Digiscrap

Finding your way around Photoshop

There's no one way to do this.  Each of us learn differently, each of us come into this hobby with differing levels of computer understanding and competence.

The biggest thing that will help you learn to digi-scrap is simply knowing the ins-and-outs of your program.  In this case, we're talking about Photoshop.  Get to know the toolbar -- what the tools are called, what they do, what settings they have.  I'm a bigger fan of knowing first what the buttons are and what they do, and learning what shortcut I can use to get them active later.

I won't be telling you EVERYTHING about Photoshop in this blog.  I don't know all that much, and there are plenty of other sites to get you really in depth if that's what you want.  My goal with this blog is to show you what you need to know to START your digi-scrappin' journey.  Once you get over the initial apprehension and jump over that beginner's learning curve, you'll be able to delve deeper on your own.

It's ok to jump in after learning just a few basics.  Don't think you have to know Photoshop inside and out before you start.  I made 54 layouts in my first 3 months and I am still constantly learning new tricks.  You don't have to click on these links below right now if you don't want to.  It's supplemental material, not required reading.  ;o)

In addition to the resources linked in the "Adobe Photoshop Tutorials" list over at JenStrange.com, here are some quick links to Photoshop sites with tutorials to start with:
1. Photoshop101.com
2. Photoshop Support.com
3. Planet Photoshop.com
4. Developing Webs.net --> Photoshop general page, Beginner's Index
5. Good-Tutorials.com

And here are some books that I've seen mentioned online as being helpful ("click here" will take you to the Amazon link):
1. Photoshop for Digital Photographers ~ Scott Kelby ~ click here
2. Photoshop Elements 3 Down and Dirty Tricks ~ Scott Kelby ~ click here
3. Photoshop Elements 2 Tips and Tricks ~ Janee Aranoff ~ click here
4. Adobe "Classroom in a book" series for Photoshop ~ click here (there is a different one for every version -- put "Photoshop Classroom in a book" in the search bar.)  Ok, and click here for the Adobe.com page for all their Classroom in a Book titles.
5. Photoshop for Windows and Mac ~ Elaine Weinmann and Peter Lourekas ~ click here

From what I understand, most everything in a book about Elements or version 2.0 or 3.0 will apply if you have a later version -- I have 7.0.  Each version has improvements and additions, but the basic functions always remain the same.

Happy studying!

Other sites’ Digi-scrappin’ tutorials

It can get overwhelming, trying to sort through all the digital sites out there.  Some are very obviously only there to jump on our digi-scrappin' bandwagon and make a quick buck.  Some mean well, but are sparse and hard to navigate.  Some SAY they have tutorials, but have only 1 or 2, or have a "coming soon!" note that has been there for a year.

Here are the sites I've found that have a depth of tutorials for digital scrapbooking. 
Some of these are the ones that gave me the courage to jump in and try digital scrapbooking myself.  Please know that sometimes within a site, the host will change the link names -- so if one of the links ever doesn't work, let me know and I'll try to fix it.  I'm going to list them in alphabetical order, so as not to play favorites.  ;o)

~ Kim Hill and Kathy Moore have come together to create DigiScrappingTutorials.com, a collection of many tutorials, all in once place.  This will be a great place to go after reading through all the tutorials here at DigiScrappin' with Jen, to continue your digi-scrappin' journey.

1.  CG Essentials.com ~ tutorials
2.  Cottage Arts.net ~ tutorials
3.  Digital Scrapbook Place.com ~ tutorials ~ also have in-depth classes for a fee $$
4.  My Janee.com ~ tutorials
5.  Pages of the Heart ~ tutorials
6.  ScrapBook-Bytes.com ~ tutorials
7.  Scrapbook-Elements.com ~ tutorials
8.  Scrapbook Graphics.com  ~ tutorials
9.  Scrap Girls.com ~ ScrapGirls University
10.  Scrap Outside the Box.com ~ tutorials
11.  Witty Living Digital Scrapbook Tutorials
12.  Hummie's World

If you have a question you'd like to ask, try the board at DigiShopTalk.com!  Everyone there is very nice and helpful.

kimlizzy has all sorts of tutorials -- using DIP -- at her site.

