CommunityMX.com

Be With You in a Heartbeat - Part 2

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

We made the monitor but it still needs a touch more work before we go to Flash.

Approximate download size: 21 MB

The Be With You in a Heartbeat Series:
Be With You in a Heartbeat - Part 1
Be With You in a Heartbeat - Part 2...

Creating a Bar Graph with HTML and CSS using ColdFusion - Part 2

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Graphs in web pages and reporting applications can be put together with built-in ColdFusion functionality using the tag, or with JavaScript libraries that are widely available. However, sometimes you have a need for a simple bar graph that does not depend on this more advanced technology; working with ColdFusion servers that do not have functioning on the server, or targeting browsers that are not JavaScript enabled.

Bar graphs can be created quite easily using ancient HTML technology without the aid of more advanced techniques for simple bar graphs that display quickly and across all browsers. For this tutorial, I'll assume you know basic ColdFusion and SQL -- writing queries, views, and getting the results you want.

A bar graph can be built vertically or horizontally. The first part showed the horizontal graph. This part will show the vertical graphing process. The basic process is to create the SQL query that you want to view the result as a graph, use a slim image that can be stretched as a basis of the bar graph, and set the height of the image based on the value of your data. For example, a value of $50 might translate to 50 pixels high, and $500 might translate to 500 pixels high. Using simple formulas, we'll create the graphs.

The Creating a Bar Graph with HTML and CSS Series:
Creating a Bar Graph with HTML and CSS using PHP - Part 1
Creating a Bar Graph with HTML and CSS using ColdFusion - Part 1
Creating a Bar Graph with HTML and CSS using PHP - Part 2
Creating a Bar Graph with HTML and CSS using ColdFusion - Part 2 ...

Converting Type to a Smart Object and Adding Filters in Adobe PhotoShop CS4

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Using Photoshop CS4, a blank canvas and the Type Tool, we apply a few effects to the text. We can then convert the text to a Smart Object, apply one or more filters. What do we achieve? Cool looking "Speed Text"....

Basic Form Calculations

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Calculating totals for a form can seem rather complicated or daunting. In this tutorial, I'll break it down for you very easily and you will be able to create forms and calculate totals in the form in no time! ...

The Modern Digital Portrait

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Today's digital portrait is a bit different than traditional portraitures. If you looked and compared today's portrait with yesterday's, you probably have noticed today's portraits are much brighter and have more contrast than in previous years. Photoshop has many different ways to achieve this look and in this tutorial I'll demonstrate a quick and reliable method using Layer Blending Modes and Layer Masks. Let's begin. ...

Be with You in a Heartbeat - Part 1

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Watching a heart beat pulse across an ECG monitor is rather compelling. Here's one way to create this effect using a few tools in the Adobe lineup.

Approximate download size: 22MB

The Be With You in a Heartbeat Series:
Be With You in a Heartbeat - Part 1
Be With You in a Heartbeat - Part 2...

Creating Semi-transparent PNG Files in Fireworks

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

In my last article, I talked about using 32-bit PNG files to create an expandable container. This short follow up article details the process of creating the alpha transparent PNG files within Fireworks.

Alpha Transparency in Fireworks Series:
The 3-Slice Technique with Alpha Transparency
Creating Semi-Transparent PNG Files in Fireworks ...

Get the Time of Day as a MySQL Developer - Part 1: Data Types

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

You won't have to wait long, as a web developer, before needing to store and retrieve dates and times in MySQL. A mastery of the date and time data types as well as familiarity with the many date and time functions is essential for any MySQL developer in order to maintain integrity in the temporal values that you manage.

This article will cover MySQL date and time data types and their usage. Firstly, we'll look at the options for storing temporal data and later we'll look at important functions for retrieving and using this data. This series is designed to provide the fundamental working knowledge necessary for managing temporal data in MySQL and is designed for beginners as well as experienced users who did not receive formal training in MySQL....

Firebug - Part 7c: Debugging JavaScript with the Firebug Console

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

In this section of a multi-part series about Firebug, the premier (and free) web development tool for Firefox we learn about Firebug's console. We will learn to use console.log() instead of window.alert() and document.write() to inspect and debug JavaScript with Firebug's Console and Script tabs.

