a2zmultimedia.net

What to Expect in 2010: UX/UI Design Simplicity: “

Guest Post by Chuck Longanecker

In January of each year, we flip over the hourglass and, once again, we have everything in front of us. The new year gives us a clean slate, a chance for change and encouragement to evolve the way we do things. In the past, we’ve yielded to client and user requests to pack our website designs full of unrelated features and countless pages of duplicate information. The change we have been waiting for has come – our users have matured. 2010 is the year of Design Simplicity.

“

(Via Web Designer Wall – Design Trends and Tutorials.)

Tips For Sending Valid E-mails From Websites: “

E-mails are one of the key elements of a website/web application. They are used in contact forms, sign-ups, notifications, newsletters, etc.

It is a common experience that sometimes e-mails sent from websites go to the junk folders or never reach.

Although it is not always possible to detect the reasons for this, there are several things that we can do to minimize the risk. Here they are:

Send E-mails Through A Valid E-mail Server With Authentication

This is the most important one which you may be automatically offering all the tips below.

It is mostly a good idea to send website e-mails through the e-mail server that will require authentication rather than the web servers SMTP server. Servers that are specifically set to send e-mails generally have Reverse DNS & SPF records, support greylisting ,etc.

Every scripting language offers methods to send e-mails with authentication.

On the other hand, sometimes, using e-mail servers are not enough as you may need to send lots of e-mails but the hosting provider may be applying limits, etc. In such cases, if youll be sending e-mails through your web server, make sure to check these all:

Reverse DNS (rDNS)

As every domain resolves to an IP address, optionally, IPs can resolve to domain names which is called reverse DNS.

Many spammers use non-existing or dynamic e-mails without reverse DNS records. E-mail servers generally check if the sender IP has a reverse DNS record or not.

How to add reverse DNS records?: reverse resolving uses the pointer DNS record type (PTR record) which you should be asking your hosting provider to create it (check if it exists).

SPF Records

Sender Policy Framework is being used by more & more e-mail providers everyday (Gmail, Hotmail & Yahoo uses it) as a criteria to detect if a message is spam or not.

It simply allows the owner of a domain to specify their mail sending policy, (like which mail servers they use to send mail from their domain).

SPF records are DNS TXT records which an online setup wizard can help you creating it (youll need to create new DNS records).

Using A SMTP Server That Supports Greylisting

A very powerful spam prevention method used by mail servers is called greylisting.

When you send an e-mail, the server receiving it can say to your SMTP server:  ’send it to me again in x minutes’ which is mostly not supported by the methods spammers use.

So, you need a smart SMTP server who can understand this command (IIS SMTP can not) that will re-send the e-mails when requested.

No Bulk Mailing

Both the SMTP server youll be sending e-mails & the servers that will receive them generally have rules to define an IP/e-mail as spammer who sends x number of mails in y seconds.

So, if you have a large userbase to send e-mail, it will be a good idea to send them in intervals.

No Sending Of E-mails In Alphabetical Order

Again, if youll be sending e-mails to a large userbase, dont send them in alphabetical order of e-mails as mail servers can mark them as a dictionary attack.

Check If The Server IP Is Blacklisted

Blacklists are systems, that are used by most of the e-mail service providers, that has bot or human e-mail accounts which analyze the common e-mail traffic & can blacklist IPs according to e-mails sent from them.

The server youre using to send e-mails can be shared by many other users. And, a spam that is sent by anyone on that server can lead to a ‘blocking’ by e-mail blacklists which will damage the communication of every account on it.

You can check if you IP is blacklisted from different resources.

 

Any more tips that you have?

Special Downloads:
Ajaxed Add-To-Basket Scenarios With jQuery And PHP
Free Admin Template For Web Applications
jQuery Dynamic Drag’n Drop
ScheduledTweets

Advertisements:
SSLmatic – Cheap SSL Certificates (from $19.99/year)
Follow WebResourcesDepot At Twitter And Get More Resources!

