Geeky Chic | less cake {more frosting}

Fireside Chat {part deux}

Authored By: ellie g Author/Writer
July 28, 2010 --7:25 PM

Welcome to Wired Wednesday! And part 2…or deux {if you took 3 years of French and like to think you’re a Fancy Nancy} of our Fireside Chat. Did you miss part one? We’ll wait while you go and catch up with us. I’d hate for you to feel like you came in the middle of our conversation….

I’m humming the Jeopardy song now…..I’m awesome at that game, by the way…..especially on kid week….what?…..that week makes me feel really smart….dum, dum, dum, *bong*bong*.
And done.

You up to speed now?
Yes?
Good.
On we go.
(if you’re counting that’s 2 quotes from Willy Wonka this week!)

So, the talk about comments and adding our e-mail addresses to our Blogger accounts went SO WELL! I appreciate the awesome comments left, and how many of them had e-mail addresses available! I love being able to say thank you and come again. (in a flight attendant kind of way!)

This week, I thought I’d continue with a couple more “level 1″ blogger type things.

But first, an extension of the comment discussion from last week. I would like to admit to being slow to getting on the “Google Reader” band-wagon. I was still old-school clicking on every blog I wanted to look at! And I gotta say…..LOVIN’ THE READER!

However, I’ve noticed that it’s made me a really LAZY blog follower. It’s so easy to scan through, not read things, and definitely NOT make comments.

So just a little reminder to all you reader folks….don’t be like me and get lazy on your following. Think how much work you put into your own blog….and remember to tell your favorites how much you appreciate their work as well.

Now on to this week’s discussion. Another BASIC blogger subject. It seems, from comments last week, that basics are really appreciated. And I understand that, because sometimes people just assume you know how to do the basics. And it makes you feel so small to have to say, “Um….I DON’T know how to do that!”

I wanna talk blog buttons today. You know the ones that blogs use to advertise, or to link to their parties, or to say they’ve featured your creation.

First…really basic….

How do you install one from your favorite blog in your side bar:

Usually they have a white box underneath them with a lot of jargon. Just scroll over all that code…and copy it. (control+c or apple+c for Mac)
Go to the top of your blog and click on “Design”
From the design page, locate your sidebar template. Click on Add a Gadget.
Choose to add an HTML gadget.
Paste that code in the box that comes up. (control+v or apple+v)
Save it.
You now have a button in your sidebar. And when clicked, it should go directly to that blog. (if it’s set up correctly)
This also works for linky parties too. If you want to add a party button to the bottom of your post (which you should…if you enter…only polite!) just paste that jargon at the bottom of your post. BUT MAKE SURE YOU DO IT IN EDIT HTML mode. If you paste it into “compose” mode….it won’t work. Just change tabs at the top of your post real quick to add it…then you can switch back.

Now blog button Level 2…how do you get your own button?:

First you need a graphic. If you can’t make one, find someone who can. There are lots of places to have them designed for a minimal fee. (I design all my own things) Blog buttons are standardly around 125-150 pixels square.
Once you have your graphic you’ll have to host it somewhere. I prefer Photobucket. You’ll need to set up an account with them. Then upload your graphic from your computer.
Now I’ll walk you through setting it up on the side of your blog…
You’re going to follow the above instructions to get an “html gadget” on your side bar. Only this time you need to use the following code:

Replace blue with your blog url. (or the url of whatever you want the button to go to)
Replace yellow with the url of your graphic. (on Photobucket…or wherever)
Replace red with the name of your blog

That should do it! Make sure you’re replacing everything two times. One is for the actual button, and one is actually writing the code that people will copy.

One other tip for more advanced users:

See this bit of code up there… <textarea rows=”3″ cols=”16″> That is the code that makes the box underneath your button. “textarea rows” is how many rows of text remain visible, and “cols” is how wide the box is. So if you want more or less….fix yours accordingly. I’ve seen a few buttons out there with just one row showing, and it’s kind of hard to feel like I’m able to copy all the code. That’s how you fix it….if you were wondering….

Last time I admitted to roasting marshmallows over the stove. I’m sorry. I just hate camping. I’m an indoor girl!

This time I’ll introduce you to the main reason I won’t camp.

Dew face.

