Friday, November 28, 2008

updates

I've been reviewing different websites getting inspirations for my own website which I will make after this course is done. It will be for my own artwork and self promotion. I think I would like to pursue more of this kind of work within my library work as well.

Monday, November 24, 2008

still searching..

CF Blog wont work but sounds good..the free download is for windows...I'll re enter my search for mac users

this is what I would rather have...

Comments Script

Easy to post comments without requiring user registration - Spam protection by image verification so that users cannot send messages automatically. - but it socsts 25.00$...cant afford...I'll keep lookn around.
pamie

still trying to get a form made...

Using this free download:
trying to make it work

Flash and PHP contact form
About php and flash contact form

This is a contact form made in flash and php, it can be used on 'contact us' pages.
A flash file contains the form items and when the 'send' button is pressed it sends the values to mailer php, this mailer.php sends the email to the receiver.

Few of the benefits of using a flash form instead of a html contact form are:

* better user interface
* less junk messages (automated scripts cannot send emails through a flash form unless it is decompiled)

Usage details

Upload mailer.php and form.swf on your server in same directory.
In mailer.php you will have to replace 'email@yourserver.com' with your email address. Make sure this is an email hosted on that server where you are testing (most server requires this).
Preview

This is a preview of how the contact form looks, you try sending an email to see how form reacts, email will not be sent. It shows a warning if some of the fields are not filled.

updates...

www.adobe.com/go/14853

working on :

How to get data from a form into an e-mail

Dreamweaver does not include server behaviors for passing form data into an email. However, there are several methods of getting information from a submitted form into an e-mail.
Methods for passing form data into an email response
Use a Common Gateway Interface (CGI) script

A CGI script works with the form to gather the data, parse it, and insert it into an e-mail. Your server administrator may have a CGI script on the server that will process your data. If not, there are many CGI scripts available for free on the Internet. If you use one of these scripts, it has to be uploaded to your server and may have to be placed into a cgi-bin folder. Talk to your server administrator to find out where the CGI script needs to reside on the server.

It is a good idea to create a parallel folder structure in your local root folder, including the folder named cgi-bin. This allows you to browse to the CGI script locally when linking to it from your form and ensures that the path to the CGI script will work correctly when you upload your site.
Use a Scripting language

Active Server Pages (ASP), JavaServer Pages (JSP), ColdFusion (CF), and PHP (PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor) are server-side scripting languages used to pass data to and from a database, and these languages can also be used to pass form data into an email. As mentioned above, Dreamweaver does not include server behaviors for passing form data into emails.

There are extensions available from the Dreamweaver Exchange which add this functionality as server behaviors into Dreamweaver. Search for the words "form" and "email" from the Exchange Search page to find all results.
Use a remotely-hosted form-to-email service

This service acts as the processor of the form data. The Action of the form points to their remote CGI script. Their script processes the data, then sends the data to a specified e-mail address.

The remotely-hosted service will have access to the data collected from the form.
Define the form's Action to be a mailto: link

While this is the easiest method for e-mailing form data, it is not recommended because not all browsers recognize an e-mail address as a form's Action. Furthermore, even if the browser accepts this attribute, the user's system and mail configuration may prevent this strategy from working. When it fails, it can fail invisibly, so neither the user nor the intended recipient will know that the form data was not sent.
Setting up a simple mailto form in Dreamweaver

Once a form has been developed in Dreamweaver, follow the steps below to create a mailto action for the form. Refer to How to develop a form in Dreamweaver (TechNote 14950) if you need additional information about creating the form itself.

1. In Design View, place the cursor inside the form, then select the form tag from the Tag Selector at the bottom of the page.
2. In the Action field of the Property inspector, enter the e-mail address where the data in the form will be sent to. If you are using another method for processing the form data, the action field will typically refer to a file that houses the processing script.
3. In the Enctyp field, type text/plain.
4. A subject line can be defined by adding it after the email address and a question mark in the Action field. An example of that would be: mailto:user@domain.com?subject=Hello there.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

also...

