the biggest ironies of the internet is the fact that as internet speeds are becoming faster and more efficient, designers have started building more cumbersome websites. Statistics have shown that since 2003 the average size of a webpage has quintupled. To put that into numbers, the average site in 2003 was 93.7K in 2009 the average site was over 507K. Since performance of the internet has improved, designers have forgotten basic compression logic and now are putting larger files behind each web design.

The highlight of this information is that we are building more interactive and richer website experiences for the users, but at the cost of energy required to power, cool, house, and deliver the information that makes up each website. One Harvard University physicist, Dr. Alex Wissner-Gross has determined that the CO2 emissions from viewing one webpage are 20 milligrams per second. This goes up to 300 mg when the page has complex images, videos, and animations.

While this news may not mean much to you or is difficult to understand, the most important thing you need to know is that every page that you design has consequences.

Measuring Tool

So, now that you are thinking about how green your sites are, you may wonder, how do I really know if I am making a difference?

Dr. Weissner-Gross has created an environmental Trustmark calculator that monitors the carbon footprint of your websites. The calculator monitors the servers, the networks, and the visitor’s computer while on your site.

The Ever Changing Web Page

There have been numerous studies that have reported various findings about web optimization. One of the studies showed that in 1997, the average length of a video posted was 45 seconds. In comparison, by 2007 the average size of a video being posted was 192.6 seconds. On average, the videos being posted on YouTube weigh around 10 MB and there are over 65,000 new videos posted every day.

Long Term

Overall, the long term growth of the web is extremely important. There needs to be a new set of standards in place for web development that lowers the amount of energy web pages require and create. Consider offering your clients a more effective and “green” website in the future. If we all take time to do a bit of research and use tools to help lower the carbon emissions from our websites, it will not take long to make the web a greener place to be.

Feature image

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

I consulted a friend of mine who is an experienced make-up artist:
Q: Hi Phyllis, so how long have you been in the beauty industry?
A: I have been working in the industry for 10  memorable years.

Q: What were some of the best moments in your career?
A: I always wanted to work overseas. About two years ago, I had the chance to do this.  I worked on a cruise ship that traveled the world. I went to Europe, Asia, South America and … even Africa.  It was a lot of fun.

Q. How can make-up be used to obtain the best photographs of individuals?
A: I would say a primer before the foundation gives a smooth appearance to a person’s skin.  It is important to keep it natural.  You generally want to make others viewing that person, whether that is in person or in a photograph, appear as natural as possible.  If someone comments on a person’s make-up, it is usually not as a compliment.

QC:  Is the make-up different for your clients that will be attending celebrity parties or gala events? What else would you do?
A: I try to have the client’s make-up more dramatic. For example, if you have heavy eye make-up then you need to contrast this with very light lipstick.

QC:  Is it important to get make-up for photos just right?
A: The first thing you have to know is what will be the most suitable for a particular person.  They have to like the way it makes them look. Otherwise, they are going to be uncomfortable and maybe not as confident for the photo shoot.

Q: Could using color make a person appear differently?
A: It is actually the affect; you are aiming for in a look. Dark make-up around the eyes make a person appear sexy.  On the other hand, pastels are sweet and romantic.
I want to thank you Phyllis for giving your insight on these issues. These were very interesting to me and I am sure to my readers. Knowing these things can be very useful when you are planning a photo shoot and you need to work with make-up artists. Also, you can use the same techniques when you are working with software such as Adobe Photoshop.

Feature image

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

The good news is they don’t have to stay in the burial ground permanently, not all of them, anyways.  There are some that will be sent to their final resting place, never to be revived.  Others can be.  The reasons why they ended up in the burial ground in the first place is contingent as to whether or not they can be revived.

There are many reasons how they end up there, some of which are as follows:
•    Creation of More Than One Design: There are occasions when a client requests for two or more designs creation.  This is not an idealistic situation for a designer to be in.  Chances are that they will not all be chosen and one or more will end up in the burial ground.
•    Unfinished Projects: Sometimes, communications or the work relationship disintegrates between you and the client. Depending on the contract, the design (no matter what stage it is at) will either go with the client or to the burial ground.
•    Sample Designs and Crowdsourcing: Through both sources, a lot of creative energy can go into a design that will never see the light of day.  Since, they were intended for a specific purpose that did not happen, they will more than likely go to the burial ground.
•    Old Age: Eventually, it will be time for a design to go to the burial ground.  This happens after its life span has completed its course.

Whatever the reason that made the design to go into the burial ground, often it can be revived.  It is not always a good idea to leave them in the design burial ground doing nothing.  They can be used for other purposes, and some of these are as follows:

•    Salvage Them: Sometimes, you can salvage a design and recycle it.  Of course, this is not an option for designs that have launched.  Only for those that did not make it that far.
•   Share The Design: Open source the design, if it is of good quality.
•    Teach Other Designers: If you are legally allowed to, use the design to teach other designers.  If your design would be useful to others, put it in a blog, tutorial or article.
•    Recycle Elements: If a burial ground design has an element that you like, use it in a different design.
Think of your design burial ground as a resource, rather than a final resting place.  Time and energy had been utilized in their creation and letting them rot seems like a complete waste of time.

Feature image

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Today we see more and more apps emerging and becoming available. However, often these apps will start up a lot of buzz, be used by people for a while in the beta phase, and then simply disappear. Many of these applications are actually very good, but for some reason they do not gain popularity. There are so many different apps out on the market that there is simply too much competition for some of the smaller developers to cope with. This article will discuss some of the apps that a freelance designer will find useful.

You might be tempted to try every app until you find a handful that can make your life easier. The problem is that many of them do cost money. While freeware software is abundant and many companies are happy just to have their software being used, most companies will want you to pay to use their programs. Luckily, many programmers have released their work as shareware so that you can trial the software for awhile and see if you like it, before you make a purchase.

For an app to be great it must be able to stand the test of time. New versions should be brought out periodically, which improve upon the older ones. Many people love apps these days, especially with the release of the iPhone. People search for and download, as many as they can get, and then often they are left to sit idle. Do not waste your time finding too many apps, but rather find the ones that can really boost your productivity daily.

Basecamp

This application was made by 37 Signals, and is very popular. It allows the management of projects online as well as collaboration with team members. Whether you are working with someone on the other side of the office or the other side of the world, this app can help you. There are many different collaboration programs out there, but they are probably not as popular as Base-camp. There is a greater chance that your co workers will own a copy, so you will be able to get to work at sharing ideas right away. There are a few alternatives, which will work just as well as this software: activeCollab, ThriveSolo and Apollo.

Things

“Things” is a to-do list app. While there are many different to-do lists out there, this is one that stands out from the crowd. It is made for Macs, which might be a problem for the majority of users in the world who own PCs.

You can keep track of your deadlines, add reminders and list your tasks with this app. You can even take Things on the road with you with your iPhone or iPad, and they can sync using Wi-Fi. There are some alternatives to Things: Remember the Milk, The Hit List and TeuxDeux.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.