Category : Reviews

in Books

The Fast Track to Success with Sitepoint

Sitepoint as been a great launching pad for the novice freelancer. While the jobs a new freelancer may find here might not be the highest paying, at least they help get you some experience. The real tools of success from Sitepoint are their massive collections of books and kits. There is a book on just about every topic a new and experienced freelancer could want. Anything from how to start freelancing, to how to better outsource work. Not to mention there are plenty technical books written by some of the industry leaders. Below are some of the books and kits that I have found the most useful from Sitepoint.

The Web Design Business Kit 2.0

More Info – Free Chapters – Buy Now
The Web Design Business Kit 2.0 was designed by Brendon Sinclair, who has his own successful web design firm based in Australia. You get not only get actual documents Brendan uses in his business on a daily basis, but you’ll also receive lessons on how you can sell yourself, how to keep your clients, and more.

The first folder you’ll come across will be the Manual. It walks you through five sections he says are the keys to being successful in business. He has it all covered as the manual takes you through your first steps in freelancing and how to establish your business. You can then move on to how to run and expand your business, and then find out how you can look to the future in the last section of the manual.

The second folder you receive will be full of legal and business documents. You will find financial documents and paperwork to help you plan your business. Client contact documents, employment documents and more, this kit has everything you need. These documents are handily available on the CD-ROM as well. Just fill in your information and your ready to go.

The Web Site Revenue Maximizer

More Info – Free Chapters – Buy Now
The Website Revenue Maximizer is for any website owner who wants to make more money. With the kit you get tips and instructions on how to maximize profits by using affiliate programs, picking the best tools for your website, and increasing your page views.

You can be a new website owner or someone who wants to make more money with your website, the Web Site Revenue Maximizer works for everyone. Figure out the mysteries of website traffic and search engine optimization, as well as generating advertising income. This kit will cover everything you need to make your website more profitable.

There are steps on how to set up your site to make advertising revenue, such as how to sell ads directly and using Google AdSense. There is information on how to handle affiliate marketing to help increase sales. You will even get lessons on how to sell online, such as how to notice fraudulent transactions and how to build credibility to make more sales. In the building traffic section you will learn things such as how to get visitors to keep returning to your site and how to build traffic by offline promotion. Anything you wanted to know about building traffic and making money is included in the Web Site Revenue Maximizer.

Sexy Web Design

More Info – Free Chapters – Buy Now
Sexy Web Design is a book that can help in making your website better looking, as well as becoming more functional. It is a guide that can teach you how to create your own web interfaces from scratch. You don”t need any experience at all. The book will teach you how to do everything even as a beginner. It is easy to read as it is made in a large 8×10 format.

In this book you will learn how to find inspiration for your designs, create designs with atmosphere and mood, and just plain make your web site look sexy. Anyone from seasoned website owners to beginners will find something helpful in this publication. You will learn how to design a website even before there is any text involved. You will even get helpful information on what to do before any designs are even thought of for your website. Dealing with clients, moving from diagrams to doodles, and much more will also be covered so you can make your website look the best it ever has.

The Principles Of Successful Freelancing

More Info – Free Chapters – Buy Now
From getting started as a freelancer to how to retain clients once you get them, this book covers everything you need to know. Miles Burke is the author and is the founder of the company Bam Creative, and has won entrepreneurship awards in 2005 and 2007. His The Principles of Successful Freelancing book is very helpful to any person seeking advice about working as a freelancer.

The book will take you through questions that can help you decide if freelancing is the right decision for you. You will also be guided through how to plan for your success as a freelancer, as well as being taught how to keep your business finances in order. Learning how to stay productive and happy are next and then you can learn to overcome fear of sales and how to brand your name. The book then goes over the importance of providing excellent customer service and engaging business from other sources. The book then wraps up with what do do after establishing a successful business. If you want to learn about freelancing, it’s all here.

Outsourcing Web Projects: 6 Steps to a Smarter Business

More Info – Free Chapters – Buy Now
This publication will give you insights on how to build a more profitable business. Included in the six steps are getting vendors to compete for your job, finding the outsourcing partner that is best for you, and achieving the best price for your product or service. The final three steps are learning how to draw up an agreement, keeping your project on the right track, and developing a relationship with your vendor that will last a long time.