PickleBerryPop offers a starter kit at their site, which includes: (1) A kit sample, (2) fact sheets that tell you about digital scrapbooking, digi-scrapping etiquite, shopping for digi products online, and how to find your way around PickleBerryPop, and (3) a "Creating your first digital layout" tutorial for the following programs: Gimp, Adobe Photoshop CS2, Photoshop Elements 5, and Paint Shop Pro 8.  Click here to find out more.

There are also sites that sell CD's of Photoshop tutorials, and while that doesn't fit totally in line with my FREE information for everybody philosophy for this blog, it's worth noting that those sites are there (and I DO think that the CD's are probably worth every penny.  It takes a lot of effort to create a product like that!)  Scrapper's Guide and Scrapgirls' Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed.  Scrapgirls additionally offers FREE: 3 easy pages video s and 6 videos about digital scrapbooking that you can watch on their website.

Everything You Need To Know:

Here are the sites which, in my mind, represent everything you need to know about digi-world.

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JustDigitalCalls.com is THE place to go to find out about sales, chats, team calls, contest, magazine calls . . . all in an organized, up to date listing!  If you want to be in the know about what is happening in the digital scrapping world, look no further!  All listings are FREE.  If you're a scrapper, make sure you check it often.  If you're a designer or site owner, make sure you list all your important events there!!!

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Want to find your favorite designer's blog?  Want people to find YOUR blog?  Just want to browse blogs of other digi-scrappers?  You need to know about Top Digi Blogs!  Founded by Carrie Stephens of FishScraps.com, Top Digi Blogs is a "Top Sites" site with over 300 blogs listed (as of summer 2006.)  This is an awesome place to connect with other digi-girls, and to see where everyone else is hanging out.

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DigiShopTalk.com -- This is where all the cool people are hanging out.  LOL.  There is a gallery and message boards, and most importantly -- NO CENSORSHIP.  You can talk freely and openly about your favorite designers, sales, freebies, an awesome kit you just found, link to other sites . . . it's good stuff!

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Scrapability.

OMG, Scrapability is a MUST READ.  The latest gossip, all the hot topics, plus humor and insight -- I really love what Michelle has to say.  I look forward to every new entry!  She additionally has some GREAT resources -- her "Links, Links, Links" list is AMAZING, plus she has a huge list of ScrapBloggers.  Her intro entry says:

"Welcome to my personal website, Scrapability. You will find my personal scrapbooking life within this site - my scrapbook resume, links, opinions, gallery, project downloads, a weekly scrapbooking haiku and other artwork as the whims take me.  And you will find a rough cut of scrapbooking insights, news, opinions and links towards the scrapbooking world as we know it within the Scrap Rants blog."

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Digi Pick of the Day.

Melissa G's Digi Pick of the Day is SUCH a great site.  She updates consistently, has great commentary, and doesn't play favorites -- just showcases the best stuff out there (in her opinion, which I hold in high regard).  She takes the time and trouble to go find all the cool stuff and let us know about it -- I really admire her for posting something almost every day.  She posts not just a new kit every day, but a favorite layout from a gallery, too!  It's quite an honor to be the pick of the day.  Her About Page says "I am so amazed at how quickly the field of digi scrapping has grown just in the short time that I've been involved. When I started there were so few sites available and now...WOW. That's why I started this blog. I want to help people find what's new and cool."  She does a great job.

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Digi-Directories.

Here is a great directory where you will find all sorts of digital scrapbooking sites:

Looking for (Digi)-Inspiration?