Tags: SMTP, Spam

Related posts

• Xeams: Multi-OS And Free E-mail Server
• Robust .NET E-mail Components: MailBee.NET Objects
• Free Mail Server & Webmail: XMail Server Lite
• Feature-Rich PHP Mailer Library: Swift Mailer

“

(Via WebResourcesDepot.)

NYC teen arrested for making terrorist threats at Apple Store: “Jason Barry, a 17-year-old New Yorker, thought it would be funny to leave an explicit terrorist threat on a Mac at the Staten Island Apple Store. Police and prosecutors aren’t getting the joke.




“

(Via Macworld.)

12 Amazing And Free Stock Photo Resources: “

There are various components, from typography to colors, that makes a design impressive. Photos used are definitely one of the most important factors.

Today, almost any type of photo we can dream of exists in the web. And, thankfully, there are many stock photo websites which helps us find them easily.

Here is a list of 12 free stock photo resources that you must bookmark:

stock.xchng

stock.xchng is probably the most popular service which provides free stock photos.

It has 1000s of high-quality images which are very well categorized. Usage requires a free membership.

MorgueFile

MorgueFile lets you to download photos without registration & it has a very open license to use images on almost any type of work.

Besides the free photos, it has an online classroom which teaches about photography & a crowded community discussing in its forums.

openphoto

openphoto is a very straightforward website with no details & extras. It simply presents the photos in categories.

Most of the images are licenses with CC:Attribution-ShareAlike (photo used).

Photo Rack

PhotoRack is a great resource for stock photos where all images can be used in any type of work.

It surprisingly lacks of one thing: a search function.

unprofound.com

unprofound.com is an awesome site which is ran with an amateur spirit.

There are lots of free stock photos to browse, they can be filtered by colors & they are totally free.

Freerange Stock

The site offers thousands of photos which can be used in commercial projects as well.

Photos can be browsed quickly, a popular images page shows you whats hot & more. Download requires free membership.

FreeDigitalPhotos.net

FreeDigitalPhotos offers both free & paid versions of images where the free versions are limited in size and requires a link back to the photographer.

Photos are categorized in detail & no registration is required.

FreeFoto.com

FreeFoto is a huge resource with a bunch of categories & their sub-categories.

Licensing is mostly offers an attribute for online use or a non-commercial offline use (photo used).

FreePixels

Although FreePixels isnt the biggest website, almost every photo included are high quality & beautiful.

They can be used in any type of projects an attribution is required (written or visual).

Public Domain Photos

The website has ~15,000 free stock photos & cliparts listed. No registration is required.

And, as the name states, the photos presented are very open-licensed.

DesignPacks

The website is relatively different than others. It offers downloads as design packs of 15 images.

Although it doesnt have a large database yet, the sets presented are pretty impressive.

Everystockphoto.com

Everystockphoto.com is a website which indexes images from other stock websites.

They are currently offering a search for ~5 million images.

Other Resources:

Here are more amazing resources which has great photos but can only be used in non-commercial projects.

• Stockvault is a stock photo sharing website where photographers can upload any number of images & others can use them for free (only non-commercial)
• Woophy is a photo community which focuses on geographical categorization of photos with an interactive search map.
• Historical Stock Photos is a nice resource for finding, mostly black & white, historical photos.

Is your favorite resource missing? Please share them in the comments and we can add them to the list as well.

Special Downloads:
Ajaxed Add-To-Basket Scenarios With jQuery And PHP
Free Admin Template For Web Applications
jQuery Dynamic Drag’n Drop
ScheduledTweets

Advertisements:
SSLmatic – Cheap SSL Certificates (from $19.99/year)
Follow WebResourcesDepot At Twitter And Get More Resources!

Tags: Photo

Related posts

• photoDiary Lets You Create Flash Photo Blogs
• Flash Photo Browser With A Nice Effect

“

(Via WebResourcesDepot.)