I also added a small section at the end

Coming Soon!
displaying two possible categories coming up in the future.

Pet Cemetery

Roadside Memorials


pamie

also...

I added a link to something worth mentioning and hysterical...
Men of Mortuaries Calender on the Resource page...too funny!

updates

I worked on the site again today... after browsing thru the button websites...I did download a button off one of the websites but after about an hour, it wasn't working so I discovered right there on my Dreamweaver was Insert Media Flash button... cool! so added this feature to the site..the updated the bottom of sides to even out the bottom of middle. I updated the commentary, article pages as well.

Everytime I go into it, there always seems to be a bit more I can do to it.

Pamie

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Showcase and critque


Stoneshadows

http://pwardrea.myweb.usf.edu/stoneshadows.html
by
Pamela Ward-Reagan
University of South Florida
LIS 5315 Instructional Graphics
Dr. Scott Simon
December 2, 2008


1. Type of site: Non profit and resource site about cemeteries including cemetery background information, historical, preservation, terminology, gallery of photography of cemeteries, other cultures cemetery and burial information, epitaphs, articles, poetry, resources of bibliography and other websites, and a commentary page of my experience making the site and a list of my favorite websites which I find inspirational.

2. Purpose of site: peaceful, calm design, educational and informational site

7 pages
Home
Cemetery
Article
Culture
Gallery
Resources
Commentary

3. Design choices made (including reasons why the choices were made).
I created the header in Photoshop: used free Photoshop font stamps, imagery from free stockxchng.com
I wanted a 3 column pages and two column pages of information layout.
I wanted to make a site that was educational and informational while visually interesting exploring different information about all aspects on cemeteries and the preservation of them including: photos of cemeteries of which I had two photographers, an article page with featured author, and a Culture page filled with a specific topic related to cemeteries, in this case, Day of the Dead a celebration from Mexico.
Article/Poem author – Timothy Juhl
Photography – Mary Campbell
Photography- Pam Reagan- I visited many cemeteries and took photographs and read epitaphs. I am a photographer so I enjoyed this process.

4. Experiences in building the site.
My experience building the website was fairly straightforward save getting started. That first few weeks of decision-making about the design, color, layout, text and imagery for header and the construction of the first page was a process in
sketches like a storyboard to use as a jumping point. After the construction was set, creating subsequent pages was streamlined using Dreamweaver and Photoshop.
Changes to some design, color and size of things changed along the way. Since I wanted an educational site, I didn’t want to use a lot of fancy or tricky effects or animation that would detract from the purpose of the site.

5. Lessons learned.
By the time I made the 3rd page, I realized I had no footer. So I stopped, created the footer on the home page and added to the rest of my pages. I learned to study the home page again to make sure all standard repeating items were created so that all pages would be consistent.
I learned to keep the root folder that saves the items in one place and not move items from the folder around if I could help it. At first, I was tinkering around with this folder and couldn’t figure out why some stuff wasn’t showing up. I also learned that next
time to save the title of files lower case. I have a mix of lower case and upper case; by habit, I use upper case. I also learned to keep all items being used to build graphics etc… in more organized folders. At one point, I spent several hours digging around for certain files I made as textures of which was saved in one out of several folders of graphics.
I also learned to back up your work. Twice while building the site, I removed an item and then couldn’t find it. I relied on my burned CD of backed up information to get it back. Yeah!
I also learned that running the validator gives you your list of errors and while working on this, I changed the root folder which totally changed up the site and had to revert back using the again the burned CD back up …again Yeah!
Mostly I learned that there are so many options to be had in creating a website and I wanted to use them all. It was like a box of crayons with an array of choices to color only one tree! ….and I sure didn’t want to stay in the lines… ( I made the site ‘not creepy’ given the topic although I do tend to paint creepy things)


Feedback
6. Suggestions from audience on how the site might be improved.
List your feedback here if you wish to remain anonymous that ok!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

testing the validator....