Written by Dave Hecker, the book comes from someone who has over 18 years of experience in software development and is the owner of Sagewing. He has lots of hints and advice on how you can run your business smarter and make more money doing it.

You will learn things like how to evaluate possible outsourcing partners, how to produce a list of these partners, and how to choose between an hourly or fixed rate agreement. Also included in the training is how to get a misguided project back on track and the Ten Commandments of the great client.

If you are a free lance web developer having problems making it in the industry, then this is the book for you.

in Physical Goods, Reviews

Noise Canceling Headphones

noise-canceling-headphonesThere are times when noise canceling headphones will greatly enhance your listening pleasure. Maybe you’re on a noisy airplane and want to reduce the sound of the plane’s air conditioning system or engine noise, or you want to quiet the background noise in a crowded room. Noise canceling headphones will help quiet the sounds around you by creating anti-noise at your ear. They won’t completely eliminate noise, but some of the better ones will significantly reduce it. You can find noise canceling headphones in a range of styles, from ear buds to full size models. Noise canceling headphones will allow you to listen to your music at lower volumes because you won’t have to try to overcome the background noise, which helps reduce your ear fatigue. You will also be able to hear more of the low-level details in your music. Some will even let you adjust the settings depending on the type of background noise you are trying to eliminate.

Noise cancellation technology reduces any unwanted noise by smoothing ambient noises. They were developed originally for professional and industrial use, such as protecting the hearing of people working in noisy factories or on airport runways. They work by creating a wave of pressure of the same amplitude against unwanted noises. In theory, the two pressure fields will cancel each other out to create silence; however, it’s nearly impossible to create absolute silence in this way.

There are two basic ways to reduce noise. The passive method relies on closed-back headphones or snug ear buds, which help block off the noise by sealing your ears. The active method uses microphones on each ear to electronically detect and cancel out any ambient noise before it reaches your ears. Essentially, they invert the captured noise and turn the sound waves upside down to cancel them out.

Top Noise Canceling Headphones

Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Headphones Review – (Shop at Amazon)

Sony MDR-NC6 Noise Canceling Headphones – (Shop at Amazon)

Sony MDR-NC60 Noise Canceling Headphone – (Shop at Amazon)

Philips SHN9500 Active Noise-Canceling Headphone – (Shop at Amazon)

QuietComfort® 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling® headphones – (Shop at Amazon)

Pros
Because you can listen at lower volumes, you will not experience ear fatigue as easily. When you try to listen in a noisy environment with regular headphones, you’ll find yourself cranking the volume to drown out the background noise. This irritates your ears and can damage your hearing, especially if you’re using ear buds. With noise canceling headphones, you won’t have this problem. Because the music is at a lower volume, you’ll also avoid annoying those around you who would have to listen to your music as well.

Noise cancellation headphones are great for frequent fliers. You will be able to escape the constant background noises from the engines and air systems, allowing you to enjoy your ride in peace. Even if you want quiet instead of music or a movie soundtrack, they can be used to just give you that moment of quiet.

It’s easy to use noise cancelling headphones because you just have to switch them on and the background noises disappear. There’s no high-tech knowledge required, just wear them and enjoy the benefits. If you work in a noisy environment, they can do wonders for calming the underlying stress that constant background noise places on your ears, your entire body, and even your mood.

Noise canceling headphones are compatible with any listening device, from your MP3 player or computer audio jack to the airplane’s on-board listening system. Many come with rechargeable batteries, making them less expensive and more environmentally friendly than using disposable batteries. If you are using the headphones to simply eliminate noise, rather than listen to music or movies, the cord is usually detachable, so you won’t have a stray cord dangling from your headphones.

Cons
Noise canceling headphones do a better job of reducing engine noise and air conditioning fan sounds, but they do not perform as well when you are trying to cut out background noise such as people talking. They perform better against constant levels of noise rather than frequently changing background sounds. Also, if you are listening in a relatively quiet environment, you won’t see the added benefits, so they may not be worth the added costs for those situations.

If you trying to find noise canceling headphones that provide the highest level of sound isolation, be aware that these models typically do not provide the best sound quality. You’ll want to find the noise canceling headphones that provide the best balance of the two features–sound quality and sound isolation–that fit your listening preferences and typical environments.

