Archive for March, 2010
I’ll eat my hat – Content-Aware Fill in Photoshop CS5 Looks Impressive
Posted in Software, on March 24th, 2010 by Carlos.
Ok – sorry for my little dig against CS5 there without knowing much about it. This video on Content-Aware Fill looks impressive, if not amazing. Of course I’d like to judge it for myself and see what the results really look like zoomed in, but still… wow. I just hope this is a professional tool that produces professional results, rather than something that Photoshop enthusiasts will use but have so-so results.
[YouTube via I Love Typography]
A Nod to my HP 2605dn Colour Laser Printer
Posted in Uncategorized, on March 24th, 2010 by Carlos.
Today I changed the black toner on my HP Color LaserJet 2605dn printer for the first time. In over two years. Granted this is a small business printer geared to small offices with a handful of staff, and I’m just one guy using it. But wow… that’s not bad. The colour toner cartridges are on their last legs too, but they are the same ones I had when I first purchased the printer. Sure there are fancier more advanced printers out there these days, but here’s to making something that was meant to last… it’s a rarity these days, I think. Thanks HP.
Adobe CS5 Launch – April 12, 2010. Groan.
Posted in Software, on March 24th, 2010 by Carlos.
Ugh. Seriously? Already? It would be nice that with a new release this time around, Adobe decided to IMPROVE its software. [Adobe Creative Suite 5 Launch]
CrashPlan Approved
Posted in Software, on March 23rd, 2010 by Carlos.
Daring Fireball likes the prospects of using Crashplan for offsite backups. Get with the program Gruber. [Daring Fireball]
Parallels 5 Included in Latest MacUpdate Bundle for $49.99 USD
Posted in Software, on March 22nd, 2010 by Carlos.
In case the recent side-by-side test made you a Parallels 5 believer vs. VMWare Fusion, here’s a deal you might be interested in. Parallels 5 is included in the latest MacUpdate bundle which sells for $49.99 USD. Seeing that Parallels is normally $79.99 on it’s own, this makes it a great deal! The bundle also includes Hyperspaces, WebSnapper, Hydra, SpellCatcher X, Timeline 3D and more. Go check it out! [MacUpdate via RedFlagDeals.com]
View Google Analytics on your iPhone with Analytics Pro
Posted in Software, on March 22nd, 2010 by Carlos.
If you’re a Google Analytics aficionado and an iPhone user, then you may be interested in this app, Analytics Pro. This app brings you all the metric-y goodness of Google Analytics in a friendly format for the iPhone. It supports multiple profiles under multiple Google accounts, if you swing that way. Along with your normal set of analytics and views, Analytics Pro gives you handy summaries for the current day, past day and past week. The app is well laid out and feel at home as iPhone app. Michael Grothaus who wrote a review on the app over at TUAW even comments that “Matter of fact, it’s even easier to view my reports in the Analytics Pro app than it is on the Analytics web site.” So far with my initial testing of the app, I might have to agree!
Analytics Pro is available for $6.99 on the App Store. [App Store via TUAW]
More Inexpensive Resources for Designers – Envato Marketplaces
Posted in Design, on March 19th, 2010 by Carlos.
Earlier this week I mentioned MediaLoot, a resource site for designers. Thanks to commentor Don, I checked out his recommendations – the Envato marketplaces. Envato runs many sites that you may have already heard of like psdtuts+. Their marketplace sites are a series of sites that offer design resources for many applications. GraphicRiver is a marketplace for layered Photoshop files, vectors, icon packs and more. Its sister sites like ActiveDen sell Flash and Flex resources, while others are dedicated to audio, video, 3D and more.
The prices for the their resources start at $1, $2, or $4 depending on the marketplace. For example, a site theme purchased from the ThemeForest marketplace starts at $4 seeing as how the files you’d be purchasing there are more sophisticated and involved. To get the lowest possible price, you need to prepay to add money to your account. Seeing as your account works across the various marketplace sites, you’re very likely to find things to spend your money on. For whatever reason I had been stuck on iStockphoto for quite some time even to buy vectors, but I’m starting to realize that there is a lot more choice out there at much more competitive prices. [Envato marketplaces wiki]
Is Product Codename K59 the Apple 27″ Cinema Display?
Posted in Gadgets, on March 18th, 2010 by Carlos.
Of course, the day Dell puts their 27″ UltraSharp on sale to the point where I want to pull the trigger, rumours leak that Apple is prepping to launch their 27″ Cinema Display in June.
