Yes, I’m a little late posting this news, but it’s never too late to learn how to build a dynamite Website a la A List Apart (ALA). If you’re unfamiliar with this site (one of Jeffrey Zeldman’s babies), writer Erin Lynch will welcome you with open arms. Before Erin’s involvement with the illustrious ALA, he spent time working as an editor and writer for a variety of film and music publications. He now works as a designer and writer based in Vancouver, Washington.

This time, Erin introduces the reader to “The ALA Primer: A Guide for New Readers.” He writes:

If you’re going to build a house—or a website—you need the right tools. A List Apart offers hundreds of articles on design, markup, style, accessibility, usability, and more. We’ve selected a few that you might want to start with.

While you might believe that this page is for beginners, you’re wrong. It’s a series of links to articles that are the “crème de la crème” from the ALA site for new readers. The beginner’s page is entitled, “The ALA Primer Part Two: Resources For Beginners,” and this piece is also written by Erin along with the support of ALA’s staff. Slurp it up!

Adobe Photoshop CS2 Upgrade from Photoshop Version 5.5+: I have the Photoshop Upgrade installed on my desktop, and the older version of the same software on my laptop. Granted, a laptop isn’t the best environment to produce graphic images, but I’ve been so spoiled by the upgrade that the laptop’s been neglected. The Filter Gallery alone is enough to convert a die-hard Photoshop 7 fan, but the other toys - like the Advanced Noise Reduction, the Revolutionary Vanishing Point, and the Image Warp - will push that die-hard over the edge. And, the price is right up Santa’s alley…

NOTE: This is the UPGRADE ONLY. Previous installation required.

IWA (International Webmasters Association), a professional trade association, is the industry’s recognized leader in providing educational and certification standards for Web professionals. IWA’s initiatives now support more than 100 official chapters representing over 22,000 individual members in 106 countries. IWA’s accomplishments include the industry’s first guidelines for ethical and professional standards, Web certification and education programs, specialized employment resources, and technical assistance to individuals and businesses. They currently offer over 40 online, instructor-led classes and 4 Web certificates in conjunction with HWG (HTML Writer’s Guild). The online courses are for both casual and professional interest in the areas of Web development and eCommerce, and a full lineup of 51 classes is about to begin. For more information go their Website Design Training site now.

The Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults will hold the Fifth Tehran International Animation Festival from 25 February to 1 March 2007. Deadline for entries: 30 November 2006.

The aims and objectives of the Festival are:

• To provide an opportunity for artists to exchange ideas through gathering purposeful presentation of the animation works
• To discover potential and encouraging young animators to innovate and create
• To develop abilities through new techniques and perspectives

The festival is categorized into four sections: Competition, non-competitive, special screenings, and panorama. For more information, visit the Tehran Film Festival site.

FILMMAKER: The Magazine Of Independent Film: Since 1992, FILMMAKER has documented the phenomenal growth of independent film making. The magazine’s in-depth interviews with leading filmmakers, distributors, agents, managers, lawyers and distributors — along with its coverage of advances in new technologies, how-to articles, and features about the latest independent film releases — make FILMMAKER an indispensable resource for both working filmmakers and cineastes.

FILMMAKER provides an insider’s look at the business and creative aspects of independent film production, including: interviews, case studies, financing and distribution information, festival reports, technical and production updates, legal pointers, and filmmakers on filmmaking in their own words.

A quick, easy year-end assessment you can use to gauge your preparedness for growing your business in the coming year, from marketing consultant and advertising copywriter John Kuraoka.

As 2006 draws to a close, it’s time to look ahead to the business challenges facing you in the first part of 2007. Here are seven important questions you should be asking yourself about your advertising and marketing, to make sure you have everything you need to grow your business. Read the rest of this entry »