W3C Validator

I tested my website on this site given in the course instructions... it lists 7 errors... the first of which I think is due to the hyphens... I will check on this...

It gives line an column places to go find the errors which I will investigate... one of them looks like maybe theres a space where there shouldnt be...

For the most part I don't know how to read this but will try to figure it out.

Pamie

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Swap Image Behavior Dreamweaver

the smartwebby has links for instructions for various different effects and tips. I looked into ones pertaining to Dreamweaver and I selected Apply the Swap Image behavior. I was trying it out and reading instructions and wasn't very successful. I like the menu with bullets and the image changes in the example given on smartwebby website but it does include a software program I can't afford to purchase. They were using it as the 'header' menu. I could see it used as a small menu of information inside a website but it might come off as too much in my own website.

I can't wait to work on my own website for my art. I'll do this inbetween semesters...woo hoo...

pamie

Smartwebby

Smartwebby

I liked the idea of the roll over image effect and I tried it out on a section of my website under saftey checklist. It looks ok and I'm not completely sold on it. today I will look at it again to see if it can be improved upon.

Monday, November 10, 2008

cool website

but of course
it is the MoMA

Dali & Film

Smartwebby

Smartwebby

What a cool site:
I immediately went to Rollover link and when you scroll down and look around it is giving you great html code for cool effects to use.

Swap images is a cool effect, when you rollover a radial button/word it swaps an image out...

Image feathering is another great effect. Using Photoshop, you can create a soft white background around the foci of image and eliminate the orig background.. interesting...just when you think you are done!...so much more to do...or can be done...

Dreamweaver template link has some very nice designs on it with some interesting colors. I see potential and then pick it apart some to make it what you really want out of it.


Dreamweaver behaviors is another great link to check out. I have not done the validate yet but may work on more effects then check the behavior info out. My site will be a 'real' working site after class is all done so I will have to make sure I check on 'behavior' so when viewed on diff browsers; it's not all funny lookn!

After reviewing this site, I want to look at my own to perhaps add or change some things. Critique and review is always good. I'm thinking we will get to review in class and then 'take away' pointers and tips and then get to perhaps polish it up one last time before its due Dec 16th

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Paris Cemeteries




Paris doe it up right

Paris cemeteries


Paris really knows how to create great headstones and sculptures for their cemeteries. Browse thru this link to view some excellent sculptures.

Here are some images as examples.

Stoneshadows

uploaded my website to the blog and added another image from my portfolio.

Will add a few more images.
pamie

Friday, November 7, 2008

update...

I have been passing out my website url and having folks try it out... most can view the site fine...just a couple mentioned the browser issue... one uses netscape on her mac laptop and it all looked fine..interesting...once class is done I will work on the behavior issue so that it can function as a working site for real... the author Tim Juhl does want to continue to use the site. Of course I will be adding new galleries, archiving old ones... new articles/archiving old ones... and new Featured Culture page...next one sched'd is Roadside Memorials... of course this will test my skills at 'being careful' since I will photographing these along roadsides!!!!!!!

pamie

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

heres th pic I really wanted to show

http://feeds.feedburner.com/SmashingApps
Very interesting site… cool way to display artworks by vigilant digital artists.


my fav out of all the 70 autumn imspirations-digital images… very nice to see this exhibit. I can def see myself getting very addicted to this laptop and build some nice artwork…. Interesting… theres not enough of me and my hands to go around to meet the demand of the images and creations going on in my head! mattijn

FWA
Of course I was attracted to the scary face of the girl screaming… and firefox prevented me from going to the link for it…Hotel626 but when you go to it…very creepy…very interesintg…apparently you reserve a room and use your webcam on computer and your cell phone to try to get out! How very creepy!