11 Awesome 365 Projects To Watch Closely In 2010: “

Jad Limcaco of  Design Informer might have very well just started a design movement. He wrote an article about designing something everyday for Smashing Magazine that spurred a great many people to create Posterous and Tumblr blog accounts for their brand new Project 365, a project where you do something consistent every single day of the year for 365 days. It is a very exciting prospect [at first] and if you are not careful, it is very very easy to get sucked into it [yep, I am a sucker through and through, as you will discover when you visit the 4th link in this post]. I first started entertaining the idea a few weeks ago when I finally got around to watching Julie & Julia [loved the movie, Amy Adams is a cutie, Meryl Streep bless her heart is a brilliant actress, but the ending lacked something for me]. As many of you know that I have a food blog too and I thought about doing a Project 365 on that blog. One recipe for each day with one gorgeous and delicious picture. Then I thought of doing a design Project 365. I have always wanted to give a name and face to all those quirky creatures that reside in my head. Vector characters! I kept knocking the idea around in my head till I saw Melanie and Srdjan’s blogs [links No 1 and 3 respectively] and I was suckered into it!

Today I have rounded up 11 awesome Project 365’s that I am following very closely and that show a lot of promise. It takes a lot of determination and gumption to stick it through as many of us will realize over the course of the project. But hey, what better exercise in self-discipline right? These 10 projects are from a variety of creative disciplines of the design spectrum and I hope they grow and provide a lot of inspiration to everyone that follows them.

365 CARTOONS by Melanie Matthews
Melanie will attempt to draw 365 cartoons in the year 2010. Her sketches and paintings are available for sale too!

 

365 TEES By Chow Hon Lam a.k.a. Flying Mouse
Limited edition tees, hoodies and jackets for sale in a beautifully designed online store.

 

365 LOGOS By Srdjan Kirtic
Wizemark’s ambitious one logo a day project.

 

365 VECTOR CHARACTERS By Sneh Roy
365 vector characters in 2010, each a mascot designed with a unique name and short story. Also on Flickr.

 

365 THEMED DESIGNS By Angie Bowen
Arbenting’s Angie Bowen attempts a digital manipulation everyday.

 

365 DESIGNS By Jad Limcaco
Jad works around a theme with a design created everyday. He has started off with beautiful typography and quotes.

 

365 DELICIOUS PHOTOS By Carrie Minns
Carrie Minns from La Pomme De Portland captures a delightfully delicious photo every single day.

 

365 PHOTOS By ModernHeartist
A photo or photoset everyday of the year, I love ModernHeartist’s unique photography style.

 

365 PURE DESIGN By Daniel Apt
Daniel Apt’s design is extremely upper crust and he shows off a unique perspective with his signature style every single day.

 

365 SKETCHES By Miguel Cardona
Miguel brings to life his friends, acquaintances, social media posts and interactions in a visually stunning sketchbook that is beautifully illustrated everyday.

 

365 LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY By Hannah
Hannah is a food blogger and a young, exceptionally talented photographer who attempts to capture life in a unique shot every day.

 

Have you started a Project 365? What exciting theme or subject are you following? Please leave us a comment with a link to your daily design/art/writing/photography project for 2010.

Related posts:

1. Project 365 Vector Characters – Miss Poppaberry For Day 1
2. Project 365 Vector Characters – Radeye For Day 2
3. Project 365 Vector Characters – Krood For Day 3

“

(Via Little Box Of Ideas.)

11 Essential New Years Resolutions For Web Designers In 2010: ”

New Years has just past and now that we are in the first week of 2010, it is the perfect time to make some real resolutions that we can all stick with and achieve.  Everyone likes to set really lofty goals each year, but it’s never a good idea to make resolutions that are even remotely unrealistic since everyone knows deep down they wont be met.  Here is my list of 11 reachable and realistic New Years resolutions for web designers, developers and bloggers to help make 2010 a great year.

1. Take Time to Wander the Web

Its essential for designers and developers to take regular time to wander the web.  No need for serious research, just window shop.  A good pace to start is over at Stumble Upon and see where things take you.  Don’t go to the same sites you always do, find something new and start following links.   There is no doubt you will find several blogs, websites and forums that at the most will provide you inspiration, education, and at the least just plain fun.   Also, its good to take a break from all the seriousness of your work.   This year, make time to just wander the web and find the millions of sites that you would not have gone to otherwise.   Be sure to bookmark your favorite resources, there is no doubt you will want to come back to them when you need that new idea.

