About this Website

Purpose

This website was created to provide lists of reliable resources (pathfinders) about a variety of subjects and provide users with graphic and web design resources.

Why Literary Spring?

In 2005 I started thinking about creating a website with graphic and web design resources. While working on a potential layout I titled the (offline) website, "Dreaming of Spring". As a library and information science professional, I decided to change the focus of the website to also include pathfinders. I wanted a domain name that fit the expanded content of the website and was likely to fit future expansions, but did not sound overly commercial.

Credits

The textures and patterns were created using Photoshop CS2 and Paint Shop Pro 9. Most photographs are posted unaltered except for resizing. The pictures used in the header are ones I took of the Roman Colosseum and on Skye. In a few case I have cropped the image slightly and/or adjusted levels using Photoshop CS2. Many of the pathfinders are edits of pathfinders I originally created for my graduate classes, jobs, friends and family, or ones I made to help myself with researching various topics. I have learned web design primarily from books and online tutorials and graphic design mostly from online tutorials. Any additional credits will be noted on a specific page of this website or added in future updates to this page. The guestbook is from active scripts guestbook (recommended at Lissa Explains).

The Fractals were made using Apophysis2.0, Apophysis2.05Beta2, and Apophysis2.06, Apophysis 2.063D, Apophysis 2.07, or Fractal Explorer. Download and additional information about Apophysis is available at Apophysis.org. Additional gradients are credited on my graphics links page and additional credits are listed on the file information with the fractal. Download and information about Fractal Explorer is available at the Official Site.

I have tried to ensure that the material on this site respects other people's copyright and terms of use. However, if you have changed your terms of use or for any reason feel that material on this website violates your copyright please contact me using the Contact form. Please include any links or references if available showing your ownership of the material.

Quality Control and Accessibility

This website has been checked in Internet Explorer 6.0, Internet Explorer 7.0, and Firefox 2.0. The main domain passed the automatic verification at Cynthia Says for Section 508. It also passes the WCAG- Priority 1, 2, and 3 check and the "Alternate Text Quality Report" except for the the sitemeter icon, the webring on the index page, and the contact form.

The site is intended to be viewable at resolutions 800 X 600 and greater. The design elements were chosen to be easily viewable in as many browsers as possible. If you have any problems viewing this website please use the Contact form to let me know the problem, which browser and version you are using, whether you are using dial-up or high-speed, and any other relevant information (ie whether you have turned off image loading). The CSS and XHTML have been validated. Please see Criteria for Pathfinders and Terms of Use for Graphic Resources for more information.

Web design philosophy

It is my assumption that most people visiting a website are more interested in the content of the website than in the web design skills of the webmaster. People use a variety of browsers at a variety of settings and have different connection speeds. It is advantageous for a website to be as easily viewable and easy to navigate for as many people as possible without sacrificing content. Sometimes you need php, javascript, perl, and other advanced programming. Sometimes you want to provide people with video or audio content or large images. Other times you can present your content just as well using (X)HTML and CSS in a format that loads quickly and does not require plug-ins or a certain browser. The design should not overwhelm the content. When I designed this website (and for any future layouts) one of my first questions is, "How can I present this content in a way that is easiest for those visiting the website?"

About the webmistress

I have a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters in Library and Information Science. (For those unfamiliar with the field, some schools and jobs list library science, some list information science, and some list both. Discussion about the distinctions and whether there are any goes beyond the scope of this website.) I started learning web design in 1996 in order to design a website for a student group. As webmaster jobs usually offered flexible hours I thought it would also be a good job skill for a part-time job while in school. As it turned out the student group decided that we did not need a website, but I found that I enjoyed web design. During the past few years I have found that I also enjoy digital photography and graphic design.

Hosting

This site is hosted by .

I chose Dreamhost at the recommendation of several friends. If you are interested in a host for your website, click on the above link or use the promo code READINGTIME to save $50 on the pre-paid one year Crazy Domain (level 1) hosting plan.

Privacy

I am a strong believer in the ability of people to view material on the internet without having personally identifying information collected.

Some pages of this website have a Sitemeter and Dreamhost provides me with site statistics. I use Sitemeter for information about total number of hits, daily hits, and aggragate information about browsers, browser language, and referrals. This information is one of the factors I consider in my design and content decisions. I do not use any personal information about specific users who view this website and do not intend to do so unless someone becomes a problem.

The guestbook is public. Once a post is unscreened all information can be seen by either myself or others who view the guestbook. I will not unscreen a post if I have reason to believe that someone's privacy will be severely compromised. I keep copies of emails and contact form submissions. I will not pass on this information to a third party except as necessary by law or in the case of problems including, but not limited to harrassment, threats against me or others, or copying the contents of the website. If you have any technical problems with the site I request that you include information about which browser you use and other details that can me fix the problem, but providing such information remains voluntary.

Website Statistics

As of 29 December 2007 this website has 230+ textures, 425+ patterns, 550+ fractals, 90+ stock photographs, 50+ web graphics, 60+ text greetings, 10+ wallpapers, and 45+ brush sets.

Around the Web

I have listed some of the brushes and patterns from this website on Brusheezy, textures on Photoshop Roadmap, and stock photographs on Morguefile. I am Spring Dreams at Deviant Art.

Disclaimer

While I have tried to check the material on this site for compatibility (and have made note of incompatibilities when I am aware of them) I am not responsible for technical problems resulting or possibility resulting from the use of materials from this website nor am I responsible for the content you create using materials from this website. The opinions expressed on this website are my own and do not reflect on Dreamhost nor on any current or previous employers.