WebP WebP is a modern image format that provides superior lossless and lossy compression for images on the web. Using WebP, webmasters and web developers can create smaller, richer images that make the web faster. WebP lossless images are 26% smaller in size compared to PNGs. WebP lossy images are 25-34% smaller than comparable JPEG images at equivalent SSIM quality index. Lossless WebP supports transparency (also known as alpha channel) at a cost of just 22% additional bytes. For cases when lossy RGB compression is acceptable, lossy WebP also supports transparency, typically providing 3× smaller file sizes compared to PNG. Lossy, lossless and transparency are all supported in animated WebP images, which can provide reduced sizes compared to GIF and APNG. More Info for Webmasters How WebP Works Lossy WebP compression uses predictive coding to encode an image, the same method used by the VP8 video codec to compress keyframes in videos. WebP Compression Techniques in Detail WebP Support
The Dangling Carrot and Character Development « Behler Blog I ran this post last year, and I thought I’d run it again, since I’m giving this seminar at the Florida Writer’s Conference this weekend. Since we specialize memoir/biography, I am regularly humbled by people’s experiences and how they had to dig deep to overcome whatever experiences unexpectedly entered their lives. It’s like the Cosmic Muffin looked down and said, “Ok, see that huge pile of goo I just dumped in your lap? Deal with it.” We never really know what we’re made of until we face that pile of goo. I thought about those elements that make for great nonfiction and how they play into the character development of fiction. The Dangling Carrot may be an important feature to helping you give your characters a few extra layers and, therefore, a lot more interest and dimension. The Dangling Carrot – three part symphony The Dangling Carrot is something waves right in front of your face, but it’s out of your reach. So here’s how that normally plays out: 2) Holy shock, Batman! Like this:
Detector [BETA] - combined browser- & feature-detection for your app how to become a published author | Author, Coach, & Songwriter Matthew Moran This will be a multi-part series.. 2 or 3 parts but really just the beginning of an ongoing discussion.Part 2 | Part 3 Matt, how do I get my book published? I get asked this question by authors or would be authors a lot. When you get published through a major publisher, there is an almost mystical sense of awe – as though you did some type of magic; curried favor with the gods, or performed some other type of metaphysical slight-of-hand. I understand this to a degree. In fact, my perception of writers kept me from doing something with my writing for a long time. Hint: I’m not! Getting Published is NOT Accidental First, I talk to writers and aspiring writers all the time and one of the first things I tell them to do (after getting “The Elements of Style”) is to pick up a copy of Stephen King’s book, “On Writing: A Memoir of The Craft.” Mr. Songwriters and writers do the same thing.. unable to explain their creative process they say things like, “I don’t write my songs, I discover them.”
alertify.js - browser dialogs never looked so good Unfortunately, I will no longer be maintaining alertify.js. I have many ongoing projects that aren't leaving me with enough time to do what needs to be done. If anyone wants to create a fork and maintain - by all means go for it! It's been great seeing people use it and enjoy it and this decision is simply because I don't believe it's fair that developers are looking for help and not getting it. I wish I had more time or contributions to keep it going and make it better, but the sad reality is that not usually the case on these kinds of projects. Forks I will be updating this site to list forks of alertify.js.
Why Writers Must Beware Quackery Long story short: Hey! I’m back from both Storyworld and Writer’s Digest Conference West in Los Angeles and I’m refreshed and apple-cheeked and full of vim and vig… okay, no. But, oh well. Anyway. Generally speaking, conferences can be great experiences for writers new and old. Wait, did I say “liquor?” Still. Still. A writer’s conference is rarely a straight arrow toward said wisdom. Put more succinctly, these conferences always contain a measure of bullshit. Some of this bullshit is harmless. Some of it — to the writer willing to accept it — is actually a little bit dangerous. Dangerous in that it will set you back rather than spring you forward. Five things to watch out for, then. Ready? Beware Answers Over Options Here’s how this works: you, as a writer newly walking the path of penmonkey novitiate, have no idea what the fuck is going on. Then you go to a conference like this and — hey! Other writerly humans! Many of these people are helpful. Beware Absolutes And Guarantees Do this.
xoxco/awarejs What Are They Really Thinking? My husband found the DVD box set of one of my favourite TV shows the other day. All three seasons! I was a pretty happy lady. We’ve been watching an episode or two each night and I’m loving it just as much the second time around. Do you want to know what it is? Lie To Me. It stars a British actor – Tim Roth. Personally, I think anyone who writes fiction should watch this show and here’s why… Most of the characters we write about have secrets. We don’t want to bog our readers down with copious amounts of description or go into their heads too much. Through their actions. How are they standing? Sometimes you don’t want to be overly obvious about this, remember – it’s all about the mystery. So how cool would it be to add micro-expressions to your repotoire? Now – I’m sure many of you include micro-expressions in your writing without even realizing, but sometimes it’s good to be reminded of these things. Here’s a blog post that has pictures showing some of the most common micro-expressions.