Bianca Gubalke Mobile

Bianca Gubalke Mobile – a first pre-seminar sketch for a mobile version! The little icons stand for Social Network icons like Facebook, Twitter etc, which I would design myself to fit into the overall picture I have in mind.

Bianca Gubalke Mobile

We are living in times of rapid change and the explosion of the mobile market. People use their mobile phones to search the net, to find what they want, to compare it and – to buy it. Sales figures triggered via the mobile net are staggering – and as web designers we have to adapt – which means also to focus on new technologies and learn new languages.

Over the past years, Semiomantics has always evolved along with WordPress Developments. Remarkably, the latest WP update allows for much more creativity. While our Semiomantics based author blogs display perfectly on smartphones through integration of the right plugins and settings, there’s much more scope that we will be looking into at this weekend’s Ycademy Seminar 2012 – which is also a testing ground for the new Semiomantics XO 2012 – to be released soon.

In that sense, I am looking forward to the evolution of Bianca Gubalke Mobile!

Web Design Trends 2012

The upcoming first Ycademy Seminar 2012 will focus on Web Design Trends 2012 in terms of what they mean for our brand-new WordPress based Semiomantics XO 2012.

Web Design Trends 2012

In order to follow and implement Web Design Trends 2012, learning new languages like CSS3 and html5 has become crucial – especially also due to the unfortunate conflicts around Flash which cannot be seen on the exploding mobile market. Accordingly, this weekend’s fully online YCADEMY Seminar will need focused attention and strong nerves! That’s the price to pay to be and remain a qualified Semiomantics expert!

MadMax is ready – are YOU?!

Semiomantics XO 2012 for WordPress

The brand-new Semiomantics XO 2012 for WordPress – soon to be released – will be the central topic of the first Ycademy Seminar 2012, to be held this coming weekend.

As “Publishing for Excellence” at “Web Design with Passion” demands consistent learning, experimenting, an adaptation to trends and almost daily reassurance of the script’s leading SEO performance, the global Semiomantics Team is currently testing the new script and exploring different ways of presenting themselves or their products and services online.

Semiomantics XO 2012 for WordPress

I am very pleased with the more adventurous ways we can explore with the new Semiomantics XO 2012 for WordPress… and I know we haven’t even started! I am looking forward to creating the Wedding Website on this extraordinary WordPress based script.

Sliders are the Trend 2012

With sliders being an important part of the Trend 2012 as Website Design and “the Look” are concerned, I am currently experimenting with a fading slider – although extremely frustrating with often failing Internet connections and extremely slow lines down here… it feels like the sun flare is targeting us specifically and knocking us out completely!

Besides using sliders in the header or sidebar widgets or even blog posts and pages, we can now use them even in the background – which opens a lot more creative options and perspective.

At the Ycademy Seminar, we will work on becoming familiar with the new features of the XO 2012 and improve our knowledge of CSS3, HTML5 and jQuery so we are in a position to ‘play’ with the script, explore new avenues and, last but not least, adapt XO to our customers’ needs.

To be continued. . .

Trendwise with Semiomantics XO2012

In a world of infinite choice, we all have our personal preferences when it comes to creating the Web Design for our personal websites and blogs – and this is exactly what many of our customers will tell us, especially if they have a business with set colors, fonts and logos. Of course, there are also those who haven’t thought about this issue, who may not want to be bothered with it (as this takes ample time and thought) and who expect us to suggest, advise and guide. This is where we should know and focus on current trends, put our personal priorities on the backseat, and design something fresh, modern and appealing where we are absolutely “Trendwise with Semiomantics XO2012″, which is currently going through a testing phase and will soon be released.

Most importantly, we need to think forward to adapt to the incredible developments and momentum on the mobile web: can people see our web design work on their iphones, smart phones and tablets? This is currently the driving power behind many decisions and as we want our customers to get the traffic and results they expect, this is what we need to focus on and ensure that they too see the advantages of certain essentials they might not initially agree with.

It’s all about functionality and thinking customerwise: let them see what your website is all about fast and in an attractive way, make navigation clear, quick and easy like a dynamic show. And let there be balance!

Trendwise with Semiomantics XO2012

With the new trends 2012 having been set, how can we at Web Design South Africa be trendwise with Semiomantics XO2012, the best WordPress based script to be released soon, and give our website or blog a New Look 2012?

