Feed Mingle & Apple's RSS Visualizer Screensaver

My schedule, of late, has become really hectic and sometimes I don't get to watch or read the news. So I started using a screensaver - RSS Visualizer, on my mac to pull news from local websites - Jamaica Gleaner & Jamaica Observer.

Unfortunately I can only pull 1 feed at any given time. While checking my latest feeds in Google Reader I noticed a feed from Go2Web20.net about FeedMingle. Basically I can merge 2 or more feeds as one.

How to add FeedMingle to RSS Visualizer
Step 1: Create you Mingled feed
Step 2: Open Mail.app (Hopefully you have this setup already . If not do so!)
Step 3: Go to File » Add RSS Feeds
Step 4: Select Specify a Custom feed URL and mingled feed
Step 5: Go to Apple Menu » System Preferences » Desktop/Screensaver
Step 6: RSS Visualizer » Options
Step 7: Select feed from Mail.app

This works perfectly for my screensaver and I think it's really cool and not just limited to my screensaver. I can use it in any rss reader, whether it's a standalone application or integrated into a web-app or website. You should give it a try!

Get DropBox

My friend and I work in the same field as Graphic / Web Designers and have worked on a few projects together. Our biggest challenge is location. He's located at one end of Jamaica and me at the other, so I'm always looking for ways to improve our virtual work relationship.

Over the years we've used several applications to aid us in our collaboration, BaseCamp (free), YouSendIt, Hamachi along with others. Hamachi was the last one we used and it was a lil difficult to get it to work seemlessly between a Windows Vista Laptop and iMac (running OSX 1.5). Plus there was no official interface for mac users ( I had to type commands in the terminal whenever I wanted to use the application). As a result I went looking for an alternative and I found it - DropBox.

Now dropbox was a term I first heard being used at a advertising agency my wife worked at and was only available to macs. Once all the macs are on the same network users could add files into a default shared folder know as a 'dropbox.' But I came across another DropBox that was available for the specific platforms - Window, Linux & Mac (Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! As the choirs of angels sing and the beam of light shines done upon my ignorance :-) ).

In no time I had DropBox installed on my mac and my friend and I were able to share files, it was sweeeeeeett!

DropBox Features
DropBox initilally gives you 2Gb of storage for free, which you can upgrade if you want. It allows you to see the various versions of a file once changed or updated, restore deleted files, see previes of images and share specific folders with anyone you desire.

The lovely thing about DropBox is that it's linked to a physical folder on your computer, has a web interface to manage your account and shares files over an SSL connection. If you have growl installed on your mac you'll also get a notification everytime I file/folder is updated.

DropBox is a great collaboration tool, you should get it!

Web Development Project Estimator

Have you ever been to a meeting where a client asks you to estimate how much a project will cost and you think to yourself " I wish I could tell them right off the bat!"

Well now you can with the Web Developer Project Estimator. It a hosted service that is free and allows the developer to quickly punch in hourly rates for each task and have it calculated on the fly. If the default listed items are not tasks you would do, simply delete them and add those that are relevant to your development process. Once you're done simply click "view estimate" and you are good to go! As simple as that.

I give the Web Development Project Estimator a 4 out of 5. All that's left for it to get another star is the ability to download or e-mail estimate as PDF to client.

MySpace 2.0...I'm so late!!!

Recently I had the opportunity to customize a MySpace page, for Danah Cameron. Though I've always wanted to customize a MySpace account I've often feared using CSS to manipulate a webpage heavily designed using tables.

However, from the experience I've decided to add MySpace customization to the list of services I offer and I started looking more into how to use CSS to achieve this. Only to find that MySpace has decided to make their layouts tabless and added ajax to the member interface. They have joined the web 2.0 movement (in terms of design).

With the 2.0 layouts pages will load faster and members have more control over the look and feel of their MySpace pages. In Tom's blog - on Nov.10.2008 - he highlight that the new 2.0 layouts are "fully W3C compliant" and incompatible with Internet Explorer 6. Which is great! My only disappointment is that the 2.0 layout is not available for musicians, flimmakers or comedian profiles.

To learn more about MySpace 2.0 Layouts CLICK HERE and HERE. You can also get additional themes from PYZAM and I'll be sure to have some on the PXL Junkie soon.

Joost Away

Joost recently announced that they will be discontinuing their standalone application, for Windows based PCs and Intel Macs, on December 19, 2008. This is a result of their new website - created in October of this year - which provides user with all they need to watch programs on the P2PTV network.

Google rolls out themes for Gmail

Today while checking my mail I noticed the interface of my inbox changed so I refreshed thinking it was an error with my browser. Only to see a link, after the page loaded, telling me I can change my theme by going into the settings area. I was blown away.

