Web Design on a Pauper's Budget . . .

Web design tools are becoming quite expensive. The new Adobe Creative Suite 3 Master Edition (it includes the latest versions of Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) is retailing at over $2400.00, a price difficult to justify if you are not a web or graphic design professional. Well, take heart penny pinching designers! If you simply want to dabble in web design or "Photoshop" your digital images on the cheap, there are excellent freeware alternatives to meet your needs. Whether it be a free alternative for Macromedia Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, this feature article from Download.com links you to the best downloads no money can buy!

Web Designer Ramblings - One Cool Camera!

I am not only a web designer, but also a rather obsessed photography hobbyist (isn't it obvious). I have had a chance to play with a variety of budget level digital slr cameras including the Canon 350D, Pentax K100D and Olympus E-500. I decided to purchase the Nikon D40, one of the newer players on the block. The quality of the camera is immediately evident from the excellent fit & finish, and, a very quiet, almost vibration-less shutter. The image quality that is captured through a combination of the excellent lens and reliable metering and sensor is simply the state of the art for 6 megapixel digital cameras to date (in spite of all the marketing drivel, most of us will never need more than 6 megs). Images have great color and detail and are noise free. Plus, this is the sort of camera that allows you to focus on what you're shooting--it consistently yields excellent results. All the budget dslr's are very good. The Nikon D40 simply has a jewel-like quality in construction (eye-candy appeal) and results that makes it an excellent bargain!