Here is a really cool site that has a gallery of advertisements, pamphlets, artwork, and much more, for inspiration:  JustAdInspiration.com

Below are links to user galleries at Two Peas and DigiShopTalk of scrapbookers who make digital pages (some also do paper scrapping.)  These are people I think are worth looking at, that represent a variety of styles, and understand the finer elements of page design.  If you are not on this list, it's not personal!!! -- I'm sure you are a wonderful scrapper!  This is just MY pick for top 20 (ok, 27) at the moment, in no particular order. ;o)  The folder in my user gallery with all my digi stuff is located here.

1. Dani Mogstad -- TwoPeas, DigiShopTalk

2. Gina Miller -- TwoPeas, DigiShopTalk

3. crazygirl

4. Bree Clarkson -- TwoPeas, DigiShopTalk

5. Rhonna Farrer -- dreamy scrapper, GardenGirl

6. Gina Cabrera

7. Heather Ann -- TwoPeas, DigiShopTalk

8. Robin Carlton

9. KristinCB   

10. justmp

11. WhatKatieDid

12. Teresa Ferguson -- DigiShopTalk,

13. jorgies5
14. Veronica Ponce -- carver

15. Juliet

16. nevache
17. Anne Langpap -- langlady / GardenGirl LOs
18. possum

19. Shannon F
20. SheriR

21. three-cowboys

22. HeidiKnight
23. denasimoneaux
24. mom-2-three 
25. LazyLuna 
26. ptknox
27. ronalyn 

I also have a post at jenstrange.com of links to galleries of stand-out paper scrappers.  You can be just as inspired by a design in a paper layout as in a digi -- to check those out, click here!

About Digi-designers.

Before I tell you about where to find digital elements (free and for purchase), let's talk about the people who create the digital designs.

Please take a moment to visit the Stop Piracy blog and to understand before you move any further that sharing and redistributing digital kits is wrong and illegal.  It's important that you understand this.  Please respect the digital scrapbooking community and industry.

Designers share their work in 2 main ways: through a major store (like ScrapBook-Bytes or Digital Scrapbook Place), or through their personal website (like Shabby Princess.com or Gina C's Digital Design Essentials.)  Many designers have websites where they'll list previews of kits and give links to where they can be found.  Usually when you buy through a major store (site), you will be dealing with the store's customer service; buying through a designer's personal website has you dealing with the designers themselves.

My favorite thing about digital scrapbooking is that with the internet, the playing field is leveled.  Designers don't have to get noticed by a big company or find large amounts of start-up cash to get a product ready to offer.  Just about anyone with talent, a computer with access to the internet, and a little e-knowledge can jump in.  (Whether they thrive or not depends on other factors, but I love that anyone can try!)  Designers can start out and remain independent and still thrive.  Digital scrapbooking right now is a wonderful community -- designers talk to each other, buy each others designs, leave feedback on layouts posted at DigiShopTalk, post comments responding to questions on digi-message boards, and respond to customers (and fans!) in e-mails.  I hope this remains as the "industry" continues to move forward.

Here are some things you need to keep in mind about digital designers:

1.   Above all else, they are people.  They are mothers.  They are wives.  They are daughters.  They have homes and families and lives to take care of.  They aren't raking in money selling their designs.  Seriously.  Even the most popular ones.  They pour their hearts and time (a LOT of time) into their kits.  Many are SAHM's making a little extra money to supplement staying home.  Some have full-time jobs in addition to designing.  Give them the benefit of the doubt, be patient with them, be respectful and kind when you e-mail them.

2.  Overwhelmingly what I have heard from them is that they DO care about their customers.  They WANT to hear from their customers.  They love to see pages made with their elements.  Sending an e-mail with a link to a layout you made will not bother them; most likely it will be flattering and fun for them.  They enjoy feedback on the kits they made, and many are open to suggestions for future kits.

3.  If you have a problem with an element from a designer, e-mail the designer directly. Give them time to answer the e-mail (I say 48 hours.  Some may think differently.)  As Danielle says, "PLEASE let us know if something's not right with a kit or element, and never feel like you're 'bothering' us with an email. If we've chosen to sell our designs, we've also chosen to take on any and all questions and concerns about them."

