Useful Adobe Photoshop Techniques, Tutorials and Tools

As web designers, we always have something new to learn. Over the last decade our workflow has changed dramatically — it’s become more sophisticated and highly diversified. Not only do we have a much larger variety of improved tools to use; there’s also an endless stream of new techniques emerging and spreading within the web design community via social networks.

And this is where the opportunity to learn new useful, practical approaches and techniques comes in. We can learn by exploring the different design approaches other designers have taken, when solving their problems and apply these approaches to our work to become more productive and skilled. Therefore, our editorial team is permanently looking for interesting techniques, tools and tutorials, which we carefully select and present in round-ups on Smashing Magazine. You needn’t love our lists, but they often will give you some useful ideas and advice.

On the below link you’ll find an overview of new useful Adobe Photoshop techniques and tutorials that we’ve found and collected over the last months. We sincerely hope that at least some of the techniques presented there will help you improve your graphic design skills in Adobe Photoshop. And sincere thanks to all designers and developers whose articles are featured in this review. We respect and appreciate your contributions to the design community, folks!

Link

Via: smashingmagazine.com
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Easily Identifies colors on the web

Instant Eyedropper

Instant Eyedropper completely free desktop application that lets you identify any specific color on the web with a single click. The Best feature is that it automatically paste's to the clipboard the HTML color code of any pixel on the screen with just a single mouse click.

Supported color formats:

• HTML
• HEX
• Delphi Hex
• Visual Basic Hex
• RGB
• HSB

Something of particular note with this tool is that it allows you to ZOOM to the elements to copy exactly the color you are looking for, this is especially useful when you try to get a color within an image.

It is a fairly lightweight application(415KB) . So give it a try today!!

Top most Firing IT companies in India

Disclaimer: I cannot personally acknowledge that the information given in this article is 100% accurate. But most of it is true and has been acknowledged by the Indian Press too.

• IBM - Right now this is the most firing company for IT professionals. In the last 6 months, this company has fired nearly 20% of their employees because of Background checks and performance issues. This is the most insecure company from an IT professional's point of view. They don't have any strategic plans at HR policies regarding employee security. No appraisals (maximum 10%).

• TCS - Previously it was functioning as a government IT Company . Now a days TCS has also become a firing major IT company. Recently it fired on 500 people - mostly people below 2 years of experience and TCS has also lost so many projects recently( especially British Telecom Projects).
  

• Accenture - This is second top most firing company. The firing rate is around 5%. This depends upon outsourced projects; they have a unique system where Accenture development centers around the world bid for a project coming into the company. Currently Philippines centre is taking the cake and the Indian centers are in a firing mode.
  

• WIPRO - Firing people with very frequent back ground checks and firing them with out even experience letters and relieving letters (will mention as terminated from services)but will promise the employees that they will retain them. After the project is over they will fire away. Will threaten of criminal cases against such employees if they opposethe move and has also filed cases against some.
  

• Intel - Recently joined the league. Running in heavy losses, hence firing 3000 employees in the Banglore center in a phased out manner. Remember Intel made it into the headlines with the failed processor design from the Bangalore Labs and also fired a few employees for producing fake car rental bills.
  

• CTS - Has a steady firing policy (checking the Educational background and previous employment and also employee performance in work). In a Recent HCL walk-in, around 50% attendees were from this company. Sadly the I-pods have not helped them.
  

• CSC - Excellent package but fires folks in Background check and those on bench regularly. Recently fired 400+ employees from its subsidiary Covansys.
  

• Satyam - Currently stopped firing. The Attrition rate is very high. No firing from 2005 until then 1000 employees were fired in Hyderabad.
  

• Patni - They fired so many employees that currently they are facing understaffing and deficiency with number of employees. Very high attrition rate.
  

• Keane India - This USA based company is always involved in firing employees. Although they proudly say that they dont have hire and fire policy. Recently they fired java and AS400 professionals after which most of the employees have started to pack their bags. Employees change this company within 1 year.
  

So take care before accepting offers from these companies.

Secure IT companies in India

• Microsoft - Has projects till 2050.
  
  
• EDS - Most secure company in India. Not laid off any of its employees even during 2001. Has lots of projects in Defense and financial areas
  
  
• HP - Dream Company. In-house and outsourced projects
  
  
• Infosys - Dream Job. On a way to achieve the status of a secured, stable Govt. company.
  
  
• AOL, Google and Yahoo - Best companies to work with, great job satisfaction as well as great salary and work environment. Rarely fires an employee. As they are internet based companies' they offer lots of opportunities to grow.
  
  
• HCL - A good company to be in. Called as a "retirement company."
  
  
• HSBC - This is the most secure company. It has never fired any employee, even when they know that the employee is showing fake experience.
  
  
• Aricent - a communication based software company, has never fired any employee and gives great perks & incentives, lot of projects in kitty. Minimal level of attrition.
  
