Just thought I’d share that Adobe extended their discount offer on Creative Suite 4.

UPGRADE TO ADOBE CREATIVE SUITE AND SAVE UP TO US$200.
For a limited time, your version of Adobe® Creative Suite® 2, Creative Suite 1, Macromedia® Studio 8, Studio MX 2004, or Production Studio software qualifies you for up to US$200 off on eligible upgrades to Adobe Creative Suite 4 software. Don't hesitate, this offer ends April 30, 2009.

What almost two year’s means to my little girl’s feet.

Children are a blessing... make sure you remind yourself of that every day and keep children around (they make you a better person).

Two weeks ago, I told you about our new group on Facebook for those interested in New Media. Many of you asked us to post the training videos to iTunes. We did.

You’ll also find 6 hours of free video training to check out on their site. I’m one of the organizers of the group and I hope you can share this info with others. The group is free... the video is free... knowldge is free... let’s make a difference.

Here are the six videos you can watch (in HD even).

• New Media Boot Camp – slides
• Facebook 101– Why all the Buzz? – slides
• Podcasting and Government – slides
• Blogging to Reach an Audience – Does Anyone Care What You Have to Say – slides
• It’s all About Mobility – Reaching Audiences on the Go – slides
• Producing Video for the Web – Best Practices for Big Results – slides

Enjoy.

When scanning images, it’s often possible to fit more than one image on the scanner bed. Scanning multiple images at once can save input time when loading images into Photoshop. Fortunately, the Crop And Straighten Photos command picks up and keeps the efficiency going.

1. Place multiple photos on your scanner. For best results, you need to keep 1/8 inch between the images in your scan. If the Crop And Straighten Photos command does not succeed (which is rare), you should process the individual images using the Crop tool.
2. If you’re working in a multilayered image, select the layer that contains the images. If you only want some of the images, draw a selection border around one or more images.
3. Choose File > Automate > Crop And Straighten Photos.

Each image should be cropped, straightened, and moved into its own document window.

It’s almost time for the National Association of Broadcasters Conference in Las Vegas (April 18-23). If you are planning on going to , this is your last chance to register for a free pass for the exhibit floor. After April 9, the price goes up.

Visit this page – http://registration.experient-inc.com/ShowNAB091/Defaultfull.aspx
Use this code – TP01

Also.. if you are looking for a huge training conference, check out Post|Production World (I have 14 classes over 5 days).

Peachpit is offering a cool deal. Try out Safari Books Online and get a free book. Of course, you’ll have questions.

Q: What’s Safari Books Online?
A: It’s a ton of books you can read online from publishers like Peachpit, O’Reilly, and others.

Q: Is it really free?
A: Sign up for the trial... order a book. If you don’t like, cancel within the 10-day trial period. Otherwise they bill you for first month (which is about the cost of a book).

Q: Which Books are Free?
A: There are 10 to choose from.

• Mastering CSS with Dreamweaver CS4 – Stephanie Sullivan, Greg Rewis
• Building Findable Websites: Web Standards, SEO, and Beyond – Aarron Walter
• A Project Guide to UX Design – Russ Unger, Carolyn Chandler
• Online Communities Handbook – Anna Buss, Nancy Strauss
• Mac OS X Leopard Killer Tips – Scott Kelby
• The Hot Shoe Diaries: Big Light from Small Flashes –Joe McNally
• The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book: The Complete Guide for Photographers – Martin Evening
• The Photoshop Elements 7 Book for Digital Photographers – Scott Kelby, Matt Kloskowski
• Facebook Me! A Guide to Having Fun with Your Friends and Promoting Your Projects on Facebook –Dave Awl
• SocialCorp: Social Media Goes Corporate – Joel Postman

I just got this email from Apple about a special on Time Machine.

“Save $30 on a 500GB Time Capsule. Time Capsule works with Time Machine in Leopard to back up your Mac computers wirelessly and automatically. And as a MobileMe member, you can access files on your Time Capsule drive over the Internet, wherever you go.”

Use this Promo Code at checkout: T2N3L7GJE8”

The code might be a one-time use.... so try it (first come first served).

I already have one and these work great.

Are you looking to stay up on the latest news and network with other new media professionals interested in efficient government? Be sure to check out this Facebook group which helps connect the public and private sectors in this important cause.

