As a web developer, one of the reasons I can keep my prices down is because I use a lot of pre-made scripts that do just what my clients want them to. All I need to charge my clients for is the installation of the script, integration of the script into the existing design, and setup of any admin features. This saves a ton of money when some of these scripts consist of thousands of pages of code. To hand code it all would cost thousands of dollars versus a few hundred of dollar to simply use a pre-built script.

There are a lot of reputable script providers out there, but a lot of not-so-good ones as well. Here are a few tips to look at when deciding whether or not to purchase a script for your website.

1. Always look for free GPL/Open-source scripts first. You can find many different and professionally programmed scripts at http://sourceforge.net/ that are essentially donated to the public by programmers. Plus if it doesn't work for you, you haven't wasted any money.

2. Always look to see if the if there is a demo of BOTH the admin and user interface of the script before you buy. Poking around in the admin before you offer up your dough will allow you to see if the script will do everything you need it to.

3. ALWAYS check to see what the system requirements are before you purchase. I can't tell you how many times clients of mine purchased scripts on their own, and assumed they would work with their hosting server. Its a pain to switch hosting for no good reason, or to waste money on a script because it won't run, so check first!!

4. Beware of websites that sell scripts but don't have any contact information! This is a good indicator that you will send them your money and never hear from them again.

5. Look on the script website to see if there is a support section. If so, this is a good sign that if there are any problems with the script, you will have somewhere to go for answers. Support forums are very important to look for as well. A lot of smaller/cheaper scripts don't have a support forum associated with them, but if it does, definitely a plus!

6. Do a google search to see if there are any people complaining about the script on forums, message boards, or blogs. Feedback and reviews are not always directly available for scripts, so its good to do a little digging.

7. Do your research. Don't buy the first script that you find that does what you want. There have been many times that I have found perfectly good scripts with an abundance of features for $50, and others that do the same thing or less for $300.

8. Try to find scripts and software that also have support for additional modules (mods). This is an indicator that you can add features that may not be standard to the script, plus it means the script is probably being actively developed.

9. Find out if the script website offers updates to the script. Once again, this means the script is being actively developed (the bugs are being worked out, and new features added). This also means that as technology changes over time, your script will keep up, per the updates.

10. Finally, if you are not a developer yourself, consult your web developer before you buy anything! More likely than not, they know more than you do about the functionality of the script and whether or not it will work with your website. This will save you from wasting your money.

I'd like to recommend a couple of nifty tools.

First, Paypal has come out with a new widget called Storefront that allows people to sell items from their myspace page. This is great for musicians, retailers, anyone really. Very easy to set up, fairly customizable, and makes you money... what more can you ask for?

Here's a link: http://storefront.paypallabs.com

Second, I just discovered a great service from logmein.com. They offer a FREE remote desktop service which allows you to log into your home or office computer from anywhere. Very simple to use, and great if you travel and need to access your files. There is also an upgrade that lets you pay to transfer files between the two computers, hear sounds from the remote computer, etc. GREAT service, very secure, and FREE!!

Check it out at: logmein.com

I recently had the honor of hosting a high school student intern from the Leaves of Learning school in Loveland, Ohio. My intern, Siobhan, has an interest in studying computer game development in college, and hopes to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design. So, while I don't know anything about game animation and programming, I think I was at least a bit of a help in showing what its like to work with design and computer programming.

As her project, Siobhan created her own website (with a little help from yours truly) to use as a resume and personal portfolio in hopes of impressing the college admissions board. The site turned out quite well considering she knew nothing about website design when she first stepped through my door.

After our five sessions together, I think we both came out having learned a little bit. Its really great to be able to give a little advice to someone who is in the same situation you were 10 years ago. I never had anyone to hold my hand or tell me how college and post-college were going to work, so any advice I can give makes me feel like I've done my small little part to help.

After the internship was over, I was invited to be the guest speaker for the internship group at Leaves of Learning. I have to say, I was very impressed by the students and their desire to learn everything they could about their future career options. I was also impressed by the teachers and how much they care about the students, as well as the personal relationships they have formed with each and every one of them.  What a great group of people!

All in all, it was a great experience that I wouldn't trade for the world. If anyone reading this has the opportunity to advise or mentor a student, I would highly recommend it. Its an awesome and fulfulling feeling to know you have passed along some of your knowledge to a younger generation.

I'm lucky enough to have several friends in the music world. Most of them, like me, do everything they can to get their work out to the public... preferably at a low cost. In hopes of helping out a few friends, I've compiled a list of services which I find to be very worthwile:

1. CDbaby - Cdbaby is one of the greatest resources available to unsigned artists. For a one time fee, they distribute your tunes to all of the major online outlets (amazon, itunes, rhapsody, etc.). Plus they give you a sale page which you can direct your fans to for purchasing your CD. All you have to do is supply the goods, they take care of the rest and send you the money.

2. Snocap.com - I just dicovered this great little tool. All you do is sign up, upload your MP3's, set the price, and you can sell them on your website, your myspace page, anywhere. All the code is provided for you. Have a look www.snocap.com

3. Tunecore.com - tunecore charges you yearly, however they will put your MP3's on all of the leading downloading sites (Itunes, amazon, rhapsody). I prefer CDbaby, but I thought I would mention this one as well.

4. karmafan.com - This is an "i'm great so give me some money for free" website. You sign up, they give you some code to place on your website or myspace page, and people can pay you money because they like your music, or because they think you are great, or just because they have it to throw away. Odd, but hey there's a potential for free money.

I'm sure there's plenty more out there, however these are a few that I've had experience with and think are worthwhile. Just don't blame me if you have bad Karma and no one loves you.

This is my latest drawing of an ornate lantern hanging in a doorway. As always, graphite on bristol board. Unfortunately, the scan I took shows the pencil lines in the doorway more than how they appear in real life. I'm fairly happy with this one, however I have to say I got a little lazy with the background after I completed the lantern portion.

As most people who know me are aware, I have a tendency to do things my way, which is often times a little backwards. I was taught in my art classes to always do the background first to lay the foundation for the detailed stuff. Well, I always do the fun part first and leave the background for later. Seems to be working for me so far... except for the lazy thing.

I often surprise myself at how well some of my drawings come out. When I do them, I look at them in such a detailed way, that I never really see the overall picture until I finish. It takes me a little while to look past the flaws that I know are there, but I guess that's what makes my drawings so special to me. I typically draw as a sort of emotional outlet, with every little flaw and success in the drawing attached to a part of my emotional process. Perhaps that is why I have never been able to sell one of my originals. Each of my drawings is like a reminder to me of some part of my life and how I worked my way through it.