How to give your Author Blog a Trend 2012 Look

Here are a few pointers as to how to give your Author Blog a Trend 2012 Look:

1. Color Trend 2012

I already wrote about the Color Trend 2012 HERE.

To repeat it quickly, the color of the year 2012 is a warm orangy red called “Tangerine Tango”.  It’s not too far off the color I am always using in my personal color scheme that marks “Web Design with Passion”. However, there are other trendy colors like ‘solar power’ and the ‘sodalite blue’ I used in my example above, in connection with ‘tangerine tango’.

Here you want to think of backgrounds, fonts, menu, graphics, links, hover effects etc. – however, don’t overdo it when setting it off against another shade or complementary color. What I learned in Typography many years ago with one of Europe’s two leading authorities in the field and a true friend, Professor Tuenn Konerding (Staatliche Kunstakademie Duesseldorf, Germany), still applies today: experiment massively… but then reduce, keep it simple, don’t use more than 2… maximum 3 colors.

I wish I had a better photo – but I am happy I can call at least this one up – for an extraordinary mind and spirit that left our planet far too early…

Interesting also the trend towards one-page websites and a comeback of the magazine theme (full layout Semiomantics XO). Of course, Apple-style layouts are still en vogue as they are a modern classic and simply good.

2.  Typography 2012

The focus is on bold letters and custom fonts that can easily be read on mobile phones. Interesting here the Google Font Library that can be added in form of a plugin and loads fast while making the look of the website more appealing.

Textures, shades and reflections are ‘in’ as well…

 3. Large High Quality Images

Less text but large, high quality images – meaning all forms of sophisticated Media Design – be it photos, graphics, videos… – especially for backgrounds but also for graphics, sliders (we will come to these) and whatever you integrate into your Website Design to attract and captivate.The use of light or shadow boxes – where pictures can be enlarged in an overlay-  is very much in the trend.

Actually, we have been ahead of this trend with Semiomantics XO 2011 already, and particularly with our comprehensive work on Evolution, my personal favorite… yet unfortunately on Flash which is currently not seen on mobile phones due to power plays between the ‘big boyz’ … but this too shall change one day once even they get it that ‘competition’ is out and ‘cooperation’ is in to save our planet – and this is NOT a trend but a Truth! Ask Steve on Cloud!

Meanwhile Evolution will… well, evolve!

4. Sliders are en vogue

And yet another feature where Semiomantics has been well ahead of the trend: sliders are en vogue! Besides that, in my view they are brilliant, practical, interactive, attractive, seen on the mobile web and add to the functionality of a website. At tleast the ones we use – they do come at a cost, but it’s well worth it – quality always had its price!

5. Connect to Social Networks

Finally, websites and blogs need to offer easy ways – meant are rather ‘loud’ icons (… I leave this to your personal taste…) – to interlink and connect to Social Networks like Twitter, Facebook, Google + etc. Today, people look out where they can connect, follow, share and register … and so the cybernet expands continuously and I sometimes wonder what all of this really means at the end of the day and for our environment! But that’s a topic for another day!

For now… let’s be aware of current trends and advise customers accordingly… there’s lots to play with!

uMthwakazi Band at Monkey Valley Resort

Great news: the uMthwakazi Band will be playing at Monkey Valley Resort in Noordhoek, South Africa, on 29th January 2012 as of 2 pm! Besides this date being my birthday, it seems that I will be going for a heavy camera session with this dynamic group of musicians playing a contemporary and yet traditional mix of Xhosa indigenous music, classical and modern with an amazingly versatile young vocalist who handles variations between Jazz, Opera and traditionally African with ease and in a very personal style.

To give you a simple impression, here’s a video from YouTube, just click on the embedded video below.

uMthwakazi Band at Monkey Valley Resort

Monkey Valley Resort has a history of musicians and bands playing at special occasions and especially on Sunday afternoons. Many guests will be pleased to see an African band like uMthwakazi complementing the beauty of the “Out of Africa” setting this unique Nature Resort just 30 kms out of Cape Town has to offer.

About Mthwakazi

Here’s a little bit of background about Mthwakazi:

uMthwakazi grew up singing in choirs. Afr winning Opera competitions, she worked in the theatre from the age of 13 years and later studied Xhosa Bow Music at the University of FortHare.

