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No really, here’s a website, Nice Web Type, that contains great info on “Nice Web Type”. Makes sense! Via Simplebits.

Filed by matteo at 10:47 pm under Web Design
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The oldest of sayings goes “When it rains, it pours.” Well, the Kish household has seen more than its share of rain in the past few years, first with the long illness and eventual passing of Bill, then only a year and a half later, with the passing of Pauline. My thoughts are with their kids, Steve and Ruth, as they proceed along this difficult section of life’s long road. May the next stretch bring great joy!

The following was written for a memorial for Pauline Kish that was held on Saturday, June 16th, 2007.

When I think of Pauline Kish, “my other mom”, I think of her strong, loving support of her husband Bill, and her two kids, Ruth and Steve. My earliest memories of her include the many activities revolving around music and the John F. Kennedy High School band. Being that my best friend is her son Steve, I was always included with them. Indeed, Pauline and Bill always made me feel like I was part of the family, and I have many warm memories of our times together. These include band trips to Santa Cruz and Pleasanton, football games at Tak Fudenna field, concerts at JFK theatre, and nights at the Kish house that are too numerous to count.

Over the years, Pauline also instilled her desire for helping others into Steve and Ruth. I’ve always noticed that the Kish family as a whole has always been ready to help family and close friends. And in her hour of need during her treatments and illness, her kids came through in a big way for her. Their care of her is a testament to the way in which she raised them. I’m sure she was so proud of them. I know I am.

And on a very personal note, during a particularly low point in my life after I lost my first wife to cancer, a Christmas card from her expressing her feelings for what I was going through really picked my up. I will never forget that. Pauline made a difference to those that knew her. She sure made a difference in my life. I will always miss her.

And now, after many years of caring for him during his long illness, she has returned to her beloved Bill. I am sure they are happy, wherever they are!

Pauline, my life is better for having known you. Say “Hi” to “Mr. Kish” for me. Have a peaceful journey!

Filed by matteo at 11:53 pm under Life and Living
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Here’s a really nice tutorial for creating almost–photo realistic woodgrain backgrounds in Photoshop. Highly recommended! Via Dan Cederholm.

Filed by matteo at 7:48 am under Web Design, Graphic Design
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In another great post from Digital Web, Paul O’Brien details the CSS Background property, from the basics to browser quirks and bugs. Great reading!

Filed by matteo at 12:59 pm under Web Design
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Here’s a really nice set of 31 free online tests you can use to check your website’s code validation, accessibility, speed, and search engine optimization. One of my favorites is number 16 for speed checking. Excellent! Via Cameron Moll.

Filed by matteo at 12:52 pm under Web Design
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Do you want to know the in’s and out’s of using PNGs? Read Jeff Croft’s article, Creative Use of PNG Transparency in Web Design, over at Digital Web. Very comprehensive!

Filed by matteo at 12:23 pm under Web Design
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Here’s a great new color scheme generator, called ColorJack. With a simple easy–to–use interface and lots of options, it is a great addition to the web design’s toolkit. My favorite set of options is being able to view your color schemes as a person with color–blindness (in all its various types) would. Excellent work!

Filed by matteo at 12:37 am under Web Design
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I like planes and aviation in general, and have a particular fondness for some of the famous Lockheed planes such as the WWII P-38 Lightning and that mach 3 wonder jet the SR-71 Blackbird. This illustration of Lockheed “Skunk Works” projects, in typical Popular Mechanics style, is very cool. This comes from an excellent article on Retro Thing about the famous “Skunk Works”. Read the full article here.

Filed by matteo at 5:01 pm under Graphic Design, Art, Misc Cool Stuff
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This has been one of the most fun projects I’ve ever worked on. I was given complete creative freedom to do the cover and book design for a WWII non–fiction book called “Will They Return.” This is a terrific true story, with the names changed, of a young sergeant leading his buddies through harrowing battles in northern France and southern Germany towards the end of the war.

The author, Gilbert Rivera, is an amazing man, someone I am privileged to know. He had some truly amazing (and harrowing!) experiences as a staff sergeant in Company A of the 71st Infantry Regiment in the U. S. Army in France and Germany during the last year or so of the war. Unlike many “war stories,” this book is written from the viewpoint of the common soldier, what he experienced on a day–to–day basis, the hardships, the horror, the camaraderie, the lighter moments. It is all there. If you are at all interested in World War II history, and specifically the war in Europe, go to LuLu.com and buy the book. You won’t be disappointed!

Filed by matteo at 1:25 pm under Graphic Design, Good Reads
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Here’s a great new article about copyrights on Vitamin. Not important, unless you create something and want it protected!

Filed by matteo at 1:49 pm under Web Design, Graphic Design, Art, Good Reads, Software/Development
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