Dora's Technical Corner: The Differences Between Pix: .JPG, .GIF, .PNG and Vector!

...First of all, I hope you like my blog-background.  I played with it and this is what I came up with -- for now.  So many of the "host" websites just weren't offering the kind of background that I really wanted so...  As the adage goes, "necessity is the mother of invention!"  I usually draw my own backgrounds for all my blogs and for any websites that I design.  Some are more tricky since the templates that accompany blogs powered by Blogger, Word Press, etc. have their own CSS codes.  You really need to know how to navigate through CSS to override codes put into place by most blog hosts.
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About the pix...there are several different file types, if you will. 

1) .JPG:  Joint Photographic Experts Group

This is the most common file type -- we all deal with photographs.  It’s a file format that was created specifically for photographs. It’s a method of compression that keeps as much information in the photo as it can (colors, digital info, etc.) while keeping the file size at a decent size for storage and email. It’s also the file type digital cameras capture photos in and store on the memory card.

-- This is appropriate for both web and print and can be opened by anyone.

2) .GIF:  Graphics Interchange Format
This file type is specific for graphics and illustrations – basically things that are non-photographic. It’s a file type that is limited to a 256 color palette (which is why it can’t be used for photos) and can be used for animation effects on the web.  GIF is better than JPG for images with only a few distinct colors, such as line drawings, black and white images and small text that is only a few pixels high.

-- This is only appropriate for web display and can usually be opened by anyone.

3) .PNG:  Portable Network Graphics
PNG was created as a superior alternative to the GIF. Basically, it’s a GIF on steroids.  The PNG file format supports true-color (16 million colors) while the GIF supports only 256 colors. Both photographs and basic illustrations can be saved as PNG although you can’t make animations with it like you can a GIF.  PNGs are better for larger pix (graphics) that you want to save for better resolution.  Some photos can be saved as PNG, however, it is better that you do not save it as such because it will create much too massive a file size.  It will hinder you from being able to email or upload it without delays and file issues. Because of file storage, most printers also require photos to be JPG instead of PNG.

-- This is appropriate for web illustrations (especially when a transparent background is needed) and for some print (although not common) and can be opened by anyone. 

4) Vector Files
This is not necessarily a file type but a graphic type. Personally I love to use this type when creating graphics (personal or business).  A vector does not contain pixels and thus it can be used on large scale marketing materials such as logos, banners, window decals, clothing, and billboards – basically anything that is illustrated and needs to be re-sized in various ways without losing quality. Desktop Publishing comes to mind in regards to using VFs.  Vector graphics are based on vectors (also called paths or strokes), which lead through locations called control points or nodes. Each of these points has a definite position on the x and y axes of the work plane and determines the direction of the path; further, each path may be assigned a stroke color, shape, thickness, and fill.  Businesses always have their logo in a vector format in order to use it for multiple things.  Vector files can be exported into any type of file format for other uses.  The most common files types for a vector graphic are .EPS (Encapsulated PostScript is a DSC-conforming PostScript document) and .AI (created with Adobe Illustrator). Vectors can be exported into almost ANY file type but most printers request the native file of .EPS or .AI.

-- This file type is appropriate for print. Most vector graphics can only be opened by anyone who owns the software it was created in such as print shops and other graphic designers.

5) .PDF:  Portable Document Format

PDF is a file format that provides an electronic image of text or text and graphics that looks like a printed document and can be viewed, printed, and electronically transmitted.  PDFs are more commonly used for business documents!  Actually -- everyone these days uses PDFs.  PDFs can embed and encapsulate graphics, fonts, colors and other digital information required to view a file.  It is used most commonly for business documents and files for printers such as books, manuals, publication advertising, postcards, and marketing materials. It also commonly used to download multi-page documents off the web.  A PDF document can be created using a combination of GIFs, JPGs, PNGs and Vector files; all can be saved as a PDF and sent to anyone to open. Usually the recipient cannot edit a PDF unless he has the proper program to do so.  It has quickly become the standard for sending information from one person to another. Although you can’t display a PDF on a website as an image, anyone can download a PDF from a simple link from a website and view in their PDF viewer.
-- This is appropriate for print and downloading from the web. It is not appropriate for web display. It can typically be opened by anyone with a PDF viewer which comes standard on most of today’s computers. It is the most requested file type by professional printers today.

