Savant Creative's Blog

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Thu, 25 Mar 2010 23:53:00 -0700

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Bluetooth: Not Available - The Fullproof Fix!

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:30:42 -0700

I have this MacBook 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo which is a beautiful little product by Apple. And yesterday I spoilt myself with the Apple Mighty Mouse. Excited to start using it I started the process of pairing the mouse to the Macbook.However the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar greyed out with a zig-zag line through it. When I clicked on it, it stated:

"Bluetooth: Not Available"

So being the avid Mac fan, I ventured down the path of trying to figure out the problem:

1. Repaired Disk Permissions
2. Updated the Firmware
3. Reset the PRAM
4. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
5. Deleted the com.appleBluetooth preference from the Preferences folder
6. Unplugged all other USB devises
7. Started to MacBook without the battery
8. Even rewired the Bluetooth connection wire to go above the Optical Drive for the heat issue

All these solutions were provided from posts, forums and blogs relating to this "Bluetooth: Not Available" issue (And it was quite extensive!). 3 hours later and much frustration the Bluetooth was still NOT working.

Below is my Fullproof fix for this issue:

1. Go down to your local computer store and get a R199 ($25) Bluetooth Adaptor
2. Plug it into your computer
3. Voila

"Bluethooth: On"

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Poster Rules

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 07:55:56 -0800

Working with a client on social media love this site check it out http://www.savantcreative.co.za

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Join SWOM - Social Media Business Platform

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 07:38:51 -0800

Just joined SWOM - The Swom.com Team http://swom.com

Thinking this could be an interesting platform to develop business opportunities. Love to hear your comments, pro and cons of something like this when there is so much out there.

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Using hidden keywords to increase SEO

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:10:36 -0800

Bad idea!

These pages are visible only to a search crawler and contain keywords hidden within the body of a web page, sometimes in a small font and in a colour that perfectly matches the websites background.

If you have a website and it contains hidden pages, it's just a matter of time before the crawler figures out that the content is part of a hidden SEO strategy, and once that's determined by the crawler, your site ranking will drop drastically.

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Using Flash and its effect on SEO

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:06:54 -0800

Flash is a nightmare with it comes to SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Although Flash is very cool and visually pleasing, it can stop a web crawler in its tracks, and once it is stopped, the crawler won't resume indexing your site. Instead, it will simply move on to the next website on its list.

The easiest way to avoid Flash problems is to simply not use it. If, despite all this, your client needs to implement it in their website, then you can code the Flash in HTML and an option can be added to test for the ability to see Flash before it is executed.

There is some debate about whether this is acceptable SEO practice, so before you implement this strategy to improve SEO take some time to research the method.

Visit http://www.savantcreative.co.za and find out how to build an effective SEO website.

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Free Photoshop Brushes

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:43:00 -0800

Needing to spruce up a background in Photoshop I came across this awesome site.

http://www.brusheezy.com

A place for artists to download and vote for the best custom Photoshop brushes and Photoshop patterns on the internet! This site is updated every day with new brushes for Photoshop so check back often and submit your own!

For more inspiration goto http://www.savantcreative.co.za

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Stopping Copyright Infringement

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:40:58 -0700

Copyright infringement can happen to you, too. If you are writing original content on your site it is very likely that someone will come along and copy your content without your permission.

It is important for you to spend a little time checking for copyright infringement on your original articles. One way to do this is to pull a unique phrase from your article and search for it on the web. If other people are using your copy, it is likely that your unique phrase will pop up in the search results.

This manual method is very time consuming if you have a large amount of content and articles. One web based service http://www.copyscape.com is a free service to search for content found on a specific URL. The results are usually accompanied by links to search other pages on your site.

Another service you can use to monitor or search for copyright infringement is CyberAlert http://www.cyberalert.com.

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Invest in yourself

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:23:17 -0700

Think about it... how great a painter do you think you could become if you painted a still-life, even a simple one, six out of seven days per week for one year? How skilled an artist could you become if you spent that time drawing a self-portrait or creating abstract works of colour? How far could your skills evolve if you made it a firm goal design one logo per day. Dare you imagine?

