Photoshop Freeware: GIMP

When you think of a computer program used for graphic design, the first that comes to mind is Adobe's Photoshop. Accessible to newbies; artists and professionals, Photoshop has access to multiple tools and effects that allow for high quality pictures and designs. It even has other capabilities such as 3D designs and limited animation. With great power, however, comes a great price; with prices starting at $500 and some outlets selling Photoshop at $1,000, this is no bargain. While Adobe offers Photoshop in their Creative Cloud suite, a monthly subscription is required to use the program. This is an option some aren't willing to accept or can't afford. Granted, there's Photoshop Elements also by Adobe but that program doesn't hold a candle compared to the main event. Still, graphic artists and designers of all kinds need a photo and art program of some kind to earn a living.

Fortunately, there's someone who believes in the spirit of free software. That someone made GIMP; short for GNU Image Manipulation Program, it serves to be a freeware alternative to Photoshop for those not willing to pay massive prices or monthly subscriptions. While it works closely like Photoshop, there are some features that make it stand out from its commercial bretheren.

First, GIMP has support for PSD files out of the box; PSD is the native Photoshop file, and if one doesn't have Photoshop at home they can use GIMP to continue working on projects. GIMP also has features similar to or even equal with Photoshop, such as lasso tools; clone stamps and even healing tools. GIMP also has line stroking tools and effects, great for making line art scanned to the computer.

GIMP can also save in a variety of formats like .JPEG; .GIF; .PNG; .TIFF, and many more. This is a plus for those that need Photoshop but want to save money. It also has support for plug-ins that add to GIMP further, which is also an advantage because it gives extra features not found in GIMP. In rare cases the latter turns GIMP into a completely different program altogether.

The only bad thing about GIMP is that it can do things just as well as Photoshop, but not everything. For one thing, GIMP won't be able to do 3D graphics, and you'd have to get plugins to do basic animations.

Overall, if you want an alternative to Photoshop and are intimidated by massive price tags or subscriptions GIMP is for you. While not as powerful, GIMP is a program marked by its versatility and community support. I strongly recommend it.

Download GIMP here: http://www.gimp.org/downloads/

This Honey Badger Cares: The Honey Add-On for Web Browsers

Saving money: a skill that's important for survival next to cooking. Some use coupons to cut down on bills; others take advantage of special offers in stores; then there's good, old-fashioned savings accounts and smart financial management. In the 21st century, however, all of that is taken to the next level.

An add-on for web browsers, Honey helps whenever you're trying to find a coupon code for shopping on the internet. It works with a wide variety of stores, ranging from retailers like amazon.com, to restaurants such as Papa Johns and Domino's.

Installing the add-on is simple. Go to the Honey website, scroll down to the "Download Now Free" button, and the web browser will do the rest. Congratulations, you now have access to coupon codes and extra savings.

In addition, there's a rewards program associated with the Honey add-on where you earn a currency called HoneyGold. For each dollar amount you spend, you earn the associated amount of HoneyGold. This can be used for redeeming amazon.com gift cards and, if their website is any indication, actual gold. Yeah, that gold; the same gold found on Fort Knox, Jewelry and to a degree electronics.

Overall, this add-on is strongly recommended for those trying to save money. Install it, and you'll be able to do just that.

Download the add-on here: https://www.joinhoney.com/
Join the HoneyGold program here: https://www.joinhoney.com/honeygold

The Anker Bluetooth Keyboard: A Great Hardware Piece

The QWERTY keyboard; a staple of computer users since its inception, and is practically required next to the mouse to even operate a computer. Over time, however, keyboards change along with the world around them. They get new types of connections; can be used over a wide area of operating systems; even have additional buttons for exclusive features. In the case of Anker's Bluetooth keyboard, they become wireless.

Introductions out of the way, the Anker Bluetooth keyboard is a compact keyboard that can be used with anything that has support for Bluetooth hardware. Ranging from computers with either built-in or added on Bluetooth radios; Android devices like the Samsung Galaxy lineup; Apple's iOS systems; even Sony's PlayStation 3 supports this keyboard.

Pairing is simple. Turn on the keyboard, press the blue Fn key and the Z key, activate the Bluetooth finder on whatever device you have, pair the device by inputting the code that pops up, and you're done. Oh, and don't forget to charge the device up in case it doesn't have power.

The keyboard is more or less a bang for one's buck, costing only $16 online at amazon.com and working just as well as any keyboard. Highly recommended.