CSS Dance
This site has some adds as demos of cool things to do w/CSS and tricks.. other links to more tips and tricks… If only there was enough time in the day to go to every link. I think I mentioned in my last class w/you Dr. S how overwhelming it is to see all these links and it just feels like it could go on forever and ever…. Ahhhhhhhh

CSS Heaven
Different designs showcased…. I liked this guy all glowing.. http://www.andographic.co.uk/….it really pops out against the dark… so of the sites are too busy in my opinion…

Design Snack
Again a place to showcase… your digital portfolio but kinda my space like…

CSS Nature
A lot to browse thru but this site was user friendly and nicely displayed making me want to browse some more… it had single top pages of showcasing artists so you could view a graphic and decided whether to select that portfolio or not… I went into several and I enjoyed this one…
edpeixoto

Best of Web Gallery
Another showcase for artists and I immediately was attracted to this one for its use of color
mizrahimelech

CSS Design Yorkshire
Best Web Gallery
CSS Gallery
CSS Moon
This site has a few of the same digital artists that I have seen on some other sites… hummm you can post to several and exhibit.
CSS Elite
This site wasn’t anymore elite than some others… just uses diamond image as voting icon… I must say all the colorful adds to the side as you scroll is completely annoying to the eye as you view the screen…. Too many and it just becomes hard to look at.
Oriental Gallery
Love the way this gallery is set up… a small screen shot on one side and a wider example taking up ¾ of the page… viewing this was pleasant…. No adds yeah
Liked this site the best.

Cool Homepages Web Design Gallery
CSS Blaze
Unique CSS
Finally some really good artwork! Check this out evertt de sousa
This artist is good!

Dezinspiration
CSS Snap
Stylecrunch
CSS Crème
CSS fights
Unmatched style
Great site on this one duoh

CSS Imagine
Great site on this one ava7 patterns

Css based
Host pattern
Ok just to put the two bulls or cows on the front page of website got my attention… its all in Spanish and he animates his live stock as part of header… great!

One Page Love
Shirtless was great but also loved the guy burning some card….which I think is in russian?
Coolwebsites
color Schemes

Alot of really great sites to peruse. Great inspiration .. a bit overwhelming but nonetheless def makes me want to create and post to on of these.
An appropriate assignment to peruse here at the end.

so i copy pasted it instead...
p

Lesson 11

feedburner
Very interesting site… cool way to display artworks by vigilant digital artists.


my fav out of all the 70 autumn imspirations-digital images… very nice to see this exhibit. I can def see myself getting very addicted to this laptop and build some nice artwork…. Interesting… theres not enough of me and my hands to go around to meet the demand of the images and creations going on in my head! mattijn

FWA
Of course I was attracted to the scary face of the girl screaming… and firefox prevented me from going to the link for it…Hotel626 but when you go to it…very creepy…very interesintg…apparently you reserve a room and use your webcam on computer and your cell phone to try to get out! How very creepy!

One Page Love
Shirtless was great but also loved the guy burning some card….which I think is in russian?

Alot of really great sites to peruse. Great inspiration .. a bit overwhelming but nonetheless def makes me want to create and post to on of these.
An appropriate assignment to peruse here at the end.

Here is a Word document that all the sites on it: I did look thru them all but compiled it on a word doc.

Monday, November 3, 2008

update...

I feel like I am blogging small updates now.

I have added the Commentary page and updated small tweaks here and there.

the last thing to do is the validate part.

pamie

Sunday, November 2, 2008

ok ... update time....

Ok.. I uploaded all pics into sep galleries using Picasa...it was simple to use and compatible w/MAC yeah! I names each cemetery sep. and noting credit to each photographer. I'm so bummed I didn't get to go to the cemetery in NYcity... but the few pics Mary provided will be fine. After looking at them I just see huge potential.

I updated the culture page making the links all part of the resources for this page and spread out the titles and pics somemore..it seemed cramped. I did spell check on ea page..I reveiwed the guidelines list by Dr. S and posted a couple of questions..some of which I already just went ahead and made the changes. I will for now add the Comments section at bottom of the Resource page as it's own section then if it needs to be its own webpage..will xform that later.

I will now try to work on the hover thingy... not sure yet if it will work out but if it doesnt...will need to come up w/an alternative..

still waitn for authors bio..then will fill that in....

so far it looks good on firefox...

pamie