What might happen if you committed yourself to a determined amount of time that was invested solely to improving your graphic design growth?

Could you? Should you? When? Now!

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Design that inspires

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:10:26 -0700

Keeping your designs fresh, interesting and original is an integral part of growing as a professional designer. Make time to view other designers works in the form of design magazines, publications, exhibitions or even workshops.

I find it extremely inspiring to go down to my local book store where I head straight to the art section and page through the many awsome publications in new media and contemporary design.

This interaction not only keeps me up to date with design trends and thoughts but the quality of work published inspires me to grown and be better as a professional designer.

Make note of the use of space, the use of typography, colour combinations, flow of direction, textures, photographic effects, moods, feelings and layout. You may find one or more elements in the works viewed, will inspire you when you tackle your next project.

Thanks to all the great designers out there that produce the quality work that inspires!

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The connection of website design

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:31:22 -0700

The future of design definitely doesn't lie in discipline such as web design alone. I believe it lies in the connection of design, architecture, moving images etc...

The web doesn't allow for many things due to its limitations of the screen and browser, but what it can do is to combine many different things and turn them into one and that's the strength of it.

No picture on a site will ever be as impressive as a printout of the same design on large format. It's movement, interaction, the idea of being connected and sound that make the web special.

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Vector vs Rastor

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:42:00 -0700

When designing a corporte identity - logo - there is no cardinal rule in what software package you should use to get your concept to something visual.

For some logo examples goto http://www.savantcreative.co.za/index.php?option=com_digifolio&catid=5&am...

I am more old school and believe in the term "less is more" so my initial concepts for the logo are one dimentional and usually consist of two complementary colours, which are drawn up on a 'vector based 'programme, such as Freehand. This programme uses points, lines and curves and are best used in CAD work. Being a vector file it can easily be scaled up without losing any quality.

On occasion I feel the need to take the logo a step further and assign some form of 3D. In this instance, I import my vector file into a 'rastor' programme such as Photoshop. This programme works as an array of pixels and is best used in photographic work. Bear in mind when designing or enhancing a logo in this programme, it is best to keep your pixels/inch resolution 300 pixels or above. By implementing this hi resolution you will keep your detail of your logo when scaling up.

There are instances when working with 'vector based' programmes is best practice, and instances when working with 'raster based' programmes is best practice. There are times when both formats come together.

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Selling to an audience of experts

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:31:57 -0700

Every time you design a logo, brochure, poster or advertisement, remember this: You are selling to an audience of experts. That's right, no matter how simple or complex the subject matter is, a large portion of the audience for that piece will know their product top to bottom, inside and out. It's their thing.

When you begin a project, take the time to familiarise yourself with the product being presented. Learn about it's history, its projected future, it's success and failures. Ask your client for links and literature.

This process will not only give you the background you need to communicate to the target audience, it can also provide you with a depth of visual and conceptual possibilities that you can access when it comes time to create.

For more information goto http://www.savantcreative.co.za or skype:savantcreative

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Blog from your iPhone

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:07:19 -0700

How to post an article to Twitter, Facebook, Tumbler, Blogger, FriendFeed, to name a few - simutaneously - while using your iPhone?

Impressive and so simple to setup and not to mention the impact it can generate in your websites SEO marketing strategy.

By integrating Posterous http://www.posterous.com and using any email enabled phone, this seamless update of information can be implemented in the palm of your hand.

For more handy hints visit http://www.savantcreative.co.za

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Take a step back. Be original!

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:41:31 -0700

As a designer there comes a time when you hit a brick wall, the stage where that logo design is just not coming together and the deadline is looming. It is so easy to go online and buy a design from one of those well known stock photography portals. Yip we have all done that and in the short the client is satisfied.

Corporate Identity - letterhead, business card, brochure and website - are out and in full marketing mode and there it is; the logo you bought from that photostock portal is displayed in it full glory as another client's corporate identity.