The Firebug Series:
Firebug - Part 1: The What and Why
Firebug - Part 2: Overview of Firebug Functionality
Firebug - Part 3: Editing with Firebug
Firebug - Part 4A: Inspecting and Troubleshooting CSS
Firebug - Part 4B: Inspecting and Troubleshooting CSS
Firebug - Part 5: Inspecting the Box Model
Firebug - Part 6: HTTP Requests and Download Speeds
Firebug - Part 7a: The Script Tab (Basics)
Firebug - Part 7b: Debuggger, Breakpoint & Expression Watching
Firebug - Part 7c: Debugging JavaScript with the Firebug Console...

Introducing CMX JumpStart Agra

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Maybe you haven't heard of Agra, India, but you most definitely have heard of its most famous building, the Taj Mahal. Agra is a popular tourist destination, and now it will be a particularly popular CMX JumpStart, CMX JumpStart Agra. Why? Because one page includes multiple layout possibilities.

CMX JumpStart Agra is a 900 pixel wide, fixed-width layout providing multiple column options that can be controlled from a single CSS file. While the top half of Agra remains constant, the lower three-column section can easily be modified from its default three columns to either a one or two column layout. The tabbed navigation uses the popular Sliding Door technique.

The JumpStart includes a main style sheet, a version six and below Internet Explorer style sheet, a version seven and above Internet Explorer style sheet, and a Design Time Style Sheet (in case your version of Dreamweaver makes the layout difficult to edit in Design View).

Of course Agra meets the W3C standards for CSS and XHTML, as well as the WAI accessibility requirements, too....

CMX JumpStart: Agra

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Welcome to The Agra JumpStart!

The Agra JumpStart is based around an Indian theme and follows the diversity of that country by providing multiple layout structures that can be controlled from a single CSS file. While the top half of Agra remains constant the lower three column section can be easily modified from its default three column layout to either a one or two column layout. Like India, Agra provides a solution for just about every requirement you may have!

Approximate download size: 4MB...

Dynamic Filelists for Web Applications - Part 3

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

There are many occasions when real-time automatic file listings can make your life easier as a web developer. Imagine, for example, a video player that would automatically allow users to choose from any video file residing in a given folder. That could sure be useful, couldn't it? As it turns out, you don't have to imagine such a video player, because we'll explore how to build one right here in this series!

Here in Part 3, we'll build on the initial step we took last time, which displayed a single video thanks to Rob Williams' PHP script from Part 1. In this article, we'll update the ActionScript to cycle among all the available files. We'll also make sure to gracefully handle the unlikely event that no files are available. In future articles, additional code will allow users to skip around and decide on their own which videos to watch.

Approximate download size: 8MB

The Dynamic Filelists for Web Applications Series:
Dynamic Filelists for Web Applications - Part 1
Dynamic Filelists for Web Applications - Part 2
Dynamic Filelists for Web Applications - Part 3...

Ribbons Using the Warp Tool

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Need some little decorations for your designs? How about some easy-peasy ribbons?!? You'll need Photoshop CS2 or higher to use the Warp tool in this quick tutorial....

Finger-Friendly Mobile Web - Part 3: Physical Sizes

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The web is moving beyond the confines of computers, thanks to the advent of smart phones and high-speed cellular networks. This is changing not only the way we think about connectivity and the net, but also the ways in which we access and interact with information. The rise of the touch screen and smart phone are bringing a myriad of new challenges, and opportunities, our way.

In this series we're going to explore how we, as web developers, need to adapt in order to take full advantage of these changes and continue to provide new and exciting user experiences. We're going to learn to conquer the "finger-friendly mobile web"!

In the third part of this series we're going to continue exploring the information density problem by talking about mobile screen sizes and how they impact usability.

The Finger Friendly Mobile Web Series
Finger-Friendly Mobile Web - Part 1: An Introduction
Finger-Friendly Mobile Web - Part 2: Screen Sizes vs Density
FInger-Friendly Mobile Web - Part 3: Physical Sizes...

