Pattern Resource

A great collection of subtle patterns for web development and graphic design:
http://subtlepatterns.com/

Cross Browser Opacity Classes

These come in handy pretty often:

.no_opacity {
    -ms-filter: "progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.Alpha(Opacity=0)"; /* IE 8 */
    filter: alpha(opacity=0); /* IE 5-7 */
    -moz-opacity: 0.0;  /* Netscape */
    -khtml-opacity: 0.0; /* Safari 1.x */
    opacity: 0.0; /* Good browsers */
}
.half_opacity {
    -ms-filter: "progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.Alpha(Opacity=50)"; /* IE 8 */
    filter: alpha(opacity=50); /* IE 5-7 */
    -moz-opacity: 0.5;  /* Netscape */
    -khtml-opacity: 0.5; /* Safari 1.x */
    opacity: 0.5; /* Good browsers */
}
.full_opacity {
    -ms-filter: "progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.Alpha(Opacity=100)"; /* IE 8 */
    filter: alpha(opacity=100); /* IE 5-7 */
    -moz-opacity: 1.0;  /* Netscape */
    -khtml-opacity: 1.0; /* Safari 1.x */
    opacity: 1.0; /* Good browsers */
}

Installing Drupal Commons

Install xampp, or anything with Apache and MySQL

Create a database with any name for your Drupal Commons installation.

Get your download here:
https://network.acquia.com/downloads/drupal-commons

Extract these files, and move the resulting Drupal file directory structure into the web root, or any sub folder.

Configure a settings.php file from the example ( default.settings.php ) file provided.

Edit this line with your database information:
$db_url = 'mysql://username:password@localhost/databasename';

The simplest example ( only fun for a development site ) is:

$db_url = 'mysql://root@localhost/database_name';
Save settings.php

*** You will probably need to edit php.ini here to allow a maximum_execution longer than 30 seconds, this is a common fail. Try 300. Remember to restart Apache for the php.ini settings to take effect.

Use a web browser to execute the install.php file in the folder containing the installation.