SoDevious.Net

Contest Winners + Post @ Tomorrow’s Web

Nicole Dominguez — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:20:24 +0000

Hey guys, I’m trying to move this blog to a new server, so if its down, I apologize. It should be over soon. Anywho, winners of the contest are:

Amy – $5 via PayPal

Enoma & Michelle – Advertising

In case you were wondering, I used Random.Org, even for the few people that entered. I’ll be emailing winners asking for info soon. Sit tight!

In case you were wondering about the title, I’ve written a post over at Tomorrow’s Web! It’s called “Why Women and Girls are Under-Represented in the Design Industry“. Click here to read it!

Why Teens should attend Seminars and Events

Nicole Dominguez — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:29:52 +0000

I jus found MeetUp, and I think its great to find some kind of event to attend!

As a teenager, you’d probably be thinking to yourself, why should I attend X, as a teen? Well, if you are somebody with a passion/interest/business in that field then maybe you should.

There are events for any and everything you have interests for. In order to network yourself successfully, you should try to attend some type of profesional event that deals with something you can relate to.

For instance, I am going to be attending WordCamp Miami 2010 in a few weeks. Why you ask? I really have a passion for web design and development; and this will be something I am going to peruse in the future. At an event like this, I can network myself and show older designers and developers what a teen can really do. (Not to mention that an event dedicated to WordPress is something I would attend for fun as well) I have never properly networked myself. But an opportunity like this is amazing to meet new people.

Why Would you Want to Network?

Meeting people can do so much for your online [and offline] presence; for example, lets say you had a small craft business, and you attend (or even had set up a booth to ell) a local crafting event. Fellow (befriended) crafters would mention you in their websites/tweets, or you could even meet a store owner willing to display and sell your products. Even one mention in a large blog could boost web traffic and/or sales tremendously.

Wherever you go, Think Big

Attending local events like these can be fun, but dont forget to take advantage of the situation. Design some business cards, and hand them out as you meet potential friends, clients, or employers.

What Kind of Events Should I Attend?

A lot of local events aren’t expensive to go to; for example the WordCamp Miami I mentioned earlier was only $30 per ticket. That may sound like a lot, but when broken down, it’s really not.

Free Lunch
Free Tee
Swag Bag
Hours of soaking up advice from spakers
Networking Opportunities
FUN!

Do some research in your area, and see if there are any events you could go to!

Last minute advice; attend an event that pertains to something you love. For example, if you like Photography, but really have a passion for painting, don’t attend something related to Photography, spend the effort into going to an art exhibit or event. You’ll meet people that can relate to you, and be further inspired to pursue your goals and dreams.

PLEASE NOTE: Don’t go to an event or meet up by yourself. Make sure you go with a buddy, or PARENT, as it isn’t safe to be vulnerable and alone at an event or meetup.

Accepting Link Exchanges!

Nicole Dominguez — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:46:21 +0000

I’m accepting link exchanges (affiliates) for SoDevious, so if you would like to exchange links, just comment below saying so. I don’t have any requirements, except that your site is relevant. Like, a blog, graphics, tutorials, resources, whatever! Not sure? Comment anyways, and I’ll let you know. Thanks!

CONTEST, Win $5 via PayPal and more!

Nicole Dominguez — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 16:40:04 +0000

UPDATE THE SECOND: Because my hosting has been buggy latley, I’m going to extend the contest until Monday!

Update: I wasnt aware that the comments weren’t working, but thanks to Amy , I sorted it all out. The comments work now!

Would you liket to win a cool $5? Just comment this entry with your name, email (vaild), and website URL(twitter if you havent got any) and let me know what you would like to see here on SoDevious. Please include post suggestions, or even things like forums buddypress, etc. I could write about millons of things, but they might not appeal to you. So, readers, what would you like to see here? Whether it be tutorials on a certain topic, guest blogs, interviews, please comment below and let me know!

1 Grand Prize Winner will be chosen at random. 2 second winners will get a months worth of advertising on the sidebar (if you have a website/blog), and stay on my blogroll after that.

Requirements:

You MUST comment THIS entry with your thoughts.
You also MUST link to this entry on your website/blog if you have any, if not, tweet/stumble/digg etc. it. Put the URL in your comment.
If a person that has been chosen at random did not follow said requirements, I will pick another winner.

Winners chosen on Friday, Feb 12!
Thanks!

Commenting your Code

Nicole Dominguez — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 03:56:42 +0000

When learning how to code in various languages, it often times helps to know the proper way to comment out certain items. If you don’t already know what it means to add a ‘comment’ to the code, just little notes. It can also be used to block something out, it’s stopping a certain piece of code from it being read by the browser, or whatever have you. Lets start, shall we?

HTML

Hints: It’s best to avoid using ‘ – ‘ (the dash) to keep things from getting confusing, and use spaces before/after the dashes.

CSS

/* clear div to fix errors */

Same concept for HTML, adding notes or blocking off code. Can be used inside or in-between elements.

PHP

/* WP functions (multiple lines)*/
// I'm only going to use Category 4 here (1 line)

There are two kinds of comments you can use in PHP, the ‘/* */’ being for multiple lines of code, and ‘//’ for one line.

I hope that you learned something new! Enjoy!

Why do you still not have a Gravatar?

Nicole Dominguez — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 13:59:14 +0000

A gravatar, is a “globally recognized avatar”, basically like an icon that is used among hundreds of blogs, if you were to comment them.

Why?

They help you identify your self among other people. Would you rather have an ugly grey icon represent you, or your own nifty avatar? For example, if I was browsing through comments at swimchick.net, and I needed to find Christine’s comment, I would look for her gravatar. They just give people an identity in the web world.