Ultimately, in 2009, she toured with Isango-Portobello, the Oliveir Award-winning South African Opera Company from Cape Town, to London, Paris and Holland with such productions as “The Mysteries” by Eric Abraham and “The Magic Flute” by W.A. Mozart, both directed by Mark Dornford-May.

On her return she persued her own solo music career where she staged with such icons as Madosini, Thandiswa Mazwai, Jonas Gwangwa, Sibongile Khumalo, Tina Schouw and Neo Muyanga.

She featured as a guest musician in a recently released album and appeared in a DVD performance by Simphiwe Dana.

uMthwakazi is currently recording her debut music record in Muizenberg to be released early this year, 2012.

We are very much looking forward to see this great talent LIVE at Monkey Valley Resort on 29th January 2012 – YEBO GOGO!

Monkey Valley resort will be rocking! Make sure you BOOK HERE.

Premiere Pro or AVID

As I have to get a completely new system with more RAM and punch to handle especially future Video production esp. as we are integrating more and more Media into our online website developments, I asked a close friend who is a Master Editor who trained professional editors for the German film- and movie industry, what he would suggest. He immediately advised to get AVID as “…it’s the industry standard around the world.  That’s what professional editors and post production houses work with today. ”

Hmmm. I must just have missed the beginnings of AVID when I left Europe to build a new future back home, in South Africa, as from mid 1995. Apparently the time when AVID as the first NLE achieved dominance in the market place and established itself as “the” brand. According to Mark Raudonis, “… AVID’s were universally adopted by any editor doing a film finish. Obviously, these were the cream of the crop of the industry’s talent.”

So I have to catch-up and make some serious decisions especially as AVID comes at quite a steep cost. Given the fact that I actually enjoy working on ADOBE Premiere very much, just being immensely handicapped by limited memory until I get my new machine, but that my future vision rotates around Media production, this needs some serious research and thought.

Interestingly, I see and hear from various sources including Cape Town professionals and Filmmakers’ Forums that ADOBE is being prefered and “… better value for money”. In a way, they put it down to personal taste – like “Cola vs Pepsi”. This all sounds quite controversial, although I get the impression that AVID is better, faster, more feature-rich and the professional standard, but definitely much more expensive and a steeper learning curve. There is some eye-opening discussion – also with some reference to pricing – in this FORUM. I do not know whether these answers came mainly from consumers of professionals. But it’s intrigueing… and if there’s anyone out there using either Premiere or AVID for their professional filmwork, I would appreciate some feedback.

Premiere Pro or AVID

So there’s quite some (recent) discussion as to whether one should be choosing  “Premiere Pro or AVID” on the Internet when checking it on Google.  As FCP is no option anymore, at least not now, the question is what we plan to do in terms of video editing: is it just for fun or do we have serious intentions to produce on a professional level. A good editor will certainly get good results on either but may have access to many more additional tools in an Editing Studio than a private person, however, from what I read it is worth looking at the AVID Media Composer and getting the hand on the trial version to see what it offers. There is quite some comprehensive setup – also for sound – and I personally like the look of it. Hopefully, I can find a machine in Cape Town just to get the touch & feel of it too and have a chat with the editior working on it. If it’s not for now, it can be part of the plan and once the right jobs come in the investment will be justified.

However… if I can achieve good results with ADOBE Premiere that would just be perfect! One just never knows until looking at things in depth, comparing them and knowing one’s purpose and – means!

And at the end of the day I like a good glass of fresh, pure water!

Color Trend 2012

So what’s the Color Trend 2012?

Clearly, neutral colors are out; we stay with the reds, the pinks and greens and especially bright colors with “Tangerine Tango” leading the hot palette… with a tan-tan musical note to it! Absolutely perfect for South Africa where a beautiful summer had us dance into the new year!

Seems they made a round in my garden… Web Design with Passion is fully in the trend! Now here’s for a tango!

Trend color two is “solar power” – a yellow that’s again a key color, this time with a maizy hue, totally within the global trend of a ‘green economy’ and definitely part of the above photo… You may even find a soft margarita green.

Color Trend 2012

Besides the Color Trend 2012 the emphasis is on being ‘bold’ and grabbing the viewers attention – which at the end of the day is the sense of every graphic, video, ad or website design! No wonder that the fonts should have depth in one way or another, meaning shadows, 3D effects, transparencies, gradients – just make it special!