  
• KPIT Cumminns Infosystems Limited - This is the most secure company not known to many. It has presently acquired CG Smith, Bangalore and has lots of projects in pipe line. Acquisitions plans will continue.

Why You’ll Love an iMac

The visual difference!

iPOD death?!

Make sure and charge your iPod then remember the 5 "R"'s of iPod issues:
Reset - Retry - Restart - Reinstall - Restore

Reset:
1. Toggle the Hold switch on and off. (Slide it to Hold, then turn it off again.)
2. Press and hold the Menu and Select buttons until the Apple logo appears, about 6 to 10 seconds. You may need to repeat this step.

Retry:
Try your iPod with a different USB port on your computer, not a USB port on your keyboard or hub.

Restart:
Restart your computer, and make sure that you have the latest software updates installed. _{To update your Windows software, select Windows Update from the Tools menu of Internet Explorer.}

Reinstall:
To update and reinstall your iPod software, first download the latest iTunes software.
Next, open the new version of iTunes and connect your iPod to your computer. iTunes will then automatically check to see if your iPod needs to be updated and perform the update for you.
To then check the software version on your iPod, select it from the source list in iTunes. iTunes will display the information about your iPod.

Restore:
* Warning: Because Restore erases all of the songs and files on iPod, make sure to back up any files you've saved on the iPod disk. All of your songs, videos, podcasts, audiobooks, and games can be loaded back to your iPod provided that you have them stored in your iTunes Library.

How to restore your iPod:

1. Make sure you've reinstalled the latest version of iTunes.
2. Open iTunes, and then connect your iPod to your computer.
3. After a few moments, it will appear in the Source list in iTunes.
4. Select your iPod in the Source list and you will see information about it appear in the Settings tab of the main iTunes windows.
5. Click the Restore button. You will be prompted with one or more restore options that may prompt iTunes to automatically download of the latest iPod Software. The 4 possible restore options are:

Restore Option 1: Restore - Restores with same iPod Software version already on iPod.
Restore Option 2: Use Same Version - Restores with same iPod Software version already on iPod even though a newer version is available.
Restore Option 3: Use Newest Version - Restores with the latest iPod Software on your computer.
Restore Option 4: Restore and Update - Restores with the latest iPod Software on your computer.

6. A progress bar will appear on the computer screen indicating that the first stage of the restore process has started. When this stage is completed, iTunes will instruct you to leave iPod connected to your computer to complete restore.
7. During the stage 2 of the restore process, the iPod will show an Apple logo as well as a progress bar at the bottom of the display. It is critical that the iPod remains connected to the computer or iPod Power adapter during this stage. Note: The progress bar may be difficult to see since the backlight on the iPod display may be off.
8. After stage 2 of the restore process is complete and the iPod is connected to the computer, the iTunes Setup Assistant window will appear asking you to name your iPod and choose your syncing preferences similar to when you connected your iPod for the first time.

If this doesnt work then try taking it to the nearest apple store. They should advise you in your nest course of action

Google sky - Google has taken the same idea and turned it upside down.

London: Galileo showed off his telescope nearly 400 years ago. And astronomy has come light-years since then. The latest gadget for the star-struck is Google sky. Now 200 million galaxies could just be a mouse click away.

First there was Google earth where you could pick a destination, say, Buckingham Palace and it would takes you on a ride around the globe, zooming in from space for a close up aerial view of the queen's house.

Now Google has taken the same idea and turned it upside down.

That latest tool is Google sky. It's designed to explore what lies beyond earth, starting with the backyard view of space from anywhere on the planet.

Like Google earth, the sky software delivers a different view of existence to your desktop, but without the same potential for voyeurism.

Scientists say this is exciting because throughout human history people have stared into space and wondered. Now they hope having all this information available, easily in one place, to inspire a new generation to look up and study—what lies beyond.

“We thought we could use that same base technology but put it in reverse and look outwards and use the imagery that the astronomy community has created to produce a really exciting new tool,” said Ed parsons Geospatial Technologist, Google.

The stars and constellations as you would see them above. The images and information are all available elsewhere. But Google says this is the only way you can navigate humankind's collective knowledge of space in one location.

“There are no limits. And when you put this in the hands of millions of people literally, to the great public, in a way that has never done before. This is public outreach for science in a way that is going to be very revolutionary,” said Dr Francisco Diego, University College London.

Adobe AIR Applications

Rob Christensen from Adobe Labs has written a great article on Six must-see Adobe AIR Applications (AIR; formerly code-named Apollo).

The goal of Adobe AIR is to make it very easy to build desktop applications with the skills and technologies web developers are already familiar with such as HTML, JavaScript, AJAX, Flash, ActionScript and Flex. Just as Flash and HTML are designed to run the same on different operating systems, the objective of Adobe AIR is to extend that same concept to desktop applications.

