Super Useful Blogspot & Blogging Resources

Through the various social bookmarking sites and networks that I so much appreciate, I have been able to find super resources that helped me accomplish a multitude of things that I sought to do with this blog.

Some have been helpful with blogspot related needs, but most resources are applicable to blogging in general. And even those that I've utilized for a blogspot-specific resource usually are not limited to that content only, and provide the same for other blogging mediums and more.

Furthermore, some resources are useful not only to blogspot and blogging, with content relevant to and useful in a number of avenues and uses. This list is comprised of sites that have been useful to myself and my blogging experience. All of these I truly recommend for the resource they provided me, no affiliates, sponsors or agendas here. Just the facts, these sites made my blogging day.

Blog Tips/Design/CSS

• BloggerBuster - Mother of all Blogger-Blog tutorial+help sites
• Blog Godown - Another excellent resource site for bloggers. Tips, tutorials, icons and more.
• Blogger Mags -Blogger Templates, widgets +hacks
• BloggerStop.Net - Blogger widgets, tutorials + general blogging tips
• Blogger Tricks - Some great Blogger-specific tutorials + tips
• cheth Studios - General blogging tips + tutorials plus some blogger-specific, free icons and more

• CSSPlay - The one-stop shop for CSS ideas + how to's
• CSS Reflex - Blogging + Blogger tips as well as other super stuff like sharing their J Query Fullsize script

• SpeckyBoy Design Magazine -Super content + resources for bloggers/designers
• Techie Blogger -Great tutorials for Blogger-blogs

Misc. Resources

• Image*After - The best source of FREE stock images. Know of others, do comment + let me know!

• HighLogic - Makers of font related software, offers free trial download of font making software "Font Creator"
• The Font Thing - Free Font Manager & Viewer
• December.com - Color Shades Hex Codes My favorite HTML/Hex Codes Color Chart (Besides my own which I might soon share for a handy reference for those in need!)
• Bit.ly - URL shortener + tracker
• IconJ - Free favicon maker + host
• PayPal - Placing + receiving online payments

Photo + File Storing/Sharing

• Photobucket Photo + image storing/sharing
• Picasa - Easy, fast & lots of room for photos + other images
• Flickr - Photo + Image storing sharing, the best

• Ripway - free online file storage, pretty basic, no frills but I use it

Social Networks

• deviantART - Network for designers/artists of all varieties
• Twitter - This is where I find most of my resources
• StumbleUpon - My favorite place to store + surf bookmarks

Inspiration

• The Dude's CSS Gallery - Just a nice screen capture gallery no-fuss

• Vandelay Design Blog - Lots of design inspiration posts orginized by style
• Typeish - The best/coolest images from photography, webdesign, print & fashion
• DesignBombs - Nice screen capture gallery

• Inspired Mag - All sorts of design inspiration and other good stuff

I will be adding links to this list as I find themto keep track of all the great resources I find. So check back periodically or better yet, share and save this post! Have a swell day.

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Dafont Download Statistics Revealed

In celebration of surpassing 1,000,000 downloads on dafont.com, I thought I would share these screen-captures of past and current download statistics. Not that I have much to brag about (Only four fonts in the top 100 right now for example, most of which that have remained in the top100 since their debut/never leaving, yawn.....) but since these stats are not made public (thankfully) maybe they'd be interesting to some, if not other designers on dafont who would like to compare.

And let's not beat around the bush here, I am revealing my download statistics, well, because I am a bit proud of them. Some of them at least. My only regret is I did not get a screen capture when LT Chickenhawk first appeared on the site. At it's peak daily downloads passed the 10,000 mark. Yes ten-thousand-downloads in one 24-hour period!

During it's three week stay in the #1 spot on dafont.com's Top 100 (over three weeks if you want to get technical, but who's counting?), it was regularly getting anywhere between 5,000-9,000 downloads daily according to my download statistics.

