++ The Credits

Used for: News, Various pages
The Creator: Jenny Ferenc
My Thoughts: I've been using fanupdate now for a couple of years. I can't say when exactly, but it's definitely been awhile. Lets just say that the first time I used it was when there was only version 1.6 out. I remember uploading it and thinking "OMG, this is sick!" I had bad luck with news scripts so it was a welcoming change. I use this script for EVERYTHING. Literally. Some of the pages on here are through FanUpdate. Where you see all the pagination and comment options - FanUpdate! It's that easy to manuipulate. And it doesn't make your page look messy, you can change the template for EACH page, and you do NOT have to keep the credits at the bottom of the page - which makes your page look f'd up sometimes. Jenny is a kool person too. If you have a problem that you just can't seem to get solved - you've gone on Codegrrl Forums and everything and no one knows how to help - shoot her an email and she'll be there willing to help. So, I end my rant with a "I friggin' love this script!" and only hope you guys get to try it out yourselves.


Used for: Textures
The Creators: The Staff
My Thoughts: I've been going to Aethereality.net since my Sailor Moon days. They're affiliated with Day Dream Graphics which was one of my favorite places on the web back then. Anyway, I didn't - still don't - have photoshop so I was limited to what I could do with creating that textured look. I was pretty good with manipulating random images to get something of the look I wanted, but it was a lot of time on my part and the textures I tended to come across were very grainy and too grunge at times. Then I went to Aethereality.net and discovered a range of textures. I was a bit shell-shocked and I guess it just never wore off.


Used for: Graphics
The Creator: Wilber the GIMP
My Thoughts: GIMP is the GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is free software used for photo retouching, image manipulation, etc. This is my alternative to photoshop. I have to be honest, photoshop is the best with giving you non-grainy images and versatility, but Gimp is a close second. When I first stared designing I downloaded Pixia, which wasn't BAD, but you couldn't do much with it, but put layers on top of layers and then use the opacity. Yea, sucked ass after awhile. Then I found Gimp, which has improved considerably. Especially now that there are brushes that can be downloaded. Not just circles and squares, but flowers and vector images and clouds - way better than the first download where I was very limited and wanted photshop so badly. It's SO improved that sometimes I wonder why I even WANT photoshop anymore. But the point is that if you want the similar effects that you get in photoshop, and have empty pockets, Gimp is the way to go. Besides, they have great tutorials and a huge forum. The only con is that the image tends to lose its quality once you save it. Sucks. Still working on that.