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The SitePoint Community Crier #162 Copyright (c) 2009 September 18, 2009 PLEASE FORWARD - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Official Newsletter of the SitePoint Community Forums by Chris White Read the HTML version of this newsletter, with graphics, at: http://www.sitepoint.com/newsletter/viewissue.php?id=4&issue=162 Note: This newsletter is supported solely by advertisers like the one below. We stand 100% behind every ad that we run. If you ever have a problem with a company that advertises here please contact us and we will try to get it resolved. EDITOR'S ROUNDUP - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - A blog post from Alyssa Gregory made me realize it's Self [1]-improvement Month [2]. Yet, it never hurts to have a helping hand and there's no better place to find one than in a community like the SitePoint Forums. So, this issue of the Crier is devoted to "The Improvement Movement"; that is, how we can help ourselves and each other improve our skills and our web sites. As well as Alyssa's blog post, you'll find plenty of links to helpful blogs, articles, books, and tutorials in Around the Town. [3] Pathfinders [4] explores our colorful SitePoint staff badges and what each color means. As usual, Simply Brilliant [5] shares the news about our current Member of the Month and introduces a new staff member. Our Shout-out [6] reviews who our members said they'd most like to interview from last month, and asks a self-improvement question for September. This month, the Crier undergoes some improvement as well with the introduction of two sections: Take the Challenge [7] encourages you to improve your design and content skills, while Lend a Hand [8] enables you to help fellow members make improvements to their web sites. Finally, Hello There [9] introduces some of SitePoint's newest forum members. Are you ready for the Improvement Movement? Let's go! [1] <http://www.ehow.com/how_5290260_participate-self-improvement-month.html> [2] <http://www.ehow.com/how_5290260_participate-self-improvement-month.html> [3] <http://www.sitepoint.com/newsletter/viewissue.php?id=4&issue=161&format=html#4> [4] <http://www.sitepoint.com/newsletter/viewissue.php?id=4&issue=161&format=html#5> [5] <http://www.sitepoint.com/newsletter/viewissue.php?id=4&issue=161&format=html#6> [6] <http://www.sitepoint.com/newsletter/viewissue.php?id=4&issue=161&format=html#7> [7] <http://www.sitepoint.com/newsletter/viewissue.php?id=4&issue=161&format=html#9> [8] <http://www.sitepoint.com/newsletter/viewissue.php?id=4&issue=161&format=html#10> [9] <http://www.sitepoint.com/newsletter/viewissue.php?id=4&issue=161&format=html#11> IN THIS ISSUE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Editor's Roundup - Around the Town - Pathfinders - Simply Brilliant - Shout-out - Support Our Sponsors - Take the Challenge! - Lend a Hand - Hello There - Hot Topics - Fun Topics - Website Reviews - New Blogs AROUND THE TOWN - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - BLOGS In How I Plan to Do More (Better) in September [1], Alyssa Gregory celebrates Self-improvement Month with five tips that we all can use to improve our businesses. In another blog post, Alyssa gives us a list of 20 Crucial Tools for Working on the Go. [2] Are you tired of trying to do everything at once? Maybe it's unnecessary. Craig Buckler recently examined The Myth of Multitasking [3] and asks some very provocative questions. Following up on SitePoint's offer of a free ticket to Web Directions South, Matthew Magain recently announced the winner here [4]. If you missed out on the free ticket, you can still buy your entry through the Web Directions South web site [5]. ARTICLES If you're unable to make the Web Directions South conference, Ben Balbo has some advice on what it takes to put together an unconference in his article, Unreal Unconferences [6]. TUTORIALS Obtaining good feedback from web site visitors is often difficult, but Kai Koenig shows you how to make it easier with his article Five Stars! Add a Rating Widget to Your ColdFusion App. [7] After you take the tutorial, test your skills with our quiz and download the source code for the article as well. BOOKS As browsers continually upgrade with new versions, CSS continues to change right along with them. The recently released third edition of The CSS Anthology: 101 Essential Tips, Tricks & Hacks [8] has been completely revised and updated to keep you current with the latest techniques and browser updates. Available in either print or PDF (or both), The CSS Anthology is a useful companion for the experienced web developer, as well as the novice. [1] <http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/09/02/self-improvement-month> [2] <http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/08/26/20-tools-for-mobile-workers/> [3] <http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/08/29/myth-of-multitasking/> [4] <http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/09/01/announcing-the-winner-of-our-web-directions-south-quiz/> [5] <http://south09.webdirections.org/> [6] <http://www.sitepoint.com/article/unreal-unconferences/> [7] <http://www.sitepoint.com/article/rating-widget-coldfusion> [8] <http://www.sitepoint.com/books/cssant3/> PATHFINDERS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - EXPLORING SITEPOINT FORUMS SitePoint Forums' staff members are a colorful group of volunteers from all over the world. More than just distinguishing