Dora's Corner: If You Want To Read All About It: How About A Dolores Huerta Day!

My views regarding how the great Dolores Huerta should have her own "day of recognition!"

Read all about it via my Celebrating My Latino Culture Blog.

Dora's Corner: If You Want To Read All About It: The Heretic {sic} Foundation!

My "beef" with the Heritage Foundation (a.k.a. The Heretic Foundation).

Read all about it via my Political Blog!

 

Dora's Corner: Raison D'Etre: Reason For Existence!

Everyone has that one something that captivates their mind, and enthralls their heart.  Each person has a reason for existing, living, etc..  Everyone has that certain raison d'etre!  Why and from where does it develop?  Je ne sais pas!  I believe that it is just something derived from living and being around other people, etc..  I just know that we all just have to figure out just what that one thing is, and maybe, just maybe, we can make a living doing it.  As the adage goes, "if you do something that you really love, you will never work a day in your life!"

For me the raison d'etre would include programming, coding, and almost anything that deals with computers especially computer graphics.  However, as much as I also like messing with the innards of a computer and am able to fix boards and such, it is the programming (System's Admin and IT) that I prefer.  I will work on computers when they are down for others, and most often, I find the problem and fix it -- whether is was mechanical or technical.  In trying to explain how I prefer the programming part of computers, I guess I could use an analogy like this one; a lover of cars does not desire to be a mechanic.  For me, dealing with the innards of a computer is more like being a mechanic.  I have nothing against mechanics either.  My brother and my nephew are mechanics.  My brother works on diesel motors and is quite good at it.  He makes a very profitable living doing so.  My nephew specializes more on green-cars, and he has learned and now teaches everything about electric cars.  He is an important team-member of Tesla Motors (San Francisco, CA).

The other things that make this person tick are: politics (don't get me started on this topic unless you are serious and have a lot of time on your hands, per se), history, writing (I have had a few articles/journals published, but I am by no way an author -- just because I have an affinity for writing does not make me a writer), reading (when I make time for it), and most of all, I love sports. 

Hey, give me a job as an IT person for a sport's franchise and then let me write about their team (whatever sport) and you have yourself a very "happy camper." 

This next semester I am focusing more on computer graphics as I return to college.  I aim to better myself and to extend my knowledge on the new computer technology as it grows every single day!  But, while I am working on these new endeavors, I plan on tweaking my writing.  Mostly I need to improve my grammatical side of writing.  Writing itself is wonderful for me; words seldom elude me.  I just suck at grammar like I already stated and as you can tell.  Sometimes when submitting written work I use a "nom de plume" so I am not actually getting credit for it.  I mostly use a pseudonym because the content may not be as welcomed by the people in my life with whom I would love to share my articles.  By-the-way, using a "pen name" is not because I am embarrassed to have my real name associated with a badly-typed piece.  Most companies use their respective editors/editing departments to fix any work submitted.  Besides I live with a person who has a masters in History and English (and excels at it) so most often I allow her to edit my work.  I am the computer/science/math person in our home while she is the grammar expert and Historian.  It's all good.

Just my take for the day!
(Oh, and did I mention that I also love anything French!)

Dora's Corner: Getting Paid (Properly) For Your Creative Genius!

...Well, I usually don't charge family and close friends for my computer-related services, but when it pertains to others...business is business.  Point-in-hand, I design websites for people/companies.  Honestly, if I could focus on just this aspect of computer design, programming then I would.  I just do not like hosting the sites.  My fee is fairly substantial according to what I do and how much time and effort I put into it.  My fees usually commiserate with my time.  My usual fee is $1200.00 for a corporation, LLCs, SMCs...and if it is for personal use then the fee drops considerably.  Lately I have been doing favors for family and friends and not charging my standard fees or making it pro-bono; my 1099s for 'business write-offs' is going to see an increase next tax season.  J.K. (or not).