This new themes feature was released today Nov.19.2008 and Gmail now has 25 themes (Classic, New Blue, Cold Shower, Steel, Minimalist, Green Sky, Bibblegum, Cherry Blossom, Night Shade, Marina, Dusk, Sunset, Silver Lining, Contrast Black, Shiny, Desk, Tree, Summer Ocean, Phantasea, Zoozimps, Candy, Bus Stop, Ninja, Tea & Terminal) excluding the default and you can expect more to come.

Three of the themes were designed by external designers. These are Phantasea Renewal - Matthew Ferreira, Summer Ocean - Jim Honeycutt, and Cherry Blossom - Vania Sofandi. The rest were done internally.

Go ahead and customize your Gmail!

Voice & Video Chat with GoogleTalk

Yesterday, November 11, 2008 Google launched a new feature for Google Talk - Voice & Video conversations. I was elated when I discovered this ant the greatest thing of all is that it's free!

Not all my colleagues have a Skype accounts but a lot of them use Gmail and this new feature with Google Talk will allow us to keep in contact. I also have clients I meet with frequently and this is a way to cut down on my traveling expenses. We can now talk face to face or call each other.

To enable this feature though you have to install a plugin after which you will restart you web browser and should notice a video icon when you login to your Gmail account. Simple start the Voice & Vide conversation by selecting video & more the invite to voice/video chat.

The beauty about this new feature is that it's compliant with internet standards such as XMPP, RTP, and H.264. This means that third-party applications such as iChat can be used to manage and access these new features. Unfortunately there is no version for linux users just yet.



I predict that some where down the line Google will add features that allow users to do presentations and share documents similar to the features of Mac OS X - Leopard, integrating Google Docs.

Back to Gmail for mobile 1.5 for me

When I found that Gmail for mobile 2.0 was released I was eager to install it. However, when I tried to update the version I had - 1.5, I had a bit of a challenge. I got an message asking me if I wanted to update version 1.50 with version 1.50, not 2.0.

I resorted to deleting Gmail for mobile 1.5 from my Nokia 6080b and install 2.0 but was told "File too large to be saved." I was astonished that a 500K application could be installed on a phone with 2.1MB of free space.

After several attempts I reverted to Gmail for mobile 1.5 which took a lot if 'Googling' just to find the application. I was lucky and found a useful link - http://gmail.com/app/v1.5.0/L1/gmail-g.jar. I also tried http://gmail.com/app/gmail.jad?make=BRAND&model=MODEL&ver=v1.5.0.1193.

Gmail for mobile 2.0

I don't own a smart phone, though I desire to acquire a 3G iPhone, I use a Nokia 6080b which is out-fitted with Gmail's mobile java application - version 1.5. It's one of the many Google products I use. However, I'm elated with the release of Gmail for mobile 2.0.

I have no desire whatsoever to own a Blackberry but with Gmail for mobile I can be more productive while on the road and version 2.0 has features I'm sure I'll benefit from.

What's New in version 2.0
Google has improved the application making it faster, adding support for multiple accounts, allowing multiple drafts to be saved and even offline support - so you can check your most recent mail and send messages in your outbox as soon as you connect.

Version 1.5 of Gmail for mobile was 356.7 KB, worked on phones supporting Java (J2ME /MIDP 2.0) and having a Symbian OS. The latest version does the same however ans is only 500 KB.

To install the application go to m.google.com/mail on your mobile device and follow the instruction.

Watch the video below to learn more about the application!


* FYI - Won't work unless you are on a Data Plan. Contact your service provider if uncertain.

Collaborate on Creative Projects

More and more people are working from home/virtual offices but have to collaborate with associates and clients on projects. Meetings can be time consuming, especially if it's just to discuss small changes in design and every minute counts. I've found two solutions that help to make the feedback process on creative projects a lot much easier - ConceptShare and ProofHQ.

Both ConceptShare and ProofHQ are similar to Octopz. Unfortunately the interface for Octopz is not as intuative, as the 2 I mentioned above, or offers a free personal account.

ConceptShare allows creative teams to create a workspace for each project with description and client name. Packages determine how many projects can be active simultaneously, 35 being the most with the Business Package for USD$99/month and 5GB of storage. With ConceptShare you can review from photos to video files and everything else in between. Once the client has signed off you can print out the workspace with all the comments for reference.

ConceptShare also makes it easier to upload files from your desktop with a new aplication, ConceptShare Desktop Companion, written with Adobe Air.

ProofHQ is on par with ConceptShare in terms of features and cost except that it doesn't support video files. Approval of proofs are a more explicit with ProofHQ by simply selecting a button that says "Approve" or "Approved with Changes" when viewing the proof.

