:. ConvertICO.com - Convert .PNG format files to .ICO or .ICO format files to .PNG : Windows Vista compatible.

Thanks to Matt Cutts for this gem.

9 Top CSS Essential Skills That Every Web designer Should Learn - aComment.net.

A very good read for new designers who are just starting out, or for oldskool ones who have finally decided to upgrade their skills and code to standards. Gone is the day of the FP n00b wannabee hacker. Well, not really, but they don’t have the brains to google to find a blog like this.

Script & Style is a fairly recently-developed site of the type that collects high-quality articles spotted around the web that are useful to web designers and developers.

A project of Chris Coyier (whose name you might remember from my enthusiastic mention of his CSS-Tricks.com site) and David Walsh — if I’m remembering correctly, this is the same pair that put together the Band Website Template as well: Chris with the visuals and David with the programming.

Back to Script & Style — you might expect it to be a bit sparse, being a newer site, but it looks like the fellas have raided their stash because I’m back 25 pages into the archives and still going strong.

Each of their articles is not simply a headline link but describes what they found useful about the article to which they link. And you run the gamut here: MooTools, free icon sets, and someone’s best tutorials on converting PSD to XHTML is what’s in my browser’s page view right now, if that gives you an idea.

Based in WordPress, the site itself, with it’s pleasing half-and-half design, is a good way to kick start your design and development engine. So put it on your frequent visit list or RSS feed today.

Blog Action Day 08

I have signed up for this. I will donate $25 to Kiva, and will donate an additional $5 for everyone who responds here in the comments, who also donates to Kiva as well on that day.  I keep the Kiva banner on the site at the very top. Kiva makes micro loans to other entrepreneurs all over the world, to help them start or grow their business. Just like you and me, the recipients have a business, but in their case, do not have the financial means available to grow the business. Everyone of my entrepreneurs have been paying their loan back faithfully. It is part of life, to give back to others. It’s not hard to do in such a small increment, and we all can afford just $25. I assure you once you do it, you’ll find a reason to go back and do it again and again.

SaveTheDevelopers.org :: Making The Web A Better Place, One Campaign At A Time…

Faye posted this link. I am adding the js to this site, and possibly my own site. I’ve not had support for IE6 in my contract for about 6 months now, even though I do still make sure the site works in it. I was thinking that next year, I’d stop even checking it.

8 Tips for Creative Soloprenuers - FreelanceSwitch - The Freelance Blog

another very timely and insightful blog post. In particular:

8. How to Deal With Scope Creep. Scope creep — when uncontrolled changes affect the scope of a project – can be the bane of a freelancer’s existence. If you don’t address it with a client, you easily could squander all your profit on a job.

Scope creep sets in when a project is not well-defined, well-planned or well-managed, or when there is a change in direction. If this happens early in a project, it may be a sign that you didn’t ask enough questions at the outset, or that you underestimated the project.

When this happens, above all, don’t procrastinate. The most important aspect of managing scope creep is communication. As soon as you see that a project is veering off course and that you will be spending more time or more money, you must advise your client immediately and decide together how to handle it.

If, for example, in a status meeting or phone call, it becomes obvious that what you are being asked to do is outside the scope of the project, say so right away: “That is outside the scope of the project as we outlined it in the proposal, so we’ll need to review that and possibly revise the pricing. Are you aware of that?” Then, initiate a “change order” to document the changes.

It’s also a good idea to include a reference to scope creep in your contract so there are no surprises. A simple paragraph that outlines the process if scope creep starts to happen will plant the necessary seed so that you can bring it up much more easily later.

Deadline Busters: 15 Tips for Generating Ideas When You’re Drawing a Blank | LifeDev

I have been finding that the first one listed here, has been working well for me. Every creative no matter what skill level, comes upon the dreaded “not an inkling, not a speck of an idea” span. For some it comes seldom, for others, it is a constant battle. Having plans, tactics, processes to go thru when this happens is essential for your survival as a creative business. Trying tips like these can break you out of the “fog”. Bookmark for reference.

Fill up on web. Tasty, tasty web.

mmmmmmm delish

Pattern Tap : Interface Collection for Design Inspiration

eXtra For Every Publisher » Blog Archive » Organizing a Blog Post

An interesting post on blogging. If you run a web design business, you really should have a blog on your site, not a personal one, but a business one. What to write it on? Well, you are a creative person, so create that space!

11 Lessons to Learn From Honest Abe, the Bumbling Entrepreneur | LifeDev

A good read for all of you web designers/entrepreneurs.