Buy this keyboard discussed in this blog here:
Amazon.com - Anker Bluetooth Keyboard

Sending SASEs to Special Services and Celebrities

Got a celebrity you like and want an autograph from? Can't make it to that fan convention due to circumstances out of your control? Sending a document to an official organization for publishing? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I've got the thing for you.

The SASE, or Self Addressed Stamped Envelope for short, is a special document that consists of two envelopes each with postage stamped on. It is used to send fan requests for autographs or manuscripts to publishing companies. Sweepstakes companies even request these documents in the event someone wins a massive prize.

The process is simple: have two envelopes with postage for both of them. The smaller envelope should NOT, repeat, NOT sealed up as this is reserved for the receiver to do so. Also have the intended delivery address--your address by the way--on this smaller envelope. Put the smaller envelope in the larger envelope. The larger envelope should have both the delivery address to the celebrity or company on it and a return address should things go wrong. Seal up the larger envelope, put postage on it and send it out. Hopefully you'll get a response in a few weeks.

That's all. Not so bad, is it?

Sources:
Self Addressed Stamped Envelope - Wikipedia
How to Send an S.A.S.E. (Self Addressed Stamped Envelope)

ReTrak Selfie Stick: Self-Indulging and Self-Satisfying

First and foremost, the Selfie Stick by ReTrak can be purchased on Amazon.com for $20 here: ReTrak Selfie Stick with Bluetooth

The Selfie Stick: a product of smartphone owners around the world who want to be able to take pictures of themselves without exposing the smartphone in question. While no substitute for dedicated cameras with tripods or even high powered compact point and shoot cameras, it's great for if you have a phone with a high quality camera built in and need a stable hand for photography. So how does the Selfie Stick by ReTrak stack up?

The device in question is well built, not feeling like it's going to break but not too durable at the same time.

Operating the device is easy. The phone goes on the clamp at the end of the stick, and in the case of the model that I am using, has a switch on the bottom to turn the Selfie Stick's Bluetooth function on or off. Pairing the phone with the stick varies between phone models but it's a matter of going through menus and following instructions. There's a button on the stick allowing the picture to be taken when phones are in camera mode.

The only bad thing about the Selfie Stick is that the clamp part tends to flip when trying to extend outwards. This could be based on me using my Samsung Galaxy S4 phone while operating the Selfie Stick, however.

In conclusion, this is a great device for taking pictures of yourself or your friends but you don't have a dedicated camera. Smartphones are common place and almost everyone has one, so if you want a tool in assisting that camera app the ReTrak Selfie Stick is for you.

Hiatus Return

For anyone that's new to this blog, feel free to ignore this post and just treat it as a "welcome to my blog" posting. Everyone else, read on.

I'm announcing the return to my blog after two years of no activity. I haven't posted anything in a long time not only because of outside issues, but also I felt that I haven't had anything new to say in a while.

That's about to change since from this point on, every two days a new blog posting will be created. Topics will range from progress in my novel; discussions about voice actors and audiobooks; product reviews; and other quality topics.

Again, I haven't had anything to write in a while but I promise I will change that. In fact I plan on making lots of changes not just in my blog, but with myself and others.

Noel's first side story done, and thoughts on other works

I finally finished Noel's first side story after many months of delays. Now I can work on Chapter 5. *insert celebratory music and scenes here*

Though, there is more to this than celebrations. I also had some added ideas for the later Animator's Dream novels, as well as the current project at hand; even had some changes, too.

-Noel gets a new outfit to alter, based off of Noel Vermillion from BlazBlue (Noel can shapeshift her outfit to that of Noel's. Go figure)
-Devil's Mistress appears earlier in Chapter 5 rather than later
-Kirk argues with the characters in Chapter 5 to reveal his dark past further

Also, I have additions to the sequel, too.

-Addition of a character based off of Karen Strassman, and is to be the sister of the character based off of Lara Jill Miller.
-The Lara Jill Miller/Karen Strassman sisters based off of a mixture of a fan made character and Kari Kamiya from Digimon Adventure 01/02 and Sally Acorn from Sonic SatAM and the Archie Sonic comics
-Main hero and his friends now must rely on more teamwork to compensate for the now eight man band compared to Kirk's overpowered five-man band
-The Karen Strassman/Lara Jill Miller sisters to have evil twins to complicate the story
-Instead of characters speaking Japanese, now there are characters that can speak French.

Plus some other stuff I won't list yet.