Loading SWFs Randomly - Part 6: PHP

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

With Flash, interactivity isn't always about the content itself. Sometimes it's understated. Sometimes, for example, it's merely about picking a SWF at random when the user decides to reload the HTML page ? regardless if the Flash content is programmed or not. You might use an approach like this to randomly display a set of Flash banner ads or cartoons, just to keep the page "fresh."

Today we're going to continue to build on David's original concept by looking at how we can implement a "hands free" random SWF mechansim using PHP.

The Loading SWFs Randomly Series:
Loading SWFs Randomly - Part 1: JavaScript
Loading SWFs Randomly - Part 2: ActionScript
Loading SWFs Randomly - Part 3: Improvements
Loading SWFs Randomly - Part 4: Improvements (Cont)
Loading SWFs Randomly - Part 5: Improvements (Concluded)
Loading SWFs Randomly - Part 6: PHP...

Creating a Bar Graph with HTML and CSS using PHP - Part 2

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Graphs in web pages and reporting applications can be put together with various PHP libraries, such as using the JpGraph library shown in JpGraph: PHP Graphs & Charts On-The-Fly by Steven Seiller, or with JavaScript libraries that are widely available. However, sometimes you have a need for a simple bar graph that does not depend on this more advanced technology; working with PHP servers that do not have libraries installed, or targeting browsers that are not JavaScript enabled.

Bar graphs can be created quite easily using ancient HTML technology without the aid of more advanced techniques for simple bar graphs that display quickly and across all browsers. For this tutorial, I'll assume you know basic PHP and SQL -- writing queries, views, and getting the results you want.

A bar graph can be built vertically or horizontally. The first part showed the horizontal graph. This part will show the vertical graphing process. The basic process is to create the SQL query that you want to view the result as a graph, use a slim image that can be stretched as a basis of the bar graph, and set the height of the image based on the value of your data. For example, a value of $50 might translate to 50 pixels high, and $500 might translate to 500 pixels high. Using simple formulas, we'll create the graphs.

The Creating a Bar Graph with HTML and CSS Series:
Creating a Bar Graph with HTML and CSS using PHP - Part 1
Creating a Bar Graph with HTML and CSS using ColdFusion - Part 1
Creating a Bar Graph with HTML and CSS using PHP - Part 2
Creating a Bar Graph with HTML and CSS using ColdFusion - Part 2 ...

Star Burst Lines (Polar Coordinates)

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Photoshop CS4, two layers, several same size rectangular shapes. what can be achieved? A Star Burst, cool groovy background.

...

The 3-Slice Technique with Alpha Transparency

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

I'm seeing more and more people wrestling their way through the Fireworks CSS and Images export feature, these days. One of the struggles has been how to use PNG 32 graphics for div containers.

We're going to talk about one example in this article which can export fairly easily under certain situations: the 3-slice technique. The idea behind this technique is that you have a rectangle with rounded corners, acting as a container for content.

Alpha Transparency in Fireworks Series:
The 3-Slice Technique with Alpha Transparency
Creating Semi-Transparent PNG Files in Fireworks ...

Surviving Tough Economic Times

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Every business will face tough economic times, especially during downturns in the economy. Even if it is just a slowed down pace of growth ? plans will need to be adjusted. How to make the right decisions?...

Call To Action - Is Your Web Site Working For You?

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Every web site is created for a specific purpose, whether it is to sell a product, engage potential clients, provide content or to facilitate social connections. To ensure your visitor actually performs your desired action, you need to lead them to that goal. You need a 'Call to Action.' Simply, you need to invite the visitor to do what you wish them to do (and make it easy to do!)

Think about your web sites. Have you created a call to action? Is your site designed to support that action? Are a high percentage of visitors actually responding to your call to action? This article will discuss the planning, design, implementation and optimization of creating an effective site that achieves a high conversion rate of visitors responding to your call to action....

