Sunday, August 15, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
AppBox: A Fast Joomla Template Full of Tools
What is JS AppBox? A killer SEO, fast-loading template ready and waiting to style some of the best extensions available in the Joomlaverse.
AppBox is a native Joomla 1.5 template built to visually integrate Joomla and three of its best extensions: K2, Kunena Forum, and the must-have JomSocial.
Not yet familar with K2? K2 is the powerful content component that gives you enormous flexibility to place and display your content differently than your typical "out of the box" Joomla layout style. Learn more about K2 and AppBox.
JS AppBox is a web 2.0 template optimized with raw SEO power and easy style integration with best-of-breed tools to make your site engaging and sticky.
Check out these many features:
Full Article Azureus Hosting
AppBox is a native Joomla 1.5 template built to visually integrate Joomla and three of its best extensions: K2, Kunena Forum, and the must-have JomSocial.
Not yet familar with K2? K2 is the powerful content component that gives you enormous flexibility to place and display your content differently than your typical "out of the box" Joomla layout style. Learn more about K2 and AppBox.
JS AppBox is a web 2.0 template optimized with raw SEO power and easy style integration with best-of-breed tools to make your site engaging and sticky.
Check out these many features:
Full Article Azureus Hosting
Our JomSocial 1.6 templates are ready
Our friends over at JomSocial have been working furiously on a major new release. And now it's here and ready for your free trial!
JOMSOCIAL USERS: Joomlashack has two templates ready for the new JomSocial 1.6. Check out our JS Community and JS AppBox templates, on sale now!
JomSocial 1.6 has a slew of new features and improvements, including:
Amazon S3 Storage support
Massively enhanced privacy support
Improved activity stream
New API for new possibilities
Modules everywhere
And tons of refinement and bug fixes
Did you know JomSocial offers a one month free trial for just $1?
Learn all about JomSocial and its many improvements with version 1.6.
Full Article Azureus Hosting
JOMSOCIAL USERS: Joomlashack has two templates ready for the new JomSocial 1.6. Check out our JS Community and JS AppBox templates, on sale now!
JomSocial 1.6 has a slew of new features and improvements, including:
Amazon S3 Storage support
Massively enhanced privacy support
Improved activity stream
New API for new possibilities
Modules everywhere
And tons of refinement and bug fixes
Did you know JomSocial offers a one month free trial for just $1?
Learn all about JomSocial and its many improvements with version 1.6.
Full Article Azureus Hosting
New Lessons in Joomlashack's Online Joomla Training University
We've just released over 50 minutes of new video lessons in the Intermediate course in Joomlashack University.
In the Blogging With Joomla learning module, you'll find two new videos:
Full Article Azureus Hosting
In the Blogging With Joomla learning module, you'll find two new videos:
Full Article Azureus Hosting
Joomlashack University loves CMS Expo
CMS Expo IV is ON for this May 3-5th in Chicago, and it's bigger, better, and busier than ever! Joomlashack University is very proud to sponsor this amazing and can't-miss event.
Not only is CMS Expo a hotbed of the world's leading Joomla experts, developers, and trainers, the conference has expanded to include learning tracks and presentations on a wide range of the world's best open source Content Management Systems.
Full Article Azureus Hosting
Not only is CMS Expo a hotbed of the world's leading Joomla experts, developers, and trainers, the conference has expanded to include learning tracks and presentations on a wide range of the world's best open source Content Management Systems.
Full Article Azureus Hosting
Monday, April 26, 2010
How to create abstract colorful background with bokeh effect in Photoshop
In today’s tutorial, you’ll learn how to create an abstract colorful background with bokeh effect using Photoshop’s drawing tools, blending modes, and lighting techniques. Layered PSD file included. Let’s get started!
Final Image Preview
Create a new document (Ctrl N) in Adobe Photoshop with the size 1920px by 1200px (RGB color mode) at a resolution of 72 pixels/inch. Use the Paint Bucket Tool (G) to fill with #010E1F color the new background layer.
To create a fiber background we’ll download Spiderman Pattern from brusheezy.com. Copy the pattern file and paste it into, C:/Adobe/Photoshop/Presets/Patterns.Create a new layer and fill it with black color, click to Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel and select Pattern Overlay. Go to Pattern Picker, and additional Spiderman Pattern can be added by loading them from the Picker’s submenu.
We’ve got the next effect:
Click on the same layer on the bottom part of the Layers panel on Add layer mask icon and choose a Soft Round brush of black color from Brush Tool (B)( set the Opacity to 10% in Options bar)
Use Soft Round brush to paint in the mask to hide a little the document’s edges:
Create a new layer and select again the Soft Round brush
Use the Soft Round brush to paint the central part of the document with the #003173 color
On the next new layer we’ll apply again Soft Round brush to paint more the same part of the picture with the next color - #0F6FBC
Next pass on Adobe Illustrator program and choose here the Ellipse Tool (L) to draw two ellipses of black color.