Best is to extend this attitude across the background and add graphics, high quality large pictures, animations, videos, media… grab your visitors… and yes: retro and vintage are celebrating their comeback and if that’s what you like: integrate it and add your personal touch!

After Effects Happy New Year

Tonight at YorgoLive we will focus on editing Inkman’s Christmas After Effect Template. This is a first simple adaptation; in fact the project can be further transformed namely by changing colors and backgrounds. The goal is to become familiar with simple changes of an existing After Effects project.Of course we will show participants how to embed the movie into a Facebook page for sharing with friends and fans.

• Happy New Year after effects
• new year after effects
• after effects new year
• happy new year after effect
• new year after effects project
• new year after effect
• happy new year after effects project
• project after effect happy new year
• after effect new year
• happy new year effects

Related posts:

1. Happy New Year
2. Happy Birthday Zo
3. Happy Easter 2011
4. Happy Birthday Bianca
5. Happy Easter from Vouliagmeni

Cape Town Christmas on Google

Loyal to our regular monitoring of the SEO performance of our WordPress based Semiomantics websites and blogs – our own as well as those of our valued customers – , I am extremely pleased to see an excellent Google ranking of my article “Cape Town Christmas Gift Fair 2011″ right on the brand-new Monkey Valley Resort Website! The website was basically released today!

Click on the screenshot to see it bigger…

Cape Town Christmas on Google

You will see that “Cape Town Gift Fair 2011″ ranks on positions 4, 5 and 6 on Google Top 10 – the place everybody interested in that keyword area is competing for… here on 2,300,000 search returns!

Save Money with a Semiomantics Website

How does this demonstrate how you can save money with a Semiomantics Website?

Well, the fight on the Internet highway is for a Google Top 10 position – either on the left side (see screenshot above), where there are 10 positions for super sexy websites and blogs that make it to the top – or on top (yellow area) and to the right where people spend continuously increasing daily budgets for Google Ads… simply to be visible when someone types this keyword string into the Google search engine.

Marketing with Google Adsense means being dependent short-term, medium-term and long-term as prices increase all the time… and to be efficient – meaning to get the traffic and visitors that might lead to eventual sales – one has to be visible 24/7/365… and that has its price. Don’t think you can get away with $50… there are keywords that cost more than that per single click. And this without any guarantees in terms of sales. Ever.

Whereas with a Semiomantics Website you invest once in a good Script, setup and Design… and you see top performance. Sure, you need to do your bit and publish regular good content… but that’s part of your online marketing anyway if you are selling anything – be it a product, a service or ad space – but at least here you can count on results…

So do your maths and contact us anytime when you are ready to do a Semiomantics online – on Google Top 10 that is!

Tuinroete Agri Competition 2011

Win with Tuinroete Agri and Lalakoi Publishing

The  sixth edition of  The Lalakoi Holiday Pages was delivered late Friday afternoon at our premisses.  printed copies will be available free of charge to our holiday makes in the Garden Route throughout  the holiday season. The Lalakoi Holiday Pages brings its readers various holiday programs which are offered by our advertisers.

We once again offer interesting competitions to our readers.  Our online readers have two chances of entering the competitions. – Online as described below and also via sms as described in the Lalakoi Holiday Pages.

Win with Tuinroete Agri Competition 2011

5 x Gift Vouchers to the value of R200 each to be used at any of the
Tuinroete Agri branches.

(1 prize per week)

Tuinroete Agri offers a wide range of products including Gardening, Hardware, Deli,Paint and Outdoor
sections  and there are more than 20 branches throughout the Garden Route and the Langkloof.

Where and how to enter for the Tuinroete Agri Competition 2011

Click on the “Visit our Website” banner below and enter the competition.

Tuinroete Agri Competition 2011

Win with Tuinroete Agri and Lalakoi Publishing

The  sixth edition of  The Lalakoi Holiday Pages was delivered late Friday afternoon at our premisses.  printed copies will be available free of charge to our holiday makes in the Garden Route throughout  the holiday season. The Lalakoi Holiday Pages brings its readers various holiday programs which are offered by our advertisers.

We once again offer interesting competitions to our readers.  Our online readers have two chances of entering the competitions. – Online as described below and also via sms as described in the Lalakoi Holiday Pages.

Win with Tuinroete Agri Competition 2011

5 x Gift Vouchers to the value of R200 each to be used at any of the
Tuinroete Agri branches.

