And the winner is...

Nick Salvatore! For submitting the only Halloween picture this year! As promised, Nick wins the smug sense of satisfaction that comes from knowing he's better than everyone else. If anyone else still wants to submit a photo of themselves all Halloweened up, just send it to us, and I'll be glad to post it!

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween! Be sure to stop by the lab today for a piece of Halloween Candy!

8GB USB Flash Drive cheap!

People often come into the lab with tiny little USB keys/flash drives/etc. By "tiny" I mean 256MB or 512MB. That's not even as much data as a CD holds! I don't think they even make them that small anymore. Time to upgrade, people!

Way back in February, I posted an item about a 4GB USB flash drive for only $17. Well guess what. Now the 8GB flash drive is the same price--with free shipping! 8GB is almost 2 DVD's worth of data, more than enough to hold thousands of photos or MP3s. It'll even hold a decent amount of video. I just ordered one for myself. Check it out at Buy.com. The 4GB is now only $12, but you don't get as much bang for your buck as you do with the 8GB.

Headphones

To the person who posted this very sweet "missed connection" on Craigslist:

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mis/883047250.html

Although you don't mention the name of the lab consultant in question, all of the age-appropriate lab consultants are already married. However, we are all very flattered, and you may buy any of us coffee anytime you like.

Halloween Costume Photoshop Contest

It's the most wonderful time of the year... Halloween! What's that you say? You don't have a costume to wear?? Well guess what. You can do it all on Photoshop instead--ask a lab consultant and we'll even show you how. Grab a photo of yourself, open it up in Photoshop, and give yourself a costume, like the ones I did below. Email them to us at vitaledigitalmedialab@gmail.com and we'll judge them and post them in time for Halloween. What's the prize if you win, you ask? The smug sense of satisfaction that comes from knowing you're better than everyone else (but then, you already feel that way, don't you?)

I Want My InDesign!

Apologies to InDesign users. We've been working since the beginning of the school year to have ID up and running for you, but there's an issue with licensing that's slowed things down. I don't understand the intricacies of the situation, but part of the problem is that we're in the middle of Adobe's transition to their new CS4 software suite, which has apparently made the version we've been using (CS3) harder to come by. Who knows--maybe that means we'll end up with InDesign CS4 instead. In the meantime, we'll keep you updated if we hear anything new.

How to Do Everything with Second Life

Today's featured book is How to do Everything with Second Life, by Richard Mansfield. It's available for you to read in the Digital Media Lab; just ask the lab consultant on duty. You can even sit and use Second Life right here in the lab while you peruse the book.

Synopsis

Filled with hundreds of hands-on tutorials, tips, and techniques, this is the thorough, in-depth reference that every Second Life resident needs. Learn how to create a unique avatar and then explore, build, socialize--and even earn real money. Inside, you'll find exclusive coverage of all the menus, features, and utilities. Whether you're a newbie or an old hand, this book will help you get the most out of Second Life.

• Understand all the user interface features
• Build hidden rooms, custom teleporters, secret sliding panels, and more
• Shop for cool stuff and find the best values
• Master the Maps, Inventory, Appearance, and Search dialogs
• Start scripting with help from step-by-step tutorials
• Control lag and find lost items using Preferences and the hidden Client menu
• Visit exotic lands, travel in time, and enjoy roleplay
• Create beautiful objects using expert texturing techniques
• Earn money in ways that best suit your talents
• Find land bargains, a bit of privacy, a great house, and lasting friendships

Second Life workshop today at noon

Hey guys. There's still lots of room in today's Second Life workshop. It's a hands-on tour for beginners. Sign up (or not, whatever) at http://wic.library.upenn.edu/workshops/#SL

Dreamweaver CS3 for Dummies

Today's featured book is Dreamweaver CS3 for Dummies by Janine Warner. We're big fans of the Dummies books here at the Vitale Digital Media Lab. They're great for beginners, as well as for more experienced users who need a refresher, or who need a complicated topic explained in a simple manner. Our books don't circulate outside the lab, but you can use them while you're here.

Do you want to create a sophisticated Web site that's easy to develop and maintain? Whether you're a beginner or an experienced Web developer, this friendly guide shows you how to utilize Dreamweaver's newest enhancements to build and manage state-of-the-art, professional Web sites quickly and easily.

• Set up your site and create new pages

• Work with text, graphics, and links

• Define and apply styles using CSS

• Add audio, video, and Flash® files to your site

• Use Dreamweaver'sdatabase features

Photoshop CS3 Extended for 3D and Video

Today's featured book is Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended for 3D and Video, by Chad Perkins. Ask the lab consultant on duty if you'd like to use it. Our books don't circulate outside the lab, but you're welcome to use it while you're here.

Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended can do things that Photoshop has never done before, such as importing and editing video, and animating any object in a file. Here is the first book to provide a comprehensive look at the new features for 3D animation and video in Photoshop Extended. Author Chad Perkins, an established video presenter and classroom instructor on Photoshop, video, and 3D, brings the creative potential of these new features into focus. This book is a valuable resource for Photoshop users who want to learn about video and 3D using their favorite application, as well as video producers and 3D artists who want to incorporate Photoshop into their work or use it more effectively.

• Learn to move, rotate, and scale 3D objects within Photoshop Extended
• Understand and work with lighting and camera angles
• Create special effects like glowing silhouettes and drop shadows on 3D objects
• Use layer masks with 3D objects for special effects
• Modify textures applied to 3D objects seamlessly within Photoshop
• Edit bump maps and patterns for more realistic 3D objects
• Import, edit, compress, and export video (with audio!)
• Use Photoshop to animate images.