Potential wins over the Dell – it will likely be a LED monitor, consuming less energy and running much cooler than the Dell. Along with running cooler, it will look cooler… obviously. It would also likely have an integrated video iSight cam.
Potential drawbacks – If they follow their trend, it will likely be a glossy display, though I would imagine they would also offer it in a matte version if they really want to go after the pro market. I don’t mind my MacBook with the glossy display, but my desktop computer is a different story. It may also only have DisplayPort connectivity meaning you have to get a doohickey adapter to get it to work with your non-DisplayPort video card. It will also no doubt be pricey – but who knows where the price point will lie. The 24″ display is $999 CAD, while a 27″ iMac that uses the same panel sells for $1799. Will they actually price it in between those price points? If so, it will be along the same lines as the Dell, which is very un-Apple. That is, unless they really beef up the “pro” features and list it for higher than even the 27″ iMac. Let the speculation begin. [AppleInsider via Gizmodo]
FeedBurner to Twitter
Posted in Announcements, on March 18th, 2010 by Carlos.
I’ve been experiencing trouble with my WordPress Twitter plugin (WP to Twitter) where my URLs aren’t getting shortened automatically, thus explaining my test posts every now and then. It use to work flawlessly, using bit.ly to shorten the URLs, but that broke upon upgrading WordPress to 2.9. The most recent update to the plugin broke the cli.gs shortener I had fallen back to. So now I’m trying to see if Google’s FeedBurner will work instead with their Socialize feature. Sorry for all the junk.
Do you hand over your source files?
Posted in Business, on March 18th, 2010 by Carlos.
I’ve been subscribed to a couple of graphic design groups on LinkedIn (Art & Design Lounge and Graphic Design Professional Group) for several months and I have found a topic that reoccurs is the issue of handing over source files to your clients. It appears that most people on these boards are against handing over source files to the client. I, however, am going to take a different approach and say you should. Or at least… it depends.
Having worked as both the client and as the designer/agency, I can see that it is a touchy subject for both sides. On the one hand, a client feels that they have a right to get the files seeing as how they’re paying you, and it is creative that is specific to their business. On the other hand, the designer has a right under copyright to claim the design as an original work, and fees must be paid to hand over the working files.
In the instance above it does look like the designer has a the upper hand in this discussion. But here’s something to think about: What if by handing your source files over you are actually building a trusting and long-term relationship with your client? I have found that openly handing over source files can be a relationship builder. This gesture shows that you are confident about your work, and also understand the client’s needs. If you are defensive from the very beginning you may very well scare the client away. I have had several clients tell me that they were upset at or stopped using a designer because they refused to provide them with source files. I wouldn’t be surprised if there have even been instances where they needed something done quickly, but the designer was on vacation, our out, or bored so they were completely out of luck.
You have to ask yourself what the damage to your business would be if you did hand over the files. Do those damages outweigh the benefits? I understand that most designers are worried that they will lose future business. If you hand over source files you run the risk that the client will make changes themselves or send them elsewhere for future work. But I would venture to say that you might have more opportunity to not only work on changes to your existing work, but also on new larger projects. If a client feels hassled about one project, what would make them want to come back? As long as you maintain a strong relationship with the client, they will have very little reason to stop using you. On the other hand if you have a bad feeling about the arrangement from the beginning – then why are you doing business with them in the first place?
Now I’m not saying you should not be compensated appropriately when doing this. You have every right to inform the client about potential charges that are incurred if source files are provided – but remember to walk that line carefully. If you charge too much, you might lose the sale, but then again, you might lose the sale if you don’t provide them at all.
Also, we may need to define “source file”. There’s a point where it is impractical to hand over a source file. A specific case where I may hand over a source file is with InDesign files for a brochure. If those files are comprised of several graphics that were once Photoshop PSD files, I don’t actually include the layered PSD files. I normally flatten the files into TIFF’s and include the TIFF’s in the packaged InDesign folder. If they press for something specific like the PSD – again it comes back to whether it’s worth it for you or not to do so. Then again, if it is an honest hassle to go back through your archives to find the file, then be honest and tell the client a fee will be associated with the file retrieval. After all, it is your time.
You can see there’s no easy solution to this, but I would caution against outright denying your clients access to the source files. Use it as a relationship builder and you may find that they really appreciate the gesture, and trust you more for future work. But also remember to trust your gut, because you may even be able to tell if you’re being had. If that’s the case, find yourself some better clients.
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