Homework for Newbies | WebsByAmy.com

Archive for Homework for Newbies

Create a Watermark in Paint.net

I have created a short (okay, 15 minutes… so not that short) step-by-step video on how to make your own watermark in Paint.net and then place it on a photo. If you are receiving this post via email feed, the video won't show up, you must go back to the article (click on article title).

I have created two previous videos on how to download free Paint.net and install it as well as how to edit a photograph and embed a watermark in it HERE. The latter video assumes you already have a watermark and this one shows you how to create and save as a transparent .png. Good luck!

Paint.net Tutorial

I have embraced Paint.net as my new 'free photo editor' of choice over Gimp. The videos below are for the purpose of giving you a free alternative for editing your photos for the fastest viewing quality for the web as well as shows you how to watermark your work.

I have found Paint easier to install and use immediately. And recently I have found that there are plugins that will add functionality, such as one that allows editing of Photoshop .psd files and another one that allows Paint.net to use Photoshop brushes.

DOWNLOADING & INSTALLING PAINT.NET – you would think that this wouldn't be difficult, but I have found that the page that you usually are directed to when typing in www.getpaint.net, is full of other software that you can be easily tricked into downloading accidentally. UPDATE: CLICK HERE to download the .exe file, once you download it, you probably can update it. If you want to download the latest version, this video will navigate you through downloading the zip file, unzipping and installing.

EDITING & WATERMARKING A PHOTO from your camera for viewing on the web. This video does import and place a watermark that is a pre-existing .png file. If you wish to see how to create your own watermark, CLICK HERE for a video tutorial.

Homework #2

While you are waiting, it is wise to download SmartFTP (go to www.smartftp.com) a free file transfer protocol application that will be of immense help in the future!

Why? Because you have web space that you can upload photos, documents and anything else you may need as part of my fantastic hosting package!

Homework #1

Congratulations, you have just purchased your blog! If you have not already done so, you need to do the following:

Email me your WordPress Theme Choices
- Go to www.themes.wordpress.net and be sure to check off “Widget Ready” and also “3 Columns” and then choose the “ALL” on the search criteria and then go! You can also go to www.wpthemesfree.com or just ‘Google’ free wordpress themes widget ready.
- If you find a theme you like, click “download” and save a few to your desktop (they are zipped files). Email them to me for upload. Specify your favorite(s). Not all themes will work well, so email me several.
- NOTE: look for themes that fill the entire page and also if you wish to have a lot of links and sidebars, the 3 column themes work best.
If you have not purchased your domain from me, you must move your DNS servers to ns1.websbyamy.com & ns2.websbyamy.com. I cannot begin to work on your blog until your domain resolves to my servers. Call me for help with that if you are not sure how to do it.
Specify the email address that you wish to have for your domain (if you purchased your domain from me), for example: susy@susystamper.com. Let me know if this is an email transfer (it is an existing email address that will be transferring).

NOTES:
I will be setting up a Feedburner.com account to track your traffic as well as subscribers. Unless you specify otherwise, there will be an option to subscribe to your blog by email updates.

I will email you the “Blog & Hosting Information” with important information that will make sense to you in the future (as you learn)!