You’ll also find 6 hours of free video training to check out on their site. I’m one of the organizers of the group and I hope you can share this info with others. The group is free... the video is free... knowldge is free... let’s make a difference.

Here are the six videos you can watch (in HD even).

• New Media Boot Camp – slides
• Facebook 101– Why all the Buzz? – slides
• Podcasting and Government – slides
• Blogging to Reach an Audience – Does Anyone Care What You Have to Say – slides
• It’s all About Mobility – Reaching Audiences on the Go – slides
• Producing Video for the Web – Best Practices for Big Results – slides

Enjoy.

“Across the Production Premium toolset, Adobe has provided increased support for metadata… [pause for audience applause]. What? You didn’t clap? Well metadata is pretty dang important—it can speed up your editing, improve collaboration, or even make your videos more accessible on the Web. Sure, it’s not as enticing as yet another tutorial on making things glow, but give it a shot.”

Continue to the Layers Magazine website to see the full tutorial for free.

I recently spoke at the Authors Video Workshops in Boston. The event was sponsored by the BOSFCPUG & Focal Press. Over two days, I spoke on three topics I am passionate about: Photoshop, Final Cut, and web video.

Here are some of the promised resources.

Photoshop For Video

• Slides
• Book
• Website
• Podcast

Professional Color Correction in Final Cut Pro

• Book
• Website
• DVD
• Podcast

Producing Video Podcasts and Web Video

• Slides
• Book
• Website
• Podcast

Enjoy... reviews on Amazon and iTunes always appreciated.

I have literally just sent the last changes to the last chapter in. The brand new book After Effects for Flash | Flash for After Effects is going to print. I am quite proud of the book and it explores some amazing things. The book is designed for Flash and After Effects users, and is meant to teach them how to use both programs together (along with Creative Suite 4). The book explores some pretty revolutionary things, but also has great primers to get new users up to speed fast (you can’t put a race car on your cover if the book doesn’t cover serious ground).

The official blurb
Adobe Creative Suite 4 brings together two powerful animation tools, each of which has its own specialized features and workflow. Learning to integrate Adobe After Effects and Adobe Flash Professional gives you more options for your animations and effects and the power to integrate video and motion graphics into a richer user experience. In this book, authors Richard Harrington and Marcus Geduld lead both types of users, those who are more familiar with either Flash or with After Effects, on using the programs together for maximum efficiency and creativity.

After walking you through the core features of both programs, the authors then explore advanced uses for each application. Each chapter focuses on a particular function of the program, teaching you how to create content for Flash with After Effects, enhance your projects using 3D environments, create professional-looking video with Adobe Media Encoder, and add interactivity, accessibility, and searchability to your video. You’ll also get hands-on experience using the project files on the accompanying DVD.

Within these easy-to-follow, step-by-step lessons, you’ll learn to:

• Seamlessly exchange projects and assets between After Effects and Flash
• Shoot green screen material correctly, work with Keylight, and utilize embedded alpha channels
• Create dynamic text, vector-based animations, and “animated” video using the tools in Adobe Creative Suite 4
• Work with 3D cameras and lights and create 3D environments
• Convert Flash to broadcast and DVD standards with After Effects
• Use Adobe Media Encoder for professional results
• Create interactive controls and use cue points in your video
• Optimize video for accessibility and use Adobe® Soundbooth® for video transcription
• Use ActionScript in your projects for more innovative animations

Get your copy now.... it really has some fun projects and cool things in it.

If you’ve wondered why I’ve been so quite lately... it’s because I’ve been hard at work on both of these books. I’m proud to announce that these will be shipping in just a few weeks. Both feature a ton of new projects and all sorts of new tips. Even if you have previous editions of the books, you won’t want to miss these. We’ve completely rewritten nearly every chapter with a ton of new projects, design tips, and a bunch of really helpful advice.