Using the Direct Selection Tool (A), select both ellipses and apply here the next option: Object>Blend>Blend Options
We’ve got the next result:
Select the ellipses and press CTRL C(Copy). Pass on Adobe Photoshop program after that and press CTRL V (Paste As - Pixels).
Select for this layer CTRL I (Inverse)
Set the Blending mode to Soft Light for this layer and click Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel to select Drop Shadow:
We’ve got the next result:
Click on the same layer on the bottom part of the Layers panel on Add layer mask icon and choose the Soft Round brush (Opacity 20%) of black color
Use Soft Round brush to paint in the mask to hide the ellipses edges.
Create a new layer and select the Airbrush Soft Round brush of white color
Use Airbrush Soft Round brush to draw several small circles by changing the Opacity, Hardness value and the brush’s size
Click on Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel to select Outer Glow
Add Inner Glow
We’ve got the next result:
Create the next new layer and select the Soft Round brush
Draw a spot of the color #FF00FF (set the Opacity to 10% in Options bar)
Use the same Soft Round brush for a new layer to paint the shown part below with the color #4AC1E4
Create a new layer and select the Airbrush Soft Round brush and white color (Opacity 30%)
Use the Airbrush Soft Round brush to represent a spot on the central part of the canvas.
Next choose the Pen Tool (P), set the drawing mode on Shape Layers in Options bar and draw many shapes as shown.
Set Fill to 0% for this layer and click Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel to select Gradient Overlay:
Click in the color bar to open the Gradient Editor and set the color stops as shown. Click OK to close the Gradient Editor dialog box.
We’ve got the next gradient on the shape:
Draw another shape
Set Fill to 0% and go to Layer Style >Gradient Overlay
Open the Gradient Editor and set the color stops as shown. Click OK to close the Gradient Editor dialog box.
We’ve got the next effect:
Draw another shape:
Set Fill to 0% and click Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel to select Gradient Overlay:
Open the Gradient Editor and set the color stops as shown. Click OK to close the Gradient Editor dialog box.
We’ve got the next result:
Represent another shape using Pen Tool (P)
Set Fill to 0% and go to Layer Style>Gradient Overlay
Open the Gradient Editor and set the color stops as shown.
We’ve got the next result:
Draw another shape:
Set Fill to 0% and click Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel to select Gradient Overlay:
Click in the color bar to open the Gradient Editor and set the color stops as shown. Click OK to close the Gradient Editor dialog box.
We’ve got the next gradient on the shape:
Represent another shape:
Set Fill to 0% in Layers panel, add Layer Style>Gradient Overlay
Open the Gradient Editor and set the color stops as shown. Click OK to close the Gradient Editor dialog box.
We’ve got the next result:
Represent another shape on the right part
Set Fill to 0% for this layer and click Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel to select Gradient Overlay:
Click in the color bar to open the Gradient Editor and set the color stops as shown. Click OK to close the Gradient Editor dialog box.
We’ve got the next effect:
Post Pages: 1 2 3
Full Article Azureus Hosting
Final Image Preview
Create a new document (Ctrl N) in Adobe Photoshop with the size 1920px by 1200px (RGB color mode) at a resolution of 72 pixels/inch. Use the Paint Bucket Tool (G) to fill with #010E1F color the new background layer.
To create a fiber background we’ll download Spiderman Pattern from brusheezy.com. Copy the pattern file and paste it into, C:/Adobe/Photoshop/Presets/Patterns.Create a new layer and fill it with black color, click to Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel and select Pattern Overlay. Go to Pattern Picker, and additional Spiderman Pattern can be added by loading them from the Picker’s submenu.
We’ve got the next effect:
Click on the same layer on the bottom part of the Layers panel on Add layer mask icon and choose a Soft Round brush of black color from Brush Tool (B)( set the Opacity to 10% in Options bar)
Use Soft Round brush to paint in the mask to hide a little the document’s edges:
Create a new layer and select again the Soft Round brush
Use the Soft Round brush to paint the central part of the document with the #003173 color
On the next new layer we’ll apply again Soft Round brush to paint more the same part of the picture with the next color - #0F6FBC
Next pass on Adobe Illustrator program and choose here the Ellipse Tool (L) to draw two ellipses of black color.
Using the Direct Selection Tool (A), select both ellipses and apply here the next option: Object>Blend>Blend Options
We’ve got the next result:
Select the ellipses and press CTRL C(Copy). Pass on Adobe Photoshop program after that and press CTRL V (Paste As - Pixels).
Select for this layer CTRL I (Inverse)
Set the Blending mode to Soft Light for this layer and click Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel to select Drop Shadow:
We’ve got the next result:
Click on the same layer on the bottom part of the Layers panel on Add layer mask icon and choose the Soft Round brush (Opacity 20%) of black color
Use Soft Round brush to paint in the mask to hide the ellipses edges.