Unlike ConceptShare, ProofHQ allows the administrator to send a public url which allows viewers to see the proof without the need for a password. ProofHQ also integrates with 37Signals' BaseCamp. The most expensive plan on ProofHQ cost the same as ConceptShare with 1GB less but allows you to have over 200 proofs.

These web services have made life easier for creative professionals who want to get the most out of their time and ensure that the clients get what they desire, avoiding any miscommunication.

You've been equipped now choose which one is suitable for you!

PayLoadz - Sell Digital Products for FREE

There are a lot of electronic products on the market - software, books, manuals, images, music and more. Well now you can get paid by selling digital goods with PayLoadz.

PayLoadz offer several types of accounts one which is free and limited to transactions less or equal to USD$100 a month. Integrating accounts with Google CheckOut, PayPal or Ebay is just a simple click.

Fear not what currency to accept, Payloadz accepts payments from 6 currencies - US$, C$, Euro, Pound Sterling, AU$ and Yen.

There are many other features that prove useful with PayLoadz such as vewing product statistics, managing uploaded files, importing/exporting product information, offering discounts, pay for featured listings and much more.

Start selling now!

Mango Languages - Learn a Foreign Laguange

It's said that emersion is the best way to learn a language but buying a plane ticket to a foreign country just to learn a language isn't cheap. Doing a classes to learn how to have conversation in another language was the anwer a few years ago until added to e-learning solutions.

Mango Languages is one such e-learning solution, offering several languages (Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese, French, German, Italian, Greek, Russian, Mandarin Chinese etc...) for free or a subscription fee.

The beauty about web services like Mango Languages is that the user gets to learn the language at the own pace.

Mango Languages approach is very simple, using colour codes for parts of speech, literal translations, grammer and more. With Mango Languages you'll be speaking a langauge in no time.

SplashUp - Edit Photos Online

There are a few good desktop photo editors out there, some of which are free and other have the be purchased. However, the paradigm in technology is slowly sifting with the advent of Google Docs. More and more applications are online based making it easier for users to access them at any given time without administrator restrictions.

One useful applications have come to me attention regarding photo editing it's called SpalshUp. SplashUp is a powerful web application with great features, giving users - pros and novices - the ability to turn dull photos into masterpieces. Sharing these works of art can be done seemlessly using a flickr, facebook, picasa or splash account.


SplashUp has an interface that resembles that of Adobe's flag ship product, Photoshop. Users can use multiple layers and similar photoshop filters and tools (like the lasso, marquee, paint brush and many more).

All in all SmashUp, though in it's beta stage, is a wonderful application to have in a upcoming designers arsenal.

website: www.splashup.com

Face Your Manga - Make Custom Avatars

Just a few days ago I was on flickr and noticed some cool avatars and I got a little bored with my display picture for my messenger so I went looking for one online and I came across Face Your Manga. I've always admired manga and this was an opportunity to do just that so indulged.

Face Your Manga allow users to select the features of their avatar - hair, eyes, complexion, background, you name it you can change it. Users get to express themselves in an artistic and fun way, plus if they like the art enough they can order prints or larger versions which they can use as desktop wallpapers or whatever they desire.

Here is my avatar...






Website: www.faceyourmanga.com

DocStoc - Get all you docs here

Microsoft Office comes with a few templates with the option to download additions as the need arise. What microsoft gives though is just the basic layout and you have to figure the content.

DocStoc however, is a reservoir of sample documents for free. The samples on www.docstoc.com ranges from résumés to business proposals and are very useful for small businesses and freelancers who are on a tight budget.

Designers Toolbox - A Designer's Dream

The key to being effecient as a designer is working smart and with the resources from www.designerstoolbox.com, a designer can do just that.

At DesignersToolbox.com there are multiple resources for the freelance designer - from free photoshop and illustrator templates to paid contract templates.

pForm - Customize website forms

Ever wanted to add a mailing form to your website but don't know extenisive html? or Do you have a website and want to change the look and field of your mailing form? Well you can do that in just 3 easy steps.

With pFrom you follow 3 steps...
Step 1. Choose a Theme
Step 2. Add Elements
Step 3. Download the Form.
...Just as simple as that and your done!

Unlike many similar web apps you don't need to register in order to use pForm. It's free and easy to use.

6 Online Billing Solutions

Small business are normally on a tight budget and can't afford all the software big wigs use but they can be as effective and professional.

Impress your clients buy sending them professional invoices.


Blinksale
www.blinksale.com


Simple Invoices
www.simplyinvoices.com



Zoho Invoice
https://invoice.zoho.com



Invoice Place
www.invoiceplace.com



Curdbee
www.curdbee.com



Freshbooks
www.freshbooks.com