Written by Seems this last two weeks I am in a holding pattern! I am not talking about any type of web design or the hovering of a helicopter over head. Although the later symbolizes the meaning a little better. I apologize for distancing myself from my business which is due to my wife’s serious illness (please see my latest posts at the Heroic Care Giver aka rensurvivalblog.renality.com for details). Tomorrow may determine more of what activities I could or willing to follow in the next few days or weeks. I appreciate your support and patience, thanks.
View from the Gallery
Prickly Bee’s Point of View
I enjoyed adding new photos (visit on Flickr for all Prismhawk LLC photos past and present) and digital illustrations to www.prismhawk.com gallery this week. Just think of it as the best and most recent from all sites in the Prismhawk LLC network. Also, I added a new video of the month and added a couple more ads to www.earthreveal.com. I may make www.earthreveal.com ‘s main gallery more interactive as I did with SpiritCam. Still working to resolve the Google issue from my last post. I think I may have to sign up as a ‘partner’ in order to make the channel commercial (with the correct Logo) while retaining and managing from my Google + account. If not I may have to use a dummy account or something. I am also designing some new Mother’s Day items at my Zazzle store Prizazz but check out my gallery ad on the www.prismhawk.com front landing page first to view and review (comments). Finally, any viewer or blogger can now like or post comment to Stages via their wordpress.com profile; so let the constructive critism continue. Keep Busy
Running all Gears Ahead
Like a clock their are many gears moving simultaneously when running a web publishing company. I think that my plans were a little over ambitious when I first started out. This is very typical for anyone, but especially someone with ADHD (and a wife with Kidney Disease) like myself. All the plans and start up research in the world could not tell me how much personal effort is involved! And the reality of it is absolutely Enormous! I have to answer emails, write, plan, design, update, and promote my business every single day I get to my desktop. I even (silly me!) did my own taxes this year as opposed to having a program or a professional accountant. This is one of the reasons that I have been and will continue to update my activities here. In fact, I actually feel guilty if I do not post to my viewers and friends. Perhaps, because I was always on the move myself, I feel a need to share were I am going. Anyway, this all sounds like I am going ‘coo- coo’, today! Well, I guess because sometimes I like to solve a problem and move on or make my business more efficient. This week for example I am looking at one gear of my business that I have overlooked for awhile ,which is YouTube. So, I went to see what previous content I had and if I needed to redesign my channel. Ok, I decided to log in to Google Plus first via the Chrome browser (see previous posts). Fine I did some minor updates but then thinking I can go to my business YouTube account I switched to my business id/page. Again, the switch was mindless, however, proceeding to YouTube did not work. I tried other options and looked at the forums (which rarely answer anything!) It turns out that all I can do is to log in to YouTube personally (individual) and directly (not from Google Plus) then perhaps I can set up the channel for Prismhawk LLC (business). I wonder how other businesses use YouTube if personal ids are needed? And they are asking me to accept the new YouTube format. Ok, fine, can we resolve my first issue! Once, again do you see my complex world! Online business, is as I said from my very first post, like entering a Stargate! And I even have to find at times, the seventh key so that all the gears continue to move in the right direction.
Kaleidoscope
Kat (my wife) has me doing lots of errands this week, which at times frustrates me. Sometimes I wished I started this business when I had less obligations. It is difficult to focus because of my ADHD, but as I try to tell Kat, be thankful for the present and work efficiently for a better future. So, that is my whine (or wine) for the week. Moving on … I did some redesign at my Zazzle gift store, Prizazz. I also added some beautiful items based on several new nature photos and a few animations. I think many will enjoy the emphasis on Earth Day and Mother’s Day. I hope you take a look at these items and leave some constructive comments. Of course, it would not hurt if you make a purchase! Anyway, I also added a new page at www.earthreveal.com called SpiritCam, another photo gallery (the Kaleidoscope Gallery always has the latest nature photos directly from PrismhawkLLC’s Flickr photostream) with a more dark artistic tone. Can you see spirits of nature? Some of what you may see will also appear in forthcoming fiction on that site.