When I perform these tasks relating to building websites, I get extremely involved and said tasks take up a large amount of my time.  I love it, though, and do not mind utilizing this creative side of me.  I also add though that I do prefer to be paid because I put 100%+ effort into it.  Some friends and family members still come to me with issues relating to the websites I created for them --the freebie ones.  Although I do not host I still get involved when issues arise.  Not my duty, but, hey, I believe in going the extra mile.  My bad.  But, it perturbs me to no end when I get questioned about things that do not/should not involve me at all.  The host company(s) slow-server issues especially not being my fault for one.  Then there are issues with bad codes...again not my fault unless I wrote that particular code and it ended up somewhat broken then, yes, I deem it partly my responsibility to try to fix.  I will work with the website hosting company(s) to fix my art.  Coding is fun and sometimes easy, but it can be extremely difficult depending on which programs/language we use.  So with the long hours, and creative coding...making websites is an art.  But do not shoot the messenger most of the time the host company(s) are the culprits behind a website issue.  They are the ones with the moronic people at the helm of watching their MEM servers and such.

Bottom-line if you ask someone to do something for you for free or for a small fee, don't complain about the service.  Or better yet, find out if the issue is truly their mistake.  Don't just assume that the result of a freebie was shotty work because I assure you that when I create or design a website for you that you are getting top-notch work.  If I develop a code for your picture files (i.e. GIFs, PNGs, JPEGs, etc.), for your websites, for your music --anything with a code which allows a layperson to just C&P a code to embed onto their respective website, blog, or via social media sites...please just know ahead of time that you are getting exceptional work from me.  My codes are true and steadfast.  I can boast that I have yet to end up with a true broken code.  I code better than the geeks in my firm.  Women make better coders is what I should really say.  Proof of over 11 years of doing this.  Not just my theory, I have seen it where I have worked.  Women are better programmers overall.  Long and old-ways of thinking is that women are supposed to be 'less than' their male counterparts in regards to math.  B/S, guys!  Since all of everything computer-related involves some serious mathematical skills it is still assumed (serious misconceptions) that men 'should' have the upper-hand, per se.  But my belief is this and it is quite simple...women pay closer attention to details.  Us women can do the math these days with little to not conflict (a far cry from the days of old).  Details, folks, are what makes you or breaks you in the computer-universe.  Details are a woman's best friend with anything in this life.  Women were after all chosen to bear children.  Ha, ha...just joshing with you men-folk.  Get over it and get those panties out of that was.  LOL!

So the next time I compose anything e-related for you...don't ask me if I forgot to do this or that if you don't want me to ask you if you remembered to fuel up your vehicle the next time it breaks down on you.  ROTFL!  And for Karma's sake...don't have a conniption fit when I quote you my fees because I am worth every penny.  But, if you did manage a pro-bono out of me...if it doesn't work, or goes awry somehow...it wasn't my fault.  I have yet to be the one at fault.  Don't complain if your pocket-book I did not drain.  LOL!

Just my take for the day!

Dora's Corner: When Is Enough Really Enough. Defending Your Stance!

...Why is it that the opinion of just one person bothers me so much that I am left confused and not knowing what to do.  It drives me crazy metaphorically-speaking.  We were once best friends but life got in the way, and we each went our respective ways.  More like I was cut off from her world.  I would have liked a continued role in her world and would have been ecstatic to have had her remain in mine, but no such luck.  We drifted apart and worse.

There are so many things I want to discuss with her again, but I especially want to ask her why she really ended communication with me because the reasons that she gave me not too long ago over the phone just do not add up.  I am not the person she once knew.  I know the same of her --that she is different.  The thing that is bothersome for me is how she still thinks that I am the same person of over 20 years ago.  My gosh, who remains the same after 20 years.  I know I did not.  I want to yell at her for assuming that I would be able to do some of the horrible things which she claimed that I did during our absence from one another.  Those alleged, horrible things she claims were the catalyst for ending our friendship.  But I say b/s.  There has to be more to all of this and a better reason for cutting me out of her life.  The timeline during which I supposedly did some ill things to her just do not add up with the information that I found out in regards to my supposed-transgressions.  Totally not adding up at all. 

So, do I defend myself against such allegations or not.  Do I share my findings which prove that someone else did many of those awful things that I was castigated for having done.  I am no innocent, helpless person, but as far as those things that I supposedly did...I did not do them.  I am just dumbfounded by it all.  I defended her and made up excuses for the way she dismissed our friendship all these past years; stupidly and blindly giving her the benefit of the doubt.

