Cuzoogle - Video Games are not just for Nerds
BuzzPirates - Best Celebrity Mugshots
CSS-Tricks - Body Border 2: Fade in with Gradient
Smashing Magazine - 60 Inspiring Concert Posters from Ten Amazing Artists
Selene Bowlby - Essential Web Developer Tools
VECTUTS - Create a Vibrant 3D Pixel Type Treatment
PSDTUTS - Daniel LuVisi Interview (VERY COOL!)
It’s been quite awhile since I wrote up a week in review, so what better time to get back in the saddle than now? As many of you know, I struggled last month to get anything of substantial value posted up on the site and it was very frustrating. If anyone thinks that running a blog is an easy task; they’re mistaken. Finding new content that will drive readers to the site is a pain, and it only gets harder as you go. Last week I hit stride with a few quick hits and tested my hosting on Tuesday gathering up a record 315 simultaneous users online.
I’m still going through my Alexa Rank experiment that I eluded to in the August Month in Review. I think it’s working out, but the widget I installed in the sidebar is a little bit flaky. Somtimes the number fluctuates back and forth and makes me wonder just how accurate it is. (more…)
Spoon Graphics - Free Illustrated Sneaker Graphics
CSS-Tricks - Screencasting Setup (very cool!)
Cuzoogle - It’s About to Get Sunny in Philadelphia Again!
PSHERO - Text in Stitches Tutorial
Smashing Magazine - 75 (Really) Useful JavaScript Techniques
Go Media - Vector Freebie from Jimiyo (animals)
PSDTUTS - Mascot Design in Real Time Order, the SOSFactory Way
Last night while checking the stats on GrandmasterB, I noticed a something new in the Plugins box on the admin panel. The Wordpress Automatic Upgrade plugin, is well, just that…a plugin that will automatically upgrade your Wordpress installation. I’m usually not one to mess around with things that claim to be “automatic”, but this plugin actually works. I decided rather than try it out on my live version of GrandmasterB dot com; I would try it out on a local install I have for development.
The installation was very easy, just like every other WordPress plugin. The only thing that I had to do was unzip it and upload it to the wp-content/plugins directory and activate it. After activation you will need to create a new directory in your WP root and name it ‘wpau-backup’ and CHMOD it to 777 (check out the Q&A with GrandmasterB - August 21 for more detail on directory permissions). to enable the plugin to do it’s thing. The great thing about this plugin is that before upgrading your WordPress installation it does a complete backup of your install and database before doing the upgrade. It guides you step-by-step through the process and provides you with the links to download the backups before you continue on.
Through the entire process I think it probably took about 10 minutes to complete; which really isn’t too bad. The great thing about the plugin is that it does exactly what it’s supposed to and it is “automatic”. If you manage multiple blogs and spend a lot of time upgrading them all to the latest version of WordPress; I highly recommend this plugin! If you’ve installed it already on your blog, let me know what you think of it. I’d be interesting in hearing your opinions.
~ GrandmasterB
Jeff Finley and his band of designers have just released their latest series of vector artwork…Vector Pack 12. This series is definitely a bit more dark and graphic than past releases. As a brand, Go Media is definitely pushing themselves to become the leader when it comes to providing great artwork resources. The level of detail in this recent release is simply amazing. If you’re into dark and horrific imagery, you need to look no further than the Zombies and the Guts packs.
I could be wrong, but this has got to be the largest release to date from Go Media. I’ve counted up a grand total of 190 graphic elements in this release. If you take the value of purchasing the entire package at $34.90 that winds up being only 18 cents per element…that’s a great deal! All in all seven individually themed packs:
If you’re a design like myself, or just like collecting great resources for your library you should stop by and check out what Go Media has to offer. If you want to check out what you can do with the vector elements check out my Grunge Styled Banner Tutorial. Also, look for more tutorials from GrandmasterB to be coming up later this month. Subscribe to The Feed so you don’t miss out.
~ GrandmasterB
