Archive for September, 2009

WordPress 2.8 Tutorial & Training DVD

Is WordPress a good option for the beginning blogger?

As blogging has soared in popularity, the number of blogging platforms and content management systems for people to choose from has also significantly grown. Keeping track of features for all the different sites (and figuring out how much different ‘premium’ features cost can be more than a little intimidating to those just starting out. We find that WordPress fits the bill quite nicely for those with the urge to have their voice heard, for both individuals and businesses, and here are a few reasons why:

1. It has a large, helpful group of people using it.

We all know that the most popular choice isn’t always the best, but when it comes to WordPress, having a solid user base is a very good thing. The site offers its services in over fifty different languages, and any time you stumble into a problem or question, you’re usually not the only one.  The WordPress support system offers quick help when it’s needed, and the development team has been very supportive over the years to the needs of everyday bloggers.

2. You can get set up quickly and easily.

Whether you are just going with the basic templates available on WordPress.com or if you’re developing a custom home for your words that you host yourself, the deployment time for a WordPerfect solution is a fraction of what it would take to do it all yourself and also quite competitive with other CMS solutions. While the behind-the-scenes interface has not always been so easy to use, it is now quite streamlined and ready for any number of custom configurations. With proper instruction, the possibilities are really endless.

3. Customization

We keep repeating this, but it’s true. You can make your WordPress site look however you want it to, and it’s not hard. You can extend the functionality of your site with plugins and even connect your blog with your instant messaging and social media accounts.

WordPress Tutorial &  Training CD

While getting started with WordPress is designed to be easy, it helps to have some guidance when you want things to look right. In addition to covering the essentials, the lessons available through Infinite Skills will also show you how to create and manage a more complex and dynamic site, with tips on hosting, modifying CSS and PHP, incorporating interactive media and much more. Whether you want to see how you can improve your current blog or site or if you want some friendly advice in starting from the ground up, this WordPress Tutorial is an option you should check out.

It can be bought on DVD or viewed online right in your own browser, and no matter how you receive the training you will quickly see some impressive results. Previews of the training are offered on the web site, learn how to use WordPress at your own pace.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 Tutorial Video

Photoshop Elements 7: Bargain or Bust?

Weighing in at a fraction of the price of its bigger cousin, Adobe Photoshop Elements is the entry level option for people looking to touch up their personal shots and achieve basic graphical effects. But is it worth your time, or would you be better off paying more for Photoshop CS4?

While earlier releases of Elements left something to be desired, it has greatly improved within the last few versions and now boasts plenty of features that can be put to use. It’s not simply a weaker or limited version of Photoshop, but a reinvented application geared specifically toward the home user. This is important: it actually has features that the premium version of Adobe PS does not have, including an entire interface devoted to organizing your images and giving you quick and easy ways to make albums and picture books to share with family and friends.

Within its editing interface, Adobe Elements lets you crop photos, remove red eye with just a couple clicks and apply filters and effects just how you might in more expensive programs, but in many ways simpler. While Photoshop CS4 is more of a handle-everything-and-anything-at-once solution, from doing graphics for websites to producing textures for film and 3D animation, Elements knows exactly what it is for: making it easier for you to manage and improve the digital photos in your personal collection.

The management tools are so intuitive that Elements can be considered a practical solution for a number of professional environments, as well. Small businesses like real estate offices could definitely use the application to manage large numbers of images taken in the field and even perform enhancements for posting in advertising materials.

Photoshop Elements 7 Tutorial – Training DVD

While it’s easier than CS4 for those just starting out, Elements is still a large program, and one that you could certainly learn to use more effectively with the right training. Infinite Skills offers a perfect solution for those wanting a handle on not just the basics, but also the application’s more advanced effects.

Adobe Certified Instructor Neil Oliver covers a range of topics in close detail, from color correction and retouching to removing unwanted objects and applying enhanced techniques. The Elements 7 tutorial video features a live view of the application workspace, with step by step walkthroughs that show you exactly what is required to achieve the results you want.

Oliver gives expert advice for a range of common edits like whitening teeth, converting color to black and white, and fixing freckles and blemishes, but doesn’t stop there. Users who want the highest quality from their digital cameras will learn how to work with Camera RAW format, or piece together multiple shots into a panorama for stunning results.

More information and free demos of several lessons can be found on the site. This Elements 7 training is a unique resource that even more experienced users should check out. In addition to CD / DVD, the videos can also be accessed online for a convenient and immersive experience.