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There is a huge need for something that would make it easy to design tutorials. As I see it, a tutorial is a step by step document leading the viewer toward completion of a goal, whether it be the design of a graphic, a game, some code, or any process realting to graphic and web design.

The system I envision would present the author with a series of nodes that could be text, image, or video. Text would be written instructions/links, Image would be drag and drop or upload from computer, Video would be screen capture-either a selected window or the entire screen.

The tool would allow authors to create tutorials as needed, store them, present them, password-protect them, even sell them.

The biggest issue with tutorials is that they are difficult to make and wildly inconsistent-two tutorials on the same subject can contain a completely different structure. This tool would  make it easy and establish a framework for tutorials.

The best way to teach is to learn with your students.

I’m researching plugins that will auto-post to FB and Twitter accounts. Most plugins force you to create facebook “apps” to do the FB thing, a process that I despise. This one is called “social”, and it apparently doesn’t require an app.  I’ll report my findings at the next Buffalo WordPress Users meetup tomorrow evening. If you haven’t joined the meetup group yet, what are you waiting for? It’s free! http://www.meetup.com/Buffalo-Wordpress/

I been working on my coconut shrimp:

• 1 pack 25-35 frozen shrimp, e-z-peel®™©
• 2 tb Flour/2 tsp Old Bay mixed together in a bowl
• 1 Lime
• Handful Sweet Shredded Coconut
• Handful Bread Crumbs
• pinch red hot pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup Milk/cream
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp Mayonnaise
• 3 tbsp Orange Marmalade

1. Throw frozen shrimp in some cool water for 1/2 hour or so or whatever
2. pull off the shrimp shells and chuck ’em
3. heat up pan with 1/4 inch oil on medium/high
4. dry off shrimp in some paper towels and chuck em in the flour/old bay mix and dredge those bad boyz
5. coat the dredged shrimp in a whisked mix of egg/milk/beer
6. Toss coated shrimp in the coconut/bread crumb/pepper flak mix
7. Whisk mayo/marmalade, squeeze 1/2 lime in it and whisk more
8. Throw shrimp in pan for 3-4 miutes, turn
9. Wait 3-4 minutes, place cooked shrimp on paper towels
10. When cool enough, serve with mayo/marmalade dip. Toothpicks are good to have at this point.

WordPress is great place for writers. But what about for artists? Are your needs fulfilled by the built in tools WP provides, or do you rely on plugins to present your images the way you want them to look?

Is there a theme that works best for you, or does it lack certain features? Are you concerned about your images being copied or reused in some way without your consent?

Do you prefer to present your images on your site or on social media? What are the pros and cons of either approach?

These are some of the questions I’m hoping to answer over the next few months as I build a theme optimized for artists, and other folks for whom presenting their images online is the primary purpose for having a site.