marks of service, the orange, green, blue, and red badges they wear are there to help members find the right assistance to make the best use of the SitePoint Forums. All SitePoint staff members are available to answer your questions and concerns through PM, but we thought you might find it useful to learn more about the duties assigned to SitePoint Administrators, Team Leaders, Advisors, and Mentors. SitePoint Administrators wear red badges. They're the forum staff's direct line to interpreting SitePoint policies, and pass on new information from SitePoint headquarters. They're also the only forum staff members who can approve a SitePoint member's username change. Because our forums are extensive, SitePoint has placed each forum category into a separate team. The blue badges belong to Team Leaders who work to keep their section of the forums running smoothly. Team leaders also moderate threads, nominate new members for their team, participate in staff polls, and help new Advisors and Mentors find their footing. At SitePoint, moderators wear green, and because they do much more than just moderate forum threads, we call them our Advisors. Along with Team Leaders and Administrators, Advisors approve threads in the moderation queue, stick important threads, feature threads, and close threads. They also help select new Advisors and Mentors, the SitePoint Member of the Month (MOTM), and help initiate and organize SitePoint events such as our annual Community Awards. Orange badges are worn by Mentors. SitePoint fondly recognizes our Mentors as "the eyes and ears" of SitePoint Forums. Mentors play a vital role in the smooth operation of SitePoint Forums. Although they spend a great deal of time finding and reporting posts that need moderation, Mentors also suggest new projects, forums, and subforums, and changes to existing forums, as well as help select new staff members and Members of the Month. SIMPLY BRILLIANT - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MOTM Besides the orange, green, blue, and red staff badges, you may have noticed the purple badge. That's the one reserved for the SitePoint Member of the Month. This month's honoree is C. Ankerstjerne, who's hard to catch since he's very active in nearly every SitePoint forum. This month two of SitePoint's advisors, Dan Schulz and Molona, agreed to chase him down. To see who was successful at catching him, see C. Ankerstjerne's interview thread in News and Announcements [1]. NEW STAFF MEMBER There's been a rumor circulating back in the alcoves that SitePoint Forums will soon have a new Community Manager. I've now secured the details and I'd like to welcome SitePoint Technical Editor, Raena Jackson-Armitage to the position. Read all about Raena and what the role entails in Shayne Tilley's post here [2]. [1] <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=38> [2] <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=637198> SHOUT-OUT - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - AUGUST: WHO WOULD YOU INTERVIEW? Last month we asked the question, "If you could interview just one person, who would it be and what is the first question you would ask them?" We received lots of answers from Einstein to Elvis and yes, a few members even mentioned the living! - Kohutek would interview either Hugh Laurie or Stephen Fry and ask them to formulate their definition of time in ten words. - Armchaircritic would ask the deceased Bob Marley about his views on topics other than music. - Kikykuang would ask Larry Page and Sergey Brin the secret to having a web site appear on the first page of Google Search results. (And we all want to know that!) - Dan Schulz would ask General George Patton why he believed he was the reincarnation of history's great generals. - BlakeAnthony would go to the source and pick Brandon Eich's brains on JavaScript. - Iceman90 would ask Bill Gates why the screen of death is blue. "I used to like that color," he said. - From Molona's answer, it looks like she would listen in on several members' interviews. Stop by the thread [1] to read all of the entertaining answers and tell us who you would interview. SEPTEMBER: SHOUT-OUT FOR IMPROVEMENT This month we're asking for your help on self-improvement. Alyssa Gregory reminded us that September is Self-improvement Month so we're asking, "What do you plan to improve or have you already improved on during September?" Please share your ideas [2] on self-improvement, whether it be personal or aimed more to benefit your business. (I plan to do a better job of staying ahead of my deadlines!) [1] <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=630908> [2] <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=636318> SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Remember to check out our current sponsors: AN INNOVATIVE PAYMENT SYSTEM SOLUTION [1] - A bundled merchant account and credit card processing platform. - Easy integration and customization for developers. - The highest level of customer service. Discover PayLeap's One Solution to Higher Profits [2] HOSTGATOR EATS UP THE COMPETITION WITH THEIR NEWLY PRICED PLANS! [3] Whether you're a web designer or a small site owner, HostGator offers a web hosting plan to fit your needs. With their Hatchling Plan starting at $4.95, ranging to their Reseller Plans and Dedicated Servers, you'll definitely have room to grow. START TODAY for just $4.95/month! [4] WANT TO SAVE 50% ON WEB SITE DESIGN? [5] Pay-As-You-Go web design service (from $12/hour) offers: - 