One of the best features of any software is the community that develops around it. From beginners seeking information on how to get started to experts sharing their knowledge. A neat product Adobe created called “Kuler” (pronounced “cooler”) is web based tool that allows you to create and save color palettes. These colors can be imported as swatches in your Creative Suite programs, saved and shared with others. It’s very easy to use and is worth trying for your next project – put in a color value and have Kuler show you other colors that will work with it. You can also search for color palettes created by other users based on a theme.
The Kuler website is http://kuler.adobe.com/ and a short video on using Kuler with Creative Suite is http://www.channels.com/episodes/show/3180460/Get-Kuler-with-Pantone
October 26th, 2009
We work with many fund raising and membership based non-profits that are looking to make their print dollar work as had as possible for them. One of the resources we direct people to for stock photos is MorgueFile. http://morguefile.com/. It’s not only a free resource for photos, but a community with many bloggers offering advice and techniques on creating and using photos. Click on the “Classroom” tab at the website to see the lessons available.
October 19th, 2009
We often get requests for small quantities (<100) of paper for special applications that prove too costly to produce on a one-time basis. If you have need for a small quantity of membership cards, certificates, display stands for small signs, or pre-numbered tickets for an event or door/bottle hangers.
Even an office supply store would only have a limited selection of papers and sizes. One of the best resources we’ve found is BlanksUSA from Minneapolis Minnesota. Visit their website at www.blanksusa.com
October 12th, 2009
If you are asked to help co-workers or customers with “computer questions” over the phone you’ve probably wished there was a way you could see their screen.
In the past, more expensive software like PCAnywhere had to be installed on both machines in order for you to see someone’s screen to help them. Free alternatives like RealVNC required the same – a client and a server program to be installed before being able to help. These installations usually required answering configuration questions about “ports” and “IP addresses” that every day computer users are not comfortable with, especially if they were already frustrated by the problem at hand. Thankfully much less expensive and easier to install alternatives exist.
Customers often call us while they are working on a project with a “how do I do that” type of question. From setting the correct panel widths on a brochure, to a technique in Photoshop to get better RGB to CMYK conversion, to setting their desktop scanner options for the best results when scanning photos or articles for a newsletter.
We’ve come across several solutions that help us collaborate with customers. These tools work on both Windows and MAC computers and work well with firewalls, as opposed to built in operating systems tools.
1) “Share My Screen” in Adobe CS4 programs (found under the FILE menu) – this is a free service that allows you to “host” a meeting and invite up to 3 other people to connect. A dial in phone number is provided if you need better quality audio conferencing than your office phone can handle. It does require a free AdobeID account. If you have CS4, you probably already created an AdobeID when you registered your software.
2) GoToMeeting.com – This software installs from your browser. You can invite people by sending a link via email to click on. It allows up to 15 people to connect and allows a dial-in conference call as well as using your computers’ microphone and speakers to participate. At $49.95 a month, with no long term contract, it’s a bargain for the features. They offer a discount if you pre-pay for 12 months of service.
3) GoToAssist Express – If you’ve contacted your computer maker for tech support, chances are they gave you an access code and asked you to enter it at a website to be able to see your screen. Currently at $69.95/mo it allows you to see up to 8 different computer screens at once. One of the nice features is they allow you to purchase a “Day pass” for only $9.95 – an inexpensive way to use this tool on an “as needed” basis.
We’re always looking for more ideas to share, please comment below on how you use software to help co-workers, clients and friends.
Rob Cullum
July 12th, 2009
