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Pictures and Infographics seems to have taken over the world – we all just love expressive fun pictures and may immediately close a web page if it only contain bare text. Lets take comic as an example. It used to be just funny pictures that entertain people but today, some companies have discovered its effectiveness of "art of sequence" that can be presenting step-by-step guides to absolutely anything. Do you like a user manual? Almost everyone detests a user manual and I’m pretty sure you can’t even recall when was the last time you bother to read up a user manual. However, some user manuals has evolved, to something less painful.

And I don’t mean things like this:

Nope, that’s no comics, these are just standard boxed illustrations meant to let users visually imagine the stuff they have to fight with. A comic guide is something absolutely special – unique combination of text and graphics where they are inseparable, there are plots and themes, balloons that makes a user manual interactive to catch attention and it will never fail.

Have a look at these 5 great examples of comic guide I’ve found:

1. Google Chrome Comic Guide

The most famous example of them is created by Scott McCloud. The Chrome comic takes 39 pages and has really many guys starring – the heroes are Google developers and they are using IT jokes and simple language to explain complicated web stuff to anyone. A very interesting and informative comic though someone might find it a bit too long and monochromatic.

Source.

2. Hackett and Bankwell Comic User Guide to Linux

Hackett and Bankwell takes even more pages than Google Chrome but it’s a multi-colored comics with a real plot where Hackett, a penguin (not Tux surprisingly), helps the Chinese girl in a serious mission. While saving the world Hackett keeps informing her on what actually Linux is (oh no, GNU isn’t an antelope) .

Well, seems like a good idea for non-linuxoid comic lovers to start a new life.

Source.

3. AdVantShop.NET. Comic Guide to E-Commerce

This one is less famous and less in size. The comic takes one html page but doesn’t make it less interesting or informative. The comic represents the company’s product (shopping cart script) to the user so that he can see how it is to work with it. No web interfaces, no difficult commands – only user impressions with a bit of nice humor.

Source.

4. User’s Guide to Proper Urinal Etiquette

Just thought that at least one funny-purpose manual should be included in the list – this comic provides step-by-step instruction of behaving when in WC). How serious can taking a loo be? still, comics are perfect for really any purpose you can come up with.

Source.

5. The Manga Guide to Databases

Unbeatable is the right word for Manga. Japanese art is just so popular that it’s also use for many different entertainment and educating purposes. From erotic to scientific you name it. The Manga Guide to database is a book created for students specially to make it easier to cope with learning databases. Here cute little princess with huge innocent sparkling eyes in the Business kingdom gets mysterious database knowledge from a smart Fairy.

Source.

Bonus: Oatmeal’s Guide to Using “I.E”

I guess this post wouldn’t be complete without mentioning one of theoatmeal’s comic guide so I decided to save the best for the last. This comic guide gives you an idea when you should be using “I.e.” instead of “E.g” in sentences and why printers are actually sent from hell. You should definetely check out other oatmeal’s comics!

Source.

Well, there are certainly much more of similar instructions but I’m trying to present the tendency in brighter examples. I believe that in the nearest future we’ll have most of the user guides comixed because it’s not only eye catching but also keep our eyes from straying. Which perfectly fits the purpose of any brand – to make us read to the end.

(bellefoong)

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Sketch troupe Derrick Comedy has tackled social networking as the topic of their latest video on CollegeHumor by creating the next next-generation social network: Gink. What is Gink? Well, it’s simple, really: “Gink is a fun made-up word, combining the words gibble and spink, both of which are also made up.”

Simultaneously parodying the proliferation of social networks and the dizzying array of specialized terminology that often comes with them, Gink goes off the deep end with an assortment of seriously delivered gibberish that would make Dr. Seuss proud.

Check out the video below — warning: some NSFW language included — and let us know what you think. Is Gink the next big thing?

[via Maximum Fun]

Tags: collegehumor, comedy, facebook, gink. Derrick Comedy, parody, social networks, twitter, video, viral video, youtube

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This is our weekly Twitter Design News Round-Up, a collection of fresh design related resources that we have shared via Twitter in the past week.

Just in case you are not one of our Twitter followers, click here: twitter.com/speckyboy, and you’ll be kept up to date with loads of design news and resources.

As always, if you have any cool links that you would like to share, do not hesitate to share them here: Submit News. Thanks to everyone that has been emailing.