4. In the same vein, THINK before posting on message boards (like TwoPeas or DigiShopTalk) about a digi-designer.  If the problem can be resolved in e-mail, it's best left to e-mail.  People are very impressionable -- it only takes reading one bad thing that may or may not be true to plant an idea in someone's subconscious.  When you have a GOOD experience with a designer, it's nice to let others know -- give the designer a shout-out and tell the world.  It's nice to feature them on your personal blog, too -- designers really appreciate this.  But be careful about jumping to be negative -- the problems you're having might be something you are doing wrong. Do you really want to put a designer's reputation at risk because of a little problem YOU had?

5.  It takes a LOT to design and offer kits.  As digi-scrappers we need to respect designers for the work they put into their elements.  We need to realize that there are costs involved that we're not aware of -- design programs, fonts, websites and bandwidth, advertising, etc.  Time is taken to plan a kit, decide on the colors, experiment to get all the elements just right, tweaking terms of use, making sure all the files are named correctly, formatting the kit for download, making a previews graphic . . . it's not like it's taking them 20 minutes from start to finish.  A designer's time is valuable.  The art of their designs is valuable.

6. (When you are posting the layout on-line): ALWAYS give credit where credit is due.  Most designers will include a Terms of Use document (the best are in Notepad form instead of Word or Works, because then a program doesn't have to be opened to read it).  The TOU will tell you what you can and can't do with the kit, how to contact the designer, and anything else you need to know.  Always keep the TOU with the elements.  Save the kits by designer name so you're not left wondering where you got something.  (It takes NO time at all to make a new folder with the designer's name and store their kits there.  It's actually a lot easier to find what you're looking for then.)  Even if you change or alter an element, you still used that element as a starting point and you need to give credit.  Unless you made it from scratch, it's not yours.  At sites where you can't post other site's names, you can still give the designer's full name and the name of the kit.

Click above for an alphabetical listing of digital designers (sorted by their first names, as some go only by their first name) and links to sites where their designs are offered.

If you are a designer would like to be included on this list, e-mail me at jenstrange AT gmail DOT com.

The Basics of Win-Zip

Ok, so a lot has changed since I wrote my first Win-Zip tutorial.  Win-Zip used to be free.  And a little more user friendly.  But I've also discovered that Windows can unzip files for you, without a special program.  So I'm re-writing this, trying to cover all the bases and explain the whole thing.

If you want to digi-scrap, you will need to un-zip files. If you've never done this before, don't worry -- it's not as scary as it seems.

Files are "Zipped" -- compressed -- for easier downloading.  When files are zipped, you can download SEVERAL files all at once instead of one at a time.  ('Cause dude . . . one at a time SUCKS.)  Zipped files are a little smaller and faster to download.  You have to unzip them before you use them.  When you're done un-zipping, the zipped originals don't need to be saved (unless you want to back them up for archiving -- but then you've have to unzip them again, and why waste the time?)

ANYWAY.

I explain a lot of this backwards, so you may want to read the whole thing before you start TRYING any of this.  Oh, and I explain everything with the assumption that you're working from a Windows XP operating system.  Apple users and dinosaur operating systems, sorry, can't help ya.

A zipped file has a very distinct graphic.  If you have Win-Zip on your computer, the zipped file will look like a file cabinet in a vice.  If not, it will look like a regular folder, but with a zipper on it.

Let's talk about the different ways to un-zip a file.  First, let's assume you don't have Win-Zip, but that you DO have a current enough version of Windows that your computer can unzip the file.

Right-click on the zipped file . . . in this case, I'm able to choose "Open With" and "Compressed (zipped) Folders."  This is a part of Windows for me.  (See image at right for visual.)  This immediately opened up the folder for me and I was able to just drag the extracted folder to a place on my desktop.  No problem.

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Organizing your Elements

When you download a digital element (and unzip it), you need some place to keep it.  Those kits add up pretty quickly and all of a sudden you have 114 different kits sitting in your ANew folder I told you to create.