120+ talented, well-trained in-house designers - Quick turnaround on custom designs - 100% money-back guarantee Take a look at our portfolio, now >> [6] 9 PROVEN TECHNIQUES TO DOUBLE YOUR SALES [7] The Edge of Success: 9 Building Blocks to Double Your Sales. Discover how to easily capture more leads, get repeat sales, and significantly grow your business. Download this FREE ebook now! [8]GET UNLIMITED TRAFFIC ON ALL WEB HOSTING PACKAGES! [9] - 50% off Web Hosting for 6 Months - Includes FREE Domain Names, Traffic Boosting tools, and more - Over $400 in Free Marketing Money Start Building Your Web Site Now -- Offer Ends Soon! [10] [1] <HTTP://WWW.SITEPOINT.COM/LAUNCH/645AA0> [2] <http://www.sitepoint.com/launch/645aa0> [3] <HTTP://WWW.SITEPOINT.COM/LAUNCH/65AD70> [4] <http://www.sitepoint.com/launch/65ad70> [5] <HTTP://WWW.SITEPOINT.COM/LAUNCH/899F65> [6] <http://www.sitepoint.com/launch/899f65> [7] <HTTP://WWW.SITEPOINT.COM/LAUNCH/51506A> [8] <http://www.sitepoint.com/launch/51506a> [9] <HTTP://WWW.SITEPOINT.COM/LAUNCH/BD46A0> [10] <http://www.sitepoint.com/launch/bd46a0> TAKE THE CHALLENGE! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Do you love a challenge? SitePoint offers several ways for you to sate your thirst! GRAPHIC WARS This sub-forum of Design Your Site [1] gives our artistic members the chance to strut their stuff, but it's in severe need of some new juice. We need your help to give Graphic Wars a kick-start. Post a drawing or photo and watch as it evolves into something entirely different. PHOTO CHALLENGE ParkinT has really grabbed hold of the reins of the Photography forum's monthly photo challenge. We've all heard that "a picture is worth a thousand words." September's Photo Challenge [2] is to post a photo "for which there are no words." ParkinT's entry is spot-on! Can you top it? CONTENT WRITING CHALLENGE This month we introduce the Content Writing Challenge [3]. The idea is to write an article or story by collaborating with other members. Stop by the thread and add your two cents worth or just have an enjoyable read! Our topic this month: "Somebody had to say it!" [1] <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=93> [2] <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=635962> [3] <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=636216> LEND A HAND - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Whether you're planning to improve your web site or just willing to help other forum members improve theirs, SitePoint's Reviews and Critiques Forum [1] is the place to visit. We'll use this space each month to highlight a few of the latest review and critique requests we find before press time. DESIGN ELEMENTS [2] This is the place to post if you seek a second, third, fourth opinion on any recent designs you've developed. It can be anything from logos and color schemes to that Flash application you've devised for your site. WEB SITE REVIEWS [3] - Shabalaka [4] is looking for some constructive criticism on the new home page of his portfolio. - SummitHosting [5] wants your opinion of his new Windows hosting site. CONTENT REVIEWS [6] - Sedmi [7] has requested your input on a number of pages on his web site. Please stop by and help answer his questions. [1] <Reviews and Critiques Forum> [2] <HTTP://WWW.SITEPOINT.COM/FORUMS/FORUMDISPLAY.PHP?F=89> [3] <HTTP://WWW.SITEPOINT.COM/FORUMS/FORUMDISPLAY.PHP?F=12> [4] <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=635607&highlight=Review> [5] <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=635053&highlight=Review> [6] <HTTP://WWW.SITEPOINT.COM/FORUMS/FORUMDISPLAY.PHP?F=273> [7] <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=635787&highlight=Review> HELLO THERE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - NEW MEMBER WELCOMES Be sure to stop by Introductions [1] to welcome our newest members to the SitePoint community (and encourage them to subscribe to the Community Crier). We've selected a few recent introductions to help you become acquainted. - From the land of orient pearl, cecille20 [2] joined SitePoint to stay updated on SEO. - A retiree from rural England, BobMartin [3] wants to find out more about OOP. - xLx [4] says, "If your kung fu is good ... I can make it better." - Jito14 [5] is a web programmer and SEO specialist with six years' experience. - Ace2110 [6] runs a USA-based wine club and hopes to pick up some SEO tips in order to grow a customer base. [1] <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=51> [2] <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=636158> [3] <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=636069> [4] <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=636029> [5] <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=635730> [6] <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=635686> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - That's it for this month. Thanks for reading and until next month, I'll see you at SitePoint Forums! Linda Jenkinson crier@sitepoint.com [1] Editor, SitePoint Community Crier [1] <mailto:crier@sitepoint.com> HOT TOPICS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - LinkedIn Vs Facebook <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=637221> Introducing the new SitePoint Community Manager <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=637198> Testing CSS Cross Browser <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=637076> Is it worth spending time on Twitter? <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=636642> How