Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Using CSS templates to create websites with Expression Web 4

Here are more tutorials using Expression Web 4. A website template is made from one free CSS template from freecsstemplates.org. This tutorial is done by ExpressionWeb.us and is easy to follow along. I was able to follow along and create a website template. Now I just have to add my own data and graphics. I’m liking Expression Web more and more each day. Here are the videos:

 

 

 

Thursday, July 22, 2010

For Students: Expression Studio 4 Ultimate – Free!

expressions4If your a student and like Expression Web by Microsoft your in luck. You can receive a copy of Expression Studio  4 for free.  This is through Microsoft’s Dreamspark program which is exclusive for qualifying high schools and colleges.  I’m currently an enrolled student and I did qualify for program. I just thought I’d pass this along as it may not be too well known. I’ve been trying this program(Expression Web 4) out through a trial basis at first and I’m growing to like it more and more each day. Microsoft also offers many other programs for free also and you can find discounts  for Windows 7 upgrade and Office 2010 so it is worth it if you are or know a student.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Microsoft Expression Web 4

Over the last few weeks I’ve been mulling over what software to use to update my brother’s business website and to possibly use for other projects. I had used Microsoft Frontpage 2000 previously but as you could imagine that it is woefully out of date. I had gotten used to the way Frontpage worked and I had wanted something similar but obviously updated.

I am not a professional web designer (nor do I play one on TV) I needed something relatively inexpensive and relatively simple to use. I also wanted to have up to date features. I had checked out some free web editors but none seemed promising enough to spend a lot of time with. I tried out Serif’s WebPlus X2 which was a few years old but had some good reviews.  I came upon a free trial of Microsoft’s Expressions Web 4. Expression’s Web is now what Frontpage used to be in the marketplace).  Even after just a short time I’ve tried it I’ve all but left WebPlus behind. I’ve found lots of tutorial’s around the Internet. Here is a series I found really useful for the beginner user(it uses Expression 3 but the interface is very similar).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This series was very helpful in getting me started. This program is looking promising and doesn’t have wallet crunch price(This version is priced around $150). I’m still working with it and I’ll be sharing more in the near future. Thanks for coming by.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Happy 4th of July Everyone!

Friday, July 2, 2010

Apple Apps: iBooks on iPhone 3G

The iBooks app has been available for the iPad but was recently released for the iPhone and iPod Touch. I was kind of skeptical about book reading on an iPhone sized device. I could see it on the iPad but I thought the size of the phone would be an issue. After downloading and trying it out I’ve been pleasantly surprised by it’s functionality.

Apple was nice enough to start you off with a free book which to try it out with. It’s the ever charming Winnie the Pooh. The pages turn by sliding for finger from right to left as if your actually turning pages in a real book(go in reverse to go back). You do have bookmark feature of course.

You can also dim or brighten the display, which could come in handy for late night reading next to your significant other without waking them. One wierd quirk I found is that the dimmer also affects your wallpaper on the iPhone itself.  Why I don’t know but I thought I’d pass that along. Some other features include customizing the font and also a search feature which would search your books, Google or Wikipedia.

Books are purchased through the “Store” button on the main page. I found the interface similar to the App Store. Books range from free to whatever the going price is. I filled up with some free ones to test the app out. I could see using this app to light reading but I’m not sure if it would actually replace a physical book. It’s too small and impersonal. I haven’t tried it on an iPad so it may be different with that due to it’s size.  The app is free so I think it’s worth checking out if you like to read books. It can be found through App Store.

Disclaimer: The screenshots above are from a iPhone 3G. You screens may look different on a later iPhone, iPod or iPad.