skedad

Sometimes I think I would rather gouge myself in the eye many times with a fork than have to deal with customer support... ANYWHERE!I had a similar problem with embarq and MSI over long distance rights, and that someone had been using my phone line until my embarq kicked in. Having to deal with the phone made want to cancel all the embarq services that I had...I am glad that a lot of these tech support people aren't my doctors...

I just finished commenting on your name post, and really wanted to check out this one, too.Like my previous comment, once you finally find that name that sticks, it is good to have the fantastic, moving, riveting banner... hey, that's how I was trying to think of mine....While I was thinking of the name of my site, I was trying to create my banner title at the same time. My methods were using Photoshop and like 40 billion fonts! (ok, so maybe 1000)I would start by using my font viewer and a few title ideas. Then once I found a few good fonts, I would go with what font matched which title better... and then continuing eliminating many possibilities, I went ahead and detailed a few possibilities. I know it can become a long drawn out process for me, so I try to just take my time and try not to burn myself out sitting in front of the PC with 20 or 30 text titles staring at me... I was almost getting tired of seeing my page title! I was satisfied with a few titles and designs that I started to show my wife a few drafts and then later sending out a few screenshots for suggestions and opinions.I really think you have the professional feel going with your banner at the moment. I think it would be best to not over kill your text with embossing... and I like the shadow affect.I think that maybe your icon might want to relate towards the style of your title name as if they were both white, or maybe your icon could be an off white with some opacity. I am perfectionist at times so that is why I suggest, and not tell... I have had people straight out tell me to do and not try... haha, that never goes over well!But that could be an idea to try or to wrap your mind around. Either way, keep trying to enjoy the process, without it bogging you down.

I have never been able to come up with a web site name that I have been excited about... but then I wanted to simplify things and come up with something catchy and meaningful. It didn't click until I wanted to make my revamped version of my personal site into a family site.I went by such names as Welcome to the page with no name.... and that was oddly catchy. Then I would get bored and at that point I would just try to do little changes... Welcome to the new installment. Then it was my web concept. I would just try to make things catchy.I always am changing my nicks too. It comes with being a try gamer.... so skedad came from me being a dad to my kids sky, kari and even. So yeah, they just come right to me... hahaha...Now technical, business oriented sites, they were tough ones. I even dropped my last freelance page and didn't really feel like retrying until it all clicked. I think that the funny part of coming up with a business name is to just not pull any punches...Example of this would be to just simplify it. Lets say you were John Smith and you wanted to do software.... JSware... I really don't know... but I think incorporating who you are sometimes might make it easier for the non PS users... maybe it makes it easier for them to remember, too.Ok, this was an entry off the top of my thought process, and I ran with it. I really do like your concepts, though. And even though it took me over 5 years to finally solidify a name... maybe you will have better luck... Just don't let it bog you down, and it may come to you...* If you already have found your site name as I am typing... congrats! *

I have used to computer religiously for many years now. I have had many PCs in my lifetime, but the computers in the past have been used for game play. We are talking playing the Tandy 1000 when I was younger for MS DOS gaming.I began seriously using the computer when I was in college [the first time] when I began learning Adobe Photoshop in art school. I used a 3.1, but did not have the capacity to do anything really important on it while learning my craft. I would have LOVED to have something new at the time, but yet, all I did with my 3.1 was play Tetris, or try to compete with my Photoshop skills using Paint.When I bought my first real PC, I was staying with my sister, and had VERY limited space. I used an endtable with a cabinet to setup my PC. Now this goes along with not using the PC comfortably. I would sit on the couch (which also was my bed) and manned my workstation from there. So I was using my lap for the keyboard, which would sit up on my monitor when I was finished. The excitement of having my new PC [with Win95] was enough for me to not be so concerned for comfort... and I would play on it a few hours in a day.Fast forward to working on a PC at a job, and beginning to learn how to setup computers, and learning more and more about them, had me on the computer longer, and more often. I think users do the PC for what they like... and there is an increase in young people over the more adult users. This is more of the computer generation over the last. I was able to get into computers when I was younger, but not everyone did at my age.Ok, so I could write a whole book on what the computer means to me and how I use it efficiently. I think that if you can setup your computer with the hardware and equipment working properly, a user would be on the PC much longer than they would imagine. I bought Captain's chairs for each station in my home, so my family and I can work on the PC in comfort.I use the PC for emailing, web design, internet, Photoshopping... and even though I don't do it as much, game play.

