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Web design tools and resources

The following list contains the content, tools and resources I use to create websites. Do you have any great tools or icons or techniques that are not on this list? Tell me.

All the content listed here is free for commercial use unless otherwise marked.

Last Updated: Sun Jul 2010 15:39

Create a retro-urban gig poster using Photoshop

Create a retro-urban gig poster using Photoshop

Digital graphics are largely dependent on the software used to create them. Given the clean, pixel-perfect nature of Photoshop, artworks always risk looking too perfect therefore it’s important to learn how to bring nature’s random variations into our digital creations. In this tutorial we’ll create an atmospheric poster for a dance party using the textured, retro look that’s so popular nowadays.

Resources:

Cardboard texture
Chicago skyline

Last Updated: Tue Jun 2010 03:50

How I Moved My Website to a New Bluehost Account

I'm planning to move a few websites to alternative hosts.

The steps are as follows:

Step 1. Move the website files.

Copy all existing site files FROM Current Host TO New Host. Use preferred FTP/SSH transfer method.

If your site has a database or is Wordpress-based:

Step 1.1. In the original site make a backup of the database.

Use either phpMyAdmin to Export a SQL copy of the database OR have someone do this for you.

Step 1.2. In the original Wordpress make a backup of the site.

Dashboard > Tools > Export

Step 2. Add the Existing domain name to the New Hosting account.

'cPanel' > 'Domain Manager' > 'Assign a domain to your cPanel account' - follow on-screen instructions (Select 'Addon Domain'). Verify the domain if required.

For .co.uk domains you need only set the NAMESERVERS to those supplied by Bluehost

Step 3. If required, create a database.

'cPanel' > 'MySQL Database Wizard' - follow the on-screen instructions. OR
Use the Wordpress Install script to create a new Wordpress installation complete with database.

Step 4. REMEMBER to add the new MySQL user to the new MySQL database.

If a database was created > Select the MySQL user name. Follow the on-screen instructions (set permissions, add user to database).

Step 4.1. Use your Wordpress backup XML file

Dashboard > Tools > Import > Wordpress. Select your Wordpress XML file (see Step 1.2). If this is a fresh WP install you will be prompted to install the Import plugin. Follow the on-screen instructions to do this.

Step 5. Configure Nameservers

Use Current Host's DNS/Nameserver interface and paste in the New Host's nameservers.

Step 6. Check that everything works.

Browse to [domain-name.com].

Resources:

• http://www.smoothwebmove.com/movingprocess.html
• http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/moving-to-a-new-web-host/
• http://www.boutell.com/newfaq/creating/movesite.html
• http://www.theonestopwebsiteshop.com/web-hosting/change-host.htm

Last Updated: Tue Jun 2010 02:03