Though I didn't get a screen-capture during LT Chickenhawk's Heyday, the stats on these screen-captures are nothing to scoff at. Well except for those of poor LT Nutshell Library maybe. Always a low turn-out for that one. They can't all be winner's right? But most of them are, as you will see with my dafont download statistics revealed.

Download Statistics 04/28/09

Download Statistics 05/11/09

Download Statistics 05/12/09

Download Statistics 05/17/09

Today's Statistics (07/18/09)

Add em' up. Over 1,000,000 downloads since the debut of my first font on dafont.com, December 11, 2008*. Thanks for the love dafont!. I don't care what anyone says about free fonts, you're still the best font site by far. W00t!

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6 Things That Make Me Happy

I was tagged by Westside Wedding to name 6 things that make me happy, so here goes!

#1 Being a mommy

My babies are great. My oldest daughter lives with her Dad and his family (She is four) and my youngest who lives with me will be turning 2 years old on the 27th. She is so much fun and super sweet. They make me so happy I don't know what I would do without them.

#2 Paris Hilton Perfume (Original)

Now, now, don't "get it twisted," I am not a fan of the girl what-so-ever, it's the perfume of her namesake that I love. I am telling you the designer's of the perfume are genious, it smells perfectly lovely, and truly does make me happy. I get compliments on it whenever I wear it.

#3 Dancing/working out

I love being active. I am far from a health nut (I smoke cigarettes, do drink socially, and drink caffeine like it's going out of style) but it feels good to be in shape, I plan to stay that way as long as I can help it

#4 Burn Notice

It's my favorite show. I like having a favorite show. I watch it and look forward to it every week. The star of the show being incredibly sexy has nothing to do with it either, lol

#5 Listening to music

This one kind of goes coincides with number three. I think most humans can relate. Music is great. Some favorites of mine include but are certainly not limited to: The Smashing Pumpkins, Mazzy Star, Mindless Self-Indulgence, Type O Negative and Lacuna Coil. I am also a fan of some hip-hop and rap artists too such as Bun B, 50 Cent, Chamillionaire, and Tech Nine.

#6 Making fonts

Obviously right? I really do have fun making fonts as well as creating other stuff on the computer like web sites and graphics. It's my hobby. I especially like it when others like my fonts as well, and when they show me what they have made with my fonts.

Well, there you have it. Those are six things that make me happy. I think I am supposed to tag others to participate & share their list of six things, but I really can't think of anyone who would want to. How about, anyone who reads this, and wants to make their own list of six things to share but hasn't been tagged, Nymphont hereby tags you. You're it!

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Preview of Upcoming Fonts

Just in case your were starting to wonder if I would make anything other than a geometric sans, here are some images of the fonts I am currently working on. Feel free to comment/make suggestions.

An as-yet-unnamed serif. I have been working on this one for quite some time, expected completion date? Another long time!

A slab serif inspired by my LT Chickenhawk font. Expected completion? Soon, July sometime.

Update: This became a the Happy Phantom Font Family, another spin-off of this design is the Cupid de Locke Font

"Ramses the Eternal" a handwritten script font I am working on should be done sometime in July, and it's counterpart...

Update: Believe it or not, this font design was the start/inspiration of the Sachiko Font.

"Ramses the Damned" another handwritten script font. To be done in July possibly. Counterpart to "Ramses the Eternal."

Those are just a few of the fonts I am working on right now. Let me know what you think! Comments, questions, suggestions? I want to know what you think!

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Blogger Templates by Nymphont?

Hello! Well, I write today, because I would like some feedback on this idea I have been pondering; creating/customizing some free blogger templates. I see that for some making a blogger template or customizing one could be quite difficult, and being that I am now somewhat comfortable in doing so, I thought I should make some for others to use free.

Still, there already are several sites where one can obtain a blogger template in existence, and I am unsure if making more would be useful. I get few comments on most posts as it is, (hint hint!) so I am not optimistic about this post being any different, but I seek and welcome your feedback on this.

