How to loop a Flash banner three times

Some websites require that Flash banners only loop three times; I was recently creating such a banner and needed a solution. Luckily, I stumbled across this elegant solution on David Stiller's blog: http://www.quip.net/blog/2006/flash/how-to-loop-three-times

This particular solution is for Actionscript v2, however, there is one available for v3 too, see the website for more info.

For now, here's the AS2 version:

Add a keyframe to the last frame of your movie.  Any layer will do, but if you like to be organized, create a dedicated scripts layer.  Click into this concluding keyframe and paste the following ActionScript.


if (!loopCount) {
  var loopCount:Number = 0;
}
loopCount++;
if (loopCount >= 3) {
  this.stop();
}

How it works

An if statement checks to see if a variable named loopCount exists.  If it doesn’t, this variable is created and initialized to a value of zero.  During the movie’s first run, loopCount won’t exist, of course, and will be created.  During subsequent runs, the variable creation will be ignored. 

The ++ operator increments loopCount by one.

Another if statement checks to see if loopCount’s value is equal to or greater than three.  If it is, the MovieClip.stop() method is invoked on the main timeline, which halts the movie.  On the movie’s first and second run, loopCount will be less than three, so the movie will automatically loop.

Variations
If you want the movie to five times, change that three to a five.  For fifteen loops, change it to a 15.  You get the idea. :)   If you only want the movie to play once, scrap all of the above and simply put this.stop(); instead.

If you want the movie to loop, but not from the beginning — that is, start on frame 1, play through frame 300, then loop from 100 through 300 — alter the code like this:

if (!loopCount) {
  var loopCount:Number = 0;
}
loopCount++;
if (loopCount >= 3) {
  this.gotoAndPlay(100);
}

...replacing 100 with whatever frame number you please.

Automatic Image Montage with JQuery

Automatic Image Montage using JQuery

Here's a fantastic way of displaying a group of images in a montage style, and the great thing is, it's all done automatically and on-the-fly using JQuery. 

The functionality can be added to fixed size or fluid elements, you can even add it to the body of a website. Visit the site to view demos and get the code: http://tympanus.net/codrops/2011/08/30/automatic-image-montage/

How to build a custom Wordpress theme from scratch

As the title suggests, here's a great tutorial on creating your own Wordpress theme from scratch. Thanks to Russell for the heads up!

http://blog.spoongraphics.co.uk/tutorials/how-to-build-a-custom-wordpress-theme-from-scratch

Get The Wordpress Anthology

As a web designer and developer dabbling with Wordpress I stumbled across (and took advantage of) a great deal on the Mightydeals website: grab The Wordpress Anthology book from Sitepoint for only $19. Yep, a tiny $19, a bargain for such a quality book from a trusted and respected publisher, so you know it's going to be very good value for money. 

The book is a great resource for any Wordpress developer, or designer, who wants to learn more about working with the loop, custom post types, plugins, themes, taxonomies, image galleries and featured images and the Wordpress API, to name but a few of the chapters.

The book is well written and presented, and provides useful code examples as it explains the inner workings of Wordpress. Learn more about this great offer at the Mightydeals website.

A cool collection of Photography Wordpress themes

If you're into Wordpress and photography, then you'll love these Wordpress themes for photographers. The video above presents 30 themes, with a diverse range of visual styles.Some wonderful work here...

The Google Plus song

I stumbled across this rather cool video on Youtube today, a song about Google Plus, of all things! :) Enjoy.

WordPress Theme Development tutorial

Courtesy of Ecommerce Developer website here's a useful insight and series of tutorials into developing your own Wordpress theme: http://ecommercedeveloper.com/articles/2791-WordPress-Theme-Development-Part-1-Installation-and-Graphic-Design/

The tutorials are broken into six steps, and includes the Biolerplate HTML5 template. For more about Boilerplate see here: http://html5boilerplate.com/

Free Adobe Photoshop Actions

If you're an avid fan of Adobe Photoshop, and let's face it, who isn't?, then you'll like these cool Photoshop Actions. Best part is, they're free so head on over to the site below to see what's on offer. The image accompanying this article is one such Action on offer.

Click here to visit see all the free Photoshop Actions

Wordpress and Linux hosting that delivers

As a professional in the web development and design field, I've many years experience of dealing with web hosting companies; all shapes and sizes, some great, some not so great.

If you want the ultimate hosting solution, then Rackspace comes up trumps, if money is no object that is. So, there are many other hosting companies out there and they all vary in their offerings and products. Recently, I've been working with Wordpress in my spare time, and there's no doubt it's a mature and practical CMS solution if you're a web designer or developer.

So I wondered...which hosting company offers good, reliable Wordpress support and hosting, but doesn't cost the earth? After much reading of I decided to try Tsohost, a UK based cloud web hosting company based in Maidenhead, Berskshire.

Of course, I can only tell you of my own experience with them, and I'm very happy to report that Tsohost have been great. In fact, just recently, they updated their website and customer portal and control panel; and they've done a fantastic job.

Visit their website for details on what they have to offer, at very affordable prices...I'm not kidding!

Useful JQuery Libraries and JQuery Plugins

Spruce up your website with some JQuery, so, here are some excellent JQuery libraries and plugins to choose from. Courtesy of Smashing Magazine.

Click here to visit the Smashing Magazine article.

Cool Parallax Scrolling Websites Compilation

Webdesigndev.com has added an article showcasing 10 parallax scrolling websites, and there are some fantastic examples to be found here. Of note are the www.ok-studios.de, and www.ascensionlatorre.com websites.