Dynamic Filelists for Web Applications - Part 2

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

There are many occasions when real-time automatic file listings can make your life easier as a web developer. Imagine, for example, a video player that would automatically allow users to choose from any video file residing in a given folder. That could sure be useful, couldn't it? As it turns out, you don't have to imagine such a video player, because we'll explore how to build one right here in this series!

Here in Part 2, we'll pick up with Rob Williams' PHP script from last time and use ActionScript to read the XML list it generates. We'll start by parsing the XML, in order to display video files without user interaction. Then, in future articles, we'll explore ways of letting the user make selections from available videos.

Approximate download size: 8MB

The Dynamic Filelists for Web Applications Series:
Dynamic Filelists for Web Applications - Part 1
Dynamic Filelists for Web Applications - Part 2
Dynamic Filelists for Web Applications - Part 3...

Text Images and More

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Text Images are a part of everyday graphic tools which can be applied to all kinds of layouts and designs. A Text Image is exactly as it sounds, namely, an image inside of some text. Photoshop has a number of ways to produce this effect, but I'm going to focus on one of the more easier and less time consuming methods using a Clipping Mask. I'll further show some additional effects you can apply using the Free Transform Tool, Layer Styles and a Filter. Let's begin. ...

The CSS Starter Page Series Part 14: Designing With A CSS Table Grid

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

3D Spray Can in Photoshop CS4 Extended - Part 2

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

So your New Year's resolution involves working on your can, huh? Well, open up your file from the previous tutorial and get crackin'! This time around, we'll add more detail to the mesh and see how blend modes can make things much easier on our model's transitions. You'll need Photoshop CS4 Extended for this one!

The 3D Spray Can in Photoshop CS4 Extended Series:
3D Spray Can in Photoshop CS4 Extended - Part 1
3D Spray Can in Photoshop CS4 Extended - Part 2...

Creating a Bar Graph with HTML and CSS using ColdFusion Part 1

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Graphs in web pages and reporting applications can be put together with built-in ColdFusion functionality using the tag, or with JavaScript libraries that are widely available. However, sometimes you have a need for a simple bar graph that does not depend on this more advanced technology; working with ColdFusion servers that do not have functioning on the server, or targeting browsers that are not JavaScript enabled. Bar graphs can be created quite easily using ancient HTML technology without the aid of more advanced techniques for simple bar graphs that display quickly and across all browsers. For this tutorial, I'll assume you know basic ColdFusion -- writing queries and getting the results you want.

A bar graph can be built vertically or horizontally. I'll show a simple horizontal graph. The basic process is to create the SQL query that you want to view the result as a graph, use a slim image that can be stretched as a basis of the bar graph, and set the width of the image based on the value of your data. For example, a value of $50 might translate to 50 pixels wide, and $500 might translate to 500 pixels wide. Using simple formulas, we'll create the graphs.

The Creating a Bar Graph with HTML and CSS Series:
Creating a Bar Graph with HTML and CSS using PHP - Part 1
Creating a Bar Graph with HTML and CSS using ColdFusion - Part 1
Creating a Bar Graph with HTML and CSS using PHP - Part 2
Creating a Bar Graph with HTML and CSS using ColdFusion - Part 2 ...

Creating a Bar Graph with HTML and CSS using PHP Part 1

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Graphs in web pages and reporting applications can be put together with various PHP libraries, such as using the JpGraph library shown in JpGraph: PHP Graphs & Charts On-The-Fly by Steven Seiller, or with JavaScript libraries that are widely available. However, sometimes you have a need for a simple bar graph that does not depend on this more advanced technology; working with PHP servers that do not have libraries installed, or targeting browsers that are not JavaScript enabled. Bar graphs can be created quite easily using ancient HTML technology without the aid of more advanced techniques for simple bar graphs that display quickly and across all browsers. For this tutorial, I'll assume you know basic PHP and SQL -- writing queries, views, and getting the results you want.

A bar graph can be built vertically or horizontally. I'll show a simple horizontal graph in this part. The basic process is to create the SQL query that you want to view the result as a graph, use a slim image that can be stretched as a basis of the bar graph, and set the width of the image based on the value of your data. For example, a value of $50 might translate to 50 pixels wide, and $500 might translate to 500 pixels wide. Using simple formulas, we'll create the graphs.