My Two Favorite Low Budget Graphic Solutions for Web Publishers
I have started the Prismhawk LLC Network of websites and blogs in October of 2011 using nothing more than some clip art, old photos (from a now defunct camera), and Serif’s Web Plus software. While I have a long way to go in learning to use art and animation within my own sites it is clear from many top selling web pages that any start up web publisher (those designing, creating, or maintaining a web presence) should utilize the many inexpensive graphic software on the market. Why? Well, even if you use very little graphics to aid in your current content I truly suspect that someday you will and if you do not learn the terms and processes of web illustration and animation it would be hard to catch up. Listen when I first started I thought that uploading a bit-map or windows meta file was the norm. I had no idea that file size ruled out these files for web use in today’s internet. So, here are my favorites on my very small budget:
Daz3D Studio: I like its easy of use, cost (lately it is free), and a huge growing library of content. It is a great introduction into 3d art and animation although limited to the creation of characters (note: I also like Poser which is similar – slightly more professional). Yet, this limitation is a good first step because most of the terms seem to be exhibited in this software. Just take that knowledge when you are ready to broaden out to the next level. Ironically, I was searching for an older software I once tried to use a decade or so ago, called Bryce, when I found out about Studio (from the same company). Bryce is also limited to landscaping but if you have it you can learn some animation and import your characters from Studio. Daz3d also has Carara as their high end software that can do the model creation, environment, and animation (but do not try all of that at once!). If you are learning and on a budget Studio is absolutely a great software to start!
PD Artist: I was looking for a illustration software that improves on Windows paint (others to consider: Gump, Paint.Net) and also works for AVI video files and animation in the future. PD Artist is more difficult to me to use and has more terms than Studio, but it was created by an artist! Still if you want to doodle with the amazing brush effects, it is easy, and you may be able to create a surprise! It also works with layers and I believe it can work with many files relating to the much more robust and expensive (but the most widely used professional illustration software) PhotoShop. In fact, this could be your first stop before using PhotoShop. If you learn the process of illustration here I have no doubt that using PD Artist is a good step towards your illustration understanding and goals. Let me know if you think that is true, good luck!
Tax Free Escape
Suwanee River Sunset
I could not resist getting out of the house on Monday after I mailed out my tax return! As, I explained in my previous post, I was sequestered at my desk learning all about tax terms, laws, and how to delegate such tasks to someone who truly cares! I was forced to care about these numbers that control our lives. However, I refused to let these numbers get in the way of my enjoyment of my business. My excuse was that I was going on a business trip but actually I just wanted to get out into the sunshine! So, I took my wife and my camera off to the Suwanee River Refuge. After all I do have a website (www.earthreveal.com) and a Zazzle Online Gift Store (www.zazzle.com/prizazz) that needs content for Earth Day and Mother’s Day. Clever! You think I am into this business just for profit – how about escape! Although, I could deduct, nah . . .
An Ode to the Disclaimer!
You often see or hear a disclaimer on television about taking on a risky task. It usually goes like this: ‘Do not try this at home’. Well, I guess I did not listen last week because in this case the media experts were right! What is worse is I took on the task that even other daredevils may be reluctant to attempt. I prepared my own tax return! Actually, I had little choice. Let me explain without getting too specific. I gathered all my forms together for both personal and business when I noticed a form that surprised me. In fact, I thought it was just for informational purposes. I then conviently went online and let TurboTax do its job. About two -thirds into the process the software inquires if I received this exact form. I pressed the button for ‘Yes’ and upon doing so the rest of my week I was living on the edge of insanity! The program actually stopped and told me to consult my tax professional! It would not let me skip past to finish! I then decided to chat and was told that in order to continue I would need to purchase the desktop software and then find some special forms to complete. I was furious so I called the Tax Advocate and explained the situation. His advice was very helpful and he was not surprised that the software would “bail out” on me. However, the Tax advocate also implied using a tax professional too. Nevertheless I was now very determined (perhaps hyper-focused) to do it all. So, in a whirlwind of time I learned the terms depreciation, fair market value, insolvency, basis, and attributes. I had to search at least four publications and calculate figures from one form to input into another. I even had to learn the crazy eligibility formulas for Earned Income Credit, Total Disability, and Home Office Use. Finally, after worksheet after worksheet, I had to put my return in an order sequence that only the government could truly understand. Lessons upon lessons learned…and this week really hit home (and business) in more ways than I ever imagined! Fact: In business (perhaps otherwise) delegate (no matter the cost) these types of tasks to (guess what!) the professionals! Done…no… get back to business!
