I’m often asked about what programs I use to handle images… you know, do the routine cropping, resizing, basic retouching, etc. that many images need before they are put on a website or into a video.
I own Photoshop® CS3 and have found it be an invaluable tool. But not everyone is thrilled about the prospect of dropping $650 for the latest version of Photoshop. But how would FREE sound?
As it happens, there is an Open Source (free to use) clone of Photoshop called the GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program). It is a very powerful application and can do pretty much anything Photoshop can do.
But like Photoshop, it has a fairly steep learning curve. So learning by trial and error can be a long and frustrating process. The 7DollarVideoStore.com has just released a 27 video Creating Stunning Graphics Using the GIMP tutorial set that makes learning the GIMP a simple and entertaining experience. Watch the video to get the coupon code for $10 off the video set.
The first video in the series shows you how to download and install the GIMP for free. The remainder of the series hows you step-by-step how to use the GIMP to create stunning graphics and enhance your photos to make you look your best. You can download this video and others for free here.
Using Apple’s QuickTime on your Mac or PC, it’s a piece of cake to make a video from still photos. You can then take that video and put it on YouTube, Google Video or Yahoo Video as well as other leading websites.
Or use the Perian QuickTime Plugin to export the video as an FLV (Flash Video) for display on your website if you are using a Mac. If you are on a PC, use Any Video Convertor to output the FLV file.
Make videos of your homes for sale, apartments for rent, cars, trucks, bikes and planes for sale, small products, etc. Why put static images on your website or in your eBay ads when you can put narrated video? Tests have shown that using video brings faster sales at higher prices.
This video tutorial shows you how to create a video from still photos using QuickTime Pro. We’ll be looking at how to make a video from stills in Windows Movie Maker shortly.
The 7DollarVideoStore.com is creating dozens of new videos every month and they never cost more than $7. You can register to be notified every time a new set of videos is available by visiting the 7DollarVideoStore.com website.
There was an excellent thread on the Warrior Forum today about what spam really is. I thought “jensrsa” made some great points in his reply, so I am posting it here:
It doesn’t really matter what the content is. It doesn’t matter what you “think” spam is.
Spam filters are basically anti-business, not anti-spam so, if you know how to frame your emails you’ll get through. if you don’t you will be blocked
Here are the basic “rules” courtesy of sitesell:
Some of the most obvious negatives to avoid in your e-mails…
The excessive use of ALL CAPS in the subject line and message body of your e-mail.
The use of trigger words like “free” (used alone, or in combination with any number of words like “trial,” “money,” “quote,” “sample,” “membership,” “access,” and so on), “sex,” “XXX,” “spam,” “$$$,” “checks,” “money orders,” “extra income,” “as seen on TV,” and so on. Even using seemingly harmless words like “search engine listings,” “cable converter”, and “reverses aging” will penalize your e-mail, so you must be exceptionally vigilant in the analysis of your SpamCheck report.
The excessive use of punctuation “!!!”
… and finally, a very special thing NOT to do…
If you think of using a trick to avoid detection (like putting a * in certain words to disguise them or adding 50 spaces in your subject to push a code out of sight), it’s only a matter of time until you are ESPECIALLY determined to be a spammer. Because “normal business people” don’t use tricks — they just do business.
On the other hand, there are certain elements of an e-mail that qualify it as being “bona fide” correspondence. With that said…
Here are some tips for staying on the “good” side of the various spam checkers, filters, etc. that stand between your e-mail and your reader’s INBOX. Use as many of these “good triggers” as possible, to prove that yours is a real, justifiable mailing…
Use of the words “news”, “newsletter”, or “list” in your subject line
Indication of publishing frequency in the subject line — weekly, daily, monthly
Inclusion of date of newsletter in the subject
Inclusion of the issue number in the subject line
Make sure your newsletter has some substance — when was the last time you saw spam that had more than a few lines of text?
Above and beyond that, use your own common sense. You know what spam looks like — do not make your e-zine look like spam. And you know what a “VALID, GOOD” e-zine looks like — that should be your role model! And especially…
… NO TRICKS. Just do your business and keep it real.
Most of us are either using a wireless network to connect to the Internet – or are planning to use one in the near future. Here’s a video that shows you step-by-step how to set up and secure a wireless network at home or in a home-office.
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