I'm assuming we have all heard of the wonderful website Creative Commons and how it makes searching for pictures, video, and music that other people have so generously made free (with attribution at times) to the public extremely easy. However, it also has a limited source of websites from whence it can pull/send you to, making it hard to find exactly the right picture you really really wanted for that one project, meaning you'd have to start all over again from scratch because you needed that picture for that specific idea to work and ~whew~ the stress of it all.
Well, I might have just found the solution to your free-for-use picture (yes, only picture, sorry guys) searching problems.
There is a nice little post of 20 Websites to Find Free High-Quality Images on Hongkiat.com and let me tell you, these websites have some absolutely gorgeous photos. And they're all free (some with attribution of course). Really need a food picture of the ilk put in food magazines? This list has a site for you! How about something retro? Something scenic? A picture with a certain dominant color (yeah, one of these sites lets you search by color, what a cool idea)? All of these are located in the list I linked above (I'll put it here too, just for your convenience).
So, the next time you're freaking out about not being able to find that perfect picture, hopefully you'll remember this post, take a deep breath, surf those sites, and create the best project you possibly can!
Thursday, February 19
Wednesday, February 18
Adobe Flash and Source of Tutorials
Today, I decided to look at Adobe Flash Professional, as I do not have too much experience with that software. I had been interested in interactive media capabilities and creating websites that can show off such capabilities. Quickly, I learned that Flash had even more to it than I had thought. However, there are traces of other Creative Suite software that I have used like Photoshop and Illustrator, which proves the point that it is always beneficial to start somewhere because the skills you pick up in some programs will probably transfer to unexplored yet similar programs.
Anyway, I greatly benefited from using the site, "Infinite Skills Blog" for Flash tutorials. Under the Media and Design tab, you can search from an index of over 60 programs. After selecting Flash CS6 (The version on our computers), I was able to go through the available tutorials and find simpler ones for things like layers and creating symbols. The tutorials were about 5 minutes long, which I thought was just enough to scratch the surface. I would assume more difficult topics go into greater depth.
Here's the link for the homepage of the website, feel free to explore tutorials for not only Flash but many of the other multimedia and design software!
Anyway, I greatly benefited from using the site, "Infinite Skills Blog" for Flash tutorials. Under the Media and Design tab, you can search from an index of over 60 programs. After selecting Flash CS6 (The version on our computers), I was able to go through the available tutorials and find simpler ones for things like layers and creating symbols. The tutorials were about 5 minutes long, which I thought was just enough to scratch the surface. I would assume more difficult topics go into greater depth.
Here's the link for the homepage of the website, feel free to explore tutorials for not only Flash but many of the other multimedia and design software!
Tuesday, February 17
Who Uses Photoshop?
There is a wonderful link on Photoshop’s website titled “Who
uses Photoshop.” This shows just how influential Adobe products are, no matter
what your major or occupation. Artists use it to create posters, edit
photography, or start an animation. Medical professionals use Photoshop
Extended to draw attention to certain elements in images in order to study
diseases. Industrial designers create mock-ups of infrastructure that will
later be built on a grand scale. Photographic crime scene evidence can be
efficiently processed to aid forensic technicians. Photoshop is no longer
simply an artist’s tool, but an interdisciplinary program that is able to
transform the lives of people in every field.
At the Student Multimedia Center, we offer tutorials in a
wide array of Adobe products, including Photoshop. A beginner course is offered
on Friday, February 27 at 10:00 AM, and a more advanced class is available on
March 5 at 7:00 PM. Waiting lists for both are available currently, so do not
hesitate to sign up!
If you are unable to make the classes, those behind the desk
at the Multimedia Center would be more than willing to help with any Adobe
questions you may have.
Read more about the different uses of Photoshop in a
diversity of fields here:
Monday, February 16
Sometimes the Solution isn't Digital
We do a lot of software troubleshooting here. We're checking folder hierarchies, we're tapping through touch screens, and we're trying to remember which of the Mac's preferences menus we're supposed to be clicking on.
 |
| But I already did System Preferences, why do I have to do Program Preferences? Wouldn't any settings in System Preferences override any setting in Program Preferences? Why would I need two separate places for changing audio systems? Who at Apple is so distrusting that they think I wouldn't want GarageBand and Audacity playing out of the same speakers? Have I already been in Studio 6 for three hours? Could someone tell my roommates I won't be home for dinner? No, like, tomorrow's dinner. |
That being said, sometimes the issue isn't anything inside any software settings or preferences menu. Sometimes it's the simplest version of user error. Two examples and the shorter one is first.
 |
| Like jazz, I'll bring you in with something that seems short and uncomplicated, then I'll hit you with something longer and seemingly more complicated. |
First thing is Studio 6, a constant source of audio issues, being that it is a constant source of audio work. If I tried to count the number of hours I'd spent troubleshooting Studio 6, then giving up and looking over Nico's shoulder as he fixed everything, it'd be a number large enough to confuse some early Greek mathematicians.
 |
| I've found it! I've found a way to reliably calculate Dillon's hours! |
Which is why when I was in Studio 6 the other day, it was nice to have a simple fix. The same kind of issue came in. The user wanted sound where sound wasn't coming from. I waded into the fray, writing my living will in my head, because I was fairly certain I wouldn't be seeing the outside of Morris Library or breathing the sweet air of Newark on one of the rare days where Kennet didn't make it smell like a zoo of swine and fungi.
 |
| Pictured: A significant reason why I didn't go outside for the first eight years of my life. |
You can imagine my relief when I discovered that the reason there was no sound coming from Studio 6's speakers was because Studio 6's speakers were not turned on. I'm proud to say it only took me an hour and a half to figure that out.