Round Robin
Not a lot going last week. I did my round of scratching my head over my taxes (maybe more of the same this week) and completing errands for my family (despite my ADD symptoms) all of which kept me ‘occupied’ more than usual. I did design some more cool elements and intriguing digital art to be added to a number of my static sites- just in time for Spring! Yes, I even started cleaning the closets and slowly organizing some files (I absolutely hate filing, how about you?). Also, this upcoming week I am going to do a ‘Round Robin’ of minor site improvements (I think?), continue the browser transition, spend a day (not a date!) with Google, and design some more digital content related to their recommendations. It is very important for any online company to not only make their presence know but also to provide an ongoing pleasant experience for their viewers and customers. As always I would love more constructive criticism – comments that help improve your experience and interaction with Prismhawk LLC. Listen, do I have to actually set up a viewer survey? I prefer the personal approach! Look I had some comments on a item in Prizzazz last week which I analysed, justified, and followed up with an immediate correction (note: A Facebook Page correction proved impossible, sorry!). You can also tweet Prismhawk LLC on Twitter, okay? Excuse me, I have to go onto my next round up.
Top Favorite Browser for Business
I know it is a fancy post title for someone that has only used Google’s Chrome web browser for a week but there are several points to make about the features of this browser that has made my online publishing experience a little easier. The first is, as many people have said to me, Chrome is indeed faster (and smoother) than Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. It also seems to have a cleaner interface, although I like Apple’s Safari’s as well (which I primarily use on my I phone . The biggest surprise to me was that I am able to upload my photos and illustrations again to all my blogs. I am not sure if this had to do with Internet Explorer or Word Press or both, but it makes a big difference. I also plan on uploading videos in the future (the trend is less words and more visual, especially on mobile sites). So, I need to have a browser that does not give me any fits! Also, try constructing and previewing a HTML 5 interactive game in Internet Explorer and see what happens! I have intended to be much more interactive on all my Prismhawk LLC Network sites but I gave up some of these dream features because of my difficulties with Internet Explorer. An unattended consequence to my switch to Chrome (actually a slow transition – I have many bookmarks to reestablish) is access to the many of the Google tools I use such as my Google +, Utube, and Flickr platforms (which are all of need of updating). Later, I need to see if I can easily access Google Analytics (the site that gauges the statistical popularity of your online site) and Google AdWords (advertising). Anyway, I hope this helps as always.
Another quick note, I have immediately reworked my last product for Prizazz to correct the word “Your” to “You’re”. A friend pointed out that the possessive pronoun seemed inappropriate.
A little Chrome, Luck and Romance
Your my Lucky One!
In my last post I mentioned working more with digital art. I especially wanted to create a new item that I can be proud of marketing in Prizazz (Prismhawk LLC Network gift store at Zazzle). Well, I think this may be a lucky and very good start! I really wanted to create an item for Saint Patrick’s Day but I ended up with a romantic scene using my Heroic Care Giver offering his help to his lady partner. The heart in the background was originally pink but also notice that his pose forms one of the lobes of the heart which was a cool (unattentional) touch. You can find this design on a tote, mouse pad, and more. I originally was going to put the design on a T-shirt, but I could not decide if it should be for a man or woman. Who do you think the lucky one is in this design? Anyway, it was fun to create and as you noticed I was finally able to get any photo or illustration back on this blog after several weeks… and it was simple, I tied using Google’s Chrome Browser to upload! Two problems solved at once, sweet! No, Lucky!
