Get tips on how to choose a the right URL for your Internet site.

You might not think that having keyboard shortcuts is such a big deal, but if you repeatedly use an application, or if you work mainly with a laptop, a list of keyboard shortcuts comes in handy.

The amateur photographer is in the majority of all camera owners out there. While the pros have elaborate, expensive equipment and all the latest gadgetry, that’s not the case with you and me. When we pack up our digital camera to take on an outing, or just take a few shots of the kid’s birthday party or our backyard BBQ gathering, we’re just looking to capture some memories, not win a photo contest.

However, many people don’t know about the absolutely amazing enhancements which can be made to your digital pictures, with photo software. There are tons of fabulous photo editors out there, so how do you know which package to choose, that will meet your needs? You may not want to shell out a couple of hundred bucks – or more – when you have no idea what to do with it, or if the whole package might be way out of your skill set.

Well, here’s some great news! Before you go out and spend your hard-earned cash on photo software that may or may not suit your needs, try some of the many excellent free photo software downloads. So how do you find these gems? Easy. Just Google ‘photo software free download’ and wade through some of the thousands of sites at your disposal.

You’ll first want to get a basic photo editor, also known as an image editor. This is your basic workhorse, which allows you to manipulate your images in dozens of ways. Most include an array of special effects, such as altering colors, contrast, or sharpening or softening the image. Rotating, resizing and introducing layers and transparencies are other common features.

While you’re looking, keep in mind what features will be truly useful to you. For example, if your thing is landscape photos, you may want to look for a photo software package that provides lighting effects. With this feature, you can make a sunset a little more luminous, or even change the color entirely.

Be aware that many of these downloads are only available in the .exe format, so when the download dialogue box comes up on your screen, be sure to click the ‘save to disk’ option and save the download in a directory you create specifically for all downloads.

Fool around with a few of these editors to find out what photo software technology has to offer. Once you see what you can do with a photo editor, you’ll want to look into photo software utilities to perform specialized tasks, such as merging photos, instant color matching or creating digital sketches from your kid’s photos!

You’ll be surprised to see how intuitive photo software is to use. There’s no big learning curve. You’ll be up and running in no time. Once you’re familiar with this type of software, you’ll know what you need from photo software and the money you spend will not be wasted. Your pics will be like the pros!

A plain old text email isn’t flashy, but it certainly gets your message over the net in minutes. When you’re using email to convey information back and forth between you and your friend, the text email is most efficient. On the other hand, if you’re marketing products or services, an HTML email does look nice. The difference between text and HTML emails is much like going to get a sub sandwich with your sister and meeting a potential new client. HTML emails are indisputably more visually attractive, but even in business, there are situations which are best served with the plain text email. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each type.

When you’re marketing a product or service on your website and you keep in touch with your potential customers via an e-newsletter, you’ll usually want to give your readers a choice between a text edition and the HTML version. Depending on your content, your readers may actually file your e-newsletters faithfully, right in a folder dedicated to your site. These people find your information so valuable, that they want to store your e-newsletter permanently, on their PC, as a reference resource. These readers often prefer a text version, simply in the interest of disk space.

On the other hand, if your site promotes artwork, food or nursery plants, the majority of your readers may prefer the HTML email version. Visuals can whet the appetite for products of this type far better than a text message. A text message including details of the exotic orchid hybrid, won’t get you many sales. The same   email, with images and an attractively formatted page serves as an instant reminder to your potential customer. Your click-through ratio will whip the pants off the return you get on the plain text email.

When your HTML email is an e-newsletter, be careful in designing your colors and layout. In order for your readers to make an immediate association with your company, a consistent look is essential. Match the color scheme to your website for  easy identification.

For business applications, always give your readers an option between text and HTML communications. Let them decide which serves them best.

For personal email formats, the disk space issue is not a major concern. It’s fun to make your own HTML layouts, just as you might design your own stationery. You can create HTML email templates for every member of your family and friends, if you like. BTW, this is a very cheap way to personalize your messages!

So there you have the pros and cons. HTML emails can bring sales and are by far the most attractive. Text emails do have their place.