Computer and Web Design Resources

Home > Web Tools > Web Site Picks > May 2002 Web Site Picks

5/28/02

GifWorks - Need to make an image transparent, but you haven't learned how to use Paint Shop or another image editor yet? GifWorks is a site that allows you to add transparency and perform other effects to images that are on the web or on your hard drive. It's very easy to use and it's free!

5/26/02

NavyLane - I am SO into Incredimail now. I was reading the IncrediBuddies message forum (a terrific community!) and I found NavyLane; what terrific letters! I've spent a majority of my morning downloading.

Photoshopcontest.com - Images are posted in this group and members alter/modify the images and post their final creations to the forum. We used to do this in a lot of Paint Shop forums that I belonged to and it was a lot of fun. Another site that is similar to this is Two Fifty. There are no contests, but users submit their artwork (limited to 250x250 pixels) and it is posted to the site.

Cool Web Design - A collection of sites on the web (primarily Flash) chosen for excellence in design. If you are looking for examples of high-end design this is an excellent site to visit.

Old-Computers.com - Want to take a trip back in time. Old-Computers is an on-line museum of computer technology. They even had the old DataPoint computer that we used at the County office.

404Lounge - A collection of some of the most unique and entertaining 404 error pages on the net.

Flash 99% Good - This site is a First Aid Manual for Flash Developers. It contains tutorials and articles about making Flash sites more user friendly. There is also an interesting Bad Flash Case Study that's worth reading.

Poynter.org - An online guide to color theory and how to use color in design.

5/20/02

VistaPrint - I thought that I had listing this site several months ago, but I can't seem to find it. VistaPrint offers affordable printing services. Business cards, postcards, stationery, and labels are available. Prices for business cards start at $19.99 for 250. I ordered a batch and was very happy with the service and quality of the cards.

5/10/02

AutoScripter - A variety of cut-n-paste scripts for your web site. These scripts are free to use, they do not require credit or a link back.

Lionhead - Cool flash site, but not for those with a dialup connection. It's a fun site.

Computer Technical Tutorials - A portal of technical tutorial web sites. Databases, hardware, networking, webmaster, etc.

5/8/02

Eye Candy From the Underground - I just ordered the book Fresh Styles for Web Designers - Eye Candy From the Underground by this sites owner, Curt Cloninger. The site outlines ten "fresh" design ideas and where to look for inspiration.

FreeFoto - Free photos for private noncommercial use on the Internet. 28,000 images to choose from. Be sure to read their conditions of use.

WebFX - Apply special effects to your images with this web based tool. This is a really cool tool. It's very easy to use and has many effects to choose from. All you need to do is give the web address of the image that you want to manipulate (you can use http://www.tinkertech.net/sample.jpg to test it), select the effect (motion blur, shadow, buttonize, etc.), the intensity and click apply now and you're done!

5/1/02

CodeBrain - Sandy was checking out this very cool applet site yesterday and she was nice enough to share it with me. There are some very unique Java Applets at this site that I've never seen before. I have tried out some of their JavaScript tools (Popup Maker and Scrollbar Styler) in the past; they are not freeware, but they are very handy and easy to use programs. In addition to the applets on the site, there are lots of cool JavaScripts to use on your sites. Note: Most of these applets are NOT free. Be sure to also check out CodeBrain's sister site, CodeFoot. Codefoot focuses on JavaScript. For additional Java Applets, check my January archives.

Colour Selector - A fabulous web site devoted to color usage on the web. Articles on when the web safe color palette should be used, dithering, color and text, & making swatches. There is even a tool to show you what a non-safe color will look like on a monitor that will only display 256 colors.

Emazing.com - Emazing is a "tip-of-the-day" site. There are a variety of interests categories, including many technology topics. You can either visit the site on a daily basis or subscribe to their service and have the tips sent to you via email.

Aenigma Fonts - Some very unique, free fonts for your web graphics.

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If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area and you're interested in learning more about web design and development, graphics, or computers in general, consider taking classes at the Contra Costa ROP Technology Center. We offer affordable computer training in a variety of subjects. Visit our web site for more information.

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