Different scrappers have different ideas about how your elements should be organized.  If you have a fabulous system for this would like to share in the comments of this post, feel free. 

Here's my top advice
:: Have ONE place that you keep ALL your digital scrapbooking stuff.  A folder can have several sub-folders in it, but you need to have one place where you KNOW all your stuff is
:: Organize first and foremost by designer, first name first.  (This is how they are listed in the stores.)  Keep the kits intact and keep the designer's Terms of Use WITH the kit.  Make sure the kit folder name has the designer's name in the folder if possible (for example: the kit I used to make the elements for this page?  I named the folder ShabbyPrincess_ShabbyCitrus.)

To easily find the kit you want to use, create an addition folder containing just the previews.  (Usually a preview will come with a kit that shows a good representation if not all the elements of a kit.  If one didn't COME with the kit, you can snag it from the designer's website by right-clicking on the picture and saving -- remember, we only right-click to save for good and legitimate purposes!!!)  Keep a copy of the kit previews to all the kits you own in one folder, so you can flip through THAT when you're trying to figure out what to do with a layout.  Then once you choose a kit, sort through your wonderfully organized files and grab it! 

(You can also keep a copy of the kit previews that you WANT to own, to make it easier to choose when you have extra money to go shopping.  Just be sure if the preview doesn't say where to buy them, change the file name to help you remember.)

Within a particular designer's folder -- if it's a designer I buy a lot from and who has a lot of different products -- I do even MORE organizing.  For example, Miss Mint not only sells great kits (at PeppermintCreative.com), but she also has amazing Alpha sets, and stand-alone embellishment sets.  Here are some examples:   

   

I like for my folders to make sense to me -- I like all the alphas together, all the embellishment packs together, then all the kits together.  This way when I'm looking for a Miss Mint alpha, I don't have to search all over my Miss Mint folder (which is VERY full!)  So I change the file name of the kit -- instead of "MissMint_Alpha_Ripped Jean" I add an "A" to the beginning of the file name.  ("AMissMint_Alpha_Ripped Jean")  This way the folder will be at the front of the file names, alphabetically.  All the embellishment packs get a "B" in front of their name.  The kits naturally follow below them.  See example below.

If everything in your folder ever seems totally out of order, go to "View > Arrange Icons By > Name."

There are several programs available to help organize your files.  I don't know anything about them, as I'm too lazy to learn one, but here is a list of things to look into:
:: Mac users, iPhoto
:: Picasa
:: ACDSee photo manager
:: Digital Scraproom
:: Photoshop Elements Organizer

One last thing: BACK UP YOUR DATA!  This is SUCH an important part of the organizational process.  Computers crash.  Or get stolen!  Hard drives fail.  Back up on a regular basis, and don't use just one back-up source.  I use an External Hard Drive, and DVR disks.  (To burn to DVRs, you have to have a DVR burner on your computer.  CD drives can't write to DVRs.  DVRs are great because they hold about 7x the data that a CD will!)

Happy Scrappin'!

Freebies to start you out.

Ok, we have come to the part where I tell you where to get free stuff. But first, some discussion.

This is not a free hobby.  Seriously.

The thing about freebies is they tend to give us an attitude of entitlement.  It's easy to forget how much hard work designers put in to their kits.

I also need to mention here that just because you get a kit for free, that doesn't mean you can redistribute it to friends.  THE DESIGNER OF A KIT IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN DISTRIBUTE IT.  PERIOD.  Please read Bree Clarkson's article, "Why it's not ok to share freebies," over at the Stop Piracy blog.

