(by 3 people)
This lens contains my picks for the most helpful MySpace profile customizing websites. You will find links to custom myspace layouts, banner makers and generators, image editing tools, myspace layout templates, background images, stock photos, and the like. Some of these links are specifically geared to MySpace users, some of them are resources I have used as a graphic designer that would make for good MySpace content. All of them are free and don't require a lot of technical knowledge to use.
These are either sites that I use, or have checked out the functionality of... also since some of them are not MySpace specific, you should be able to find someting original.
Please rate this Lens if you find it helpful. Also, should you happen to be in the market for some cool, free printable custom business cards, check out my new website <a href="http://www.businesscardland.com">businesscardland</a>. More cool stuff to come!
MySpace Layout Generators
For now I am just listing one..will add more when i find one I like as much as the one below! An easy way to change the colors, add a background photo, etc. for people who don't know html.
- surfourspace
- Click on the Profile Editor on the main page. Very easy to use, and shows you the changes as you make them. Best Feature: Lets you paste the URL of an image you want to use that's already online, or will host an image you upload from your computer and incorporate it into your new layout.
MySpace Extended Network Banner Resources
There are a lot of online banner and button generators... these are the ones that you could make something cool with.
- Random Sign
Very quick way to make something with your name... gives you the html code so just a matter of pasting. Here is mine... I chose the "large" option. TIP: The banner will change dynamically each time it's loaded... so it will change everytime someone sees it. No ads or linkback line under your banner.- BannerBreak
This site uses premade backgrounds, but the way it handles type is good with gradient and dropshadow effects. Copy and paste your code from the windows on the right side. I did not play around too much, but it's very easy to make something that does not look totally crappy. In the html code that you paste in, if you take out the text about "I made my banner at ... blah blah" it won't have an advertising line below it.- pimp-my-profile banner generator
Best Features: Pretty good font list. Can set background from URL, or from your Photobucket account. TIP: It doesn't say photobucket until you select the UPLOAD button from the Background Image selection area... then photobucket input window appears.- mybannermaker
Best Features: the ability to upload your own image as a background, and it generates Extended Network HTML for you. When you upload your own image, it does not scale it for you... could make for a cool abstract effect, but if you want to size it see the Image Editing Tools links below. Downside: puts advertisting info into the image itself so you can't take it out.- Flaming Text
Not tailored to MySpace users, and you must host your own image somewhere. See Image Hosting below. They have some pretty nice looking text effects and a ton of fonts. You could use these in your signatures etc.
Free Image and Video Hosting
- Photobucket
- Photobucket is great because it allows for direct linking, which means you can put images and videos online anywhere you want - including your MySpace page. Sign up for a free account here.
TIP: Once you have created your account and uploaded some photos, it is very easy to make the necessary html links for adding your images to you page. In the album, check the box of the photo(s) you want code for, and then click the button on the lower right that says "Generate HTML..." This will take you to a page which lets you copy the code for a thumbnail version or a full size version.
Layout Websites
The following links are websites that provide libraries of layouts for profiles. Unless otherwise noted, I am not adding sites for any particular aesthetic reason (the sites all have layouts that run the gamut from tacky to clean)... but I am listing sites that are functional, fairly easy to use, and with original content.
- Free Web Layouts
- Largest site of layouts.
- Hot Free Layouts
- Well, quanitity is not quality... but they have over 6,000 layouts.
- Blink You
- Active forums.
Resize Your Images for Icons, Banners, etc.
To use your own images in templates or banner generators, sometimes you'll want to resize an image, or crop out certain areas (or people!). Here are some online tools - Nothing is as good as using Photoshop, but if you want free and sort of easy...
- phixr
- You have to create a login to use this service, but do not need to give an email so it's fast.
Best Features: Upload image from your computer, supply the URL of somthing already online. Allows you to save to your Flickr, Photobucket accounts etc. Or email to yourself.
TIP: To make a banner background, use the crop function (roll over tools to see name of each). Select the general area you want to use, and after you click once you will be given a dialog box to type in the EXACT measurements of the area.
Where to get Stock Photos and Backgrounds
These are links to both general Stock Photo sites and speciatly background sites. All are free and good. See Above for image hosting sites.
- stock.xchng
- This is a great free stock photo site, with content submitted from photographers around the world. Search by keyword to find what you want. You have to create an account to view hi-res images, but also free (i have had one for years).
- Backgrounds Archive
- Tons of images by category, allows for user contribution. Best Feature: Has special instructions for MySpace users about how to add the backgrounds to their profiles.
- Image Mixer
- This weird web based program mixes together based on parameters you can change resulting in trippy abstract background type images. TIP: Once you have made something you like, right click to download the result to your hard drive (mac users option-click). Rename the file to have a .jpg extension for use in image editing or uploading as a graphic.
- InterfaceLIFT
- More free background images to use as is or crop for custom bannering... Like stock.xchng the files are contributed by artists and photographers. Option to sort by most popular artist, and see all images uploaded by a particular artist once you find a style you are digging.
Extra Random Stuff to Add to Your Page
The links I am adding here are resources for images and random stuff you can add to your page that have something more to offer than animated gif galleries.
- Badgr
- A very cool Flash-based badge that allows you to display your Flickr photo stream directly in your profile.
- The Generator Blog
- This blog lists a ton of "generators" that let you make all sorts of crazy images etc. that can be added to your page once you download the resulting image. Not all of these are for making jpgs that are easy to add to your page... but a few of them are. I will sift thru this list and add what I think would be good for MySpace pages and add those links here.
TIP: When using these generators, look for options to save as wallpaper to get a jpg. you can use in your page. Or if it's not possible, use the PrintScreen function on your PC or Apple-Shift-3 on your Mac to make a screenshot you can crop in Photoshop or using one of the free online editors listed here. - Rock You (Slideshow)
- This website allows you to create a scrolling slide show of your favorite photos for free and put it on your mySpace page. Very easy to use...you can add captions to your photos etc.
MySpace Help Books
MySpace For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers))
The "for dummies" series is always good for clear, well-researched guides. If you prefer learning from a book, or having trouble finding good info online, check it out.
Amazon Price: $16.55 (as of 11/18/2008) 
MySpace Visual Quick Tips
I like the Visual Quick Tips books for other software packages that I have seen. Usually they show a lot of the interface you will be working with making it easier if you are not so computer savvy.
Amazon Price: $10.39 (as of 11/18/2008)
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Another cool free site...
- businescardland
- If you are looking for cool, free, printable business cards you can make yourself online, be sure to stop by this website!