Apple Training Series: iWork 09
In the only Apple-certified guide to iWork ’09, you’ll learn to create everything from first-rate business presentations and newsletters to effective budgets and event planners. Focused lessons take you step by step through all aspects of Keynote, Pages, and Numbers. The self-paced book/DVD combo uses real-life material and practical lessons that you can apply immediately to your own projects. You’ll learn to:

• Master the iWork suite of tools quickly through fun, real-world projects
• Design a Keynote presentation from storyboard to Web export
• Add animated charts and motion backgrounds to a presentation with ease
• Publish great-looking newsletters and brochures in print and on the Web
• Build a professional marketing package from scratch
• Create expense reports, track budgets, and plan special events
• Sort, organize, and chart data using sophisticated spreadsheet calculations

Get iWork ‘09 for 34% off the cover price

Apple Training Series: iLife 09
In the only Apple-certified guide to iLife ’09, the authors have you working miracles with iLife within the first few pages. Featuring footage and images from around the world, this book/DVD combo uses real-life material and practical lessons that you can apply immediately to your own projects. Focused lessons take you step by step through all aspects of iLife ’09—everything from organizing and sharing your photo library to creating polished video and soundtracks. Along the way, you’ll produce movies, photobooks, podcasts, websites, blogs, and custom DVDs.

Get iLife ‘09 for 34% off the cover price

I worked hard on these... there’s a ton of new stuff and I really hope you check them out.

I love how Trent Reznor keeps innovating. The Nine Inch Nails front man keeps releasing tracks for fan in new ways. One of the coolest is the option for remixes. He’s also released free tracks for fans to download.

“The NIN/JA 2009 tour site is now live at ninja2009.com and features a FREE download with exclusive, previously-unreleased music from Nine Inch Nails, Jane's Addiction, and Street Sweeper. You can also browse tour dates, photos, videos, and listen to streaming music.

Additionally, starting today you'll have the option to remix two Jane's Addiction tracks and one Street Sweeper track on http://remix.nin.com

Check this out... a colleague of mine speaking on a cool topic.



Watch Future in Motion, A History of Tomorrow's Interfaces, Mason Dixon, MGFest  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

I must say that the unexpected happened. In one week I received two books translated into languages I don’t even speak. It’s kind of amazing to see how global the interest in better design is.


The first book to arrive, How to Wow with Power Point. Available now in Simplified Chinese.

“We begin with the important essentials of typography, layout, and design, and move on to creating tables, charts, graphs, and custom templates. Next comes the fun stuff, with projects focusing on audio and video files and integrating Flash. Finally, there is a chapter devoted to exporting and publishing, including how to create handouts, upload to the Web, and other ways to share your presentation. On the How to Wow CD-ROM is everything you’ll need to complete the projects.”

Then a few days later, Apple Pro Training Series: Aperture 2 printed in German.

“Fully updated for Aperture 2, this comprehensive book-DVD training combo starts with the basics of image management and takes you step by step all the way through Aperture's powerful photo-editing, image-retouching, proofing, publishing, and archiving features. Aperture 2's new features are completely covered, including a new RAW-image processing engine, a streamlined interface, powerful new adjustment tools, and added integration with Mac OS X and other Apple products for instant web publishing and one-click portfolio syncing.”

What a great world we live in... I just wish I could read the books and see how different the translations are from what I originally wrote.

Join us at the
Photoshop World Expo
March 26 - 27

If you are going to be in the Boston area in March but can't attend Photoshop World, you can still come join us at the Photoshop World Expo absolutely FREE!
The Expo portion of Photoshop World is a showcase of the latest cutting-edge digital imaging, computer- and design-related technologies, products, and services. You can also take advantage of free classes and product demos, as well as special discounts on the latest books and DVDs at the Official Photoshop World/Peachpit Bookstore!
Get your FREE, downloadable EXPO PASS ($40 value)
Photoshop World: The Eastern Conference Expo Hours: Thursday, March 26, 2009 - 1:00pm to 5:00pm Friday, March 27, 2009 - 9:00am to 1:00pm Hynes Convention Center 900 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02115 Hall C

Seems like times are changing... Apple (and more importantly, movie studios) have decided to start offering high-definition movie sales and rentals through the iTunes Store. This is yet another sign that consumers want digital downloads (and are willing to pay a fair price). Let’s hope more studios come on board.

Starting today, movie fans can purchase box office blockbusters for download in HD for $19.99 from iTunes, and films will be available as iTunes Movie Rentals in HD for $4.99 within 30 days after release. Customers can enjoy these films in HD on their Mac or PC and on their widescreen TV with Apple TV, as well as in standard definition on their iPhone or iPod with video.