Click here to visit the Webdesigndev website article.

Ian Hooton Photography

Ian Hooton is a London based photographer offering a diverse range of photography styles; everything from fashion to make-overs. Check out his work, it's good. Note: at the time of writing, the site is Flash based so you'll need the Flash plugin.

Click here to visit the Ian Hooton Photography website

LiveFyre real-time conversation platform

I stumbled across a rather interesting commenting system/platform, which LiveFyre describe as "Livefyre is the best real-time conversation platform on the web. Replace your outdated comment system and change the way people interact with content on your site". Visit the website to learn more.

Sean Gleason Photography

Some wonderful photography by Sean Gleason. Visit the website to see more.

Richard Moran Photography

Richard produces work for a diverse portfolio of clients, including Lloyds TSB, Mercedes-Benz UK, The Body Shop, Ernst & Young, Manchester City, The Church of England, The Alzheimer's Society, Opera North and The Northern School of Contemporary Dance.

In conjunction with some great agencies, including Golden, SAS London, Elmwood, Rufus Leonard, MARK, Bostock and Pollitt, Cogent Elliott and Salter Baxter to name a few.

Visit the website for more of his work

Best Wordpress plugins of 2012

WP Content Slideshow

I stumbled across this excellent article of the best Wordpress plugins for 2012. Yes I know it's only March :)

http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/wordpress/wordpress-plugins-2012/

Cheatsheets for Wordpress

Check out this great resource for Wordpress developers, including development and design cheatsheets.

Click here to visit the site

WP UI - Wordpress Plugin

I stumbled across WP UI today, and it looks like a powerful Wordpress plugin allowing you to add all manner of user-interface enhancements to your Wordpress website (i.e. posts). Powered by JQuery, features include sliders, tabs and accordions, to name a few. Support for CSS3 is also available in the plugin.

Click here to learn more about WP UI on the Wordpress website
Click here to visit the Capabilit website

Logo designs to inspire

Here are some fantastic logo designs to appreciate, some you'll no doubt be very familiar with. A great resource for inspiration too.

40+ Cool Typographic Logo Designs

50 Excellent Circular Logos

33 Creative and Beautiful Logos

24 Cool Logos with Hidden Symbols

50+ Kick Ass Logos for Inspiration

Added more content to Digital Hardware

Lots to do yet but I've added more content to the Digital Hardware website, check it out. New content includes the Sony Nex-7 and the Fujifilm X-Pro1.

Click here to visit the site and feel free to leave your feedback.

Digital Hardware website design is in place

Following the initial soft launch of the Digital Hardware website, the design is now in place and new content is being added all the time.

Check it out here

SuperTooth Buddy Handsfree Bluetooth Visor Car-Kit

I recently purchased this cool Bluetooth handsfree kit. Works great with iPhone4 and comes highly recommended.

Key features:

• Full Auto Pairing
• Magnetic Clip attatched
• Automatic Re-connection to phone
• Multi-Point Technology
• 20 hours talktime and up to 1000 hours on standby

Click here to buy this product with Amazon

Digital Hardware website soft launched

Digital Hardware has (soft) launched! Digital Hardware is my portal for all things digital photography; everything from hardware to software.

This is a soft launch until I can dedicate more time to the site design and content, but in the meantime, feel free to contribute. Also, please bear with me whilst I add content, LOTS more is coming :)

Click here to visit the site.

Panasonic DMC GX1 review

The Panasonic DMC GX1 review is now available to read at the Digital Photography Review website. Click here to visit the site.

Canon announces updated version of their popular Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM lens

Canon has announced an updated version of their full-frame Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM lens.

This high-quality full-frame EF mount lens was released quite a few years ago and an update is very welcomed. Having owned this lens myself (sadly, now sold) I can certainly vouch for it's quality and I'm confident the updated lens will not disappoint.

You can read the full Canon press release here.

Yul Brynner: A Photographic Journey

Little did I know that Yul Brynner, as well as being a legendary actor, was also an avid photographer. If you'd like to see his work an exhibition is being held at The Little Black Gallery in London, between 11 January 2012 and 11 February 2012. Click on the link below to learn more about the exhibition.

http://www.thelittleblackgallery.com/shows/yul-brynner-a-photographic-journey

50 JQuery Plugins

More JQuery components for your delectation:

http://freepsddownload.com/jquery-plugins/50-jquery-plugins/

Sony SEL50F18 E50mm F1.8 portrait lens

Just wanted to share some information on the Sony SEL50F18 E50mm F1.8 portrait lens for the NEX system.

You can learn more about this lens on the Sony website; if you're interested in this potentially wonderful prime lens and how it performs then check out this link for some excellent samples and the beautiful bokeh...dreamy.

Black & white photography to enjoy

As an avid (correction...fanatical!) follower of Digital Photography Review, I stumbled across a good example of some black & white photography.

Click here to visit the forum thread.

Flexslider - a jQuery slider plugin

Today, I stumbled across this rather nice jQuery slider (I know, another one!): Flexslider

Check out the advanced options page, as it has a nice looking version there, as shown in the above screengrab...good stuff!

The Slidorion - a combination of image slider and an accordion

We've all seen countless wonderful JQuery image sliders and accordions but rarely do we come across one that does both! Introducing Slidorion - a combination of image slider and an accordion.

The author sums it nicely: A combination of an image slider and an accordion, the Slidorion displays beautiful images along with a variable length description. With slides linked to each tab, and accompanied by a large array of effects, the Slidorion is a great alternative to the traditional jQuery slider.