When it comes to designing webpages I prefer working in Fireworks. I know, I know. There seems to exist a real prejudice against Fireworks. Sort of like you’re not a real designer if you use it. I challenge any web designer to give Fireworks the old college try. Making the switch to Fireworks was the best thing I ever did for the efficiency of my website building. And here’s why:

1. Fireworks is intuitive to web design.

Fireworks was built originally by Macromedia with a focus on web designer needs. That means it is optimized for a web designer’s needs. They made web-related things readily available like image compression,

an intuitive slicing system and a whole different way of grouping and layering. One of my favorite features is that when you copy something, it pastes it in exactly the same place.

And for those of you desperately clutching to Photoshop because it is familiar to you, lots of things are just the same as in Photoshop -  some keyboard shortcuts, toolbars, panel layouts, etc. The design environment feels very similar.

2. Pages.

The way that Fireworks does its layer groupings is incredibly inclusive compared to Photoshop. One Fireworks file, like an InDesign file, may contain many pages. Each of those pages contains a unique set of layers including but not limited to a web layer where you make your slices (toggle those on or off by pressing the number 2 on your keyboard) and a locked master layer (so you can’t mess it up). If you make a master page, much like InDesign, those design elements will transfer to every page designed after. This is incredibly useful after you design the navigation, for example.

3. The Web Layer.

There is more to it than just slicing and optimization. If you’re a non-coding designer, you can set up links and even rollovers for a working demo version of your site. Coders, you just keep doing your thing. The code it spits out is in no way clean, but it works for instant gratification. Which is nice ‘cause it’s instant.

4. Pixel-perfect sizing.

Do you need to make a box 697 pixels wide? With Fireworks’ inspector (reminiscent of Flash, isn’t it?) you can type in exact amounts. You can even tell it what degree to round the corners. No messy measuring or dragging handles. Simple.

5. Reactive Gradients.

Gradients are all the rage ever since web2.0, right? Aren’t you tired of fighting them in Photoshop? In Fireworks, the gradients have handles. You can grab and drag the points so your gradient starts and stops exactly where you want it to within the object.

Don’t get me wrong. There are some things that can only be done in Photoshop- any kind of bitmap editing, actions, quick mask mode, to name a few. To some degree some of these things can be imitated in Fireworks, but it’s not made to edit everything under the sun- it’s specifically made for building.

It’s not like I hate Photoshop. Photoshop is good at what it does. We’ve been good friends for many years and I still use it in conjunction with Fireworks for bitmap editing. It’s just that designing a site in Photoshop always, to me, feels like using a fork to eat soup. Use the tool that was designed specifically for the job. Use Fireworks.

The infamous intern Chradam

It’s back-to-school time again! For T&S, that means it’s time to look for a new batch of interns to pay measly salaries in exchange for back-breaking web design work.

This year, we’re looking for additional programming and design interns to work up to 20 hours a week per intern. We don’t really care about experience level, but are more interested in drive and willingness (and ability) to learn.

If you’re interested in going to get full-timers coffee on a regular basis and occasionally do design and programming work as well, call our job hotline at 241-1051. Be ready to leave a detailed message with the info I ask for.

It’s okay if you get confused, just hang up and call back again. But try to do it before the tone sounds. We don’t need to hear a message with your heavy breathing on it.

We had the pleasure of working with Jennifer Abney, founder of the Angels program in OKC.  She is an extremely kind-hearted and admirable woman, and we’re so thankful for her hard work in developing the OKC branch. Please read more about this organization because so many children are waiting for a loving home! Angels will be with you every step of the way with training, information and more. Thanks Jennifer!

Visit Angels’ website and Facebook page

Land Enterprises

Land Enterprises is not only worried about quality of work in roofs, but they truly care about their customers. Brian Land founded the company in 1996, and his company has been booming ever since! Brian’s genuine personality is what sets them apart, so you will be taken care of no matter what! Check out Land’s in-depth roofing process explained on their new site. We guarantee you’ll have a wonderful experience with them!