Other cons are that these headphones consume a lot of power because they are both playing your music and trying to cancel the ambient noise. This means that your batteries won’t last as long. If the headphones are overloaded by low-frequency noises in the background, they can distort your desired signal. Some noise canceling headphones may actually introduce additional noise, such as a high frequency hissing noise. Size can also be an issue, because noise canceling headphones are typically larger and bulkier than many traditional headphones.

in Physical Goods, Reviews

Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Headphones Review

bose-headphonesWhile the Bose original QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Headphones blew the competition away with their performance and superior sound, the QuietComfort 2 ups the ante. They’ve improved the sound, increased the comfort level, and made them easier to pack.

Whereas the original model was bulky, the headphones on the Bose QuietComfort 2 swivel so they fold flat and fit into a nicely designed case. The package is slightly bigger than a CD wallet and much easier to pack for traveling. The earcup cushions are cushy soft and do a great job of sealing off outside noise.

Why They Rock:

Where you can get one:
Amazon: $399

  • The Noise Cancelling circuitry is enclosed in the headphones themselves.
  • The cushions on the earcups are softer and close out the sound better than the original version.
  • They fold up smaller than the original version, with earcups that swivel 90 degrees to fold flat in the portable case.
  • Battery life is approximately 35 hours and it uses a single AAA battery.
  • There is a 30 day trial so you can test the headphones and return them if you are not satisfied.
  • Including the cable, the headphones weigh 6.9 ounces.
  • Bose’s proprietary acoustic headphone structure has tiny vents that produce a tonally balanced sound.
  • Their proprietary Noise Cancelling technology electronically identifies and reduces noise, yet preserves the audio sound.
  • The audio cable is detachable, so you can use the headphones for noise reduction only.
  • Active equalization electronically tunes the frequency response to provide superior sound.
  • The headphones include a headphone extension cord and two-prong in-flight adapter as a useful bonus.

The quick & dirty:

Seat-of-the-pants rating: 9 out of 10
You pretty much can’t go wrong with the Bose QuietComfort 2 Noise Cancelling(R) Headphones. They are well worth the price. If you do serious traveling, they will cancel out the frustrations of airline travel like no other set of headphones, and get you to your destination in a serene mood, ready to do some business.

Looking to buy? Check out these sites:
Amazon: $399

in Apps

Ronin Invoicing App Review

If you have been a long time reader of Outlaw Design Blog, or even a reader of my stuff on GraphicRIver, you may have noticed that I have a thing for apps. I love them. If I had a dime for every demo I have ever downloaded I would be rich. On top of having a fetish for anything with the word “app” in the title, I also like things that help keep me organized. I am lucky enough to have so many clients and paying jobs that it is hard to keep track of all the paid and unpaid invoices. It’s a horrible problem to have, I know.

As a result of the need for a good invoicing system I have downloaded and tried just about every invoicing app out there. From online only programs to desktop apps, I have used them all. While I am a big fan of Freshbooks, a new invoicing app is really starting to grow on me, it is called Ronin.

What I like About Ronin

One thing that immediately impressed me with the Ronin app was the design and layout of the user interface. Not only is it easy and intuitive for me to use, but it is also very client friendly should you give your clients login access. On top of that, the developer is constantly striving to improve both the design and functionality of the application. The design almost seems Apple inspired with its very monotone color scheme and subtle use of icons.

The other nice feature I really appreciate is the “at a glance” feature in the design. At the top of the dashboard and invoice page you get a quick view of important totals, such as YTD payments and invoices sent, hours spent working, and other stats you would want close at hand.

I also really enjoy the well thought out use of Javascript to help make the application run smoother and keep the style and layout as clean as possible.

What the Ronin App Does

The Ronin app has all the basic features you would expect to have in a good invoicing system. For example, the app allows you to send and create invoices, send and create estimates, track time per project, and set up reoccurring payments. Aside from the main functions, the Ronin app also has some other smaller features that make invoicing easy like the ability to setup commonly used products, allowing client access to their invoices, and the ability to add your own logo just to name a few.

As one would expect, the Ronin app has the ability to let you accept online payment methods such as Paypal. In addition to PayPal, Ronin also accepts Authorize.net payments. On that note, I would like to see the ability to accept Google payments as well.

Although I rarely have any use for the time tracking feature, the implementation of the feature on Ronin seems to be very useful and straight forward if you have the need.