I have changed a lot during the 20 year hiatus of our friendship.  Yeah, I refer to it as a vacation (hiatus) when it was no such thing.  I was persona non grata in her life.  All this time I wondered what happened between us to create such a rift, but after hearing her story over the phone earlier this month, well, it is just very upsetting.  I do not agree with any of it, but I will accept how she chooses to view things.  After all, she dropped our friendship for her own reasons and both of us have moved forward.  I know I have accomplished a lot during the last 20 years, and that I am happy.  Sure I would have loved for us to have continued our friendship all these years, but what has been done cannot be undone.  I am not even sure if I will hear from her ever again.  She is the one who missed out on continuing a friendship with me.  I know this much, though, that I am a good person.  I already reached out to her so it is up to her going forward.  I won't hold my breath that I will ever hear back from her, but that is okay. 
I have lived a good life thus far without her friendship, and I plan on continuing as such.  I just need to write this down so that one day maybe the Karma G-ds will see fit to bring us together again and maybe help us mend a broken friendship.  But for now, I say enough is enough and just hope that one day I will get to defend myself.  I am so disappointed that she would think that I could do those things to her.  If she remembers how things were long, long ago then surely she knows that I could never hurt her like that.  I walked away long ago to allow her (and me) to be happy.  I am disappointed in myself as well because the last time we talked on the phone, I just listened to her allegations and by not defending myself at all, I indirectly accepted it all.  I just sat there and took it.  I was just not in my right mind.  It saddens me, makes me a bit angry/upset, but nothing left to do.  Not now, not anymore.  It just blows my mind.

Just my take for the day!

Dora's Corner: The Art Of Gifting (Age) Appropriately!

As it always happens most toys/items that we prefer to gift - mainly for the youngsters - tend to be for older kids.  Being without children I expect I have become more wary of buying more suitable, age-appropriate presents for children.  Not because I care about what others might think because I really do not.  I merely wish for kids to have toys/items that they will get the most out of and can play with right away.  Besides being different has always been my hand-to-play --if you will, but gifting is an art-form, and I always strive to buy gifts that others will like.  Not something I like, but what I know others are into and such.  It really just boggles my mind how often so many others do not take this 'unwritten rule' of buying age-appropriate gifts to task, and end up gifting things that a child may not be able to use for some while.

The last present I bought a couple of days ago was for my great-niece who is a wee 15 months-young.  No special occasion this time around.  It was something I do for all children in our family or circle of friends.  But I must say that this one little girl has just tugged at all of our heart-strings.  Personally, she is the 'apple of my eye'.  I don't demean the place that the other children in the family have in my life.  Nor do I place them on different  levels of priority: "no one is more loved than anyone else!"  I do not love one person more than another.  However, I will not pretend that some have a different place in my life.  There is a difference in all relationships.  The more some do for me and communicate with me then the more I cherish that relationship we have.  But this great-niece of mine perhaps took such a role in my heart and in my life because she was born a year after we lost my mom to esophageal cancer.  Oh but how my mom would have loved this little great-granddaughter of hers.  My great-niece surely would have been spoiled even more-so by my wonderful mom! 

Anyway, back to story-in-point, in being at many parties for children --I have seen some people gift things that were intended for older kids.  Do most people just not get the idea behind companies printing the age-appropriate data on their items.  My guess is "no!"  It bothers me and maybe it can be considered one of my pet peeves because of the obvious reasons I stated above.  If the gift is for older children, then I would like to think that the people on the receiving end will take-to-heart or better yet, take-to-mind and just wait until their child is old enough to play with respective toy or whatever.  One could avoid all of this if people just learned the idea of appropriate gifting.  You wouldn't give a newborn a book (unless it is for a collection or something), but you get the gist of what I am stating today.  Hey, at the end of it all, maybe it is just me who gets disturbed by such things.  Oh, bother!

Just my take for the day!

Dora's Corner: Ain't Misbehavin': Survival Of The Fittest (Parents)!