What do you think about custom or pre-made blogger templates? Would you like to see pre-made or custom templates by Nymphont?

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Social Network Junkie

I have been super busy online lately, but who isn't really? I have been spending practically all day online! What's the difference between that and watching television all day if your a home-body and a loner? Nothing wrong with that!

At the risk of showing my true lameness, I admit, that I am having so much fun though! As some may already know, this is a considerably new blog, with it's debut in February of this year. Though I have been a "web designer" and been writing HTML since 1996, due to different circumstances I have been "offline" for a long time, two years about. Which by web-standards would be considered at least double as long.

So I'm (me, Lauren Thompson and my online pseudonym "Nymphont") are practically unknown, and without anything to show for myself really. And, some well known designers that I corresponded with, don't remember me. Well, actually some I assume wouldn't but I am too timid to find out. But anyways, I digress.

None of the websites I had or designed exist any longer, save for some diaryland journals and other such sites that wouldn't be considered substantial.

My dot.com's expired and were claimed by others. Lilpeach.net, and the one that breaks my heart the most: pixel-vixen.com. Now that's a domain name right. PIMP shit. That's what you'd call it. Last time I checked, was worth around six thousand dollars. Bastards. I bought it for $10.99 in 1997. I am so pissed I lost that.

But I digress again! The point is, my return to the world wide web was only in 2008, "Web 2.0" and the social network explosion is something new to me that I am thoroughly enjoying. I can see why social media and networking have become such a fundamental part of the web, and though we're moving on a bit from Web 2.0, social networking I predict will only evolve with the culture of the Internet.

I do regret that I did take a hiatus from the world wide web, and did during my absence as well. The web is a passion for me, if not an addiction.

So in my new-found love of Internet social networks, I have been busy joining and trying to become active in a few. Social network icons to some that I have joined will be in the sidebar shortly. Fun stuff!

A few social networks that you can find Nymphont are: twitter (which I love) deviantART, and flickr.

And speaking of, I am off to do a little more social networking. Next up, digg, delicious, and stumbleupon. Give your life a listen and stay tuned, ta ta. ~Lauren

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Terms of Use/End User License Agreement

This is an agreement between you, the purchaser, and Lauren Thompson (Nymphont). By downloading you acknowledge your understanding and promise to comply with its terms.

This license is for the personal usage rights/free only of font files downloaded from Lauren Thompson (Nymphont); you are not purchasing/licensing the copyright to the design of the fonts, you may not sublicense, sell, lease, or give away the fonts.

commercial use*

* Commercial use requires a donation, as do web emdedding uses such as @font-face, Cufon, sIFR and so on
* The Commercial EULA applies immediately upon placing a donation. The commercial license does not expire and is unlimited. If you would like to donate for a commercial license now you may use the button below to do so.

Email me nymphont@yahoo.com for more information on the Commercial EULA!

Free/Personal Use Terms and End User License Agreement

RESTRICTED USE IN ALPHABET-RELATED PRODUCTS You may not create alphabet or letterform products for resale where the product consists of individual letterforms, including rubber stamps, die-cut products, stencil products, or adhesive sticker alphabet products where the likeness of the licensed fonts can be reproduced and the end-user of said products can create their own typesetting.

RESTRICTIONS ON  FONT EMBEDDING Web-embedding of the font is not permitted with the standard license. If web-embedding of the font is desired, an additional license may be purchased with a PayPal donation. Email nymphont@yahoo.com for inforamtion regarding an additional license.

A web- embedding license permits using any of the following methods and technologies: sIFR, @ font-face, Adobe Flash files, Microsoft Silverlight files, fLIR, Cufón and Typeface.js. To obtain such a license a purchase with a PayPal donation is required, email Lauren Thompson at nymphont@yahoo.com.