Video:
The Making Of Heineken's Amazing Soccer Swindle ( via Mashable )

Good Reading:
Comparison of Popular Social Bookmarking Widgets ( via stevenbenner.com )

Good Web Design Cause:
For a Better Mobile Web ( via abettermobileweb.com )

To create better mobile applications and websites, we need fixed positionning to give the user better tools to browse the web on handled devices. Like a real mobile app, we could have a fixed toolbar when scrolling on a site, it is critical to not take the user in hostage in very long list or on long content pages. This is something we can't really emulate in javascript as mobile devices are not really powerful.
The Webkit team could give us a proprietary CSS property that would overwrite the viewport behavior, and this is the proposition here. Give us a CSS property like position: -webkit-viewport-fixed that we can apply on a div so it can be fixed to the viewport.

Infographic:
The Path to One Billion Tweets ( via Mashable )

Good Reading:
Build your Reputation And Authority as a Designer ( via pelfusion.com )

Good Reading:
Applying “A Pattern Language” To Online Community Design ( via Smashing Magazine )

Showcase:
Apple iPad Funny Pictures ( via smashingshare.com )

Compilation:
Top 50 Free Applications for Mac Users (Part 1) ( via djdesignerlab.com )

Compilation:
20+ Stunning Free Apple Files & Icons ( via inspirationfeed.com )

Inspirational Showcase:
Beautifully Rendered 3d Vehicles ( via designrfix.com )

Inspirational:
Industrial Design Of Fiat 500 ( via webexpedition18.com )

Tutorial Compilation:
50 Tutorials for Web Development Using CSS3 ( via dzinepress.com )

Web Design Tutorial:
CSS Box-Reflect Tutorial ( via webstandard.kulando.de )

Web Design Tutorial Compilation:
8 Common CSS Mistakes and How to Fix Them ( via pxleyes.com )

Web Design Tutorial:
Colorful Sliders With jQuery & CSS3 ( via Tutorialzine )

Web Design Code:
[Code Snippet] CSS : Hover and Press Button ( via webstuffshare.com )

Web Design Tutorial:
Reusable Button Classes with CSS and Images ( via blog.mivamerchant.com )

Web Design Resource:
6 CSS3 Smashing Generators ( via markedlines.com )

Graphic Design Tutorial:
Learn Photoshop: All of the Basics for Beginners ( via Vandelay Design )

Web Design Tutorial:
Create Portfolio Website With CSS/jQuery ( via acrisdesign.com )

Graphic Design Tutorial:
How to Create a Space Girl Photo Manipulation ( via adobetutorialz.com )

Graphic Design Tutorial:
Create a Simple LCD Monitor Icon ( via vforvectors.com )

Freebie:
Updated Fugue Icon Set, it now has 2,627 Icons ( via Pinvoke )

Freebie:
Social Buzz Icon Pack ( via Tutorial 9 )

Previous Twitter News…

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When people tell me that they wish they could draw, it reminds me that I have always wished I could sing. It is very hard for me to carry a tune. I found a video that made me smile, it is truly awesome. I think it was done so artistically that even if you can’t sing like me, but you can carry a tune, you’ll be just fine.

BeatBoxing is an art form. It is creating music or a beat using your own vocal chords, creating tunes without any instrument except your voice.  BeatBoxing- is a form of vocal percussion which primarily involves the art of producing drum beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using one’s mouth, lips, tongue and voice. It may also involve singing, vocal imitation of turntablism, the simulation of horns, strings, and other musical instruments. Beatboxing is connected with hip hop culture, although it is not limited to hip hop music.

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Here is a group that went through Trial Under fire.  They have been together playing popular  Beatles songs and have been breaking and consistently being the top scorers. The group almost broke up, how could that be?

Here are sure ways to break up the Rock Band:

1.  Fall in love – Concentration is the first one to go.  How can you say no to her wanting to come to practice, specially when you finally found the one that understands and is into what you are interested in.  The rule no girlfriends during rock band time, will definitely be broken.

2.  Bring her to Band Practice – Eventually she will take over the band, change their outfits, make them try out the “better” way of playing the video game.  Drive everyone nuts.

3.  Start a non violent protest – She may inspire you to go on a non violent protest.  This will in turn make you miss practice sessions

4.  Make her channel your energies into other “creative” outlets – This will definitely create a huge fight among the band members, most specially if the creativity involves you playing Rock band in “unorthodox” means.  No electricity, no controllers and no band equipment.

Funny how a little thing called “love” can break up a rock band.  As the saying goes, drinking and driving don’t mix, Love and gaming doesn’t either.  What’s you take on this?

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I collected all the best free photo editing services, which will keep You busy for quite a while and You will receive amazing results – maybe funny, maybe silly – but You’ll get original photos and few more reasons to smile

1. BeFunky

BeFunky Photo Effects allow everyday people to easily create photographically rich and artistic results from their digital images without the need for any technical knowledge. These “one-click” photo effect options produce desired results effortlessly and each effect comes with the option to make simple adjustments.