2.  Leave Your Creative Comfort Zone

If you are a print designer, make a venture into the world of the web.  If you are firmly based in the web world, make 2010 the year you try a print based project.   The amount you can learn from the different medium is invaluable.  Most of the time you can take these new found skills and incorporate them into your future work.  And maybe you will find that you like the other so much you will want to start offering the service to your clients.    On the other hand, if you are a coder/developer, venture into the world of creative.  It will give you a new perspective on the initial stages of many projects you work on and perhaps help you solve problems that pop up since you now understand how designers think.

3.   Try To Read One New Book a Month

Just reading your RSS feed isn’t good enough…you need to be reading something not on the computer screen.  Go to the bookstore or the library and find design related materials. Even a new magazine is fine.   The opportunity to step away from the computer and still continue to learn has great benefit.    The larger book chains have huge sections on art, architecture, graphic and web design.  Broaden your horizons, see what other people are doing, get ideas from alternative sources and you will become a better designer for it.

4.  Two Words : Social Media

If you have yet to fully venture into the world of Twitter, Linked In, Digg, all of web design community news sites or the myriad of other social bookmarking/media sites then now is the time.  It will open you up to an entire world of other like minded professionals who are looking for the same things you are.  Promote your ideas, designs and work for free to the entire world.  Simply put, its the future of networking.  Give people more ways to find you and your work.

5. Step Away From The Computer And Exercise

Over the past year or so I have, by the gentle nudging of my family, realized that I need to take more breaks from working and do something athletic (typing isn’t exercise?) .  For me, Krav Maga has been that outlet.  The hours spent 2 times a week is essential to my ability to work those long hours.  Most designers and developers can spend up to 14 hours a day in front of a computer and its horrible for your back, your eyes and your hands.  Starting now, put down the mouse, step away from the keyboard and make time to exercise.  Whether it is taking a walk, playing basketball, swimming or karate, the diversion is good for you mentally and physically.  When you come back to the computer you will find your self more creative, better focused and ready to work.

6.  Master At Least One Application Or Programming Language

Most designers and developers are handy with many different applications but seldom are they pros with at least one.  In this coming year, make it your business to master just one.  When you are an expert at that one thing you will find that your work flow is smoother,  ideas come faster and people look to you for advice, bringing you more recognition.  Whether its Photoshop, Illustrator or jQuery, this is the year to do it.

7.  Experiment with Typography

For the designers who are nervous about going beyond what is comfortable, the new year is the perfect time to turn over a new leaf.  Too many designers tend to use a very limited set of fonts for their designs, sometimes out of not wanting to go out of their comfort zone and sometimes because they don’t want to pay for new ones.  Regardless of the style of their project the fonts remain the same…Helvetica, Arial, Bleeding Cowboy or Verdana.  This year, find 15 new free fonts to incorporate into your designs.  As I discussed previously, a stronger emphasis on typography in web design is going to be a growing trend in the coming year.  You don’t want to be left behind.

Not sure where to go?  Here and here are good lists and check out this resource to expand your horizons.

8. Only Work With the Clients You Want To, Not The Ones You ‘Have to’

Starting at the beginning of the year, don’t keep on clients who only cause you stress or waste your precious time.  This past year one of the best things I did, besides starting to blog, was shedding the clients that I hated to work with.  I finally said to my self ‘who cares if the money is good, its just not worth it anymore’.  Their demanding nature, inopportune weekend calls and bloated emails that require you to use a decoder ring to understand, make your life miserable and take you away from things you would rather be doing.  If you feel dread when the phone rings, its time to change.  If you have a client who thinks they know more than you and can do a better job than you…let them.  It may mean less money for you, but your sanity and stress level is worth the trade off.

9.  Teach a Class

Search out the opportunity to give back to those interested in design or development.  Whether at a school, continuing education establishments or private tutoring, you will find that going through the process of teaching someone from scratch is a highly fulfilling experience.   Imparting your knowledge is a true gift.  In addition to making you a better person, it will make you a better designer/developer as well.