to generate traffic by Face book? <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=636397> FUN TOPICS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cat or Dog <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=637025> who like kickboxing? <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=637421> tips to take away scars <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=637284> Girls trapped in Storm Drain use Facebook to Call for Help <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=636513> Open Source Vs. Paid - Your Expert Comments? <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=634030> WEBSITE REVIEWS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Adventure of a lifetime <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=637351> online ticketing systm review <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=637180> Real Estate Search Site <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=636343> New Design Website. <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=635607> review my vaser liposuction page <http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=606333> NEW BLOGS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Web Design Blog: PIXEL PERFECT Easy Retouching With The Spot Healing Brush In Photoshop (1 comment) http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/09/17/easy-retouching-with-the-spot-healing-brush-in-photoshop/ 19 Spooky Icon Sets For Halloween (5 comments) http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/09/14/spooky-icon-sets-for-halloween/ Seven jQuery Plugins That Let You Do Cool Stuff With Images (7 comments) http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/09/14/seven-jquery-plugins-images/ Web Pro Business Blog: STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS What's Your BHAG? How to Create a Big Hairy Audacious Goal http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/09/17/how-to-create-a-big-hairy-audacious-goal/ Branding Me, Myself & I: Make Your Brand More Than Just a One-Night Stand (5 comments) http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/09/16/how-to-brand-yourself/ Branding Me, Myself & I: The Irreplaceable Brand (2 comments) http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/09/14/branding-yourself-benefits/ News & Trends Blog: INDUSTRY NEWS FOR WEB PROFESSIONALS Google Fast Flip: Useful or Useless? (9 comments) http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/09/16/google-fast-flip/ EU to Investigate Oracle's Acquisition of MySQL (5 comments) http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/09/15/eu-investigates-oracle-sun-mysql/ Podcast Blog: THE SITEPOINT PODCAST SitePoint Podcast #27: CSS with Rachel Andrew (3 comments) http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/09/12/podcast-27-css-rachel-andrew/ Web Tech Blog: TECHNICALLY SPEAKING Microsoft Office Online: a Case Against Supported Browser Lists (32 comments) http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/09/10/case-against-official-browser-support/ Tweet Your Flickr Pics with Flex http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/09/10/tweet-your-flickr-pic-with-flex/ PHP Blog: DYNAMICALLY TYPED Free Performance with MySQL Table Types (20 comments) http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/09/08/free-performance-with-mysql-table-types/ Website Revenue Strategies Blog: ON THE MONEY 11 Contextual Ad Alternatives to Google AdSense (14 comments) http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/08/31/alternatives-to-google-adsense/ ADVERTISING INFORMATION - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Find out what thousands of savvy Internet marketers already know: email newsletter advertising works! (You're reading an email ad now, aren't you?) Find out how to get YOUR sponsorship ad in this newsletter and reach thousands of opt-in subscribers! Check out http://www.sitepoint.com/mediakit/ for details, or email us at mailto:adinfo@sitepoint.com HELP YOUR FRIENDS OUT - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - People you care about can take charge of their Website by effectively using the information and resources available on the Internet. Help them learn how - forward them a copy of this week's SitePoint Community Crier. ADDRESSES - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Send suggestions and comments to: mailto:crier@sitepoint.com To subscribe, send a blank email to: mailto:subscribe@sitepoint.com The Archives are located at: http://www.sitepoint.com/newsletter/archives.php The SitePoint Community Crier is (c) 1998-2009 SitePoint Pty. Ltd. All Rights Reserved. No part of this Newsletter may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission. All guest articles are copyright their respective owners and are reproduced with permission. SitePoint Pty. Ltd. 48 Cambridge Street Collingwood, VIC 3066 AUSTRALIA You are currently subscribed to The SitePoint Community Crier as: [email] To change the email address that you currently subscribe with: http://sitepoint.com/newsletter/manage.php To switch to the HTML version of this newsletter: <http://sitepoint.com/newsletter/htmlplease.php?email=[email]> To leave this list, please visit: [unsubscribe] Do Not Reply to this email to unsubscribe. We send this newsletter using Campaign Monitor. http://www.campaignmonitor.com/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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