Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter : Issue #21
Copyright (c) 2003 : http://www.ground-z.org
September 28 2003 : All Rights Reserved
Editor : Rik Tairea - webmaster@ground-z.org

The Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter is a monthly eZine created for webmasters and website owners who are looking for useful resources, tools, editorials, software, eBooks, promotion and design tips to help get the most out of a website. For in-depth reviews of webmaster resources and website tools, articles, books, software, awards and past newsletter issues visit http://www.ground-z.org


- In This Issue -

1. Introduction
2. Recommended Resources
3. Top 10 Resources @ Groundzero
4. Editors Corner
5. Promotion Tip
6. Recommended eBook
7. Design Review
8. Recommended Software
9. Contact/Unsubscribe/Subscribe/Privacy
10. Final Thoughts
11. Newsletter Details


- 1.Introduction -

Welcome to Issue #21 of the Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter. This month in the "Editors Corner" I talk about Flash and we also have the usual recommended resources, promotion tip, eBook, website design and software reviews.

I've been playing around with a couple of pieces of Flash software for the last couple of weeks, so I decided to publish a full issue of this newsletter dedicated completely to Flash (even the ads are Flash related).

Long time subscribers of this eZine might get the feeling from past issues that I'm not exactly a fan of Flash, and you're 50% correct. I say 50% correct because I'm not a fan of it, but I don't dislike it either.

I do see it's uses.

I'm not the biggest Flash expert but I do know my way around Macromedia's software and in the past, have used it once or twice in a website. Like I mentioned a couple of sentences ago, I've been playing with a couple of pieces of Flash software lately (CoffeeCup Firestarter and Swish) so I'm not a complete Flash newbie.

But I'm still not exactly a Flash developer either.

I think I'll use the term "webmaster who uses Flash every now and then" to describe myself in relation to my Flash expertise. But never fear, this issue is dedicated to Flash resources that will help you get more from your super duper special effects loaded and sound pumpin presentations.

Even if you don't use Flash and/or not planning on using it in the future, you should still take a look at the "Editors Corner" and read my thoughts and opinions of Flash.

Enjoy this months issue!

Editor - Rik Tairea
Groundzero - http://www.ground-z.org


- 2.Recommended Resources -

A4Flash :
http://www.a4flash.com/
A4Flash provides a collection of high end multimedia Flash templates and design solutions for your Flash presentation needs. Their Flash designs are able to encompass sound, music, video, real audio, animation and special effects. These templates and designs are not fr#e.

Flash Kit Tutorials :
http://www.flashkit.com/tutorials/
This Flash resource holds tutorials for beginners and new users who are just starting out with Flash, but also has many tutorials for more experienced developers as well. Tutorial topics range from action scripting and using audio to 3D modelling and backend Flash technologies.

FlashMove Forum :
http://www.flashmove.com/board/index.php
This Flash dedicated forum is lead by a team of Flash experts, who aim to develop and create a Flash resource site that aids novice and veteran flash developers. Forums in this Flash community cover development, programming, art, design, site reviews, software and off topic discussion.


- 3.Top 10 Resources @ Groundzero -

Here are the top 10 rated webmaster resources reviewed at Groundzero. Visit the "Webmaster Resources" section and read in-depth reviews on various website tools, guides, affiliate networks, traffic generators and software. New webmaster resources are added weekly and are rated out of 5.00.

1 - Logo Creator
2 - iPowerWeb
3 - Group Mail
4 - Ulead Cool 3D
5 - A Best Web
6 - CoffeeCup Firestarter
7 - 123 Log Analyzer
8 - Ulead GIF Animator
9 - Shareasale
10 - Effect 3D Studio


- 4.Editors Corner -

"My Thoughts On Flash"

If you didn't know already, I run a website award program that gives out awards to websites that look good and function well. This means I have to spend a bit of time looking at the numerous applications that I receive and, a good amount of these sites contain Flash presentations.

Before we go on I have to say that I'm not a Flash developer or expert, I am familiar with the software, have used it on only a couple of websites for a small amount of time and, I don't favor or dislike it.

I said all that because this editorial is just listing my opinions on Flash. It wasn't written with the intent to make me look like some kind of "Flash Guru" because I'm far from it, I don't play one on TV either.

Back to the show.

For the last couple of years the only sites I have been creating have been sales sites. This means that I've had no use for incorporating Flash (or any other special plug-in for that matter).

When building a website dedicated only to selling products, I believe that using Flash instead of standard HTML and images would have a negative effect on my search engine optimization techniques. It would also increase the page loading time and there are still people out there who still don't have the browser plug-in to display Flash elements (I think the total number is 6).

Of course in the eye's of some, most of that would be debatable, but it's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

Another reason I don't use Flash or prefer Flash websites is because I'm not an "interactive" person and in my opinion, that's who Flash is for. When I visit a website it's either for information or to make a purchase, I'm not there to play games, hear sound effects when I navigate or see dazzling pretty colors, I'm there for the info.

Now that's just me (and a few others like me). I'm a simple kind of guy who prefers simple things and this is why I prefer text only eZines compared to HTML ones, even if HTML provides more options for the subscriber and publisher.

But I still see why Flash can be so useful. Just because I don't need interactivity to make me stay and return to a website, others do.

For example, in this day of age you would be hard pressed to find a popular kid's television and/or cartoon show without a website, you would also have some difficulty finding the same website without some Flash elements.

Why? Because the majority of children who watch these shows prefer that whole interactive thing. Obviously, Flash gives designers a slew of options compared to the static HTML method and, if it appeals to the audience then you would be a fool not to implement this technology.

As a web designer (or webmaster) Flash gives you options.

