HomeHomehttp://www.mikebite.com/home/2010-03-05T07:16:55ZSquarespaceThe Consequences of Creativityhttp://www.mikebite.com/home/2010/3/2/the-consequences-of-creativity.htmlMike2010-03-02T13:17:53Z2010-03-02T13:17:53Z

]]>Transparent Images CSS 3http://www.mikebite.com/home/2010/2/7/transparent-images-css-3.htmlMike2010-02-07T09:34:40Z2010-02-07T09:34:40ZOpacity CSSTo change the opacity of an image you can use this CSS 3 Code:

<img src="http://mikebite.com/testimage_01" alt="TestImage" style="opacity:0.5;filter: alpha(opacity=50) ;" />

Change more than one image with an anchor tag or create an hover effect:

#imghover a:hover img { filter: alpha(opacity=50);filter: progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.Alpha(opacity=50);-moz-opacity: .5;opacity:0.5; }

affects this HTML

<div id="imghover">
<a href="#"><img src="http://mikebite.com/testimage_01" alt="TestImaget" style="width:50px;height:50px" /></a>
</div>

 

Same idea with a separate class (makes hover effect even simpler)

.imageopacity {
opacity:0.25;
-ms-filter:"progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.Alpha(opacity=25)";
filter:alpha(opacity=25);
zoom:1
}

.imageopacity:hover {
opacity:1;
-ms-filter:"progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.Alpha(opacity=100)";
filter:alpha(opacity=100)
}

affects this HTML

<img src="testimage_01.jpg" class="imageopacity" alt="TestImageHover" />

]]>More beautiful pictures - Trick 4http://www.mikebite.com/home/2009/12/4/more-beautiful-pictures-trick-4.htmlMike2009-12-04T11:24:39Z2009-12-04T11:24:39ZContrast

Another way to make your subject stand-out, can be achieved by a massive contrast. Your subject needs to be different from the rest of the image. Find a light, dark or solid color background and a strong color subject. Or convert your file into black and white.

Image by Jono Renton

]]>Less trouble with Softwarehttp://www.mikebite.com/home/2009/10/17/less-trouble-with-software.htmlMike2009-10-17T10:47:14Z2009-10-17T10:47:14ZHere are some rules that have made my software experience much nicer:

1. Use as little software as possible. One browser, one text editor, one media player, ...

2. Use the best software available! Use Photoshop for photo editing, use Firefox for browsing, use VLC to play your media, ...

3. Use a plain text editor for most of your stuff. Not a word processor, a plain text editor like Notepad.

4. Use a calendar, address book and to-do list you can sync with your mobile phone.

5. Use web applications for corporate work. In cases you have to work together.

6. Do not use web applications for working on high-sensitive data.

7. Do not run software which is still in beta state.

8. Update your software regularly.

9. Delete Software you no longer use.

These are my rules and they make me happy. Hopefully they make you happy too. 

Image by Hmmlargeart

 

]]>noting, sketching, writing, recording... MOLESKINE!http://www.mikebite.com/home/2009/10/6/noting-sketching-writing-recording-moleskine.htmlMike2009-10-06T13:30:57Z2009-10-06T13:30:57ZTo be productive we have to write our ideas down as soon as the they show up, for that we need a notebook or something similar.

I checked lots of different kinds of notebooks but at the END it was definitely the MOLESKINE who won my sympathy. The Moleskine brand offers a rage of high-quality books in a smooth fake leather cover. Rounded corners, an elastic strap, a hidden pocket at the back, and a bound-in fabric bookmark all add to the experience.

In addition to the notebooks range, Moleskin offers a selection of City notebooks, diaries and other specific books.

Check out the Moleskin Homepage
and The ultimate guide to Moleskin!