I have used 7-zip for a huge project I was working on. It is pretty reliable, although the procedure of folder searching and going back and forth a lot made it less user friendly than I liked. But I did like that it did what was needed. I really am not one for messing with tar after playing around in Linux... but if I were to mesh Linux and Windows together again, I would sure use it.I guess I can say that, yes, I have used it, but thought I would have tons more to say about it!

I have already made my focal reply on here... now I want to mess things up...I have already been a faithful Firefox follower, and I still do use IE... but I have heard other browsers in use...I am planning on playing around with Opera maybe, and I have heard of yet another... Maxthon. Does anyone out there play with that one any!!??Anyways, Firefox is a great competitor to IE and usually you can get a lot of good services from each when they try and out do each other. I just wonder what each one will come up with next...Until then...

My wife uses a lot of IE and MSN Search pops up... I know it will do a lot of auto stuff... but it just doesn't have the same flow as like google search would do. That's why if I'm not really sure of an address, then I try to google it first. I mean nowadays you type in yahoo, or something as common and the site will just pop up no prob.Trying to type in educational and financial stuff with all of the subdomains and everything... now that gets tricky.Go Google!- skedad -

I use my desktop computer and it is set at 800x600 so I can keep up with a lot of important text and such. And I use it for web site development. Usually when I am done setting up and I just want to do some web surfing, I use my wife and I's laptop... plus I just like to be able to run around with the laptop and it's still a close run with 800x600 and 1024x768. Like seeing the 640x480... That was what I used to get into with like older windows apps and older pc models.I am a bit lazy to use percentages in my web design (along with templates)... but I still think that either of the two popular settings are fine... it just means having to scroll here or there... I mean we already have to vertically scroll for content... why not horizontally, too.

That sounds good to me. I plan on buying another desktop computer, and setting up admin rights on this computer and giving it to my kids to use. And yes, I am a faithful Firefox follower. So I am sure I will set up both. That is good news to hear and thank you for posting.

I have been using Ulead Gif Animators for many years now. I have been wanting to use Flash forever, and I actually have the program... I just have not had the time and effort to put forth a good demo run.Ulead was pretty user friendly, and it keeps upgrading with better enhanced GUIs. I like it because it is to the point. I do a lot of animated rollovers, and the quick 'boxed' gifs. I mean boxed because for a while you could only do solid background. Now, I believe you can make the backgrounds opaque. I have not played with gifs for a while, so I may not be correct on that one.So I would think for the best effects on the gif scale to use Flash, but if not... I would recommend Ulead. I have not played with many other programs... maybe it is worth a shot trying them out.

I have used Gmail for many years now. I began using it when it was in its' testing era, and it was really cool how it kept on progressing. Now I see it has a mini section for gmail chatting, and so much more. I liked that your conversations could continue on in the compose then constant replying. It just tacks on from the last replied posting. A few people know how it works, and others just resend instead of reply... oh well! I thought it was something that you were invited from someone else, and we were the only people in the small group that began testing gmail. But like Gmail, I have other free services, also. I have Hotmail, which is now Windows Live, and I have Yahoo! Mail. I used them all for different reasons, but since Gmail worked best professionally, I use it for stuff other than fun-play. Archiving is a really nice feature I like. I don't really have to delete a lot, but I really try to keep some kind of organization of things. I like that my important nonspammed emails can be labeled and archived, and if I need to re-read a certain email, I will go to Label and find which one I need in a nice row. So I really enjoy Gmail, but I really don't think it is like the best thing ever, but it is nice to continue with free email and it is always increasing in storage space.

I am not saying that it is the best way to go, but 800x600 was a default for many designers. Nowadays the resolution moves to fit more to a page, but while working 800x600 will still alow users to see all that is being created, and will not have to scroll.Using 1024x768 is becoming the new resolution default setting, but many popular sites still go by 800x600. For accessability purposes, some users use less space but for larger text areas. So I would say either 800x600 or 1024x768... depending on how much space you would like to use.