10.  If You Freelance, Don’t Negotiate Your Rates

Project confidence, if you feel that your work is good and therefore deserve to be paid for it, then don’t be embarrassed when it comes time to talk money.  Find out what the average hourly or per project rate is in your area and don’t go any lower.   If you don’t think and project to your potential clients that you are worth the money then they won’t ever pay it.  Make it your practice not to negotiate your rates with them.  Sometimes you need to know going in that you have to give a low quote if you want the project, but the client  shouldn’t be part of that process.  They will respect you and your work more.

11. Create A Product That Generates Income

It is a tough economy out there and more people are getting into design and development making the market very saturated.  This year find an alternative stream of income outside your regular work.  Take a look at your skills, experiences  and tools to find ways that can help you build/generate recurring income.  Whether it is developing and selling your own fonts, a useful informational product, Wordpress themes or even adding advertisers to your blog, it is vital to diversify.

“

(Via Web Design Tutorials and Journal | Learn Photoshop and Dreamweaver Online | Creative Inspiration.)

11 Essential New Years Resolutions For Web Designers In 2010 | Web Design Tutorials and Inspiration | Learn Photoshop Online | Creative Inspiration | Web Resources:
11 Essential New Years Resolutions For Web Designers In 2010
Posted on 04. Jan, 2010 by bmackler in Inspiration, Resources

New Years has just past and now that we are in the first week of 2010, it is the perfect time to make some real resolutions that we can all stick with and achieve.  Everyone likes to set really lofty goals each year, but it’s never a good idea to make resolutions that are even remotely unrealistic since everyone knows deep down they wont be met.  Here is my list of 11 reachable and realistic New Years resolutions for web designers, developers and bloggers to help make 2010 a great year.
1. Take Time to Wander the Web
Its essential for designers and developers to take regular time to wander the web.  No need for serious research, just window shop.  A good pace to start is over at Stumble Upon and see where”

(Via .)

Easy: A Front-End (CSS/JS/HTML) Framework For Developing Faster: “

Easy is a front-end (CSS/JS/HTML) framework, by Alen Grakalic of CSS Globe, for converting design into HTML faster & providing a solid base for future development.

The CSS part includes definitions to style common elements, clearing/hiding/erasing margins & controlling the layout.

The JavaScript part is based on jQuery & offers ready-to-use functions for:

• tooltips
• dropdown navigation
• applying show/hide
• modal box (Lightbox-like)
• form validation
• & more..

Easy includes a library of precoded content blocks that you can simply copy/paste into your document & save time.

Besides a demo that presents most of the features, there is a detailed documentation provided.

Special Downloads:
Ajaxed Add-To-Basket Scenarios With jQuery And PHP
Free Admin Template For Web Applications
jQuery Dynamic Drag’n Drop
ScheduledTweets

Advertisements:
SSLmatic – Cheap SSL Certificates (from $19.99/year)
Follow WebResourcesDepot At Twitter And Get More Resources!

Tags: Front-End, Javascript

Related posts

• Zoom Script With A Smart Interface: TJPzoom
• YUI Slideshow: Customizable And Animated Slideshows
• Wrap Content Around Images: jQSlickWrap
• What You See Is What You Ajax: WaveMaker
• wForms: Easy JavaScript Form Controls

“

(Via WebResourcesDepot.)

Its New Year. and i havent posted in AGES!~
What a surprise hahaha!
But i’ll start posting things that i find useful or resourceful for the industry. See how we go..

I have alot of websites lined up and hopefully i can gain a lot of experience in terms of Web Designing and Development.

I wish everyone a Happy New Year and may this year bring you new Blessings and New Challenges!

Peace Outz!
-=AzE=-

Hehehe

Just thought i’d share this thought.

I travel to work every day via train and bus. And there has been one common repetitive occurrence i see every day. And it amuses me, yet disgusts me at the same time LOL.

And thats seeing marks on the windows of trains and buses. Marks that are of perfect