...So in taking that business trip yesterday, not only did I see too many kids acting up everywhere we went, but I may have found a solution.  A solution for people like me that is.  And who am I?  A person happily involved in an awesome relationship of 16+ years, double-income, lots of freedom, beaucoup spontaneity with no kids!  No kids, but...thoroughly concerned about our youth.  Why?  Well, for one I am a fighter for the well-being and good treatment of children everywhere.  Wanting to save everyone's innocence, per se --kind of like Catcher In The Rye (1951) maybe I am a little like Holden Caulfield --or more like one J.D. Salinger since he did write this wonderful book.  I am a protector of children especially (and of the elderly).  No, I am not mentally incapacitated or mentally disabled as Holden was, but he had a way of looking at things and of wanting things.  I would love to save the innocence of our children, but I live in the real world.  Try as hard as I can --there are so many (too many) who slip through the cracks every single solitary day.

Second, being sans kids, I adore the children in our family; they are "my kids!"  Not only do I love them, but I enjoy spending time with them.  Teaching them anything I can.  Discovering what they in turn have learned from what we taught them, what they learned in school or from wherever.  As long as it is positive and enforces good nature and encourages a love for learning...I am agreeable to it.

 Well, it seems I went off on a tangent there, and I have not yet explained my solution for kids who act up in public. 
It's so simple (I love saying 'simple')...wear earplugs!  Wow.  How freaking insightful of me, right!  No, not really.  I shall explain...for one, do not ever approach anyone's child and never insinuate (vocally or otherwise) your dislike of said child in any manner because you will suffer the wrath of respective parents, guardians, care-givers, etc...  DON'T DO THAT!  Everyone at one time or another has had to publicly endure the occasional rants and cries of a child.  "Town-crier" being earned by kids acting rotten.  Do you seriously think that the parent does not hear the same thing.  Do you think that the parent enjoys hearing or seeing his/her kid act so badly. 

If I had children I know I would not appreciate anyone telling me or my child anything negative.  I would like to think that my child would have good manners and would act nicely and courteously at all times, but I know that no one (not even me) lives in a perfect world.  A Utopian society where people are perfect and make excellent parents does not exist.  Having perfect children does not exist.  Be mindful of others because one day it could be you in their shoes.  Just bear and grin it.  You and only you have the final solution to matters such as this or any others like this.  So just be nice and remember the things you can do:

1) leave the area

2) keep quiet and stay pretending like it is not bothersome to you

3) wear those earplugs

Children will be children and we gotta love 'em!

Just my take for the day!

CONGRATULATIONS TO US: ROUGH RIDE BUT WELL WORTH IT ALL.

...Sixteen years since the day we (Sara and I) got together and 18 since we first met and became best friends.  We can talk about anything.  We take many trips and seldom listen to music or anything offered up by satellite radio.  Even when we are together for a lengthy time, we just talk and the times just passes.  Many others like going on trips with us because they enjoy our way of communicating; we make others laugh.  We help others have a good time.  We are so easy-going.  Sara taught me that (to be easy going).  We make one another laugh (I taught her to be extra funny).  We give each other room when needed.  Always respectful of each other and of our separate views and ideas; i.e. Sara being an Atheist and me being in the middle of a religious crisis.  Scientology just did not do it for me.  Catholicism having become much too dogmatic and less pragmatic for me, too.  Hardly anything escapes our conversation.  We have endured good times and bad times as everyone does.  That is just a part of life.  We have survived so much and it has made us stronger, and like Bill said, it brought us closer than we ever imagined.  The love just grows.

We overcame so many hard times (some much too heart-wrenching to share here) but other hard times like when Sara was in grad school --we had to cut back on things here and there.  But on that glorious day of her graduation ceremony with all of our family and friends in attendance, she proudly walked that awesome stage and received her master's degree (History/English).  She walked high and proud donning the beautiful academic regalia as she was hooded as well.  Soon it will be my chance to do the same.  But for now, getting into a profession (programming, I.T., System's Administration) that I really love and am so passionate about was what Sara gifted me by her patience and encouragement all these past few years.  I also appreciate her often 'kick in the arse' of me!  She brings me back to reality. 

We bring out the best in each other.  I certainly have strived to be a better person because of her.  I hope she says the same about me when I am not around.  J.K. --many have told me that she adores me.  We are so lucky but remain humble.  Knock wood for many more happy and healthy years...