TotalTraining.com (Flex) - Limited Time Offer

As a CPAUG Member, you receive great benefits, perks, discounts and freebies!

Adobe has partnered with Total Training to offer Free Online Flex Training for 30 days. We hope that this will really help in training developers new to Flex.

www.totaltraining.com/guest/adobe

*This promotion runs till Dec 31, 2007.

Peachpit - FREE Safari Library Pass

As a CPAUG Member, you receive great benefits, perks, discounts and freebies!

Peachpit - Special Safari Books Online Offer
www.peachpit.com
Free Safari Library Pass

Safari Books Online is like having your own personal reference library filled with content from thousands of books and videos by the most respected authors and publishing brands in the industry.

Sign up and receive three full days of unlimited access to the most robust collection of graphics and technology books, instructional videos, and articles available online.

October 31 Meeting - Agenda

The October 31st Meeting Agenda has been set:

• Introduction to the new Central Penn Adobe User Group.
• Basics of Papervision 3D
• "Snippets" - Various short topics and tips - share yours!

Meeting Location and Details.

Lynda.com - Limited Time Offers

As a CPAUG Member, you receive great benefits, perks, discounts and freebies!

Lynda.com
www.lynda.com
User Group members a 20% discount* on both year-long subscriptions to the lynda.com Online Training Library.

Annual subscription: Normally $250, now $200! Enter code "ug200otl" during the checkout process. Includes access to all courses in the Online Training Library.

Premium subscription: Normally $375, now $300! Enter code "ug300otl" during the checkout process. Includes access to all courses in the Online Training Library, plus access to the downloadable exercise files.

*This discount applies to the Annual and Premium Subscriptions to the Online Training Library. Offer expires 12/31/2007; subject to change without prior notice.

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Lynda.com
www.lynda.com
User Group members a 20% discount* on all Videos on CD/DVD-ROM Training

Order Online: www.store.lynda.com. Use this code during the checkout process - "ugdeals"

*This discount applies to all of our (lynda.com) CD/DVD-ROM titles (not to be applied to bundles or books). Offer expires 12/31/2007; subject to change without prior notice.

User Group Member Benefits - Ongoing

As a CPAUG Member, you receive great benefits, perks, discounts and freebies! Also, many publishers offer books for review. If you'd like to receive a book in exchange for a review, please let me know.

Packt Publishing
www.packtpub.com
User Group members a 15% discount off all Packt's products.

Add a book to your cart at www.packtpub.com and enter this code"CPA15ug" in the "Promotional Code" box. Then hit the update button and the 15% discount will be applied.

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Apress and Friends of ED
www.apress.com
www.friendsofed.com

User Group members a 25% discount off regular priced Apress and Friends of ED titles.

Place your order with our distributor, Springer, by calling 1-800-SPRINGER. Once you connect with a customer service representative, please mention the discount code, "APRESSUG" along with the name of your user group, Central Penn Adobe User Group (CPAUG).

Apress is a technical publisher devoted to meeting the needs of IT professionals, software developers, and programmers, with more than 700 books in print and a continually expanding portfolio of publications. Apress provides high-quality, no-fluff content in print and electronic formats that help serious technology professionals build a comprehensive pathway to career success.

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Peachpit
http://www.peachpit.com/store/

(Updated 6-13-08 - increased discount from 30% to 35%!)
User Group members receive a 35% discount off the list price of any of our books.

At checkout, right before you put your credit card number in, you must enter the user group coupon code UE-23AA-PEUF (case-sensitive). This coupon code is an exclusive offer that may not be used in conjunction with any other coupon codes.

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JobOp: Website Design Coordinator

Website Design Coordinator

POSITION #1

· Works in conjunction with the content, design and development teams to create and maintain website text, graphics and page layouts.

· Assists the Website Portfolio Manager with the overall management and accountability of the organization’s intranet and public websites.

· Coordinates the ongoing maintenance, production, and development of all web assets to realize usability and business value.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

· Designs and optimizes graphics and page layouts for the organization’s intranet and public websites.