Freebies, to my thinking, serve 3 purposes:
1.  Freebies offered by designers are a great way to try out a designer's work to get an idea of their style and the quality of their product.  Freebies can also be a good incentive to visit a site or participate in an event.  (Designers: this is a GREAT way to really get people hooked on your work.  While it's true everyone is out to snatch up anything free that they can, it gets your name in our minds and your stuff on our computers and helps us figure out who we really like!)
2.  Freebies are a good way to let people try out digital scrapbooking stress-free.  When you're starting out in digi-scrappin', you don't know what your style is and you need to be able to experiment with different kinds of patterns and elements until you've found your groove.
3. Some designers really just want to create and put freebies out there.  Then again, I think some post freebies to get noticed and build a following, and then they will sell their elements at another site -- but hey, it's all good!

You really don't have to buy kits or elements if you don't want to.  But don't begrudge designers who sell their work.  When a designer has a good, quality product that they have put a lot of time and effort into, they DESERVE to be compensated.  Don't get greedy and expect tons and tons of freebies just because you want them.  Freebies actually cost the designer money, because in addition to the time and energy they have put into them, the bandwidth that all their downloading takes up really adds up.  And honestly?  You will come to a point in your digi-scrappin' life when spending $5 on a kit that you adore is SO worth the money.  (Kind of like growing up you couldn't understand why someone would pay $50 for a great pair of jeans and now you're like "OH!")

If you say to yourself "But I could make something just like that -- for free!  Why buy it?" then by all means, go ahead and try. (But don't blatantly rip-off someone else's designs, 'cause dude that's SO not cool.)  You may decide that you don't need to buy elements, you can just design your own.  But then people may start asking you to share the elements you create, and you'll realize that for all your work and the effort you've put into them, you don't want to just give them away.  So . . . yeah.

Be grateful for freebies.  Be appreciative.  Be nice. Send the designer an e-mail and tell them thank you when they've put up a freebie you enjoy.  When you enjoy a designer's freebies, take a look at their designs for sale if they have them.  But don't feel like they OWE you anything.  Freebies are a gift, not an obligation.

Michelle over at Scrapability has a great blog entry about freebies -- click here to read it.

Digi-scrapping has changed since I first wrote about freebies, and at this point, I'm not sure where to point you to freebies, except for:
1. Shabby Princess
2. Miss Mint has a new free kit at Peppermint Creative every month!
3. Simply Clean Digi-Scraps 
4. TwoPeas in a Bucket
5. Digital Freebies
6. ScrapArtist

--> Many designers and stores include freebies within their newsletters -- so be sure to sign up for the newsletter when you register at a site!

--> DigiShopTalk has an OPEN forum, and several places for designers or creators to announce freebies and samples.  The Member Giveaways forum is for non-designers.   Designers will be posting their freebies in different sections -- If they're just giving something away at a chat or as their monthly sampler or just out of the kindness of their hearts on their blogs (etc...), you may find it in the Digital Store & Designer Announcements forum.  Or (and you'll probably start to see this more often) they may offer you a sample of their new kit and they'll post about that in the New Products section!  So it may take some digging, but at least you know where to go! 

Getting ahold of Elements.

Ok, and there are three ways to GET the elements from the Internet to your computer once you've paid for them (or found a freebie).  These ways are dependent on how the websites have been set up.  YOU don't have a choice in the matter, you do what that particular website is configured to do.  This is a head's-up to what may happen:
1. Click on the link that pops up a download box.  If your computer blocks pop-ups, you may have to click on a message that says something like "If your download does not start in 10 seconds please click here."  In the file download box, when asked "Do you want to open or save this file?" choose "save."  You are then given the option of choosing where to save the file.  I would recommend having a folder on your desktop just for downloads so you always know where they are.  Select this folder, then hit "ok."  Once the file is done downloading, the saving box that tells you the percentage of the file downloaded will show "Download is complete" and you can click "Close."  Then un-zip the file and have fun!
2.  For small elements, sometimes clicking on the element will make the full-size, large file to load in your window.  Once it's loaded fully, you right-click on the picture to save it to your desktop.  Weird way to do it, but that's the way some sites have some elements set up.
3.  Purchase a CD and get the files sent to you in the mail (remember mail?  The post office?) in one compact, organized, download-free disk.

