To install the image widget plugin:

1.  Log into your website at www.yourwebsite.com/wp-admin

2.  Go to the Plugins tab on the left, and click on “Add New”.

3.  In the search bar, type “Image Widget”

4.  These results will show – we’re looking for the plugin by Shane and Peter, Inc.

5.  Click “install now”.   When prompted, click on “Activate Plugin”.

To use the image widget plugin:

1.  Go to the Appearance tab, and click on “Widgets” sub-tab.

2.  Drag the Image Widget widget from the left Available Widgets section to the desired sidebar and slide it into the desired location.

3.  This is the image widget when it is open:

4.  Upload the image by clicking the “Add Image” link.

5.  Assign the widget a title or delete the title if it isn’t necessary.

6.  Optional: caption, open in a new page.

7.  Insert a link if your widget is linking to somewhere when clicked.

8.  For better SEO, assign an alternate text for robots and audible browsers.

9.  Width and height will allow your page to load faster.

10.  And you can set the alignment with a simple drop-down selection.

I adore this plugin!  If you use this and want to support the ongoing development, I’m sure a small donation to the developers would be appreciated!

Questions?  Want to see more plugins posted here?  Let me know in the comments.

Go see Web Designer Depot this week for the most awesome brush fonts. These are only 5 of the 20 listed.

We’re Giving Back

As you know, I resell HostGator web hosting servers.  More specifically I resell the space that I rent on their servers.  And I am able to offer it to you at a great rate ($20 annually) and provide service second to none.  (not that I brag or anything.)  Plus, I actually set up your email for you and other services, so if words like “CPanel” make you squirm, come see momma.  :)  That was totally off point -

HostGator is making a $100,000 donation to the Red Cross for Haiti initiative.

Do you want to get involved – go to the Hosting for Haiti website.

I know you(we) already spend our money on the hosting but it is nice to know the company you’re investing in, isn’t it?  As for MOI, and My Little Company we made a $200 donation to the Red Cross fund.

How about you?

Did you get involved yet?  In this case, it is a ‘something’ is better than nothing.

Shrink-O-Matic

FREE TOOL for making those images from your camera SHRINK into something palatable for your website!  This is the neatest thing EVER.  You install Adobe AIR first, and then install this program – but don’t fret!  You click “INstall now” and it runs through the adobe air installation, AND the  Shrink-O-Matic program – and you do – NOTHING.  Cool, right?

I tested it out -

• I dragged a pic from my camera card and
• dropped into the box that says, oddly enough, “Drop images here”.
• It disappeared.
• I went hunting/
• I found it in the same folder (camera memory card) except renamed and SMALLER.

Settings -

1. Set where you want the image to go when its disappeared.
2. Set the name format for the renaming.
3. Set the size of the outcome picture.

Price   $0.00 Get it here.

Have a great week!
Cathy

Doodle by Lee. The code for this doodle and other doodles you can use on your blog can be found at Doodles.

Image via Wikipedia

Sitepoint has a current list of 30 free stock photo providers.

Some of the sites that I use regularly are:

• stock.xchng
• morgueFILE
• Flickr Creative Commons Attribution
• Barry’s Free Photos
• image*after
• All US Government images are public domain (NASA Image Exchange, and National Park Service, for example)

The tool that I use the most often – nearly every day – is Zemanta. Right in my blog screen, I can add links and images – it is so handy!