You know…the unexplainable dampness that is on EVERYTHING when you wake up in the morning. Somehow I just think an animal came in and peed on my pillow. And no matter how you try to convince me otherwise….I’m sure it happened.

“Dew Face” the weird wetness that occurs on my pillow and blankets while camping. (also makes thin cardboard…like cereal boxes…all soggy. GROSS!)

*Yes, Mr. Webster you are welcome to add that definition directly into your dictionary. No charge. Your welcome.*

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Fireside Chat

Authored By: ellie g Author/Writer
July 14, 2010 --8:45 PM

Wired Wednesday is goin back to the basics today. The bloggin’ basics. No HTML, no Photoshop, just really basic questions and answers that you might be wondering about. (and too scared to ask)

Lots of people ask me different questions about my blog. And I thought it might be nice to answer one. But first you have to promise that you understand that I’m just as novice as the next guy. I can only share what I know. And if you know different….that’s great!

Promise? Okay.

I’ve had several people ask me about how to get followers on your blog. Well, first it shouldn’t be about that at all. But I understand wanting that. I like that too. The main thing I’d say is you gotta be a friend to get a friend!

I think sometimes we put our blog out there and then sit and think the magic blogging fairy will come down and tell all the world to come on over and bask in our genius. It just doesn’t work that way! The magic blogging fairy is either just a myth…or she’s really lazy….or I’ve ticked her off in some way. I’ve yet to benefit from her skills in the least.

How ’bout these things instead…..

Comments! We love to get ‘em…but do we take time to give ‘em? It’s so important to comment on things when you like them. And not just “that’s cute.” Or “good job”. Take one more minute to say exactly what you think is cute. Or why you think they did a good job. Don’t feel pressured to be funny, or original, or anything. Just be genuine….and it will come across. I was scared to death to leave a comment on a stranger’s blog for the first time. I think it might have been at Tatertots & Jello. And she sent me the nicest little hello back. I was hooked after that!

And Comments #2. And this is important….so I’m going to say it loud….

PUT YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS IN YOUR BLOGGER PROFILE!

I’ve seen bloggers plead over and over for their readers to please add their e-mail addresses. Why? It’s because they want to get to know you. To thank you for stopping by. And there is nothing more frustrating than having someone ask you a question….and you can’t send them an answer.

I anticipate 2 problems with this…
#1-you don’t know how to add your e-mail.
#2-you don’t feel comfortable having your e-mail be so public.

Let’s address those issues!

#1-Sometimes I don’t know how to do something basic, and it’s embarrassing to ask. Don’t be embarrassed! Let me help you!

Go to the very top of a blogger page. (make sure you’re logged in first) find the blogger logo and click on it. That should take you to your main blogger page. Click on “View Profile”

Once you’re there, click on edit profile. (here’s how mine looks, just so you can see)

Here’s the spot where you add your e-mail address. Actually you probably already have it listed here. (from when you signed up) But you need to make sure “Show My E-Mail address” is checked. You can also change a lot of other info here too.

Once your e-mail address is added. When you leave me a comment, I’ll get something in my inbox showing me your comment and I can just push “reply” and blogger will e-mail you my response.

Now for issue #2….

#2-If you feel uncomfortable about having your e-mail there….I suggest setting up a new one. You can get a g-mail address free, and easy. This would be your “blogging address” and then your personal e-mail address won’t be listed anywhere. I certainly understand privacy issues. I take mine very seriously. (except when my sister is visiting. We have the best talks while one of us is peeing! I’m sorry. We Do! I know, some people think that’s weird. But it’s true. And there you go!)

If you have a crafting or foodie blog, joining regular “linky” parties will help get your name out there too.
It’s important to post regularly. Not everyday, per se, but regularly. Especially at first.
And then there’s all the stuff about whether you’re listed in search engines.
But honestly, being kind, being genuine. Following blogs you LOVE. (not because you feel obligated to) And then letting other bloggers feel your genuine admiration for their writing or work…that’s the answer. Some of them will be super kind back. Some might not be. But who cares? You’ll never know until you try. You might make some awesome new friends in the process!

Now go and add your e-mail to your profile! And since I titled this “fireside chat”….I think we need to break out the marshmallows and sing a round of “Seven Old Ladies Stuck in the Lavatory” right? Right?