There are a few ways to find elements.
1.  Look at my list of ALL the digital scrapbooking stores and start looking around!!!
2.  Keep a list when you're browsing TwoPeas of names of designers who you tend to like.  Then go to my List of Digi-Designers in Alphabetical order (by first name) and look for that person!  Or just browse around that page, click on the links, and see where they take you!  I will continue to update these links any time a designer e-mails me asking to be on the list.  You can also Google a designer's name and sometimes that gets you there.
3.  Check out this directory: Digital Scrapbooking Top 50
4. Visit the Gallery at Promos4DigiScrappers
5. A lot of designers will have a links sections of their sites, linking to THEIR favorite digital scrapbooking sites. See if you see something new there.
6. Keep an eye out when you are looking at scrapbooking magazines and see which sites are listed in supply lists for pages that are digital.

Once you choose an element or kit you want you buy, you will probably have to create a user account with the site you're shopping at.  (Use a valid e-mail address, because they may need to contact you about your purchase or use e-mail to finalize the transaction.) You will also probably need Paypal.  If you don't have a Paypal account already, you may want to set one up.  Some sites will let you pay straight with a credit card, but some accept only Paypal.

Once you have paid for a kit, there are different ways sites will get them to you: 
1.  Some sites will take you to a download screen immediately after you have hit "submit" in Paypal. 
2.  Other sites require a waiting period as the transaction clears, and they will then send you an e-mail with further directions. 
3. Sometimes you have to sign in to your user account at the site and go into "My Account" or "My Downloads" to find the download keys. 
4.  Of course, if it is a disk you have bought, you will need to wait to get it in the mail.

Monitor Calibration

The reason you should calibrate your computer monitor is to "make sure the display will be in sync with the output."  Plainly speaking?  To make sure { what you see on the screen } and { what comes out in printing } matches.  There's nothing more heart-breaking than printing an image and realizing you've over-brightened it (and all the others in that set of photos) and SAVED OVER all the originals, thinking you were fixing them (and thus losing a LOT of detail in the pictures that you can't get back!)  This would happen if your screen was showing too dark.  If your screen was showing too light, you might adjust all your pictures too dark and end up with them looking like you were snapping pics in a dimly lit room with a wonky flash (but to YOU, while working at your computer, they looked perfect!) 

I would hate for you to spend tons of time working on a page layout, only to find out after having it printed that it's all a little "off" because the colors and brightness you saw on your screen weren't accurate.  I'm not an expert in this by ANY means (in fact, half of the stuff I read about it, I don't understand!) but I do know that after I calibrated my monitor my pictures started looking a hell of a lot better once I printed them.  Sometimes monitors don't "hold" calibration well and you have to make sure you check occasionally to see if it's still fairly accurate.

If you have Adobe Photoshop installed on your computer, you should have what is called Adobe Gamma available to you for calibration.  It should be automatically installed to your Control Panel.  Now, I have WindowsXP Professional on my computer, and I was having a HELL of a time figuring out where in my Control Panel it was.  Click on "Start," (you know, that big button at the left bottom corner of your computer), then "Settings," then "Control Panel."  If you don't see an Adobe Gamma icon and the window looks like this above example, there's an easy way to find it.  In the box on the left, you need to click "Switch to Classic View." [image 1]  Then double click on the icon to get started. [image 2]  { This picture to the right can be enlarged by clicking once on it.  My friend Kelly calls this making the picture "pop."  ;o) }

I've heard that the Adobe Gamma isn't PERFECT, but unless we're graphic designers or WAY serious about our photos, it will probably be good enough.  And hey, it's free.  I know this isn't an in-depth explaination, but I just want to put monitor calibration on your radar and have you realize that it's probably something you need to look into.

If you want to know more ('cause dude, I don't have the energy to learn it all and then explain it!!!) you can read more here first, here and here.  (Damn, I hope they don't change those link addresses!!!)  Or Google any combination of Photoshop and gamma and calibration and see what you can find!