I can't say that there is a best site. I don't really judge best, but I think there were a lot of really good sites on that list. I have seen many colorful, a lot were very informative when needed, and well, some just weren't online. I voted for graffiti, because from my artist background, it stuck out the most... I think I should have put more time into voting, but I sometimes I go with what I see.I hope to try to get more into my site. I have many drafts on my harddrive, but just haven't found the time to put detail to everything... I am just trying to take my time on this one this time around.Good job all... and I plan to check back from time to time.- skedad -

I think there should be circumstances. If the elderly lady was driving slow, then she could possibly be a safety hazard. I think that people are just heartless nowadays, and just don't take the time to think about others. The officer could have easily helped the lady across. This day and age, there is lack of shivery, and people just can't do the things that once were harmless.I think that the officer had a lack of compassion, and that when it comes to ticketing an elderly lady whom is trying to cross the road... then we need to seriously have major reality checks.

Now that I am an active member, I can see that yes, it will be worth it... but a lot of work. I think that right now it gets tough just trying to keep around 20... But I think free domain would be sweet and definitely worth the work. I will just have to see if I can keep up with mega posts, and hope to have enough to keep my site I have now active. I really am enjoying the whole process and especially being able to host my site. I think that I don't want to mess with what I have.

You can never have enough thank yous... it is a balance to all of the 'I have a problem' and the 'Xisto is not for me' kind of posts. But I am one of the many thank yous out there. My sister bought web hosting services and she has not been actively participating in many months... and she is still shelling out money on an inactive site. Since it is quite easy to participate and keep active, I find myself always involved... whether it is in the forums, or creating in Dreamweaver or Photoshop. So, Thank You for putting a lot of valuable time and energy into creating something everyone can enjoy. And to make it possible for guests to come and go and pass all of the information on that they see fit. These guests could be possible members that can continue to add to the community. Ok, so my thank you gets a little off subject... I do recall thanking and thanking that I continue to add different views each time... Keep up the good work... and I will still post... and I am finding it interesting bringing out older posts... Because it's still a post... older or not. Later on everyone! - skedad -

I cannot believe that I did not find this topic earlier... Youtube! I think as long as it filter all of the vulgarities like it has been, it could stay around for a really long time. I can't lie, that I have spent large amounts of time sitting in from of youtube... older music videos, past sitcoms, man just about anything!I am trying to incorporate youtube with my webpage whenever possible... and without overkilling my pages. I like that I can have one idea to look up, and then afterwards go to another whole topic by just linking video after video. I would upload a lot of my personal videos, but I just don't think it's quality... I usually keep it to my myspace. As long as it is not abused, I am hoping that youtube will be a site that will be around for a while. It is nice taking some time and linking video parts and getting a movie or event type atmosphere... There was only a handful of entries that didn't show up... but almost anything else has and will be at my disposal... Gotta love it!

I would have to say I am for Xisto. I really am enjoying Xisto, and if I were to try another site to use, I probably would like to give Xisto a try. I am doing well with Xisto, and would be interested since it is a partner in Xisto corp. I think that nowadays, sites don't usually last that long if your personal information gets leaked out. People are smart and catch on to whatever goes on on the net, good or bad. If I was not bias as a member and host that I am here at Xisto... I would have to look at how long Xisto and Xisto have been around... and how pleased members and supporters are with the product.I would hang around in Xisto more if I were to play in forums all day... but, since I am limited sometimes, it would be something new to tack on a long list of sites and or projects that I am already involved in. I think that it is a good idea to have Xisto defer to Xisto in how it's style is. Users can be a little more open in Xisto from what I hear!? I am just happy where I am... and like I said earlier, if it comes to wanting more forum time, I would surely check it out.- skedad -

I use Photoshop religiously. I have used Corel, also, but I did a lot more Corel when I worked with vinyl. I don't really do too much vector nowadays, so I usually stick to Photoshop. I used Pagemaker, Quark, Freehand... but I prefer Adobe Illustrator.I used to play with Paint, but I only do that for quick prints... I played with Paint WAY before Photoshop. I was able to get different versions from different places.I worked at many prints shops as a Graphic Designer/ PrePress Technician... and I did some work for them at my house, so I had newer versions of Photoshop, Illustrator, Corel, Quark... and then I went back to college for Comp Program/Network and I got the upgraded CS2.So I was lucky to have my software when I needed it, and this day and age with costs rising, it was nice to have connections.