BROADCAST, FILM, AND GAMES If you are using the font in cinemas, motion pictures, video games, on television, cable television, or as a part of any works broadcast, you must obtain permission from Lauren Thompson (Nymphont). An additional license fee may be required. Email nymphont@yahoo.com for information.

MODIFICATIONS You may import characters from the font as graphical objects into a drawing program and modify such graphical objects. You may not modify, adapt, translate, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or create derivative works based on the licensed font itself.

COPYRIGHT The font and the accompanying materials are copyrighted and contain proprietary information and trade secrets belonging to Lauren Thompson, Nymphont. Unauthorized copying of the product even if modified, merged, or included with other software, or of the written materials, is expressly forbidden. You may be held legally responsible for any infringement of Nymphont's intellectual property rights that is caused or encouraged by your failure to abide by the terms of this Agreement.

DURATION  Validity of this license is effective until terminated. This Agreement will terminate automatically without notice by Lauren Thompson, Nymphont, if you fail to comply with any provision contained herein. Upon termination, you must destroy the written materials, the product, and all copies of them, in part and in whole, including modified copies, if any.

UPGRADES Lauren Thompson, Nymphont may, from time to time, update the downloads. Changes in pricing may may apply.

DISCLAIMER Lauren Thompson (Nymphont) makes no warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including, but no limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Lauren Thompson (Nymphont) shall not be liable to you or any other person or entity for any general, special, direct, indirect, consequential, incidental or other damages arising out of the use of the font software.

*Personal use does not constitute "public domain."

**If you are interested in the commercial use of this/these font(s) or using this/these font(s) in any manner outside the realm of "personal use," you must obtain the rights to use this font commercially buy purchasing an additional license. Additional licenses are purchased with a PayPal donation, email Lauren Thompson at nymphont@yahoo.com for information.

Thank you for accepting and abiding these terms. What can I say I really love to font! If you've got it, font it!

Moving right along, have lots of fun with my fonts. Let me know what you think by dropping me a line at nymphont@yahoo.com. I'd love to see what you have created using my font(s) and how you have put it to use.

« List all Fonts ♥

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Nymphont v2.0: Vanity Layout

Well, this time I mean it, I think I have finally completely my blog design for now. Save for the minor tweaks and adjustments I might need to make as I see fit, this is it. Nymphont v2.0, which I have entitled the "Vanity Layout," because of the header graphic that depicts my own likeness (top left). Which I suppose is pretty vain, especially considering this blog is about fonts, not about me.

But it's still my blog. A casual blog where one might encounter "four letter words," on occasion and other such unprofessional dialogues. As I have often said though, "there's no shame in my game". Which means, I am that confident in myself, that these things are not something I am worried about. They are intentional, not mistakes or something that I had not considered the repercussions of.

I might write on here about accidentally deleting everything on my hard drive, and that's because I am being real. I am not worried that a client or an employer might find these things unprofessional. A client or an employer of mine would appreciate me for being real, relate-able and approachable.

Anywho, here's the new layout. Nothing crazy, just some CSS. I think I like it though. Hopefully I am not the only one. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think. Have a great day, and give your life a listen. Stay tuned, ~The Nymph

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Another Re-design

Hello, return visitors will surely notice that this blog has undergone yet another re-design. Being new to blogger, it took me just a bit to get used to their format. I think I am ready to settle down now with this look. Don't be scared now, please do leave a comment to let me know what you think of Nymphont's new look. Below are some captures of the looks that didn't last...

I have to thank Blogger Buster, that is where I learned many tips & tricks for blogger layout customization. Great tutorials, that site was of much assistance.

Anywho, that's really all for now, just been tinkering around on blogger testing out new layouts. No font news for now, and as of yet, I don't have any fonts in waiting on dafont.com but calm your weary hearts, there will be more fonts shortly. Ta ta! Stay tuned and give your life a listen. ~Lauren the Nymph

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Just My Type

Random notes and information on my fonts... First and foremost, my fonts are free for personal use only. Commercial users must donate to obtain the rights to license my fonts commercially. A more detailed terms of use comes along with all font downloads. Also, I prefer those interested to download my fonts from dafont.com. Other sites may feature old, out-dated and lower quality versions of my fonts.