Create a new layer and select the Airbrush Soft Round brush of white color
Use Airbrush Soft Round brush to draw several small circles by changing the Opacity, Hardness value and the brush’s size
Click on Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel to select Outer Glow
Add Inner Glow
We’ve got the next result:
Create the next new layer and select the Soft Round brush
Draw a spot of the color #FF00FF (set the Opacity to 10% in Options bar)
Use the same Soft Round brush for a new layer to paint the shown part below with the color #4AC1E4
Create a new layer and select the Airbrush Soft Round brush and white color (Opacity 30%)
Use the Airbrush Soft Round brush to represent a spot on the central part of the canvas.
Next choose the Pen Tool (P), set the drawing mode on Shape Layers in Options bar and draw many shapes as shown.
Set Fill to 0% for this layer and click Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel to select Gradient Overlay:
Click in the color bar to open the Gradient Editor and set the color stops as shown. Click OK to close the Gradient Editor dialog box.
We’ve got the next gradient on the shape:
Draw another shape
Set Fill to 0% and go to Layer Style >Gradient Overlay
Open the Gradient Editor and set the color stops as shown. Click OK to close the Gradient Editor dialog box.
We’ve got the next effect:
Draw another shape:
Set Fill to 0% and click Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel to select Gradient Overlay:
Open the Gradient Editor and set the color stops as shown. Click OK to close the Gradient Editor dialog box.
We’ve got the next result:
Represent another shape using Pen Tool (P)
Set Fill to 0% and go to Layer Style>Gradient Overlay
Open the Gradient Editor and set the color stops as shown.
We’ve got the next result:
Draw another shape:
Set Fill to 0% and click Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel to select Gradient Overlay:
Click in the color bar to open the Gradient Editor and set the color stops as shown. Click OK to close the Gradient Editor dialog box.
We’ve got the next gradient on the shape:
Represent another shape:
Set Fill to 0% in Layers panel, add Layer Style>Gradient Overlay
Open the Gradient Editor and set the color stops as shown. Click OK to close the Gradient Editor dialog box.
We’ve got the next result:
Represent another shape on the right part
Set Fill to 0% for this layer and click Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel to select Gradient Overlay:
Click in the color bar to open the Gradient Editor and set the color stops as shown. Click OK to close the Gradient Editor dialog box.
We’ve got the next effect:
Post Pages: 1 2 3
Full Article Azureus Hosting
Google Engineers Flee Facebook for Privacy Issues
A case of "the pot calling the kettle black".A gaggle of Google engineers have expressed their displeasure with Facebook's latest effort to share your data with third-party sites, and many have gone so far as to deactivate their accounts. This includes the Delphic Oracle of the SEO world, Matt Cutts, who announced his Facebook deactivation with a post to Twitter. Cutts didn't say why he deactivated, but the move came just hours after Facebook introduced an "instant personalization" thingy that automatically feeds your Facebook profile data to certain third-party sites when you - or your Facebook "friends" - pay a visit. The irony is that Wiacek and many of his Google colleagues are using Buzz to distribute their veiled - and not-so-veiled - attacks on Facebook's approach to privacy. When it was launched in February and pushed out to an estimated 32.1 million Gmail users, Buzz automatically identified users' most frequent email and chat contacts as people they'd like "to follow," and by default, it exposed these contacts to world dog. You did have the option of hiding the list from the public view, but the checkbox that let you do so was not exactly displayed in a prominent position.Source: The Register
Full Article Azureus Hosting
Full Article Azureus Hosting
SearchBliss Toolbar Adds Music!
The Free SearchBliss Webmaster Toolbar has added more entertainment. You can now listen to the radio right from our toolbar while surfing the web. This is in addition to our video games and TV.The SearchBliss Toolbar still includes free web tools, Google search, free website content, E-mail notifier and much more. Available for IE, FireFox, and Safari browsers.Please visit here for more details.Download the SearchBliss Toolbar today!
Full Article Azureus Hosting
Full Article Azureus Hosting
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Slicing up the Status Quo of Joomla Extension Design
One of the greatest things about Joomla is it's extendability. If you need a forum, a shop solution, a module to display weather, etc., you can bet there's probably a solution available. With over 4,600 extensions listed in the Joomla Extensions Directory at the time of this writing, Joomla users are presented with a myriad of options to extend the base functionality of their Joomla powered site.
While having such choice is an awesome thing for the Joomla end user or site developer, it can at times present some 'formatting' issues. Often times the end user might find themselves out of luck, going back and forth between a template provider and extension developer for support, with each pointing the finger at the other as the cause of a formatting issue.
Perhaps it's time to start slicing up the status quo and approach extension 'design' from a new direction.