(1 prize per week)

Tuinroete Agri offers a wide range of products including Gardening, Hardware, Deli,Paint and Outdoor
sections  and there are more than 20 branches throughout the Garden Route and the Langkloof.

Where and how to enter for the Tuinroete Agri Competition 2011

Click on the “Visit our Website” banner below and enter the competition.

Win with Tuinroete Agri and Lalakoi Publishing

The  sixth edition of  The Lalakoi Holiday Pages was delivered late Friday afternoon at our premisses.  printed copies will be available free of charge to our holiday makes in the Garden Route throughout  the holiday season. The Lalakoi Holiday Pages brings its readers various holiday programs which are offered by our advertisers.

We once again offer interesting competitions to our readers.  Our online readers have two chances of entering the competitions. – Online as described below and also via sms as described in the Lalakoi Holiday Pages.

Prizes sponsored by Tuinroete Agri

5 x Gift vouchers of R200.00 to be used at any branch of Tuinroete Agri

(1 prize per week)

Weekly draws will take place on 9, 16, 23 and 30 December 2011 and 6 January, 2012

Where to enter your Answer for the Tuinroete Agri Competition 2011

Below this article you will find a block with the heading “Leave a Reply” Here you have to fill in your Name, and E mail address.
In the text box “Comments” enter your answer and your Contact No. We would like to call you to inform you if you are a winner.
The last step -  click on ”Submit”  Good Luck!!

Answer this question:

Tuinroete Agri offers a wide range of products including Gardening, hardeware, Deli, Paint  and Outdoor sections.

True or False?

We respect your privacy. Need more information regarding our privacy policy please click Here

Terms and Conditions of the Competition

Win with Kalahari Theatre and Lalakoi Publishing

Readers of The Lalakoi Holiday Pages can win  several Holiday Prizes during the Summer Holiday of 2011

The  sixth edition of  The Lalakoi Holiday Pages was delivered late Friday afternoon at our premisses.  printed copies will be available free of charge to our holiday makes in the Garden Route throughout  the holiday season. The Lalakoi Holiday Pages brings its readers various holiday programs which are offered by our advertisers.

We once again offer interesting competitions to our readers.  Our online readers have two chances of entering the competitions. – Online as described below and also via sms as described in the Lalakoi Holiday Pages.

Win with Kalahari Theatre and Restaurant Competition

The Kalahari Restaurant and Theatre is situated in George. The Theatre seats 400 guests in a relaxed and comfortable setting and stages the latest productions hot off the main circuit. Enjoy mouth watering food at our restaurant and enjoy the show with friends!

Latest productions hot off the main circuit at Kalahari Theatre.

Enjoy hot of the circuit shows in a relaxing style around tables while you enjoy mouth- watering food at Kalahari Restaurant and Theatre in George.

Prizes:

10 x Theatre tickets to a show of your choice for two persons at Kalahari Restaurant and Theatre.
(2 prizes each week)

Weekly draws will take place on 9, 16, 23 and 30 December 2011 and 6 January, 2012

Where to enter your Answer for the Kalahari Restaurant and Theatre Competition:

Below this article you will find a block with the heading “Leave a Reply” Here you have to fill in your Name, and E mail address.
In the text box “Comments” enter your answer and your Contact No. We would like to call you to inform you if you are a winner.
The last step -  click on ”Submit”  Good Luck!!

QUESTION:

Where is the Kalahari Restaurant and Theatre located?

George  or Mossel Bay ?

We respect your privacy. Need more information regarding our privacy policy please click Here

Terms and Conditions of the Competition

New Facebook Page

Following up on yesterday’s post HERE, and based on the fact that WordPress now allows for superb – yet quite complex and time-consuming -  integration possibilities with Facebook, all participants of this past weekend’s Ycademy Seminar November 2011 developed a new Facebook Page – also called “Fanpage”.

New Facebook Page

It’s a personal choice as to whether the access to one’s new Facebook Page goes via a so-called ‘reveal page’ – as explained yesterday – or visitors don’t have to go the extra ‘like’ route and can have a quick look without that at what the owner of the Facebook Fanpage has to offer.

While I setup the “like-us” page for the time being as part of the exercise – and I quite like it as I love my owl :) – I would probably prefer to offer the straight route.

