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World Wide Web's Morguefile
mconnors writes "A morguefile is a place to keep post production materials for use of reference, an inactive job file. The term is popular in the newspaper business to describe the file that holds past issues flats although the term has been used by illustrators, comic book artist, designers and teachers as well. The purpose of this site is to provide free image reference material for use in all creative pursuits: the World Wide Web's morguefile."
At first I questioned the relevance, but in the end, I think it does make sense. More and more as I write open source and paid-commercial software, I find the need to insert application icons, splash screen images, installer backgrounds, about page images, and so forth. And, being an engineer and not an artist, my own, er ... "creations" ... range from "leaving much to be desired" to "turning the stomach."
Google's image search sometimes provides resources, but licensing of images from sundry websites is always a concern. This morgueFile, on the other hand, is well suited. A little Gimp manipulation, some compositing, a touch of gradient transparency, and you've got a winning splash screen for an app built on a shoestring budget.