· Creates, delivers and edits site content and collateral in a timely manner, consistent with the voice, brand and established standards of functionality, clarity and information quality.

· Collaborates with customer experience designers, content specialists, analysts, and UI developers in the coordination of content, navigation, design and development of websites.

· Prepares content from knowledge of topic, supplemented by input from various lines of business and other constituencies.

· Liaison between content specialists, UI developers, and business units while trafficking website maintenance projects.

· Assists in development of web-based standards, guidelines, and conventions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

· Strong background and hands-on experience in web design and layout.

• Experience organizing and writing content for the web.

· Knowledge of web writing practices. Including ability to break down content into simple messages; appropriate layering of content; layout considerations; identification of content patterns, etc.

• Ability to juggle tasks and prioritize work effectively and efficiently.

· Knowledge of web design concepts: usability, page layout, and navigational structures.

· Excellent interpersonal skills.

· Excellent written and oral communication skills.

· Attention to detail.

• Ability to approach tasks with a sense of ownership, enthusiasm and innovation.

· Ability to work well individually and within a team environment.

• Ability to adapt to a fast changing environment.

· Candidate must have thorough knowledge of and the ability to work within various web and graphic applications; working knowledge of Adobe Dreamweaver and Fireworks preferred.

· Experience trafficking website maintenance for websites a plus.

· Financial services experience a plus.

· Experience with the process of web application development a plus.

Competencies

• Communication
• Creativity/Innovation
• Initiative
• Interpersonal Skills
• Problem Solving/Analysis
• Teamwork

Minimum Experience and Training:

• Applicants must submit an online portfolio or links to websites they have designed in order to be considered.

It is preferred that applicants have 3+ years of web design/production experience with corporate/organizational websites or Bachelors’ degree in related field.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Create, execute, analyze, and report on usability and user research for current and future versions of our web applications, work with a team that works closely with our users and field staff to understand customer perception of existing products, as well as proposed new products; and work closely with marketing, user interface designers, and development to influence the design of company web.

Included among your duties is conducting various types of research on current and future products, which includes customer site visits, surveys, usability testing, and/or focus groups; communicating results to stakeholders; helping to drive important new features through the development cycle; communicating and driving the resolution of usability problems discovered in testing or other research; championing a consistent and usable interface overall; and performing other duties as assigned.

Customer Experience Designer (position will be determined based on, skills and experience.)

· Willingness to act as an advocate for customers and users.

· Ability to generate website and web application user interface designs based on principles from usability, visual design, interface design and other relevant theories.

· Awareness and understanding of latest web user interface and information architecture trends.

· Apply usability engineering methods to establish user requirements, test design solutions, and evaluate product implementation.

· Experience organizing and writing content for the web.

· Knowledge and experience with web marketing.

· Understands dimensions associated with adoption of web-based products and services.

· Ability to develop new approaches to complex design problems.

· Illustrate complete feature and product design specifications.

· Ability to distill complex business needs into user interface designs, wireframes and HTML mockups, usability requirements, flow charts or use cases, and functional requirements.

· Proven ability to work and coordinate with multiple groups, including business owners, product managers, creative designers, usability engineers, software developers, and business management.

· Ability to partner with technology on design feasibility.

· Experience presenting ideas and concepts to cross-functional teams for validation and buy-in and incorporate feedback appropriately.

· Participate in all phases of the product development life-cycle.

· Willingness to work with Customer Experience team to evolve internal design process.

· Assist in development of web-based standards, guidelines, and conventions.

· Must have a working knowledge of HTML, JavaScript or basic Web development tools such as Macromedia Dreamweaver for prototype creation.

· Must have knowledge of graphic design tools such as Adobe Photoshop or Macromedia fireworks.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (In addition to specifics listed above (for all levels):

· This job requires a willingness to travel.

· The right candidate will be highly collaborative with excellent organizational skills, strong communication and people skills and the ability to manage multiple ongoing projects.