Thank you Xisto for making it possible for me to replant my site on the web. I have done it all and hosting here has already been a treat. I have not played around with all of the features, but in due time. I have just tried to get the basics of my web 'revamped'.I like the service and the great customer support, and I have only been a member for a handful of months. I like the respect that each member gives to each other and that is a HUGE deal in itself. I like that people across the globe can connect and help each other when they can.(I am starting to sound like Miss America.... but I am not trying to bring world peace!)I appreciate what has been given go me, and I will try my best to do what I can in return. I enjoy being able to express my thoughts and opinions and I in return have learned a lot in the process. Keep up the good work, and I will try to do my part, too!Thanks again!bob AKA skedad

I am a designer, an artist... not so much the writer AT ALL... I play with the fonts once they are converted! I would like to have a non TNR font but I get lazy and leave it at Ariel... the problems arise with 'I's and 'L's getting confused.I think it would depend on what type of title image I am going after... for some reason I just overkill with emboss tape (and overkilling the word overkill!) but no matter which it is I overuse the layer styles... so no matter!I just went crazy grabbing fonts and disks so I may be missing out on hundreds of good fonts due to lack of time searching. On the fly I go with what font I know, or I just start searching.... A B C D... so on and so forth.I am really digging these topics... things I just don't think would be written down or typed out about!

Tom I think just lucked out on this one. There were so many others including like faceparty and tickle... Someone just was able to string along a few friends and yadda yadda yadda... myspace began growing!I use it so that I can try to keep in touch with a few people here and there... definitely NOT my email, or like professional advertising... I just like to keep adding people to try to outdo my wife... but now it's just there and I watch my younger sisters just go ridiculously CRAZY over it all. A bunch of younger generation overkilling servers with vacation pics and glitter! (wow, I wasn't planning on bashing!) My youngest just adds people every other second, and I will comment on it and within a few hours be totally gone off of her comment page!I thought I would try to play with the HTML, and have fun linking pics and such... but I don't even like doing that... trying to perfect my site... I am not even wasting my time... I just try to add obnoxious pics to get laughs and try to keep adding to my playlist...All and all myspace isn't all that bad... we are just programmed to think higher of it...Now go and just add... and add... and make it sparkle! haha- skedad -

I played with glitter graphics a few times. I had fun making my name and uploading it to blogs and I set it into journal entries. And it was really cool... all flashy and animated. I think it is a fun way to play in that regard.A few months later myspace sees that fun aspect and OVERKILLS it! I mean everything now is happy and glittery! You can wish anyone anything and make it all sparkly! I saw a whole page of just sparkle... Ok, so I didn't mean to get all freaky crazy on you. It is a fun idea to add to webpages if done correctly. Little glitter bullets or such can add a nice style and can catch the eyes!And don't let my ramble stop you from having fun experimenting!- skedad -

I have been using Firefox as my default for a few years now. I STILL use IE7 here and there... I let it default everything because my wife doesn't use Firefox... She isn't as into the PC as I am... and she is just used to using IE. So I just do what I need to do and she does, also.I also like that if anything should happen while using Firefox, you can restore your window. VERY SMART THINKING!! I used to be on IE and I would install and do something else multitasking all of the time and then the Blue Screen of Death appeared, and there went my patience. With the sessions restored (And of course the elimination of the BSD) it has made my life much easier!So I will continue to use both, but I still enjoy Firefox better... at first, I wasn't that excited about the folder addition to the address bars, but now that I put my favorites on it, I can't see not having it. I like that IE does however try to limit space... it just needs to go back to being user friendly again.IE goes through too many service packs, and security issues, and Firefox will always try to keep things updated and brings up options before launching the site... if you do not want to update right now... skip it. I like the skip not cancel out approach!If there would be another browser to try, I will, and I will continue to shop around, also. Until then, Mozilla keep up the good work making Microsoft sweat it out... - skedad -

I can see there are a lot of responses for Google... I can see why because I feel the same way. I think that it is very reliable. I have noticed that not all of my searches have been successful due to rarity, or that my search is not logical enough.I use it for basically ANYTHING and EVERYTHING! If I need an answer for a question, if I need directions, if I need a quick logo or picture... I think sometimes I wish that the image area would be a little more detail oriented, but maybe that is for the times that I just can't get what I am looking for!But I used project playlist for my online music selections, and if there were not any songs I wanted, it will give a few options... aol music, dogpile, blogdigger... and none seem that reliable. I thought that dogpile would combine many into one, but it didn't bring me the desired results that I was looking for.So I hope Google keeps up the good work, and I will continue to use them daily or when as directed... and how cool is it that Firefox just puts the search bar right at my finger tips... - skedad -