2.FunPhotoBox

The FunPhotoBox site is a place where you can create funny pictures from your photos. FunPhotoBox is a free photo editing online service. FunPhotoBox allows you to add special effects to your photos.

3.PhotoFunia

PhotoFunia is an online photo editing tool that gives you a fun filled experience. You upload any photo and just wait to see the magic. Our proprietary technology automatically identifies the face in the photo and let’s you add cool photo effects and create funny face photo montages.

PhotoFunia is free and very easy to use. Just select an effect you like from over 100 different effects, upload your photo, and PhotoFunia will handle the rest for you.

4.PicArtia

Create photo mosaic Online and Free! A powerful photo collage maker in 3 easy steps. Get your photo montage in less than 2 minutes!

5.Photo 505

Huge collection of photo templates, which will keep You busy for quite a while.

6.Loonapix

In a few words – Loonapix is going to beautify your life. A lot more photo templates.

7.Funny Photo

Even more photo templates – just upload Your images and choose one of funny effects available!

8.Dumpr

While not all of templates are free, still there are enough to choose from.

9.WriteOnIt

Here you can easily create your fake pictures, captions and fake magazines (Wired, Playboy, Playgirl, Glamour, Time) and other funny jokes for you and your friends.

10.MagMyPic

There are 30 different magazines to choose from for now. You can select any of them and make an impressive, unique, custom fake magazine with ease and Your own picture – it’s simple as that!

11.Hollywood Hair Virtual Makeover

Try on the hottest celebrity hair and makeup looks!

12.Hairmixer

Lovely tool and it does exatcly what it says in the image below.

13.BigHugeLabs Flickr

Have fun with Your photos, a lot of photo editing tools available here, You don’t need any knowledge of professional photo editing programs.

14.FaceInHole

With FACEinHOLE.com you can easily and in a matter of seconds create a totally “new look” for you and your friends. You just have to select a scenario, upload and adjust a photo (or use your webcam) and there you have it; a great FACEinHOLE that you can send to your friends, post in your blog or make available to the world.

15.Personalized money

Create your own personalized money bill with Your own picther with just a click of a mouse button.

16.Fake Magazine Cover

Here you can personalize magazine covers online (no software applications to install, just use your web browser) by uploading digital photos you have on your computer.

17.My Heritage Face Recognition

MyHeritage.com is one of the world’s first services to apply advanced face recognition technology to personal photos and family history; and it’s free!

18.Poladroid – The easiest and funiest polaroid maker

Easy way how to create high resolution – polaroid like images.

19.FotoTrix – Image Generator

Upload a digital photo to add fun effects and novelty layouts. FotoTrix have over 2,500 templates for your digital photographs! Make it look like you had your photograph taken with a celebrity or add some goofy props to spice up your photos.

20. Picnik

Picnik makes your photos fabulous with easy to use yet powerful editing tools. Tweak to your heart’s content, then get creative with oodles of effects, fonts, shapes, and frames. It’s fast, easy, and fun.

21. JpgFun

Jpgfun is an easy-to-use free online service to edit Your photos! You can improve Your photo with different interesting and funny effects or put Your photo on a magazine cover. Mention that it is ABSOLUTELY FREE and easy as one, two, three! One more photo template resource.

22.Dynamic Einstein picture

You can change the text on this image to whatever you like. Change the text in the form below, then click on “preview image”. The text in the image will change accordingly. You can align the text with spaces and enters.

23. Photovisi

Choose from 18 photo templates and create collages from Your photos as wallpapers and more.

24. PixiSnap

Pixisnap allows you to create your own pixisnap photos in 3 easy steps: choose a mosaic type, upload your photo and customize your mosaic art.

25. Fotocrib

Fotocrib is a web based photo editing service. Fotocrib currently allows users to:

* Create montages

* Add 3D effects

* Encrypt photos

* Create rounded corners

* Convert between jpeg, png, gif, pdf and postscript formats

* Send photos to email recipients and lots more.

26.Create Your Own Wired Cover

Ever wanted to be on Wired magazine cover? This is Your chance! You can customize cover headlines, borders, color palette, background – fully customizable!

27. Pizap

Pizap is a fun free photo editor that lets people easily create wacky images with their digital pictures. PiZap was created as a tool primarily for social networking users who want to post their images to their favorite social networking sites

28.Blingee

Add Glitter, Graphics, and Comments to personalize your images, then share with your friends!

If You know more similar services – feel free to add Your link in comment so I can create even better list!

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