The Creating a Bar Graph with HTML and CSS Series:
Creating a Bar Graph with HTML and CSS using PHP - Part 1
Creating a Bar Graph with HTML and CSS using ColdFusion - Part 1
Creating a Bar Graph with HTML and CSS using PHP - Part 2
Creating a Bar Graph with HTML and CSS using ColdFusion - Part 2 ...

Loading SWFs Randomly - Part 5: Improvements Concluded

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

With Flash, interactivity isn't always about the content itself; sometimes it's understated. Sometimes, for example, it's merely about picking a SWF at random when the user decides to reload the HTML page ? regardless of whether the Flash content is programmed or not. You might use an approach like this to randomly display a set of Flash banner ads or cartoons, just to keep the page "fresh."

Whatever your intent, if you've ever wanted to try something like this but didn't know where to begin, this series is for you. In the first three articles, we looked at a basic solution in JavaScript and then reinterpreted it in ActionScript 2.0 and 3.0, improving the original approach as we went. In Part 4, we continued the improvements by returning to JavaScript, using browser cookies to remember SWFs displayed during previous visits. Here in Part 5, we'll conclude the improvements by re-working the cookies aspect with Flash shared objects.

The Loading SWFs Randomly Series:
Loading SWFs Randomly - Part 1: JavaScript
Loading SWFs Randomly - Part 2: ActionScript
Loading SWFs Randomly - Part 3: Improvements
Loading SWFs Randomly - Part 4: Improvements (Cont)
Loading SWFs Randomly - Part 5: Improvements (Concluded)...

HTML 5 - Part1: An Introduction to the New Layout Tags

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

In this article we will be taking a look at HTML 5 and some of the new semantic tags that are available to us for laying out our web pages. We'll compare the new tags and the markup to how we currently write our code and review the differences we can expect to see when we move to HTML 5....

Limiting Results from MySQL SELECT Queries

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Sometimes, when crafting MySQL select queries, we get so caught up in constructing the selection that we overlook the issue of specifying how much data we need to select. For example, you may need only 10 records to show in one page of search results. Or, you might want just one record for displaying a random quote. Selections of the entire table might also result in multiple instances of the same value when you want just one copy of each.

This article will discuss two options for MySQL selections, LIMIT and DISTINCT, which will give you more control over the volume of results returned by your queries. Mastery of these two options is essential in achieving fine control of your MySQL queries....

Storm Clouds on Lake Superior - Part 2

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The interactive artist has an advantage over the photographer. The photographer works in a static medium. The interactive artist, takes that static medium and using audio and motion graphics provides the experience.

Approximate download size: 30MB

The Storm Clouds on Lake Superior Series
Storm Clouds on Lake Superior - Part 1
Storm Clouds on Lake Superior - Part 2...

Finger-Friendly Mobile Web - Part 2: Screen Sizes vs Density

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The web is moving beyond the confines of computers, thanks to the advent of smart phones and high-speed cellular networks. This is changing not only the way we think about connectivity and the net, but also the ways in which we access and interact with information. The rise of the touch screen and smart phone are bringing a myriad of new challenges, and opportunities, our way.

In this series we're going to explore how we, as web developers, need to adapt in order to take full advantage of these changes and continue to provide new and exciting user experiences. We're going to learn to conquer the "finger-friendly mobile web"!

In the second part of this series we're going to start to tackle one of the most difficult and obvious challenges of mobile development: Screen sizes and information density.

The Finger Friendly Mobile Web Series
Finger-Friendly Mobile Web - Part 1: An Introduction
Finger-Friendly Mobile Web - Part 2: Screen Sizes vs Density
FInger-Friendly Mobile Web - Part 3: Physical Sizes...

Alien Skin Eye Candy 6

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Eye Candy 6 is a graphic design affects plug-in for Photoshop. The 30 filters in Eye Candy 6 render beautifully detailed realistic effects that are difficult or impossible to achieve in Photoshop alone. Now it is easy to create attractive results quickly. Use filters to render extremely realistic effects like: Chrome, Glass, Fire, Smoke, and more....