For about four years I've been hearing that Flash is the future, the very weird thing is that I'm still hearing the same sentence. I've noticed that quite a lot of websites do utilize this technology (I'm sure you have too) but not every webpage on the Internet has a Flash piece on it.

My thought is that some were thinking that everyone making a webpage would incorporate something Flash related, no matter how small or insignificant. This could still come true thanks to the fact that there are some real affordable and easy to use solutions available now.

Even I'm in the middle of creating a Flash website.

It's not going to be the greatest Flash site ever made and, it's not going to have all the bells and whistles, I've even decided that it's not going to have any sound either.

My reason for a site with Flash on it? I'm jumping on the bandwagon - well not really. I'm creating a personal website (at a very slow pace) and I've decided to incorporate Flash for pure webmaster reasons.

I just want to show people that I can. ;-)


- 5.Promotion Tip -

Nem5 Flash Design Award :
http://www.webmaggic.com/flash/apply.html

The Nem5 Flash Design Award is an award dedicated solely to websites that feature Flash. This Flash Award was created to recognize outstanding creativity and skill in Shockwave and Flash design.

Award criteria includes :
- more than 5 pages of Flash content.
- the work must show originality.
- programming must load quickly.
- visuals and sound must be clear and sharp.
- visit the Nem5 website for more criteria info.

Winning the Nem5 Flash Design Award is like winning other website awards (including the Groundzero Design Award) and the benefits include receiving an award image to display on your website and being featured in the winners section.


- 6.Recommended eBook -

Title : Flash 5 Bible
Price : $12.95
URL : http://www.sid007.com/flashmx.htm

The Flash Bible contains over 20MB of information and is a complete tutorial (fully illustrated) that teaches you how to build a 100% Flash website. It also covers Flash topics ranging from creating components in Flash to Flash MX ActionScript for designers.

Topics covered include :
- approaching advanced animation.
- understanding action script.
- navigating timelines and communicating.
- transforming graphics and sound.
- working with information.

This eBook will help you learn the basics and the advanced features of Flash. Learn tutorials, working with cascading style sheets (CSS), building templates, web design, layouts, advance multimedia elements and more.


- 7.Design Review -

Site Name : danyWeBColF
Type : Flash Web Design
URL : http://www.danywebcolf.com/

Personal website for Flash designer Daniela who also goes by the alias WeBColF (hence the website name and web address danyWeBColF). It features her portfolio of web design and personal artwork and also has a guestbook.

Besides the entry page, the whole website is pretty much fully displayed in Flash which is of high quality. What really amazed me about the whole thing (besides it's excellent look) was the fact that it loaded very quickly.

Once you get past the initial loading stage of the site, everything is up and loaded very quickly (I was using a dial-up connection).

The simple and clean layout is maintained through the entire site (which isn't that big) but the color scheme changes on every section along with background graphic changes and small navigation changes, but on a whole you still get the same design look.

Hard to describe with words but if you take a look around the danyWeBColF site you should get what I mean.


- 8.Recommended Software -

Name : SWiSHmax
Type : Flash
Size : 7.3MB
Price : $79.95 (fr#e 15 day trial)
Operating System : Windows
URL : http://www.swishzone.com/

SWiSHmax has everything you need to create fully interactive Flash animations and is a more affordable option compared to Macromedia's own Flash software. It has numerous features ranging from advanced drawing tools to enhanced import and export options.

Other features include :
- bundled with over 230 built-in effects.
- the ability to author and distribute your own effects.
- supports input and dynamic text.
- advanced script editor and built-in debugger.
- supports the use of templates.
- and much more.

The main selling point for me regarding this product is it's library of built-in effects, this takes out the effort of creating animation (especially for intro's) and saves time. Combine this with the fact that the price is not too bad.


- 9.Contact/Unsubscribe/Subscribe/Privacy -

If you have any questions regarding this newsletter then please feel free to contact me by e-mail. You can also send in any feedback about the Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter. I love receiving e-mail so feel free to send in a message to just say hello or, if you need any help (website wise) then send in a question that I might be able to help you with.

contact - webmaster@ground-z.org
unsubscribe - unsubscribe@ground-z.org
subscribe - subscribe@ground-z.org

I absolutely despise SPAM and I will respect your privacy. I will not share or sell your e-mail address with anyone, I will not send you any unsolicited mail or collect any demographic information about you. Your e-mail address will only be used to receive the Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter and any correspondence with me will remain confidential.


- 10.Final Thoughts -

I hope you enjoyed Issue #21 of the Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter. Remember you can always read past issues of this newsletter on the website and the next issue will be sent out October 28th 2002. Please feel free to send any feedback or comments you may have about this newsletter.

If you want to recommend some webmaster resources/websites, eBooks, software or any well designed websites then let me know, even if it's yours. If it benefits others then I'll feature it in an issue of this newsletter so send it in.

If you think you know someone who might be interested in reading this newsletter then do them a favor and forward them this entire e-mail or point them to the Groundzero website located @ http://www.ground-z.org

If you want to help out some more and you think that this newsletter is useful then feel free to put a link on your website pointing to Groundzero @ http://www.ground-z.org

Thanks for your time and stay safe.
Rik Tairea :)


- 11.Newsletter Details -

You are receiving the Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter because you submitted your e-mail address by way of e-mail or a sign-up form located at Groundzero. If you do not wish to receive this publication anymore then use the unsubscription e-mail link located in Section 9.

No part of this newsletter may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission. You may forward this eZine by e-mail as long as you forward it in its entirety. It is forbidden to post this newsletter on any website or republish it in print or other media without prior written consent from the editor.