· Flexibility, patience and a willingness to accept criticism as some projects may involve continual changes and updates.

· Excellent written and verbal communications skills.

· Excellent interpersonal skills

· Ability to adapt to a fast changing environment and multitasking assignments

· Ability to juggle tasks and prioritize work effectively and efficiently.

· Ability to approach problems with a sense of ownership, enthusiasm and innovation.

· Must be a team player and have a positive, customer service attitude.

· Willingness and commitment to learn new technologies and technical skills for use in support of client server or web-based systems.

· Actively pursues self development in current and new web and marketing technologies.

POSITION #2

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Create, execute, analyze, and report on usability and user research for current and future versions of our web applications, work with a team that works closely with our users and field staff to understand customer perception of existing products, as well as proposed new products; and work closely with marketing, user interface designers, and development to influence the design of company web.

Included among your duties is conducting various types of research on current and future products, which includes customer site visits, surveys, usability testing, and/or focus groups; communicating results to stakeholders; helping to drive important new features through the development cycle; communicating and driving the resolution of usability problems discovered in testing or other research; championing a consistent and usable interface overall; and performing other duties as assigned.

Customer Experience Designer (position will be determined based on, skills and experience.)

· Willingness to act as an advocate for customers and users.

· Ability to generate website and web application user interface designs based on principles from usability, visual design, interface design and other relevant theories.

· Awareness and understanding of latest web user interface and information architecture trends.

· Apply usability engineering methods to establish user requirements, test design solutions, and evaluate product implementation.

· Experience organizing and writing content for the web.

· Knowledge and experience with web marketing.

· Understands dimensions associated with adoption of web-based products and services.

· Ability to develop new approaches to complex design problems.

· Illustrate complete feature and product design specifications.

· Ability to distill complex business needs into user interface designs, wireframes and HTML mockups, usability requirements, flow charts or use cases, and functional requirements.

· Proven ability to work and coordinate with multiple groups, including business owners, product managers, creative designers, usability engineers, software developers, and business management.

· Ability to partner with technology on design feasibility.

· Experience presenting ideas and concepts to cross-functional teams for validation and buy-in and incorporate feedback appropriately.

· Participate in all phases of the product development life-cycle.

· Willingness to work with Customer Experience team to evolve internal design process.

· Assist in development of web-based standards, guidelines, and conventions.

· Must have a working knowledge of HTML, JavaScript or basic Web development tools such as Macromedia Dreamweaver for prototype creation.

· Must have knowledge of graphic design tools such as Adobe Photoshop or Macromedia fireworks.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (In addition to specifics listed above (for all levels):

· This job requires a willingness to travel.

· The right candidate will be highly collaborative with excellent organizational skills, strong communication and people skills and the ability to manage multiple ongoing projects.

· Flexibility, patience and a willingness to accept criticism as some projects may involve continual changes and updates.

· Excellent written and verbal communications skills.

· Excellent interpersonal skills

· Ability to adapt to a fast changing environment and multitasking assignments

· Ability to juggle tasks and prioritize work effectively and efficiently.

· Ability to approach problems with a sense of ownership, enthusiasm and innovation.

· Must be a team player and have a positive, customer service attitude.

· Willingness and commitment to learn new technologies and technical skills for use in support of client server or web-based systems.

· Actively pursues self development in current and new web and marketing technologies.

Minimum Experience and Training:

Customer Experience Designer

Applicants must have 4+ years in website and application user interface design on large corporate projects. A Bachelors degree in Information Design, Graphic Design, Industrial design, Communication, Human Factors, Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Psychology, or related field or equivalent experience is required.