I mostly use the invoicing feature of Ronin over the rest of its features. Because many of my jobs and projects use the same “products” time and time again, it is nice that Ronin allows you to create commonly used products. This way I don’t have to manually add the product to every invoice. I can simply select the product from a drop down menu and then it fills out the entire line on the invoice or estimate.

in Apps

Proof HQ Review

Every designer who has ever got comments on a mockup from a client via email knows how unclear those comments can be. Some clients just don’t know how make themselves clear or how to get their point across. While other just tend to have no idea what they are talking about. How many times have you you got a client email that read something like:

Looks great! But we change a few things around that top part? I don’t really like how that thing above all of links looks. Maybe we should move it over by the other links for people to add…blah blah blah….

This is not a paid review and is based on my own experience.

A Note About Concept Share

It is because of too many situations like this that I decided to start trying out some of the online proofing apps out there. I originally started out with Concept Share. I could be wrong, but at the time I don’t think Proof HQ was even around. I had an early bate account with them, so I had been using it since day one. While Concept Share was great for collaboration with other creatives, designers, developers, and other web savvy people; I found that clients found it a bit complicated.

A complicated proofing system for clients is the last thing I needed to reduce headaches. So, after a few failed attempts with clients, I started looking elsewhere and came across Proof HQ.

What I like About Proof HQ

The one thing that really sold me on Proof HQ was how simple it was to use on the client end. As with any new program, there is a slight learning curve for your clients, but all in all its pretty intuitive. Just in case your client needs some hand holding, there is a tutorial/welcome screen that pops up the first time someone signs in that show sthem how the application works. Between this welcome screen and the simple interface most people, clients and designers, can figure out how to use it right away.

What Proof HQ Does

If you have never used a similar online proofing system, you might not be sure what Proof HQ does or what makes it so special. Let me see if I can describe it simply

Proof HQ allows you to upload images and mockups to your Proof HQ account. You can then add login profiles for your clients so that they can see the design. But the app doesn’t stop there. You and your clients can then use the tools to mark up the design with arrows, comments, highlighters, and more.

These tools allow you client to point to “the thing” with an arrow and then use another arrow to point where they want to move it to.

When clients select a potion of the design to comment on, a line from the area they are talking about leads back to the comment box. This allows you to make sure you know what area they are talking about.

Check out some of these screenshots:

Final Thoughts on Proof HQ

Since using Proof HQ I have noticed a decent amount of time saved from having to go back and fourth with clients about what it is they want to change about a certain design. I was worried that the amount of time I would save from using Proof HQ would be spent explaining to clients how to use it, but that hasn’t been the case. A few of my “special” clients have needed some help, but for the most part it has come in pretty handy.

in Apps

The CSS Gallery List – Review

CSS gallery sites are kind of like a double edge sword. They can do a lot to help your website with quality link backs, exposing your site to would be customers, and showing off your work to others in the industry. The drawback, or other side of the sword, is the fact that submitting to all these CSS sites can be a bit exhausting. There are so many of them that it can easily take hours to visit them all and submit your website.

Unless you know about a site called The CSS Gallery List

Overview of what they do

To sum it up, The CSS Gallery List submits your site to a large number of some of the biggest CSS galleries on the internet. At the time of this writing, The CSS Gallery List includes 78 featured CSS galleries. Do you have any idea how long it would take you to submit your site to that many galleries? I dont know exactly, but it would be more time then I care to spend.

From the website:

The CSS Gallery List is in partnership with all galleries in the featured list. Once your submission is received by The CSS Gallery List, the details of your submission are then automatically sent directly to all featured CSS galleries. It is then up to the participating galleries whether or not your submission is accepted for inclusion in their showcase.

If your site meets the criteria of The CSS Gallery List, it will also be added to our ‘favourite submissions’ section.

The best part of their service? It only cost $15 bucks!!! It is a steal of deal in my opinion and well worth the money.

My experience with them

Upon launching the redesign of Outlaw Design Blog I had the The CSS Gallery List submit my site to the featured list of galleries. I couldn’t be happier with their work. Within just a few days I was receiving emails from a number of major CSS galleries saying that my site had been accepted and posted. Im sure that there are still many CSS galleries that have longer waiting times that will be sending me emails shortly.

Your experiences

Have any of you used The CSS Gallery List? If so, what was your experience like? Did you find it worth the money? If you know about The CSS Gallery List, but haven’t used them, why not? What is keeping your from using them?