Once the AIR runtime is installed, the same file can be installed on a Mac or Windows (Linux coming soon). Applications built using Adobe AIR have read and write access to the local file system just like a native application. Other features include local SQLite database, drag’n'drop between applications, clipboard support, a simple and painless install, native file pickers, code signing, support for embedding PDF’s and more. Since a web browser is built-in (WebKit), you can also use your favorite AJAX libraries to build applications entirely in HTML and JavaScript. Or, if you want more creative control, you can use Flash and Flex. There are several tools for building AIR applications including Dreamweaver CS3, Aptana (open source), and Flex Builder 3 (public beta). Since the command line tool for building applications is included in the AIR SDK, you can technically use whatever your code editing tool you’re comfortable with.

Rob Wrote: “Since the alpha release of Adobe® Integrated Runtime (AIR; formerly code-named Apollo) on March 19, dozens of next-generation rich Internet applications (RIAs) built on top of the Adobe® AIR™ runtime have been designed, developed, and distributed across the Internet. Internally, the development teams have been inspired by the imagination, creativity, and resourcefulness reflected in the Adobe AIR applications released so far.” …. more»

Rob listed 6 AIR applications, which are:

• Twitter | Download Twitter
• kuler desktop | Download kuler
• Fresh | Download Fresh
• Finetune Desktop | Download Finetune Desktop
• DiggTop | Download DigTop
• SearchCoders/Dashboard | Download SearchCoders/Dashboard

One more recently launched AIR Application I just saw is Pownce by Digg’s Kevin Rose.

- Via ShekLOG.

iPhone. A guided tour

Apple now featuring iPhone Guided Tour on it’s web site, which is also available as download. Also iPhone section on Apple is updated.

Everything coming wonderful around iPhone & it’s launch, just downloaded the iPhone Guided Tour… It was awesome demo of iPhone in the tour video. One thing why Apple products rocks is the simplicity they put in their design & UI. It is so simple to understand & navigate through that any kid can use it, and they are using it!…

YouTube is also coming to iPhone…




Damn, India will receive it somewhere around Feb/March next year… that means still 6-7 months of wait….

LINK >> Click here

- extracts from Sheklog!

Steve Jobs and Bill Gates: Historic discussion live from D 2007

- We kind of never thought we'd see the day where Mac and PC voluntarily shared the stage on neutral ground, but that day is today. Very soon Bill Gates and Steve Jobs -- both pioneering execs that need absolutely no introduction -- will sit up in front of the audience here at D and discuss god knows what. Don't miss this, people, who knows if this will happen again in any of our lifetimes. You'll know when we get started. Who's got odds that they don't walk out and say "Hi, I'm a PC." "Hi, I'm a Mac."?

We're in! They're playing the Beatles, just like they did when Jobs came out the first time.

- engadget

Microsoft Surface Computing

At the D: All Things Digital conference Wednesday, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will unveil Microsoft Surface, the first in a new category of surface computing products from Microsoft that will “break down traditional barriers between people and technology”.

A Surface computer is able to recognize physical objects from a paintbrush to a cell phone and allows hands-on, direct control of content such as photos, music and maps. Surface turns an ordinary tabletop into a dynamic surface that provides interaction with all forms of digital content through natural gestures, touch and physical objects.

The new product is aimed directly at hotels, retail establishments, restaurants and public entertainment venues and should be commercially available towards the end of the year.

It’s an interesting product in that it’s completely out of left field. Microsoft gives examples of ordering a beverage during a meal with just the tap of a finger and quickly browsing through music and dragging favorite songs onto a personal playlist by moving a finger across the screen. Build this into a bar and you’d get one-touch beer service although I’m not sure if they’ve found a way to work out when your beer glass is empty so replenishment becomes automatic, maybe in a later version.

The practical uses for Surface at the point of sale are broad. This is touch screen point of sale technology at a new level.

Initial launch partners include Harrah’s Entertainment, Starwood Hotels and T-Mobile. Coverage at CrunchGear here.

Update: Channel 10 has a great first look video here. Via: TechCrunch

Few notable things about Microsoft Surface:

• Music - You put your music player on the table, and your credit card. Both are recognized, then you drag songs to the player. Zune is obvious first device, but potential other partner in the works. One demo used a nano. Could partner really be Apple? Let’s not get carried away… yet…
• Virtual Concierge - A fairly self explanatory guide program, complete with mapping programs.
• Food & Drink - Not just interactive menus, but glass (and presumably plate and maybe even silverware) recognition. Like Music program, it reads credit cards just by placing them on table.
• Photo - A simple photo editor reminiscent of iPhoto.
• Puzzle - A game where you assemble actual pieces of glass on top of the table, each with a sliver of live video playing.
• Water - A water screensaver that you can touch to make ripples.
• Paint - Simple painting program that reads pressure sensitivity by judging the size of your fingerprint.