So when you hit that brick wall, take a step back, close down Freehand, Illustrator or Photoshop and move onto another project. make a cup of coffee, lie on your back on the grass (if you are lucky enough to have a that space), draw a cartoon figure, you will be amazed in how the shift of thought will inspire you.

But above all, your design will be original, fresh and unique and you will not have to have that awkward embarrassing meeting to explain the duplication in your clients logo.

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Build dynamic websites to increase SEO

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:31:03 -0700

Developing a dynamic website should be an essential part of your online marking strategy. Integrating your site with social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumbr and YouTube, to name a few, can increase traffic to your site and in addition provide a higher page ranking on search engines due to the quality 'external links' back to your site.

A dynamic website should be a living, breathing portal of information that will educate and stimulate your audience bringing them back time and time again. Posting articles of quality content related to product or service and simultaneously integrating that content with a single click to social media platforms has never been easier.

Installing the correct Content Management System (CMS), into your website will offer this seamless integration into social media platforms. Savant Creative http://www.savantcreative.co.za will take your online marketing strategy to a new level, increase SEO and drive drive people to your site, let us show you how.

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Paying Attention

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:05:49 -0700

If the layouts and artwork we create are to connect with our intended audience, we must first try to understand that audience and then evaluate every aspect of our work in the context of now.

What is "in?" What is "out?" To know this, we must become human satellite dishes: constantly tuned to the many (and changing) facets of style and form. We need to pay attention to what is going on today and what went on yesterday. Sources are everywhere: the colours being offered by clothing designers, the fonts chosen for a movie's credits or the pages of a well-designed magazine, the packaging of our music, the styling of our cars, motorcycles and bikes.

Be receptive. Be tuned in to what's going on and notice who is responding to what.

For more inspiration goto http://www.savantcreative.co.za

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Running Joomla on Mac OS X

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:09:25 -0700

MAMP installs a local server environment in a matter of seconds on your Mac OS X computer, be it PowerBook or iMac. Like similar packages from the Windows- and Linux-world, MAMP comes free of charge.

http://www.savantcreative.co.za/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=12&func=view&catid=7&id=8

MAMP is installed in the typical Mac fashion: very easily. MAMP will not compromise any existing Apache installation already running with your OS X. You can install Apache, PHP and MySQL without starting a script or having to change any configuration files!

Furthermore, if MAMP is no longer needed, it is sufficient to delete the MAMP folder and everything returns to its original status (i.e. MAMP does not modify any of the "normal" OS X).

Licensing

Similar to a Linux-Distribution, MAMP is a combination of free software and thus it is offered free of charge. MAMP is released under the GNU General Public License and may thereby be distributed freely within the boundaries of this license. Please note: some of the included software is released using a different license. In these cases, the corresponding license applies.

Philosophy

MAMP was created primarily as a PHP development environment for Macintosh computer and should therefore not be used as Live Webserver for the Internet. In this case, we recommend that you use Mac OS X server with the provided Apache or a Linux server.

Download

www.mamp.info/en/index.html

Join us in our forum 'Push out the boundaries' and let us answer your questions, problems that you may have http://www.savantcreative.co.za/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=12

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Hi-ReS!

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:48:31 -0700

"Our philosophy is simple: never do a job you don't believe in. Do every job with a much enthusiasm as if it was your first and as much attention to detail as if it was your last."

http://www.hi-res.net

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Forum for designers

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:33:52 -0700

Savant Creative have introduced a forum 'Push out the boundaries' relating to the following fields of design and development:

http://www.savantcreative.co.za/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=12

1. Joomla - The open source leading CMS system.
2. Deamweaver - Dealing with solutions, tips and tricks and problems that you may encounter while developing websites with Adobe Deamweaver.
3. Photoshop - Ever wanted to know how to get around Adobe Photoshop.
4. Mac OS X - We have extensive knowledge on using these superb machines.
5. SEO - Search Engine Optimisation is a gradual and consistent process in improving your website ranking.
6. Design Quotes - Some inspiring insight from leading 21st Century designers.

We want you to get involved and look forward to your questions and suggestions and in addition hopefully provide you with valuable content.

http://www.savantcreative.co.za/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=12

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