Above is the first free Mindspring Design video tutorial. It’s just under four minutes and is packed with good info if you’re starting off in Photoshop. Let me know if you have any questions or need clarification. Knowing about layers and masks is half the battle in learning Photoshop. Enjoy!!!

OK, I admit it — I’m lazy. I drink hot water because I don’t feel like getting a tea bag and sugar. In the same vein — I recently started recording my web tutorials and didn’t feel like opening up software to compress and convert the files. So instead I went to Zamzar.

Zamzar offers free file conversion for an impressive list of file types for your files up to 100 MB. Zamzar emails you once they’ve converted your file (which is usually pretty fast) and you have a day to download your converted file.

This is a good time-saving tool for busy small-business owners, or for those who don’t want to search for, purchase or download file conversion software. Try it out and let me know about your experience.

Volusion Live Chat Software offers live web chats for businesses who have an online presence and need to offer live support to their customers.

Live Chat is a great web feature to include if your product is complex and needs explanation, or if people need help during the buying process. Written FAQs and forums are excellent resources, but sometimes you just need to talk to somebody. And Live Chat is a great alternative to the telephone. It’s a convenience for customers that can give you an edge over your competition and increase conversions.

The free Volusion Live Chat version offers a free chat application for your computer. You download and install it in a few minutes. When you sign into the application, customers know automatically that you are online and available to chat.

You have the ability to chat with 5 people at once, from one department. And you can customize the online and offline messages that people see. You can upload your own logo and your own “LiveChat” buttons or use the free ones provided. Just copy and paste the code into your website‘s HTML code and you’re done.

I installed this on my website for testing purposes. Volusion Live Chat was simple to install and use, and I liked it so much that I kept it on my website. I look forward to chatting with potential and current clients about web and graphic design.

What is it?

Genbook is a web appointment scheduling service that offers several features. I installed the free version on my site for testing purposes, and decided to keep it since it fits my needs.

Who needs it?

I recommend online appointment scheduling to anyone who meets with customers. It’s great for hair stylists, dentists, trainers, etc. This is an easy, non-in-your-face way to invite people to talk to you, meet with you, purchase your services.

Everything’s done online and takes about five minutes for you to set up and two minutes for customers to book. A customer chooses a service you offer, books a time, and confirms. You both receive notification via email.

Features

• FREE
• invite customers to make appointment
• view calendar
• book up to 4 weeks in advance
• email notification
• your logo
• sends customer email reminders
• send up to three customer messages when they confirm their appointment
• free book now button on your website
• additional features are available at cost.

Pros

This saves time and can boost sales and visibility. Upgrading to a paid plan allows you to save contact information for business marketing and to capture credit card info to make sure clients show up.

Cons

You can’t have multiple user sign-ons on the account. But you can offer several staff members’ services on the same calendar. There is a small Genbook byline and logo on the booking pages, and you can’t weave the booking software into your own site’s layout and design.

What is it?

Dynamic Flash Photo Gallery

It’s a free flash template that allows you to include a gallery section on your personal or commercial website. It has a slick taupe/plum layout with electronic music playing in the background. There are tons of free galleries out there, this is just one. It’s quick to set up and gives you several options to customize.

Who needs it?

Anybody who wants a quick online photo gallery using Flash.

PROS and CONS

PROS: Installation is a breeze. It’s a 73 MB download, you can have your photos up and running within hours. You can have several photo categories, have captions on photos, and can adjust the layout of your gallery.

CONS: You can’t really change the colors or the music, as the original flash files aren’t included.

Installation

Watch the short flash video to learn how to install and customize your gallery. You can get to the admin panel through “admin/index.html” and can view your photo gallery at “flash_gallery/screenshots/14288.html”

Editing

Editing the template itself (gallery title, page names, etc.) is simple, and is done in the file “flash_gallery/screenshots/14288_main.html”. You only need a slight knowledge of HTML to make changes here.

The template uses PHP, so edit the recipient to send contact form emails to your email address. Then upload to your server. Get more info on working with the gallery here.

** Call Mindspring Design at (856) 393-0385 for your own personal, customized photo gallery. **

Flash Photo Galleries for Sale: