1) Do not claim the images as your own work.

2) Do not hotlink any images, you MUST host these images yourself or on a free image hosting site.

3) You say “Lara freakin rocks” 3 times while they are downloading. (If you have a high speed connection you may want to practice saying it very quickly.) Other than that they are yours for the taking, enjoy! =)

For more freebies, check out the freebies page HERE.

You can click on each element individually, or download the entire set HERE.

For anyone unaware, hotlinking is when you take a freebie and use the direct URL to it from my site on your wepage or listing, instead of downloading or saving the images and uploading them to host somewhere else. When you do this, your use of the image and page loads cost me bandwidth, which I pay for. I love doing freebies for you guys and will keep doing them, but all I do ask is that you host them somewhere on your own (your own server or a free image host like PSOHosting.com) and not cost me bandwidth to use them.

So if for any reason you are hotlinking freebies from here, please know that as of Sunday night, your images will no longer show. You are still welcome to use them, but you will need to download and host the images somewhere else, because your direct links will no longer work.  I’m posting this and will wait until Sunday give anyone a chance to replace their links without having any broken images on their listings or sites.

So here they are, some pink and gray simplicity. They are a bit imperfect, but rather than scrap them, I thought they might get some good use as freebies.

Enjoy!

WordPress 2.7 was released recently, and the developers seem to have made alot of major improvements. Everything from a sleek redesigned interface, to many new capabilities and features including one-click plugin installation, Sticky Posts, drag and drop Dashboard modules, and tons more.

The full features list from the official WordPress website is as follows:

• XMLRPC Comments API (Ticket 7446)
• Keyboard shortcuts for comment moderation (Ticket 7643)
• Sticky Posts (Ticket 7457)
• Theme update api, like we do for plugins (Ticket 7519)
• Dashboard and write box rearranging (write box in trunk)
• One-click plugin installs (Ticket 6015)
• Reply to comments from admin (Ticket 7435)
• Core updating (Ticket 5560)
• Frame-like method for moderating ping/trackbacks
• Plugin browser embedded (Ticket 6015)
• PHPXref hosted on WordPress.org
• Separate Large and Full image sizes, related improvements (Ticket 7151)
• Comment threading (Ticket 7635)
• Comment paging
• Batch and inline editing (Ticket 6815)
• HTTPOnly cookies
• Column hiding for all management pages
• Post box hiding for all edit pages
• Upgrades and install over SFTP
• Template Tag wp_page_menu wrapper for wp_list_pages and support for Home page (Ticket 7698)

That may not look overly exciting as a list, however from the time you upgrade you will notice quite a few significant changes, starting with the redesigned admin interface and feature packed Dashboard panel.  To best get a feel for the new look and features, check out the video released by the WordPress team below.

While the new interface has taken quite a bit of getting used to for myself – a non-left menu oriented person – after some usage, I have found it to be quite functional, and overall, quite convenient.

The redesign is itself is easy on the eyes, and the Dashboard modules have made quick comment approval and other tasks a breeze. Likewise, the quick edit features for Category and Post sections save time for smaller tasks, such as small text changes or category selections.

I have to say however, my favorite feature has to be the one click plugin installation. You can easily browse the WordPress plugin database from within blog, and install and activate your plugins without ever having to launch an FTP program. No more downloading and uploading, just to leave old verions of plugins sitting on your system to collect cyber dust.

There are many new features to the upgrade, and as always you should keep your installation current – if for no other  reason to keep updated with security patches – but this upgrade is most definitely one to take some time and explore.  In my opinion, if you can adjust to the new side menu layout (which may be optional in a future release), you’ll likely find the other improvements well worth the shift.

One click installs. One click upgrades. One click love.

The official WordPress 2.7 page and documentation can be found HERE.

]]> http://sparklewhore.com/wordpress-27-all-fluff-or-worth-the-fuss/feed/ 0 http://sparklewhore.com/blog-customization-services/ http://sparklewhore.com/blog-customization-services/#comments Thu, 22 Jan 2009 06:01:27 +0000 Lara http://sparklewhore.com/?p=248 Sparklewhore.com offers multiple services for creating and customizing your blog or blog-based website. Everything from installation or technical assistance, to full customization is available.

Blog themes can be customized to coordinate with existing Niteflirt listings or websites, or can be created uniquely to fit your style and character needs.  There are hundreds of free themes available on the internet, but only one you.

Maintenance, technical assistance, plugin installation, coding services, tutoring, and more are available as well.

To inquire about theme customizations, please submit an inquiry form HERE.

Full Theme Customization

There are a number of great free themes out there, but none of them are YOURS. Branding your blog with your own unique design can be a great way to gain the attention of your target caller and really make an impression.

WordPress Package 1: $150

Full theme customization including custom header and color styling

WordPress Package 2: $200

Includes everything in package 1, plus matching splash page design and animated banner.

Custom WordPress Packages: By quote

Custom packages are available by quote and can include any combination of services list above and/or additional services such as post importation, plugin aquisition and/or installation, page creation, settings adjustments, tutoring, etc. Contact me for a quote.

Individual Customizations and Services:

Header Only: $45

Custom designed header image designed to the dimensions/specifications of your existing theme header.

Basic WordPress Installation or Upgrade: $25

Includes either a fresh install of wordpress on your site or an upgrade to the latest release of wordpress. Upgrades are charged at $25 and installations will typically be charged at $25, however pricing can vary slightly depending on the exact details of your installation. (Upgrades include full backing up of your database and files.)

Individual WordPress Services: By quote

Individual services are available on a quote by quote basis and can include CSS adjustments (color, font sizing, etc), post importation, plugin aquisition and/or installation, page creation, settings adjustments, tutoring, etc. Contact me for a quote.

Matching Animated Banner: $25 ($20 when booked with a package)

Non-Animated Banner: $15 ($10 when booked with a package)

Training and Tutoring

Basic WordPress training includes the basics of posting, linking, editing, and adding images to your posts. From there, we can move into other – more advanced – topics, covering the things you want to know about in-depth.

WordPress Training uses a show-tell / tell-show method. We’ll teach you, then you do it and teach us. Over time, this method is a proven method for clients, but if it doesn’t work for you, we keep at it until you have mastered the skills.

WordPress Training is $75 per session. Contact us today to schedule a session.

Being a PSO myself, I know how competitive the NF market can be, and having a listing that not only stands out, but represents your character correctly can be so very vital.  Each listing or service is done with the character’s style and personality in mind, as well as what will likely appeal to your target callers.

Custom listings and graphics can be a great way to brand your unique presence on NiteFlirt and make an impression on your target caller. A custom listing design can capture your character’s personality and draw the caller in, giving you a great tool to market yourself and take your character and business to the next level.

To inquire about NiteFlirt Listing Designs, please submit an inquiry form HERE.

NiteFlirt Listing Designs

Basic NiteFlirt Listing: $65

Includes custom graphic header, layout, up to 4 pictures with basic optimization,resizing, placed, and watermarked and up to 5 animated buttons.

Basic NiteFlirt Listing + Banner: $85

Includes everything in the Basic Listing package, plus 1 animated banner to match your new design.

Advanced NiteFlirt Listings: By quote

Advanced listing designs are available by quote only. Advanced listings consist of everything included in the Basic Listing Package, but can include a more advanced layout, additional graphics, additional editing of your pictures, additional buttons, menus, and other customizations. Contact me for a quote.

Individual Graphics:

Animated Button Sets (up to 5): $20

Non-animated Button Sets (up to 5): $15

Animated Banner: $25

Non-Animated Banner: $15

Listing/Group Headers:$45

Photo Optimizations:

Photo optimizations can often make a huge difference on your listings. Improved lighting, blemish removal, overall quality enhancement and more can take average looking photos and make them shine. Every photo or photo set is unique, as well as individual client needs, so the prices below are basic estimates. Your total quote will be given to you after your photos and needs have been asses as well as after you have received an optimized sample to assure your satisfaction with results.

Basic Quality Optimization: $1-2 per photo

An optimization process specifically for improving overall appearance of your image(s).

Basic Individual Edits: $1 per photo, per optimization

These can include any combination of the following services – resizing, watermarking, color tinting (giving your images a specified color tone), adding of text, or adding of borders.

Advanced Photo Editing: By Quote

Advanced photo editing is done on a quote by quote basis and can include any combination of edits and optimizations as well as advanced edits such as blemish removal, special effects, background removal, and more. Your photos will be reviewed and your needs discussed before quoting.

Training and Tutoring:

If you are new to NiteFlirt, or just could use assistance in any areas of operating your NiteFlirt business, we offer training and tutoring customized to your specific needs.

Personalized Tutoring Sessions: $75/hr (no minimum)

Hope you all are having a great year so far, and stay tuned for more changes and freebies in the works!

Just a quick note to let you all know that I have switched over all of my subscription services to Feedburner. In the past I was using Subscribe2, which served me well for the most part, but had a few quirks I didn’t care for and lacked some options I desire.

If you were a current subscriber, you will receive this post, as well as an email to confirm you’d like to receive the new subscription. This will be the last post you will receive on the old service, so make sure you click the link in the subscription email so you don’t miss out on news and freebies!!!

With the new service, you will receive only 1 email in the evening, no matter how many posts are made, and only on days where new content is added. So we won’t be cluttering your inbox.

If you haven’t subscribed, and would like to be notified when new freebies are released (a nice batch is currently in the works), new services are added, specials are offered, or other news or articles are posted, just enter your email in the box to the right and get your free cookie…I mean subscription. =P

Okay…we’ll throw in cookies…but only cuz we luvs ya. *giggles*

Hey girlies! I know there hasn’t been a lot added to the site lately (bad Lara, bad bad!), but all that is about to change here soon. Part of that change involves me introducing you to one of the absolutely coolest people I know, Steve.

Steve has been a very close friend of mine for a long time, and is without a doubt, a geek god lol. His tech knowledge and experience constantly impresses me, and has been invaluable to me in the time that I have known him. During that time, he has not only shown the utmost respect for PSO’s and the business, he has also taken an active interest in what kinds of resources are available to us as PSO’s and the issues we often face with having to seek “adult friendly” assistance.

As most of you know, I tend to offer my clients more than just designs, coding, advice, tutoring, etc. Steve’s experience and knowledge in tech and more will bring a whole new level to Sparklewhore, and I couldn’t be more pleased that he has come on board with me.

Now I’m gonna get the hell outta his way and let him introduce himself lol.