Digital Imaging Tools Quick Tips - Part 3

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Need some help getting basic tasks done more quickly? Read here to see how Bridge can help you make quick work of converting your PSD and raw files to JPEGs, or have Lightroom mail out your shots easily.

The Digital Imaging Tools Quick Tips Series:
Digital Imaging Tools Quick Tips - Part 1
Digital Imaging Tools Quick Tips - Part 2
Digital Imagine Tools Quick Tips - Part 3...

Create Transparent Type in Photoshop CS4 Also Works in CS3

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Why not give your photos a different perspective, enhance them both online and in print by adding a few simple effects? ...

Storm Clouds on Lake Superior - Part 1

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Photographers, like Jim Babbage, have the ability to capture an instant in time. Flash designers turn that instant into an experience.

In this video tutorial, we are going to show how to do sheet lightning effects using After Effects CS4.

Approximate download size: 12MB

The Storm Clouds on Lake Superior Series
Storm Clouds on Lake Superior - Part 1
Storm Clouds on Lake Superior - Part 2...

Loading SWFs Randomly - Part 4: Improvements (Cont)

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

With Flash, interactivity isn't always about the content itself; sometimes it's understated. Sometimes, for example, it's merely about picking a SWF at random when the user decides to reload the HTML page ? regardless of whether the Flash content is programmed or not. You might use an approach like this to randomly display a set of Flash banner ads or cartoons, just to keep the page "fresh."

Whatever your intent, if you've ever wanted to try something like this but didn't know where to begin, this series is for you. In the first three articles, we looked at a basic solution in JavaScript and then reinterpreted it in ActionScript 2.0 and 3.0. After that, we improved on the original approach by making our code more easily re-usable, which opened the way for displaying multiple random SWFs in a page. Here in Part 4, we'll continue the improvements by using browser cookies to remember displayed SWFs displayed previously.

The Loading SWFs Randomly Series:
Loading SWFs Randomly - Part 1: JavaScript
Loading SWFs Randomly - Part 2: ActionScript
Loading SWFs Randomly - Part 3: Improvements
Loading SWFs Randomly - Part 4: Improvements (Cont)
Loading SWFs Randomly - Part 5: Improvements (Concluded)...

Some Tips on Digital Photo Frames

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Digital photo frames have been on the market for some time now, but only recently have they become affordable - especially the larger format versions. By larger format, I mean larger than a 5x7 inch screen.

Having just purchased a 15 inch digital frame, I thought I would share some tips with you about this rather nifty device....

The CSS Starter Page Series Part 13: Designing with a Grid

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

High Contrast and Gradient Blends

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

This next tutorial will give you an opportunity to bring together some very high contrast and graphic effects to images which might lend themselves to a more commercial setting as in advertising promotions and agency work. The method for producing this effect relies on such Adjustment Layers as Threshold and Gradient Fill to do the work. You don't necessarily have to start off with the most technically perfect image; the effects can be changed at any time; and the original image will never be damaged. Let's begin....

PHP 411: The phpinfo() Report

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

PHP provides a convenient function, phpinfo(), which displays information regarding the PHP installation, configuration and operating environment of your server. Details include PHP version number, installed modules, predefined variables and server environment information. The provided information is very useful for the purposes of maintaining your PHP installation, verifying installed functionality, verifying server information and for troubleshooting your scripts.

If you are new PHP developer, this is definitely one function you'll need to integrate into your workflow to become an informed and proficient programmer.

This tutorial will give you a brief orientation to the phpinfo() function and give you some ideas of how you can use it to your advantage....

Decorating Lapland for the Holidays

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Can it be mid December already? The holiday season is in full force, and many of us are decorating, putting up trees, shopping online and in stores, and planning the holiday meal. We're decorating here at Community MX as well. In fact, this busy little CMX elf is decorating the latest JumpStart, CMX JumpStart Lapland. We are extremely pleased to offer this JumpStart as a free holiday gift to the entire online community. Put on the holiday music, and join me in this tutorial that guides you through modifying Lapland and decorating it for the holidays with a custom font from Font Squirrel....

