Visitors to our website mhdesign.co.nz may have noticed the updated illustration gallery. While I'm still working on new content, I have improved the interface from a CSS/Javascript popup to an easier-to-use 'lightbox' format.
A quick search on the internet led me to Lokesh Dhakar's Lightbox2 JavaScript application. Lightbox2 is easy to install and configure. Thanks Lokesh!
Stephen 'Woz' Wozniak, the man who invented the Apple Computer and co-founded Apple, obviously does! Seems that Steve's been selected to appear on the American version of Dancing With the Stars.
It all goes to show the immediacy of the Internet. A multimillionaire engineer, not to mention one of the leading lights of the modern computer age, entering a televised national dance contest doesn't rate a mention on New Zealand television (even though we unfortunately get to sit through American Idol and other cast-offs from the American media). But as soon as it's announced it's out there on the internet, complete with pictures!
Full marks for giving it a go Woz, and I wish you every success!
Well, perhaps a little bit longer than 24 hours. I've been using Macromedia Flash for some years now, though I've always been too pressed for time to look into its more advanced features. But, having had a little more time than usual on my hands lately, I found the aforementioned book in the Library and am working my way through it.
If you want to learn how to get the best from Flash I thoroughly recommend this book. Phillip Kerman does a great job taking you through from simple animations to more advanced topics and while he only scratches the surface of what can be achieved with Actionscript (this is a 24 hour course, remember?) I know a lot more about Flash 8 now than I did before!
I've looked at Flash books before but this has to be the best one I've found. Check it out or visit the author's website www.phillipkerman.com
Why would a Graphic Designer who already has a website go to the trouble of setting up a blog?
For those of you who do not know, Blogs are small part of the new 'Web 2.0' philosophy. Web 2.0 is all about interactivity. First-generation websites had limited interactivity - users could click a link to decide where they wanted to go, request a search or fill out a form to give feedback or make a purchase. But interactivity was limited. With the advent of Web 2.0 and Blogging, interactivity between publisher and audience is expected, and even encouraged. Any web user can generate new content!
In starting this Blog I am looking to engage with my audience. Just how much time I have to put into maintaining it remains to be seen. For now it's simply a case of 'publish and be damned'!