Launch Baskets!

When we design a custom site for a client and launch their new site (like Angels and Land), we want to send them a little piece of our appreciation:

1. CD with a copy of their website
2. Thank you card
3. Candy/treat
4. T&S pen
5. Personalized rocket for their “launch”
6. A custom labeled T&S Jones soda bottle

Thanks to all of our clients, and we look forward to more website launches coming soon!

Have you ever looked at someone’s business card and not wanted to do business with them because it was just that ugly? Have you ever looked at your Facebook page and thought that it wasn’t as polished as it should be? I know you’ve wished your website could be as cool as ours.

So take a photo or screen capture and send it to us! You can even grab that business card, in all its hideousness, and mail it to us. Get it out of your sight and into ours as an entry into our Fix My Ugly Design contest.

Our first contest is for ugly business cards so be sure to be on the prowl for really ugly business cards to enter.

Visit our website Fix My Ugly Design for details and be sure to visit our Facebook and Twitter Pages (or sign up for our Newsletter) for micro-contests with real cash or gift card prizes.

Recently Jerry Pournelle, a famous sci-fi author, wrote a succinct review about The Social Media Marketing Book (affiliate link warning), by Dan Zarrella. Although Pournelle’s review here (scroll down a bit after clicking) is fairly succinct, here’s his comment on who this book is good for:

That should give you an idea of who this book is meant for: people who want to promote products by using the new social media like Facebook and Twitter, but who don’t know the game: either because they’re just getting started, or they are old fogeys who haven’t kept up with the enormous explosions on the Internet. Incidentally, you may count me in the latter group.

Sounds like it’s probably good if you haven’t used social media at all and really need a primer.

• Eye Candy Lash Studio
• JJH Media
• Core Vault
• Super Suppers
• Next Level Group
• Baird Insurance Agency - Farmer’s Insurance

Below are some picture highlights of the event. You can check out tons more pictures on our Facebook album.

It’s that time again. On July 22nd, just one hour can get you a website for hundreds of dollars less than it normally costs. Quick, easy and affordable.

Have the pros here at T&S set up a basic ten page website, select and register a domain name, and host your site for one year. The only cost after the initial year will be for continued hosting.

This is half the price of our starter sites! There are a limited number of time-slots available. Once the slots are filled, you’ll have to wait until the next Websitepalooza, and who knows when that will happen?

Check out all the Websitepalooza details.

Tim Priebe Neighbor’s kid setting off fireworks at 6am: Extremely annoying, but effective alarm clock.

Leann Bailey Priebe Going crazy. Must eat ice cream….

Emily Spirek Jimmy Johns is playing Little Miss Sunshine music…of course now I want to watch it.

Elyssa Stork Dolinger I’m just grumpy ’cause you drive stupid.

Sean Sanders 40 cop cars lined up in anticipation of post-game Lakers riot. None for E3. Now, which games promote violence?

Adam Booth Ψε watching TRON, made in 1982… Epic special effects!!!

Chris Engstrom Ψε just got back from working 9am-2am. kinda exhausted right now.

Scott Tribbey What a great day. I do dishes, sweep and mop the kitchen floor, then the once-in-a-century hail storm decides to hit, kill a couple of north windows in the kitchen and living room, and make my car look like craters on the moon. The Village looks like a warzone.

Here are the details:

When: Thursday July 15th, 2010 @ 4pm-7pm
Where: T&S Office - 2801 E. Memorial Suite 137 | Edmond, OK 73013
What: Reveal of new studio, cake and finger foods, ribbon cutting with OKC/Edmond Chamber. All combined….the best open house you’ve ever attended.

We know you want to see where the website magic happens. The ribbon cutting will be at 4pm, and food/fun will be throughout. We’d love to see you there!

Find us on Facebook to RSVP, we appreciate it!