CMX JumpStart: Lapland

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Welcome to the Lapland JumpStart!

The Lapland JumpStart is a free offering to you from Community MX. We hope you enjoy and are able to make good use of the layout!

The main construction of Lapland consists of liquid horizontal outer divs while maintaining a fixed inner content width to ensure that the design fills out the user's browser width, while still maintaining a good line reading length. The content, as always, is created with valid code and accessibility in mind....

Email 4b: Using Gmail as Your Email Client

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Hosted email addresses are an important part of your business identity and are a good marketing tool. With free GMail tools, you can use GMail as your main email client, sending and receiving emails sent to and from your business email address. In this section, we learn some GMail tricks and tips that enable using one GMail for account for multiple business email addresses.

The Email Series:
Email 1: Creating New Email Addresses on Your Server
Email 2: Creating Email Forwarders
Email 3a: Accessing Email On Your Web Server
Email 3b: Email Options Accessed On Your Web Site's Server
Email 3c: Accessing Webmail on Your Web Site's Server
Email 4a: Using Gmail as Your Email Client
Email 4b: Using Gmail as Your Email Client...

Send Link to a Friend for ColdFusion - Part 2

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

This article will show how to create a simple "send link to a friend" form for a ColdFusion web site, which is a frequently requested topic. Part 1 will create the basic form and email functionality using the CFMAIL tag. Part 2 adds some validation to the fields using Spry and some server side form checking.

The Send Link to a Friend Series:
Send Link to a Friend for PHP - Part 1
Send Link to a Friend for PHP - Part 2
Send Link to a Friend for ColdFusion - Part 1
Send Link to a Friend for ColdFusion - Part 2 ...

Graphs in Your Web Pages!

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

You have a client who wants to put a graph in their web site - and - wants to update the graph regularly. You could make a new image each time, plot out everything - or you could create it in Flash, but neither of those are skills you have and the budget is small. Flot to the rescue! ...

Email 4a: Using Gmail as Your Email Client

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Hosted email addresses are an important part of your business identity and are a good marketing tool. Your web host will likely have hosted mail programs thru which you can read and respond to emails. However, these hosted email programs are generally not as feature filled as some of the more popular email programs. in this section, we learn how to use Gmail to send and receive emails as if from your server. The first step is to set up forwards, and enable Gmail to reply to email using your business email in the "From" line.

The Email Series:
Email 1: Creating New Email Addresses on Your Server
Email 2: Creating Email Forwarders
Email 3a: Accessing Email On Your Web Server
Email 3b: Email Options Accessed On Your Web Site's Server
Email 3c: Accessing Webmail on Your Web Site's Server
Email 4a: Using Gmail as Your Email Client...

Display Calibration for Professional Photographers and Graphic Artists

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

The Spyder3Elite features a new design of sensor, which measures light from your monitor or projector. It goes through measuring the colors, starts with Ambient Light, Red, Green, Blue (RGB), Black and then gray's. ...

Thunderbird 3

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

After a long wait we finally have an update to the Thunderbird 3 mail client. As you will likely know Thunderbird is Mozilla's companion to Firefox, it is a no nonsense mail client that provides all the features you could wish for to handle your mail. The release of Thunderbird 3 takes things forward with some nice new features which we will look at in this review....

DropBox: The Poor Man?s Version Control

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Version control is an important part of any development effort, especially when several programmers and designers are involved. It provides a way to maintain a history of the changes made to any files within your program or website so that you can access them from a central repository and roll back to any previous version, should the need arise.

Expensive commercial systems are generally found within larger development environments. Free options, such as CVS and Subversion, exist but can be tricky to install and maintain.

In this article we are going to look at DropBox, a free, reasonable alternative to the expensive options that works well for small shops or individual development efforts. ...

Getting Information Out of Your mySQL Database

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

You've just landed a new client, you've got a lot of work to do and they have over their FTP information - and wish you well. You ask for their control panel or phpmyadmin login and they look at you funny - like you're speaking in unknown language to them. You need their existing database information, what are you to do?...