Didn't that YC company, Markupwand, do something like this automatically? Since they've vanished, I wonder if this problem is hard to do automatically?
Photoshop CS6 has this feature built-in, but it generates horrible css -- it reminds me of the days when people used Dreamweaver to output their html.
Beyond the CSS layout, you typically have to cut up the assets and put them in an image sprite. An automatic service wouldn't be able to cut up images correctly if the PSD is flattened. Even with layers, overlapping layers would give the automatic service issues (or bad CSS in the end).
Markupwand is no longer available but (full disclosure) we've built a Photoshop plugin that does high quality conversions.
The goal is to create HTML and CSS that is identical to what a designer creates by hand.
The plugin takes any Photoshop image and return a virtually identical web page.
I say virtually identical because every browser renders text slightly differently and it would not be proper HTML/CSS to absolutely position and size text exactly to the Photoshop file. In a browser, the exact height of text will vary on each browser/OS and the proper way to write the HTML/CSS is to use static positioning and floats to position items to handle this. In this manner, if there is an image below some text, if the text wraps shorter or longer, the elements below will shrink up or expand down to preserve the design.
It also automatically supports Google fonts. You can use any Google font and it will automatically link them into the file.
It also has CSS3, IE8 and IE9 compatibility levels for your taste. The CSS3 version creates a smaller web page because it can use rounded rectangles and gradients.
Also, some designers will always prefer to code by hand but some parts are rote (e.g. specifying width/height, font size, font family, etc). We can shave off most of the conversion time by generating all the assets and a reference sheet with all the CSS styling, the x/y positions so that you can have full control over your code but still save lots of time.
We can also generate a layout sheet that contains all the elements and styling except for the positioning so you can choose to float, absolute, relative position, etc.
We also export in HAML, Slim, Jade for HTML formats and LESS, SASS, SCSS and Stylus for CSS formats.
But at its simplest, open your image, and click one button and it will generate a web version of any Photoshop image.
They do an OK job if everything is absolutely positioned and the PSD is really clean with layers for everything. But that isn't really acceptable these days where a good conversion is expected to be responsive and interactive.
I think they can save a lot of time with the mundane slicing and dicing though.
> This minimalist site was bought, written, and launched in under an hour!
That simple sentence accomplishes so much.
1. It acknowledges the basic look of the site and that he is totally aware of this. i.e. If he does work for you it will not automatically just look like this basic site. Of course! (But good to clarify)
2. Despite being super-basic, it's still a legitimate design choice ("minimalist") and he is also aware of this. i.e. He understands style, at the very least to the extent of a popular archetype.
3. He bought the site, wrote it, and launched it. i.e. Although he is offering PSD to HTML, he may well be able to help and advise on other aspects of getting a website online so potentially could be the only guy you need to use.
4. It all took less than an hour. i.e. Everything involved in setting up that site would have been within his $65/hour, so it gives something to work from in estimating how much hiring him [for a more complicated job] might be.
I don't think I'm reading too much into it, that one sentence seems deliberately written to imply all those things. Which, means:
5. He can write skilfully. i.e. Communication with this guy will be pretty clear.
As someone who has been in such a relationship before while on a very tight budget, I have respect for this guy. It is really hard to put up a post asking for business like this, too, I imagine.
To the OP: Good luck to you. I hope you not only find business and get your ticket but also do a great job for those who hire you. I sincerely wish you happiness and success in your relationship and your work.
Not sure why you were downvoted - this is a brilliant way for him to get his name out there. Before this, we never would've heard of him, and now he's at the top of HN.
Right, it also shows that simple personalized honesty is probably better than marketing stunts that portray something incredible. This reminds me of those tear-jerker google ads, like the "Dear Sophie" one.
Hey! I live in Nashville and there's plenty of work out here. With a week or two you could probably find a gig here and turn it into a business trip. Boom 30% discount come tax time!
Hell - while you're in Chattanooga stop in at http://colab.co/. Their office is close to downtown. Find a project based out of Chattanooga and see if they'll pay for you to fly out every couple months!
Definitely an effective way to get your name out there.
I'm curious how the "you pick the rate" method is working out for you? The calendar on your site [1] still shows early December - does that mean you're no longer accepting clients this way?
I'd also love to know more about "Free Dev Time" (5 hrs/night). That seems like an interesting way to explore some new projects and technology without the hassle of estimates and contracts. And because you want to convert these people into paying clients, you've got some motivation to actually finish the projects you start for them, as opposed to personal projects that seem to fall by the wayside (for me, at least).
Great work, I'm inspired! And good luck with that plane flight. Looks like you'll have plenty of new work opportunities.
Awesome example of the power of personalizing a request. Funny enough, it has the same story arc (reunite with your sweetie!) as the Hipmunk explainer story video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6teBPUgz4Y8
I'd be interested to hear what kind of success he has with this approach. Some would see it for what it appears to be. I assume many more would consider it unprofessional at best and begging at worst. I tried a similar approach a while back (pitching services while highlighting a personal financial need) and received overwhelmingly negative responses - around 15:1 negative to positive. Sadly, most people just don't care what you need and seem to be offended if you tell them.
Sure it is, but would you have the same visibility as this? You could also say that couchsurfing.com existed long before airbnb, but airbnb is vastly more popular. Creativity comes in different forms.
Setting up a profile on oDesk means you'll be competing with all the firms in India who say they can do the same job for just under 10 cents an hour.