(Nevermind.
I hate campfire smell.
There. I said it. I’m an indoor girl.
But it doesn’t stop me from enjoying a roasted marshmallow every now and then….
I’m not too proud to admit to roasting them over an open stove.
That’s right.)

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World of Color

Authored By: ellie g Author/Writer
June 16, 2010 --4:10 PM

Last weekend was the premiere of Disneyland’s new “World of Color” show at California Adventure. I am a Disney girl. I mean die hard. Not die hard…go to Disneyland every day kind of die hard…although I would (if it was free). And not the tacky, wear my costume to the Ice Capades, kind. I choose to believe it’s a really cool kind. (although there’s a slight chance that it borders on nerdy)

Anyway, I logged on to the live stream of the show’s premiere on the internet. It was AMAZING!! I can’t wait to go see it live. I may have cried a little. (Okay, okay….that’s some proof that I AM nerdy)

What has all this got to do with this week’s “Wired Wednesday”? Nothing. Except that we’re talking about color. And it reminded me of how much I adored this show.

I want to start spending some of our “techie” time talking about Photoshop. I don’t want to alienate those of you who don’t have Photoshop. However, it’s the program that I’m most familiar with. (except “Printshop”. I know that bad boy inside and out) So I don’t have a TON of experience with Elements. I believe that a lot of the things are similar.

But none of that will matter this week. I want to do a really basic thing. If you do a lot with Photoshop already, this post won’t be much new info for you.

(but there might be a good tip for you at the end. Scroll down!)

This was invaluable information to me as I began venturing into the program.

DPI…

DPI is an abbreviation for “Dots per inch” and refers to how many pixels (little squares) per inch will be displayed or printed. This is an IMPORTANT thing to know. Most things on computer screens are displayed at 72dpi. However, high quality printed things start at 300dpi and go up from there.

So, if you imagine 72 compared to 300….BIG DIFFERENCE! This is the reason that something downloaded from the internet ends up looking poopy when you want to print out. Or when you import it into your document….it’s itty bitty.

You can change to a lower dpi. (from 300 down to 72) But you can see why going the other way won’t work.

When making things just for the internet, doing 300dpi is overkill and is making a giant file for no reason.

Just make sure you know what your final product needs to be. And if there’s a question, or you need both internet and print, make sure you start at 300dpi. Then you can make it smaller. In fact, Photoshop has a “Save for Web” feature that will save your file at a smaller, 72 dpi, size. And just be aware that internet things aren’t always the best resolution. (that is, of course, unless they’re meant for print. Like digital scrapbook supplies. They should be 300dpi)

COLOR…

When I started out in Photoshop, I found myself confused by all the color names, and what “mode” I should be using. I was super happy to find some places that explained it to me. Essentially, what you need to know is: RGB means “red, green, blue”. And “CMYK” stands for “cyan, magenta, yellow, and key–which means black”

RGB is always used on computers. And can be used for other printing as well.

CMYK is used in professional printing. Things that are printed will be done in this “mode”. However, RGB can be used in printing as well.

The most important thing to know about color is that something made in RGB can be changed to CMYK later. However, you can’t do it the other way around. That’s why I say stick with RGB, most of the time.

I hope that helps you navigate some of the jargon as you begin venturing into Photoshop. I know it seems scary, but once you figure it out, you’ll wonder how you lived without it!!

And finally, a tip for experienced users:

Maybe you already know this…but I didn’t….and when I found it, I thought, “duh!”

Have you ever taken an image off the internet somewhere, and wanted to alter it, but Photoshop wouldn’t let you? It’s maddening. Go up into the color section (Image-Mode). 9 times out of ten it’s listed as “Indexed Color”. Change it to RGB and wah-lah…FIXED. A revelation.

Thanks for checking in on another Wired Wednesday!! Don’t forget that you’re welcome to e-mail me with any questions. If I don’t know…I’ll try to find out! And let me know if there’s things you’d like featured.

See you next Wednesday.

****post note: Speaking of being “wired” we now have a Facebook Fan Page for Less Cake {more frosting} come over and check it out. I might make funnier jokes over there. (is that even possible??)****

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Filed Under: geeky chic, scrappy doo