For additional information or to apply please contact:

Carl H. Crozier
Technical Recruiter
e&e IT Consulting Services, Inc.
2010 State Road, Suite 100
Camp Hill, PA 17011
ccrozier@ene-it-consulting.com
www.ene-it-consulting.com
717-975-1664 office
717-503-9049 mobile
717-975-1665 fax

October Meeting - October 31, 2007

Wednesday, October 31, 2007
6-8pm

East Shore Area Library - Computer Lab, 1st floor
4501 Ethel Street
Harrisburg, PA 17109
GoogleMap
Information about the meeting location

Meeting Agenda:

• Introduction to the new Central Penn Adobe User Group.
• Basics of Papervision 3D
• "Snippets" - Various short topics and tips - share yours!
  

Please feel free to post a comment if there are any topics that you'd like to see covered, or if you are interested in presenting a topic.

Meeting Location Information

East Shore Area Library - Computer Lab, 1st floor (basement)
4501 Ethel Street
Harrisburg, PA 17109
GoogleMap

Computer Lab:
The computer lab is located on the 1st floor (ground level). An elevator provides access to meeting rooms on the lower level. The computer lab is immediately to your right as you exit the elevator. If you come in from the lower level, continue through the corridor, the lab is on your left. No food or drink is allowed in the lab. Space is limited.

Handicapped Access:
Handicapped parking and access to the building is via the main entrance on the eastern side of the building. An elevator provides access to meeting rooms on the lower level.

Parking:
There are parking lots on both east and west sides of the building. Parking on Ethel Street is discouraged. Additional parking can be found in the Colonial Park Mall lot, from which there are two stairways to library property.

Directions:

From Interstate I-83: Exit 50 (Colonial Park). Proceed east to Colonial Road. Turn onto Colonial Road and proceed past the entrance to the Colonial Park Mall. Turn right immediately after Integrity Bank onto Ethel Street. The library is the first building on the right.

From Interstate I-81: Proceed on I-81 to the I-81/I-83 split. Follow signs toward I-83. Take exit 50 (Colonial Park). Proceed east to Colonial Road. Turn onto Colonial Road and proceed past the entrance to the Colonial Park Mall. Turn right immediately after Integrity Bank onto Ethel Street. The library is the first building on the right.

Introducing your new CPAUG Manager, Megan Fister.

I'm pleased to announce that I will be your new Central Penn Adobe User Group (CPAUG) Manager.

This group is for you so I encourage you to share your ideas for how we can make CPAUG yours.

Sincerely,

Megan Fister

Craig Malcolm Petrou steps down as CPMMUG Manager

Thanks to Craig Petrou for all of his hard work and dedication over the years. Wishing you the best of luck, Craig!


Here is his message from October 8, 2007:

It's Hard to Say Good-bye to Yesterday
After 5+ years, Craig Malcolm Petrou steps down as CPMMUG Manager

Since the beginning of Spring 2007, it has become painfully apparent to me, that due to other commitments I haven't been able to devote as much time as I would like to my role as the Central PA-based Adobe User Group Manager and Webmaster.

I also have other prospective interests and business ideas that I wish to pursue, making my available time even scarcer. Something has to change.

It is therefore with much regret that, effectively immediately, I'm stepping down from my role as Manager and Webmaster of the Central PA-based Adobe User Group. In the near future, I will also be taking down the existing CPMMUG.com Web site and discontinuing this e-mail list.

On the brighter side, this Central PA-based Adobe User Group needs someone who is able to contribute as much time as the position deserves, which I feel I am no longer able to do. Far better for me to step aside now and let someone else take my place instead of holding on to a vague promise that my situation will change in the near future.

Please don't take this to mean I am leaving the idea of an Adobe User Group entirely. I will be continuing as Manager of PSECU's internal Corporate Champions Adobe User Group. I may even attend a future Central PA-based Adobe User Group meeting from time-to-time - schedule permitting.

Managing the Central PA-based Adobe User Group has been a fantastic learning experience. I've learned so much through everyone's generosity and willingness to share over past 5+ years. Not only that, but I have made great networking contacts and friends both locally, at Adobe (formerly Macromedia) and Worldwide.

I want to thank everyone that's devoted time, energy, blood, sweat and tears to our Central PA-based Adobe User Group in the past, and I wish you all the best of luck for the future.