So dekeGeeks (new collective noun courtesy of dekeOnline member Dave Naves), you’ve heard about Deke’s new series for lynda.com, Deke’s Techniques—or “dekesTeknekes” as the kids are calling it (courtesy of dekeOnline member Elizabeth Gower). As you’ve seen with this week’s installment these are ten minute (time limit courtesy of lynda.com VP of Content Michael Ninness) techniques in which you learn something in a self-contained video that you can put to use as soon as you’re done watching Deke in motion.

For instance, note how I mention during this show I want to learn, say… how to set type on fire. So what does Deke do? He figures out how to do it relatively reproduce-ably using quick tools that make it happen in under the aforementioned ten minutes. Then you can go off and use it in your own projects, like the marquee for your martini-quaffing podcast. (No, I did not make this graphic; Deke has to do something around here besides sip gin.) And it’s so wicked cool, you can click on it to see a high-res version, perhaps a first for Martini Hour graphics.

Doesn’t that just toast your marshmallows? (And if you need to cool your aforementioned marshmallows off, check out this week’s preview episode, Ice Type.) During the course of the show we discuss some of the other techniques Deke will be covering in the next few weeks:

There’s a lot of type up front; Deke will be turning ordinary words into ice, burnt (um) flesh-like substance, gold, metal, and fire. And then, he’ll be turning his attention to faces and putting those into interesting places no face has ever been seen before. And other things that can only come from Deke’s fertile imagination and unassailable technical skills. There will be free videos every week, but you can also sign up for a free week at lynda.com/deke and access not only Deke’s Techniques but every other bit of goodness in the lynda.com Online Training Library.

So you see, Martini Hour will not be sacrificed in vain. We’re just making sure you get a chance to actually learn something instead of hanging out in a virtual bar talking about learning something. And of course, the dekeLounge will go on, remaining open should we get lonely and need to schedule an emergency Very Special Martini Hour Reunion.

Oh, and if you have ideas for things you’d like Deke to decode in Deke’s Techniques, post them here in the comments. If Deke uses your idea (and you live in the US, sorry), we’ll send you a commemorative Martini Hour stainless steel “glass.” And listen to the show to hear another opportunity for major dekeSwag. That’s all I’m going to say. Listen to the show for your chance to win a fabulous prize.

Catch them while they’re hot, MartiniHourlings. Four more to go! Here’s the regular-quality audio file. You can stream, or for best results, right-click and choose Download or Save. Here’s the high-res version; you’ll want to download rather than stream. And don’t forget our usual plea to subscribe via iTunes.

Cheers until next week!