iPhone post test
just a test.
Lens cap in grass.
1 comment August 4th, 2008
Posts filed under 'Design'
I broke Earths moon,
and smashed the orbits of Phobos and Deimos.
In part 2 of building a model solar system. See part 1 here.
Phase 2. Will be adding the gear wheel for the earth and moon system, plus the Earth itself.
Unfortunately the moon snapped off in the construction stage.
Now how is this likely to effect our planet.
Apparently if the earth was suddenly without its moon, there would be significant problems associated with the planets water.
The moon effects the global altitude of the water, so if this was taken away, a lot of water would be redistributed around the poles.
The effect on the planets rotation would also be changed, the moons location, and gravitational attraction keeps the planet in a relatively stable orbit, no wobbles as such, and as consequence a fairly predictable seasonal climatic balance.
Without this stability life on this sphere would likely have struggled to build itself to the complexity we see today.
So on a lighter note, it’s only a model after all, i’ll get out the super glue and try to restore equilibrium.
Phobos and Deimos
Again in the construction when trying to place the pin on the bottom of mars onto the orbiting moons arm their relative position was changed when I was forced to bring out the hammer to bash the pin in.
I have no idea how this turn of events would effect the solar system as a whole, dynamic interactions and connections are one thing, but i’m thinking not much, considering removing our own moon would apparently not cause all the planets to plunge headlong into a fiery death as we all race towards the sun.
Fate of the solar system in my hands.
Add comment July 10th, 2008
Which wordpress theme do you prefer?
To use as base for your customized design, and why?
This site is using the blix theme by Sebastian Schmieg.
I chose this theme a couple of years ago for my blog, primarily because it had a contact form built right into the structure.
I still have some issues understanding all the php, but can splice my css and html in there reasonably fluently now, and have got good functionality with the aid of various plugins. I am fairly sure Sebastian would have kittens if he could see how I have butchered his original code, but hey, it’s all part of the process.
So what about you bloggers out there novice and pro alike.
Code from scratch, ahh or use on of the many available themes.
You only have to take a look at the zen garden to appreciate what can be done just by manipulating the css.
So if you feel inclined just drop a comment in the box below, I’d love to hear your views.
Add comment June 29th, 2008
Whalley Abbey-Photo Album
Some photos of the abbey and grounds
The Cistercian Abbey of Stanlow Cheshire was moved to Whalley in 1296.
The church was built between 1330 and 1380.
Click picture to see album.
Add comment May 21st, 2008
One side. the other
It being opposite in nature, or in organic life. I like the way in before organic made you think of inorganic.
Anyway, If it didn’t. See ya, one of my many 0 second visitors. WTF is that kind of quantifiable statistic anyway.
They focused, didn’t blink, for that would have run into one point one seconds. And time becomes a topic of conversation.
Ah harr, where did she go the muse.
Always reluctant to go without a pic.
Add comment April 25th, 2008
Colour, color
You know what I’m sayin’
I am in the process of building the front page for this blog/website, and am looking at colours.
Site structure padding, margin div here, div there, takes some tweaking, but to fill a browser space with the right balance of colours and graphics, font spacing type (another story) that takes real talent. Have you the eye. It is in your head, but can you reproduce it. You can cast around for inspiration, steal a glimpse of background image; you can check out the source code, but can you build it, can you put it together?
I came across this site on css mania delightful looking site, note there are loads and is worth having a look.
I could take it apart and rebuild it, but could I have conceived it, that is the question.
It is often said about great guitar solos, yeah it’s easy. To Learn maybe, but to originate.. Another story.
Anyway I’m looking at pastels, and I’m going to throw a link in here for a colour, color generator.
Check it out.
Add comment April 10th, 2008
Turn your photos into stunning slideshow presentations
Exhibit your photos
If you have all your prized photos stored on your pc and would like to showcase them look no further.
With all the resources todays internet users have to hand it becomes a simple job to bring your photos to life on screen for all to see.
If you are publishing to a website why not try the google picasa download.
This application will basically find all the images on your pc and organize them into folders for you.
Once there it is a simple matter for picasa to build the html template add the necessary touches of code magic, ie javascript, or flash depending on template thus creating a folder ready to upload to your server space.
