I like to think by keeping up this blog I am helping out at least a couple friends know about technology related things that they aren’t aware of but my co-workers and I take for granted knowing since that is our field.  Most of the stuff I mention is more on the “this is cool” or “this is funny” side, rather than this is going to help you become a more productive individual.  Well, I’ve found a site if you are looking for those types of tips: lifehacker.com.  Most are a lot of technology related tips but then there are posts every now and then like how to grill a perfect grilled cheese sandwich, how to keep yourself from snacking, or how to remove a stripped screw with a rubber band.  Yes, there is a debate whether better technology is actually making us more productive, but at least now, you can learn how to make the maximize the technology you might already incorporate into your lives, whether or not it is helping you do more with your time.

As a front end developer, it was very useful for me to know Photoshop for basic image creation and manipulation, especially before the days that we had in-house designers.  You know for like putting your co-worker’s head on various photos like a giant blue unitard.   Anyways, I learned using a book and just basically playing around with the tool.  Since those days though, there have come out a couple of sites that make it easier for people to learn and also to expand their skills.

For basic to intermediate users, I would check out “You Suck At Photoshop“.  There are two seasons worth of videos, covering different topics such as layering, cloning, stamping, distorting, masks, etc.  I find the guy pretty funny which makes learning photoshop less monotonous and boring.

Another place that I feel has excellent tutorials (but may be for the more intermediate and advanced users) is PSDTuts.  Most of the tutorials are written step by step instructions with images, rather than video, but I find them descriptive enough to follow along.  (I should add they do have videos too)  The pictures are also helpful for any details that they might have left out.  This site also offers alot of icon, brush, and filter freebies, which is nice.

Aren’t you glad that you have me to share with you more sites that probably don’t really add more value to your life, other than increasing the amount of laughter into your daily lives?

Here’s another one: www.oddlyspecific.com

I should submit to them one of the elevator signs I took while I was in Sweden:

Update: Ha!  It looks like someone beat me to it:

http://oddlyspecific.com/2010/01/funny-signs-this-weeks-installment-of-stickmen-in-peril-3/