May :: 2011 :: Creative Juices Graphic Design Studio

Archive for May 2011

What do you do with Apps that die?

Lighten your day with daily comics

Why aren’t there any newspaper comic strip apps that last on the iPhone or iPad?

Apps that die

I bought an app called “Comics” quite a while ago. It was a universal app for the iPhone and iPad, and although a bit clunky, it had most of the comics I wanted. Not all of them updated regularly. And you had to go back and forth between screens to advance to the next comic strip.

But “Comics” was rarely updated and soon disappeared from the app store. I still have it and it still sort of works. Unfortunately, one by one the comic strip links are breaking down.

Then came “The Funnies” by AFK Studios. This app was also universal and cost $4.99. I read the website info as well as the reviews and it seemed like a good app. It too was a bit clunky. The interface seemed odd and the background ugly. But it worked, was updated regularly and new strips added every once in a while.

But, alas, this app too disappeared from the app store as did their website. And now the app is pretty much non-functioning.

My question is, why is this happening? Is there an issue with copyright infringement? It’s frustrating paying $5 for an app that soon disappears and ceases to work. Just saying.

Buyer beware

Guess it’s just like anything else you buy. Stores go out of business and so do app developers. Even apps with great reviews can disappear. It takes a lot of time and money to design and develop applications. Then there’s promotion and updates. Sometimes the return may not be worth the effort.

So what do you do? Unfortunately you can’t take it back to the store to get your money back.

But you can delete the app and be more careful when buying a new one.

You can still find daily comic strips online

For online comics, check out the following sites:

comics.com Quite a big selection of comics here.

gocomics.com A large selection of comics, including 2 Cows and a Chicken!

ArcaMax Comics Daily comics from your newspaper.

If you’re using an iOS device you can bookmark these links and add it to your screen for easy access. Just click the curved arrow in Safari and “Add to Home Screen”.

Or you can buy a printed newspaper made out of paper with ink and stuff. They’re still available daily. And they deliver.

12 May

5 Reasons Why the Cheapest Website is Not the Best Choice

You Don’t Want to Look Cheap

Times are difficult for a lot of people. Making ends meet is very important. But in business it’s all about image. When it comes to how people perceive you and your company, how you represent yourself is vitally important.

Make Your First Impression Count

To be a successful business you must have a web presence. Just having your name out there is not good enough. You need to showcase your products and services. You only get a few seconds to make an impression.

You Won’t Find Your Web Designer at The 99 Cent Store

Here’s five things to look for when you shop around for a web designer and why cheap is not always a bargain.

You get what you pay for. This is not just a cliché. The cheapest web design is not necessarily the best representation of your business. Do you really want your business to look cheap?
Keep your navigation simple and easy to follow. People notice when a website is poorly designed.
Most cheap websites are either copied from a template or from someone else’s site.
Will that web designer be there if my site has errors or ceases to function properly? Do you really want to pay someone new to fix your broken site?
Do they have a knowledge of SEO and how it works? Even a little search engine optimizing helps get your site noticed.

A modern, clean, fully functioning and easy to navigate website says a lot about your business. Update your content and website regularly and you’ll increase your chances of getting noticed.

To that end, why not call (310-791-5803) or e-mail Chuck at Creative Juices house of design. We create websites that fit your personality, business and budget. And we’re friendly too. (Chihuahua kisses are optional).

Blogging to promote business. Branding Marketing 101 Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Website Design

08 May

Apple’s Amazing Magic Trackpad

Being an Apple geek I purchased Apple’s Amazing Magic Trackpad the day it came out. After a little practice I’ve learned to love this gadget.

It’s sleek and looks great next to my wireless keyboard. The glass surface is smooth and easy to use. You just have to make sure your fingers are clean and dry. Like using your iPhone or iPad, if your fingers are damp there’s too much friction to move them over the surface.

Double tapping is the same as clicking. It takes a little getting used to. Use two fingers to scroll. On the “Mighty Mouse” you only need one finger to scroll, so if you use both you may get a little confused.

The batteries last quite a while. I use the cheap Costco batteries and still get at least 2-3 months usage from them. And it’s easy to change the batteries. All you need is a coin to open the side slot and simply change the batteries. Don’t forget to press the side button to turn it back on. Hold for a few seconds until you see the miniscule light blink on. This sets the bluetooth connection.

With the new Lion operating system coming out this Summer I believe the Magic Trackpad will have many new, convenient uses. For the price, I’d say this is a great product, especially if you use an iMac.

Disclaimer: I am an Amazon affiliate. Even still, I love the Magic Trackpad and highly recommend it.

Apple Technology