Full Article Azureus Hosting
While having such choice is an awesome thing for the Joomla end user or site developer, it can at times present some 'formatting' issues. Often times the end user might find themselves out of luck, going back and forth between a template provider and extension developer for support, with each pointing the finger at the other as the cause of a formatting issue.
Perhaps it's time to start slicing up the status quo and approach extension 'design' from a new direction.
Full Article Azureus Hosting
Free video lessons from Joomlashack University
Joomlashack University is a Joomla video tutorial motherload. And now two of our video lessons are free on our YouTube channel!
With more than eight hours of professionally produced instructional videos, Joomlashack University provides a wide range of online lessons and courses to teach you Joomla inside out.
To give you a sense of the quality and depth of our more than eight hours of video lessons available in our online training course, we've uploaded two that you can now view for free below.
Full Article Azureus Hosting
With more than eight hours of professionally produced instructional videos, Joomlashack University provides a wide range of online lessons and courses to teach you Joomla inside out.
To give you a sense of the quality and depth of our more than eight hours of video lessons available in our online training course, we've uploaded two that you can now view for free below.
Full Article Azureus Hosting
Verdant: Colorful, powerful, flexible Joomla template
Colorful. Flexible. Powerful. Searchable. Modern, clean, and versatile. That's our new JS Verdant template.
Built on our customized Joomlshack 960 grid system, Verdant is lightweight, source-ordered, and fast loading for maximum SEO performance. And it's ready to style the outstanding K2 content extension!
Along with our many standard features, we've added a couple new cuts to this multi-faceted gem, including:
Page background color customization- change the color of your page background with a simple hex code in the template parameters
5 Colors and Light and Dark options- make your banner space pop above the fold with this instant change
CSS3 fueled- CSS3 styles that degrade gracefully for older browsers
Full vs Static Width- change the extent of your background color with a simple parameter change
Easy Title Customizations- make your heading stand out with easy-to-use title parameters
Verdant comes ready to style K2, the incredible content extension, and is easily customize with fully commented CSS overrides.
Here's a list of the full Verdant feature set:
Full Article Azureus Hosting
Built on our customized Joomlshack 960 grid system, Verdant is lightweight, source-ordered, and fast loading for maximum SEO performance. And it's ready to style the outstanding K2 content extension!
Along with our many standard features, we've added a couple new cuts to this multi-faceted gem, including:
Page background color customization- change the color of your page background with a simple hex code in the template parameters
5 Colors and Light and Dark options- make your banner space pop above the fold with this instant change
CSS3 fueled- CSS3 styles that degrade gracefully for older browsers
Full vs Static Width- change the extent of your background color with a simple parameter change
Easy Title Customizations- make your heading stand out with easy-to-use title parameters
Verdant comes ready to style K2, the incredible content extension, and is easily customize with fully commented CSS overrides.
Here's a list of the full Verdant feature set:
Full Article Azureus Hosting
Summer of Code and Joomla 1.6 time again
UPDATE 3/19: Joomla was not chosen as a project for the 2010 GSOC program. Read the news from Joomla.org.
It's amazing to think it's almost time for another Summer of Code, Google's annual festival of Free and Open Source (FOSS) student software projects.
Joomla has benefited enormously from the GSOC projects over the past five summers. Last fall we reported on a number of innovative features developed for Joomla 1.6 by GSOC students, including advanced front-end editing, multi-site management, and an improved administrator UI template for the Joomla backend. Time will tell if their code makes it into the Joomla 1.6 beta release expected soon.
For GSOC students to work with the Joomla Project, they must have an approved project and mentor. Last year, Joomlashack's own TJ Baker volunteered as a mentor, an experience he says he greatly enjoyed. "Mentoring a GSOC student is an excellent way to give back to Joomla, and to learn from your mentee too!"
Interested in becoming a mentor or a student in the Google Summer of Code this summer? Applications are due by March 12th and you can find all the details on the Joomla Community blog.
Full Article Azureus Hosting
It's amazing to think it's almost time for another Summer of Code, Google's annual festival of Free and Open Source (FOSS) student software projects.
Joomla has benefited enormously from the GSOC projects over the past five summers. Last fall we reported on a number of innovative features developed for Joomla 1.6 by GSOC students, including advanced front-end editing, multi-site management, and an improved administrator UI template for the Joomla backend. Time will tell if their code makes it into the Joomla 1.6 beta release expected soon.
For GSOC students to work with the Joomla Project, they must have an approved project and mentor. Last year, Joomlashack's own TJ Baker volunteered as a mentor, an experience he says he greatly enjoyed. "Mentoring a GSOC student is an excellent way to give back to Joomla, and to learn from your mentee too!"
Interested in becoming a mentor or a student in the Google Summer of Code this summer? Applications are due by March 12th and you can find all the details on the Joomla Community blog.
Full Article Azureus Hosting
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