There is a growing number of free templates to use from developer paul van roekel and the instillation once you have picasa is also v.easy.
A note from his site:
How to install?
Extract the contents of the zip file to the directory \Program Files\Picasa 2\web\templates\. It’s important to place the contents of the zip file in it’s own separate folder! Start Picasa and select the images you want to export and then click Folder > Export as Webpage.
Thats all there is to it. Have fun.
Add comment April 8th, 2008
Temples of Damanhur
Check this out..
Nestling in the foothills of the Alps in northern Italy, 30 miles from the ancient city of Turin, lies the valley of Valchiusella. Peppered with medieval villages, the hillside scenery is certainly picturesque.
But it is deep underground, buried into the ancient rock, that the region’s greatest wonders are concealed.
Original article by Hazel Courteney
The creator of the temples says..
They are to remind people that we are all capable of much more than we realise and that hidden treasures can be found within every one of us once you know how to access them,’ says Falco
Check out the above link for the full story.
Add comment December 3rd, 2007
Working for yourself
This is my project
Why then do I struggle more to find my individual concept, than I would when faced with a design criteria placed upon me by a client.
I think from a designers perspective to present oneself becomes a far more daunting task, than to create something when given the desired constraints of a client.
I know my abilities, and that of my competitors, that is indeed the crux. When every word you write is cold hard screen media, the decisions you make directly relate to your on screen presence.
I have my blog, if you are reading this, you are here. This is my experimental zone, and does not translate well into a marketing strategy, or first impressions presence for potential clients who are looking for a website to project there product to the internet savvy world.
I have been sat on ‘oikofugic.com’ for almost a year now, with the
desire to promote my skills as a web site designer in the southport area.
I am on my way, make space. Remember Oikofugic.com is on it’s way. My /blog is a temporary stocking filler.. Stay tuned..
Add comment October 18th, 2007
job..
Today’s remarkable tunes:
Titties and beer Frank Zappa
Slow blues Hendrix
Masks Van der Graaf Generator
and also\
An interesting selection generated by the ghost of ZAPPPA baby.
Just a quick one before I retire for the night.
I have a design job, not going to go into details at this point, other than to say it has been a most enjoyable experience so far.
My client.. Seems strange referring to ‘him/her’ as such. We have had a meeting, chat, discussed goals, styles. I assured the ‘client that I could achieve what was required..
And never one to divert from set task, jumped in I did with a frothy splash reminiscent of how you might feel jumping into a hot tub after a long walk through a dry and sandy desert. Initially webdesign… Initially a quest.
To get to the point I have a nice design in my head, lots of good content. The site is partially rendered, all involved are happy, apart from that is my schizoid me-O. Everything works as it should, but from within the darkest recesses I know with a hint of javascript a dab of php a stroll into the programming cosmos.. (it is a vast space.) Things could be supA seXy. So as a make-shift artist where do you decide what you currently know will do as opposed to what you know could be done if indeed you had the necessary and diligently acquired skill base.
My example:
I have pics to be displayed as feature pics on a page, from a category holder.
When displayed pics need to hover, showing a before and after scenario. These pics are to be displayed either horizontally or vertically, and as such I require only the two page templates to render the images.
If images did nor require ‘on hover’ I could use a spot of javascript to change the image to be displayed without having to call a fresh page.
IE:
<script language="javascript">
function ChangeImage1(){
document.getElementById("image1")
.src= "location of the first thumbnail";
}</script>
I imagine I ought to be able to use php to insert image code into standard template, maybe I will suss it over the next few days. Any ideas?
Update
I got over the above situation by making lots of pages, but it wasn’t so bad.
I have almost finished the job now, will post links to it soon.
During the building process I have implemented a number of techniques that were known to me, but hadn’t got around to using. Basically I have been using the php include function to pull the various repeatable aspects of the pages together. For example the top section [header] and [footer] at the bottom can be called from a file written once, and stored safely not to be tampered with, giving the site a delightful continuity that can sometimes be lost if pages are built individually.
I received a few more images this evening to add to the site, and there is some tweaking to be done, behind the scenes tidy up. I am going to leave you with a pic from Lynseys’ portfolio, an example of the abstract and original content you will find in her site. Enjoy..
Add comment September 5th, 2007