Image by Moleskine

 

]]>More beautiful pictures - Trick 3http://www.mikebite.com/home/2009/8/3/more-beautiful-pictures-trick-3.htmlMike2009-08-03T14:51:21Z2009-08-03T14:51:21ZGet in close / Blurred background

Less is often more. Even before the rule of thirds, I personally think that simplicity should be the first thing to think about when composing a photo. Try to keep your image ‘clutter free'. Remember that you want to draw your viewer to the main subject of the photo. To simplify your composition you should:

 

Get in close1. Get in close

Remove the distractions around your subject by zooming in. Once you think your close enough, zoom in even more! This is a very simple, yet very effective, way to simplify your image.

 

Blurred Background2. The blurred-background effect.

In technical terms, we talk about limited depth of field. That's a geek term meaning, “which part of the scene, front-to-back, is in focus”.

What we are looking for is: “Subject yes, background no.”

  • Dial up a wide aperture (a low f-stop number) on S.L.R. cameras or choose Portrait mode on a pocket cam.
  • Move your subject away from the background, the farther, the better.
  • Now, use the back-up-and-zoom-in trick. That is, stand away from your subject and then use the camera's zoom to bring you back up close again.

 

Images by Thorsten Becker, Xava Du

]]>PC to MAC switch - Open Finder Windowhttp://www.mikebite.com/home/2009/7/27/pc-to-mac-switch-open-finder-window.htmlMike2009-07-27T20:04:49Z2009-07-27T20:04:49ZPC:
Windows Key + E

Mac:
alt + Apfelkey (cmd) + Space Key

]]>Some thoughts about Personal Skills for workhttp://www.mikebite.com/home/2009/7/19/some-thoughts-about-personal-skills-for-work.htmlMike2009-07-19T11:56:59Z2009-07-19T11:56:59ZBusinesses are looking for employees with strong "Personal" Skills. But what are they?

Creativity
Think outside the box. Businesses want innovative people who bring new ideas.

Cooperation
Work with your co-workers not against them.

Carefulness
Helps reducing the chance for costly errors and helps keeping the steady workflow going.

Optimism
A positive attitude helps in any situation.

Influence
Spread positive thinking. Speak your mind and become a group leader.

Discipline
Keep on task and complete projects without getting sidetracked or bored.

Order
A tendency to be well organized helps employees to work without major distractions.

Drive
Keep working hard to achieve the company's goals.

Good attitude
Be nice, help out, share your knowledge and have time for listening to co-workers problems.

Sociability
How much you enjoy interacting with coworkers affects how well you work with them.

Image by Wonderlane

 

]]>More beautiful pictures - Trick 2http://www.mikebite.com/home/2009/7/13/more-beautiful-pictures-trick-2.htmlMike2009-07-13T06:05:53Z2009-07-13T06:05:53ZNatural Frame

Use an element inside your frame to act as a frame. To be considered a frame, the framing element should cover at least two sides of the photo. It could be almost anything. Most commonly used are trees, branches and window frames.

The natural frame will bring depth to the photo and emphasize your main subject.

 

Image by Adam Barney

]]>Splendid Presentation - Speakinghttp://www.mikebite.com/home/2009/7/8/splendid-presentation-speaking.htmlMike2009-07-08T12:55:44Z2009-07-08T12:55:44ZKeep it simple

Don't talk too much. It's tempting to talk a lot, but people are not able to digest too much data. Write down three to five main points and focus on those.

Structure your speech

Tell a story, with a strong start, a middle part, and an even stronger conclusion at the end. Don't just start blathering.

Do not read off your slide-show

Just reading off your slide-show is the worst. Your slide-show should only be a back-up to what you say or a visual help to get your point straight.

Look at the audience

Never turn your back to the audience. It's bad when you read from the screen but it's unforgivable when you do that by turning your back to the audience, so at least put a second monitor in front of you.

Stand up

Don't sit! Stand in front of your viewers, move around and look at them. A speaker who stays distant can never really connect to his audience.

Speak slowly and clearly

Use easy language and say it slowly and clearly. And remember don't say too much.

When you hold a presentation, it's about talking to people. This means getting close to your audience and getting them interested, so speak with emotion and confidence. A good presentation is like telling a story around a campfire.

Image by Seven Morris

 

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