Lessfeet

Middlespot is a graphical web search engine. You enter your quire like you would with Google and click search, just like you do with any other search engine. The difference is on the page of results. The search results displays a thumbnail of all the sites relevant to the search. Hover over the thumbnail and you get a larger thumbnail. Click on a thumbnail and the page opens in a new window. It does this cool bookmarklet thing that you just have to see. There are several other features that I haven’t looked at but it seem pretty neat. Will it replace Google? I don’t know but it’s pretty cool.

I need a Linux that is lightweight. One that can run on old machines. I can install it and not spend a lot of time configuring. I think I have found it in Linux Mint. The one CD install loads most of the common applications like: Firefox, GIMP, Open Office, media players and CODECs. The wireless on my laptop worked right out of the box. This is very unusual for Linux. I am going to send a donation to these guys to keep this distro going.

Google has just launched a new “search options” feature. To use the feature go to Google and enter a search term hit enter. As always you will see the search results. Above to results you will see the words “Show options…”. When you click that a bar will appear on the left that categorizes your results into: videos, forums, reviews, images and chronological order. There are other features I really haven’t looked at like “Wonder Wheel“. I don’t know what that is!

The GIMP (Gnu Image Manipulation Program) is a free and opensource graphic editing program not unlike Adobe PhotoShop.

The GIMP like PhotoShop can be very difficult to learn. “Meet The GIMP” is a video podcast of GIMP tutorials or lessons. MTG will walk you through the basics of using The GIMP.

I posted about MTG I while back after that I there was a pause and I thought he went off air but he has been posting regularly. Losts of new episodes!

You can click the links on the website to watch the episodes or use the

RSS Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/meetthegimp

You have seen the Photoshop tips in some of the previous post. You have also seen that I always promote opensource when I can. You might ask, “Why aren’t you using GIMP?” The answer is I already know Photoshop because I’ve spent hundreds of dollars and numerous hours to learn to use it. Now I’m just to lazy to learn the GIMP! I know how to use Photoshop and I already own Photoshop. If I were to start over I would use GIMP.

Just like on the previous PhotoShop tip I use the “Pen Tool” to select the subject (fireplug in this case). Invert the selection. Open “Hue and Saturation”. I reduce “Saturation” to -100. This photo has a second “saturation layer” that brightens the yellows in the leaves in the foreground making them brighter and reduced the greens and blues in the background to darken the foliage.