Why are some of my fonts given the prefix, "LT," while others are not, is there a difference in quality between those with the prefix and those without? To answer the second question, no, there is no difference in quality. As to the reasoning for a font to have"LT" affixed to their name, it basically depends on the font style and how I would like the font to be perceived.

Some fonts, like LT Chickenhawk, are given the prefix, because they are such a unique and completely genuine never-before-seen original style by myself. In adding "LT" to it's name I feel more secure, that it would always been known as mine.

Many times the reason a font of mine lacks the "LT" prefix, because I want to lessen the amount that the fonts reception by "the public" and it's ensuing success or failure's relation to myself. Not that I am really well known, but since I have had at least one font in dafont's Top 100 at all times during the past year, regular visitors as well as font authors might be familiar with me. And this might make them more or less apt to view and download my fonts.

Champagne & Limousines for example, is a simple traditional (old-fashioned) styled geometric sans serif. I didn't want to clutter it up with a connection to me. I just wanted it to be the typeface, Champagne & Limousines.

Others are self explanatory, Nymph's Handwriting is another completely original font design, but I was comfortable that "Nymph" would be enough association to myself for me to feel secure.

Nymphette on the other hand... Let me tell you the truth about that font. The truth is, I hate that font. It could be better. I mean it looks good and all, but from a (novice) font-designers perspective... it could be better. Most wouldn't notice or mind that the glyphs have a ridiculous amount of points, but I know they do, and that bothers me.

The kicker is, thus far, Nymphette is my most successful font as far as longevity is concerned. Since it's debut 01-19-2009, Nymphette has remained in the Top100

I guess I am glad about it's success. Maybe not the most perfect of fonts, but it obviously serves a purpose, to remain so popular without any effort on my part to promote it. Though it's not one I would have chosen to be known for most, but what can you do?

I think LT Oksana is extremely unique and has many characteristics that add-- for lack of a better word, character to it's look.

I think in time, LT Oksana might be more appreciated. It's kinda neat I think.

Maybe someday, I will fix the kerning and spacing issues with the font, as the kind folks at abstractfonts.com also pointed out. Yeah, I should.

The Significance of the 'LT' Prefix Explained

Another thing, "LT" is a reference to myself, Lauren Thompson. Early in my "experimenting" with digital type, I "googled" myself and fonts. When several results pertained to Linotype, I became a bit worried that some people might confuse my fonts as having some association with the foundry, which I do not. Nor am I trying to imply any or ride on anyone's coat-tails.
But so far this fear has proven to be unfounded, no one has ever said anything of the sort, I haven't heard any mention of it. Thankfully.

Anyways, sorry for the bore, these were just some things I have felt the need to clarify for quite some time.

"Stay tuned and give your life a listen," ~Me, Lauren Nymphont

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Getting Situated

There, that's more like it. I played around with the CSS properties and think I have come up with a style I can live with, for a little while at least, though, it's not that impressive. But then again, I have put this blog up haphazardly whilst managing my .com.


How quaint! "Lauren's Great Patriotic Site Award," circa 1997 and prior. It was rated 3.0 on Award Sites, he he he. Relics thanks to The Internet Archive.



And my old banner for my old link-ware graphics site from the same era! This was when I began making quantum leaps in my ability manipulate graphics as well as design, and began to take advancing those skills seriously. I remember making the "pearl" embellishments from a blank canvas was a skill I newly acquired at the time.

I can't believe I ever used that font though, it's right up there in the cheezy font category! I did use a lovely ding-bat called BR Doodles from Back Room Graphics to "set" the pearls in. I'll give them a shout-out since they were so kind back then, and I myself am making fonts as well. Thanks Back Room Graphics!

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