How?

They are 80 x 80 px images, which you can design any which way you want! They can also be cropped to size at the gravatar site, so don’t worry about size just yet. I just changed mine from this to this.

Examples:

What are you waiting for? Get one already!

Discussion: Teenage Bloggers

Nicole Dominguez — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:38:14 +0000

As a teenager myself, I often wonder what other people think of me, and other bloggers around me.

Today I want to start a fun discussion on said topic. I invite anybody to comment with their thoughts, whether you are an adult with advice or comments, or a designer yourself.

I’ll start with what I have to say;

I think that young people being passionate about something like design is great, and in the long run, many of theme will go onto use that in a career. Personally, design has helped me in many ways, such as the fact that I’ve matured, I’ve gained work experience (freelance), and I possess skills that will carry me far. Blogging has helped me interact with others like me, and show that young people can achieve the same, if not more than adults.

If you haven’t seen this before, here is a list of the Top 100 Bloggers under 18, if you’re a young blogger, don’t hesitate to join!

My February 2010 Calendar, for Download

Nicole Dominguez — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:30:54 +0000

In testing out digital painting for the hundredth time, I created something amazing this time. I hope you enjoy the calendar I’m posting for download!

Sizes that come in the handy .zip (17.1 mb) are: 320 x 480 (iPod Size), 1024 x 768, 1440 x 900, 1920 x 1200, 1280 x 800, and 1680 x 1050.

Or, you can just download the image you want!

Calendar: 1024 x 768, 1440 x 900, 1920 x 1200, 1280 x 800, and 1680 x 1050.

No Calendar: 320 x 480 (iPod Size), 1024 x 768, 1440 x 900, 1920 x 1200, 1280 x 800, and 1680 x 1050.

Great Blue xHTML/CSS Web Layouts

Nicole Dominguez — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 04:26:41 +0000

From experience I know that looking for templates and layouts for your next website layout can be a pain, so I have compiled a selection of great ‘Blue’ HTML/CSS web templates just for that! I hope that they are helpful; later on, there will more more posts, featuring different colors and more themes. Enjoy these 9 great xHTML/CSS free web templates!

Mint Idea at Free CSS Preview | Download/Information

techjunkie at Style Shout Preview | Download/Information

Blue at Free CSS Templates Preview | Download/Information

Aqueous at Six Shooter Media
Preview | Download/Information | A great css template!

Blue Pigment at Style Shout Preview | Download/Information

Condition at Free CSS Templates
Preview | Download/Information

Internet Encyclopedia at Solucija Preview | Download/Information

BlueSquareShadow at Free CSS Templates Preview | Download/Information

Solemnity at Six Shooter Media Preview | Download/Information

Well, that’s all, enjoy the site templates!

1200+ FREE WordPress Themes for your Blog

Nicole Dominguez — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:08:12 +0000

If you’ve got a wordpress blog, chances are you’re frequently on the lookout for great themes. I’ve compiled the monster of all monsters just for you! I’ll keep this page updated as well. If you’d like to suggest a link or two, be free to comment the suggestion, I’ll add it in the post.

General

40 Excellent Free WordPress Themes | Six Revisions

100 Excellent Free WordPress Themes | Smashing Magazine
Older, but provides a lot of great themes.

41 Great Looking Free WordPress Themes | HongKiat

31 Rare Wordpress Themes | TutZone
I must agree, quite rare, but a great resource.

55 Free and beautiful WordPress themes | OpenSourceHunter

16 Free Premium Wordpress Themes That Don’t Suck | HongKiat
Seriously. Don’t. Suck.

100 Amazing Free Wordpress Themes for 2009 | Smashing Magazine
Nice view on the different kinds of themes out there, great post.

34 Excellent Fresh Free WordPress Themes | The Design Mag

49 Most Downloaded Wordpress Themes | Hongkiat

50 Beautiful Free WordPress Themes | Six Revisions

Top 50 free Wordpress themes | Crazy Leaf

35 Creative and Colorful Wordpress Themes | Tutorial 9

Magazine

25 Free Best Magazine WordPress Themes | Living Digital
I found a lot of interesting themes here.

50+ Excellent Free Magazine Wordpress Themes You (Probably) Haven’t Seen | Skidzopedia

20 Of The Best Free Magazine Wordpress Themes | Pingable

15 Free Professional Magazine WordPress Themes | WPCrowd

Photo Gallery/Portfolio

24 Free Portfolio And Photo Gallery Wordpress Themes | 1stwebdesigner
Nice selection of themes here; saw some I’ve never seen before.

45+ Magnificent Wordpress Portfolio Themes | TripWire Magazine
Good contrast of ‘Free’ and ‘Premium’ themes!

15 Portfolio Themes for WordPress | DesignM.ag

Freemium

150 Free Premium Quality Wordpress Themes to Welcome 2010 | Living Digital

25+ High-Quality Premium as Free WordPress Themes | DZine Press
Nice little collection of the more popular themes I’ve seen.

15 High Quality Free Premium WordPress 2.7 Themes | Noupe

Minimalist

60+ Free Clean, Simple Minimalist Wordpress Themes | TripWire Magazine

40 Black & White Minimalistic WordPress Themes | Webitect

10 Minimalist WordPress Themes You’ll Love | Thou Shall Blog

Specialty

20 Free Corporate WordPress Themes | Blogsessive

18 Adsense Optimized Wordpress Themes to Maximize your Contextual Ad Earnings | Dosh Dosh

17 Specialty WordPress Themes | Vandelay Design

15 Interesting Free Themes for your WordPress Blog | Reencoded

Photo By: Peregrino Will Reign / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0