For the time being, I integrated an elegant SlideDeck with a number of slides inviting the visitor to click on what interests them – be it to connect and meet me on a more persoanl level – which would obviously be on my Author Blog -, or if they share my passion for photography to go to my Photo Blog… or, if they have a professional interest in what I’m doing and might need a website, then they can go to my Showcase 2010 to check out my work and style and see if that’s what appeals to them. As simple as that.

Facebook Trends

Everybody talks about “original quality content” – yet how many deliver it? And how does it compare to the masses of cyberwaste out there?

From what I hear, the Like-Me button may lose its importance and the new Facebook Trend will be a focus on quality content.

More on this later… at the moment I was just suprised by an impressive snake who snuggled up next to me in the wastebin and refused to move out back into the garden… she preferred a cooler place under my sofa. A bit of a weird feeling to have THIS visitor right next to me… I got her on a photo… but then I had to jump LOL

More later!

Facebook Fanpage

Creating a Facebook Fanpage from our WordPress has become possible and, accordingly, this month’s (current) Ycademy Seminar November 2011 focuses on setting up the Best WP based Facebook Fanpage based on our purpose and online media marketing requirements.

Facebook Fanpage

The question to ask ourselves is: “Who would we like to attract… where… how… and why?” and definitely, we would only want to ‘talk’ to serious people who have an interest in what we are doing, offering or showing them and from where we can expect some interesting ‘conversation’. I am still amazed how this form of terminology is being translated and adapted to a modern online format – but since this is fast becoming the norm, we’ve got to learn the language and be … ‘cool’. LOL

How do we do this – especially if we don’t have the time nor the interest of hanging out on Social Networks all day long as we are busy doing our real business – in my case Web Design and Media related stuff that needs absolute focus, concentration and trips in the ‘real’ world without even a smartphone or any other form of line to attach me … duuuh, which Aquarius likes that anyway???

Talking Facebook Fanpage right now, this is what we are elaborating right now. . . and what you see above is my so-called “Reveal Page”.

What does this mean?

It simply means that only people who have clicked on “Like” get the Inside Story! To others this remains hidden… So while online marketing remains a numbers game at the end of the day, this kind of approach definitely puts quality (meaning the quality of an online relationship…) above quantity.

Having spent some time on Social Networks over the past 2 months or so, and having built some contact of value… I can say, this is what I ‘like’.

Web Design with Passion

My Author Blog Bianca Gubalke stands for “Web Design with Passion” which obviously encompasses many areas of interest… be it Web Development, Web Design, Media Design, Photography, Graphic Design, Editing and Publishing to name the main categories. Once the Facebook Fanpage has been ‘liked’, these categories can be directly accessed and conversation can begin.

The technical setup and implementation will be subject of today’s second day at the Ycademy Seminar. I will be back soon!

Google Wave Seminar by Ycademy

Google Wave will be featured on Ycademy’s November Online Seminar on Saturday-Sunday 21/22 November 2009.

Get your Google Wave Invitation

All seminar participants will get an invitation to Google Wave. Please consider that Google needs to “lick a lot of stamps” to send out the invites; the latest invitations we sent out took 5 days to reach destination.

How to Participate at the Seminar

The Main Topic of the Seminar is Social Network Publishing, Google wave will occupy only about a third of the time of the seminar. To register for the seminar, please click HERE.

Once you are registered, please send a mail to Bianca (at) ycademy.com specifying your Gmail address, so we can invite you to Google Wave.

Some Features of Google Wave

The fun of Google Wave is in the customization of the Tool. You can use it exactly for what you want by pulling in extensions and applications.

Vouliagmeni on Google Wave

Vouliagmeni on Google Wave

Show your friends where you live with a click of the mouse: here you see the insert of Vouliagmeni on Google Wave.

Record Audio Messages

Sound Recorder

Play Sudoku on Google Wave

Sudoku on Google Wave

On Google Wave you can play Sudoku allone or with and against friends – collaborative Sudoku so to speak :-).

Video Chat on Google Wave

At any time just insert a Video Chat:

Video Chat on Google Wave

Add Google Search results to your Wave

Google Search Results can easily be shared by Wave:

Add Google Search to the Conversation

Collaborate with Google Wave

During the seminar we will use Google Wave as Collaborative Platform and use the tool in a productive way. You will enjoy!