Another example. Sai and I (which, Sai, by the way, if you were ever going to start an indie band, there's your name) were looking into an issue with the flash on the FujiFilm. When the user went to take a picture, the flash wouldn't activate. We spent some time with it, but no matter what we did, the flash wouldn't pop up. There was no menu button we didn't press in our quest for sudden bursts of light.
 |
| I don't need a flash because I carry an active strobe light around with me. That, and I never want to be unprepared for a rave. |
In my desperation I turned to the manual. Somehow, the two of us had missed the button that manually raises the flash, which was important because on the FujiFilm, that's the only way to actually raise the flash. It won't pop up automatically like on the Canons. I maintain that the neck strap of the camera was laying across the button.
 |
| Obscurer of obvious solutions since cameras got small enough to walk around with. |
We pressed the button, showed the user where it was, and then we didn't speak to each other for the rest of the shift, both contemplating how it was that we were outsmarted by a thin strap of woven cotton/polyester blend.
Sunday, February 15
Net Neutrality and What You Can Do to Help
Most of us here use the internet, and frequently too. But our ability to use the internet the way we have been may soon be at risk. The struggle over net neutrality is becoming more and more important, and may soon be voted on by congress.
What is net neutrality? Its simply a movement towards keeping the internet fair and free for all users. Making it so that companies like Comcast and Verizon can't give better internet speeds and capabilities to companies that can pay more money than others. Giving these companies the benefit when it comes to people viewing their website/products. Net Neutrality would stop this however, making sure that companies can't do this, and making sure that everyone's data is treated fairly.
What can you do about it? Call your senator/representative and say something along the lines of
"Hi, my name is [your name here] and I'm one of your residents. I would like to ask you to vote for Net Neutrality to make sure everyone's data is treated fairly."
They will probably ask you a few questions about where you live after that, and that's it. It may seem a little annoying, but trust me, it's worth it.
A lot of us here at the University of Delaware use the internet very often. Make sure you do your part to keep the internet free!
What is net neutrality? Its simply a movement towards keeping the internet fair and free for all users. Making it so that companies like Comcast and Verizon can't give better internet speeds and capabilities to companies that can pay more money than others. Giving these companies the benefit when it comes to people viewing their website/products. Net Neutrality would stop this however, making sure that companies can't do this, and making sure that everyone's data is treated fairly.
What can you do about it? Call your senator/representative and say something along the lines of
"Hi, my name is [your name here] and I'm one of your residents. I would like to ask you to vote for Net Neutrality to make sure everyone's data is treated fairly."
They will probably ask you a few questions about where you live after that, and that's it. It may seem a little annoying, but trust me, it's worth it.
A lot of us here at the University of Delaware use the internet very often. Make sure you do your part to keep the internet free!
Thursday, February 12
Touch Screen Print Release Station
Hey friends!
Nadine brought to my attention a little change within the Student Multimedia Design Center. The traditional print release station is now completely touch screen! This might cause some confusion with both new and old users, since most are used to using a mouse to complete their printing task.
Know that the process is still the same, but they will be using their fingers to choose their documents. The screen is also larger, which helps to see the options much easier.
For new Student Assistants and to refresh the minds of veterans, the print release station is easy! Simply send the document to the station by clicking print, click on the box next to the specific document to be printed, hit "Start Printing," and swipe ID's with the barcode facing to the right. It costs 5 cents for every single sided page, 8 cents for double sided, and 1 dollar for color.
Issues that typically arise with this process are due to sizing issues. Documents should be set to "US Letter" under preferences, not A4. Another problem might be a document set to "read only." Save these documents to the desktop and make sure edits can be made.
Also, always make sure that patrons trying to print have enough money on their cards.
Again, this computer is only used to select documents to print, and patrons looking to use it for any other type of service should be directed to the other computers within the center.
Hope this was helpful!
-Nicole
Nadine brought to my attention a little change within the Student Multimedia Design Center. The traditional print release station is now completely touch screen! This might cause some confusion with both new and old users, since most are used to using a mouse to complete their printing task.
Know that the process is still the same, but they will be using their fingers to choose their documents. The screen is also larger, which helps to see the options much easier.
For new Student Assistants and to refresh the minds of veterans, the print release station is easy! Simply send the document to the station by clicking print, click on the box next to the specific document to be printed, hit "Start Printing," and swipe ID's with the barcode facing to the right. It costs 5 cents for every single sided page, 8 cents for double sided, and 1 dollar for color.
Issues that typically arise with this process are due to sizing issues. Documents should be set to "US Letter" under preferences, not A4. Another problem might be a document set to "read only." Save these documents to the desktop and make sure edits can be made.
Also, always make sure that patrons trying to print have enough money on their cards.
Again, this computer is only used to select documents to print, and patrons looking to use it for any other type of service should be directed to the other computers within the center.
Hope this was helpful!
-Nicole
Quick Search for Programs
Welcome back everyone,
People come in daily and ask if we have certain programs available here or where they can find them on campus. There is a website through IT that will list everything and where it is. There is also a note on the receipt printout box of software we do not have and what buildings they are in.
This is the link to the website: http://www.it.udel.
This is the way to get to it manually:
1. Go to the UD website
2. Find IT Support Center in the A-Z listing
3. Under Quick Search click "S". Under the search list for S, click on Sites: Computing Sites
4. In the left column about halfway down, click the link for Software in Sites
This is a listing of all software on campus and where they are located.
Happy first week!
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