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quick links

Quick links: Learn CSS and to code

So maybe you work with making (designing or something) websites, but don't understand much about the tech behind it. It happens. Or maybe you just want to learn how it all works. On web there are loads of different ways to learn the basics, some quite interesting too. And free.

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is the way of styling websites. It's pretty much how the look of a site is built. To learn CSS, see CSS 101: interactive tutorial.

But CSS alone doesn't help much. In order to learn how it all really works check out Codeacademy. It's an interactive way to try and learn basics of coding (and scripting) in different languages, starting with the basics of JavaScript.

Suomeksi (In Finnish):

Ehkä työskentelet nettisaittien tekemisen parissa, mutta et ymmärrä paljon saittien teknisestä puolesta. Sitä tapahtuu. Tai ehkäpä haluat vain oppia ymmärtämään miten se kaikki toimii. Verkko tarjoaa monia eri tapoja oppia perusteita. Jotkin niistä ovat erittäin mielenkiintoisia ja ilmaisiakin. Jos haluat oppia CSS:ää, tsekkaa CSS 101: interactive tutorial. Tyylitiedostoilla yksin ei tosin pitkälle pötkitä, joten koodaamisen (ja skriptaamisen) perusteita, JavaScriptista alkaen, voi opetella interaktiivisella Codeacademy -sivustolla.

0 replies | April 7, 2012 - 15:23 |

A couple of interesting quick links

Society6 is a marketplace for affordable art. Pretty much anyone can post and sell their artworks, including prints, canvases, hoodies and iPhone cases. Maybe I'll throw in a couple of iPhone cases for you to buy. Would you be interested?

A good basic list of 3 things Pinterest users should do isn't only for existing pinners. It's also a simple reminder for business owners and brand representatives.

Fredric Paul gives on RWW considerable points why employers shouldn't be asking for the Facebook passwords of their employees or potential employees. In my opinion the best point of Take My Facebook Password? Over My Dead Body is at the end: The security. Haven't we all learned by now we shouldn't give our passwords to anyone?

If you understand Finnish, there's a new Ellit.fi blog for you: Collaborative blog by FC Enkelit has just been launched. For starters see the introduction to the team and the bloggers.

3 replies | March 27, 2012 - 15:57 |

Blog post ideas

Have you ever had a bloggers block? I have. I'm currently having one. To get over with it I went to search for inspiration. Here's a wrap up of what I found.

Chris Brogan's 100 Blog Topics I Hope YOU Write is an oldie but goodie. The list includes topics for professionals and company blogs as well as ideas for casual writers. Many topics on this list are quite strong ones (which is great).

11 Uncommon Blog Post Ideas for More Web Traffic is a list of ideas for blogging. The ideas are backed up with real examples and explanations on why the ideas should work. See also 5 Extraordinary Blog Post Types that Will Grow Your Audience Faster for more.

20 Different Blog Post Ideas is another list with... Well, ideas. These ideas are also well described and detailed.

For a simpler list see 101+ Killer Blog Post Ideas. This list isn't very detailed, but it contains plenty of blog post types and ideas.

More ideas with details and a couple of examples provides 15 List Post Ideas When You Get Writer’s Block. Through this post I also found 12 Blog Post Ideas You Can Start Using Today.

41 Fresh Blog Post Ideas For Your Company Blog is aimed for businesses. However many of these ideas can be used as is or modified for non-business blogging too.

50 Can’t-Fail Techniques for Finding Great Blog Topics gives ideas of how to find ideas for blog posts. There are some examples and the post even encourages for taking breaks and such.

Suomeksi (In Finnish):

Onko sinulle joskus noussut seinä vastaan, kun olet yrittänyt keksiä jotakin blogattavaa? Minulle on. Kärsin juuri kirjoittajan pölkystä, kuten writer's block on tuolla jossain nohevasti suomennettu. Ryhdyin siis etsimään inspiraatiota. Yllä olevat linkit sisältävät hyviä ideoita, ohjeita, esimerkkejä ja jopa otsikoita, joilla päästä yli tai vaikkapa läpi siitä seinästä.

3 replies | March 10, 2012 - 01:52 |

Linkdump: Free fonts, @font-face & Cufón

For all your (or my) free fonts needs comes Font Squirrel. For us web designers and developers Font Squirrel also features readymade @font-face Kits and a @font-face Generator.

A couple of other places to find free fonts:
Fontex
dafont.com
FontShop Free Fonts

Even if you would use the @font-face Generator mentioned above, here are some nifty instructions (cause it's always good to know):
Implementing @font-face
Bulletproof @font-face syntax

But what to do when @font-face doesn't work in older browsers? Then cufón might help. You can even combine cufón and @font-face with the help of this tutorial. Please note, I still haven't tried cufón. The demo sites look good though.

Photo by Håkan Dahlström.

2 replies | June 9, 2011 - 12:52 |

Quick links for the weekend

If I'd like to customize my Macbook a bit, I'd get this Apple Tree - Macbook Decal. Or maybe this Fuzzy Spider Descending on your Macbook - Cute Laptop Decal. So cool.

While surfing Etsy, check out these beautiful and sort of nerdy Columns of Upcycled Circuit Boards by Upcycled Jewelry. I own these Sexy Sleek Upcycled Copper Computer Board Earrings. Love them.

Jussi (Tarkkaamo) shared this post about a great idea, universal wrapping paper (via The Dieline). Wish this was for sale somewhere.

For real life liking (and disliking), one could use some Facebook Like & Dislike Stickers. Should get a bunch...

While I'm not a coaster person, these Toast It Coasters are pure awesome (via How About Orange)!

And if you are a social media nut like moi, see a good list of Things Companies Don’t Want to Hear about Social Media (via @Jussipekka).

0 replies | March 11, 2011 - 17:50 |

Hello, my name is Mervi!

I’m a Digital Craftswoman, geek, cat person, dreamer, awesome, always right and quite boring. This is the tasselflower blog about web design, social media, life, marketing and business. Have some tea!

Mervi Emilia