Author: Yorgo Nestoridis, Media Marketing & Publishing, Founder of YORGOO Publishing, YORGOO Press and Semiomantics. If you enjoyed reading the above, please consider following future tips and strategies by RSS reader, Email delivery, or Kindle subscription.

Read also:

• Google Wave on Yorgo Nestoridis
• Wave Seminar Hits Google Top 10
• Google Wave Walk Through by Ycademy Online Seminars

Experimenting with Photoshop Filters

While there’s nothing better than a good picture or photo to start out with, we should regularly be experimenting with Photoshop Filters and Tools to know what they do and to see the effects we can achieve. It’s just like playing the piano every day… so here’s my original lavender and acacia photo with just a little reflecting frame added as I like to do :)

Experimenting with Photoshop Filters

When experimenting with Photoshop Filters and observing sometimes astonishing results, we do this for the following objectives:

1. To understand what these filters can do.

2. To know which effects can be achieved how, meaning to learn Experimenting with Photoshop Filters.

3. To be able to apply the desired effects if and when we need them.

4. To possibly find a style we like and build our visual reputation and recognition value on.

We can either change a picture very clearly and openly into something different, abstract and possibly more interesting than what we started off with – or we apply a certain effect in a very reduced and subtle way to enhance our photo, giving it a touch that just makes it different and stand out from the rest.

A number of these effects remind me of some big Masters in Art History… it’s sometimes what they built their whole oeuvre on: a specific effect. What was unique and hard labour at the time, can now be achieved with our brilliant tools in Photoshop and/or other programs, some of them developed for imitating certain masters, think of Pissaro with all those little ‘dots’ or Andy Warhol – to name a more modern one.

Lavender and Acacia Photo

For today’s exercise, I selected a lavender and acacia photo I shot a few weeks ago when both were in full flower in my garden in Noordhoek, South Africa. As I was born in Namibia, I love acacias… and I love to combine them with palms, which always reminds me of ‘home’. The fragrance of lavender and acacia combined is incredible… no wonder all the bees of the area hang out in my garden and have a feast!

And here a very reduced and delicate one… one of my favorites…

For occasional visitors and potential or existing clients alike it’s important that a website offers contact information, if not a brief company profile. This is what we show under “ABOUT” on the menu, meaning information About Monkey Valley Resort.

About Monkey Valley Resort

We are fortunate to have our VIRTUAL SHOWCASE where you will find much more information – and history – about Monkey Valley Resort. Enjoy!

So even if the soon to be linked Booking System fails – once we have it that is – the right people can always be reached! Spoton!

Due to demand, the new Sunday Buffet with Live Music has just been re-launched by Thorfynn’s Restaurant at Monkey Valley Resort, Noordhoek, South Africa.

Sunday Buffet with Live Music

Due to the new website development for Monkey Valley Resort, I do some testing here. If you wish to check out the menu and prices for the Sunday Buffet with Live Music, please go to the website HERE.

Monkey Valley Website Development

Things are hectic here as the new arrangements for Christmas and New Year are being made at Monkey Valley… that I then have to translate into something to integrate in my website development on Semiomantics XO. Just wait for it; you will love it :)

Absolutely Perfect Water in George is one of the NEW LOOK Perfect Water Shops. They provide a clean clinical experience with absolute professionalism to all customers.

Water purifiers, filters, water fountains, softeners and dispensers in George

Absolutely Perfect Water in George offer a variety of purifiers, filters, water fountains, softeners and dispensers.  They carry all parts on these products with extensive warranties and can service almost any water purifier known in South Africa.

Rental of Perfect Water dispenser range in George

The range of Absolutely Perfect Water dispensers are available on rental from the shop in George. This is deal for offices, shops or for you home.   Maintenance contracts are available.

Purified, Ozonated water in George at competitive prices

Absolutely Perfect Water in George offers purified, Ozonated, water to the public on a refill basis at competitive prices. They also supply bottled purified water.  Bottles with personalized labels can also be arranged!  Ice from purified water is available under their Perfect Ice brand.

Water Testing in George

Ever wondered about the purity of your water source? Absolutely Perfect Water George offers a water testing facility. They are equipped to test any water from any source

Flavoured health drink from Perfect Water George.

The Absolutely Perfect Water Shop in George also supply a flavoured health drink, Tranquillity, that supports health & wellness. They source and supply top quality nutritional supplements.