Website suggestions and comments. at DVinfo.net

Alex Knappenberger · June 12th, 2003, 02:34 PM

http://www.freewebs.com/harshmanner/index.htm

Just got done doing the basic layout of that website.

It looks like crap at 800x600 (which amazingly, some people still use).

How does that look on your computer?

What resolution are you at?

Can you see the slight harsh manner logo in the background? (not the one on the main entrance page) The reason I ask this is because some peoples monitors are wayy to dark, and I am wondering if I need to "brighten" (make it less transparent) it up.

There seems to be a bug with the rollover image on the main page too. If you have your mouse over it before the page fully loads, and then move it off the image, you get a red x...eh.

Thanks.

Mark Moore · June 12th, 2003, 03:00 PM

Alex - have no idea what resolution this monitor is at, but I saw the watermark logo on the second page.

Looks ok to me, but what do I know?!

Keith Loh · June 12th, 2003, 03:12 PM

The images are muddy. I think you could stand to reduce the dimensions in favour of resolution.

Rob Lohman · June 12th, 2003, 04:56 PM

Looks okay here. A little bit of anti-aliasing on the words might
be nice... Background image is just fine.

Robert Knecht Schmidt · June 12th, 2003, 05:25 PM

Out of curiousity, have your clients requested their equipment listed on their web site? This seems unusual and a bit unprofessional. Unless the band prides itself on its distinctive instruments (a la Blue Man Group), the selling point of a band never will be what gear it uses. For a small band without a security entourage, this will probably be nothing more than an invitation to theft.

Alex Knappenberger · June 12th, 2003, 06:10 PM

I was just going from what was on their "website" from like 2 years ago. I will probably change it, no big deal.

Chris Coen · June 12th, 2003, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alex Knappenberger : http://www.freewebs.com/harshmanner/index.htm

Just got done doing the basic layout of that website.

It looks like crap at 800x600 (which amazingly, some people still use).

How does that look on your computer?

What resolution are you at?

Can you see the slight harsh manner logo in the background? (not the one on the main entrance page) The reason I ask this is because some peoples monitors are wayy to dark, and I am wondering if I need to "brighten" (make it less transparent) it up.

There seems to be a bug with the rollover image on the main page too. If you have your mouse over it before the page fully loads, and then move it off the image, you get a red x...eh.

Thanks.

Just checked it out. Looks like the beginnings of good site. You might consider a smaller entry image logo. The way most roll over's work, is once you roll over, the returning image is looking for what's cached. It error's out because the image hasn't completely downloaded yet and it has nothing stored on the local computer to draw the image from. I would probably look at the code, or see if there's different code out there that might work better.

Here's an example script you might try:

Code:

<script language="JavaScript" type="text/JavaScript">
<!--
function MM_swapImgRestore() { //v3.0
  var i,x,a=document.MM_sr; for(i=0;a&&i<a.length&&(x=a[i])&&x.oSrc;i++) x.src=x.oSrc;
}

function MM_preloadImages() { //v3.0
  var d=document; if(d.images){ if(!d.MM_p) d.MM_p=new Array();
    var i,j=d.MM_p.length,a=MM_preloadImages.arguments; for(i=0; i<a.length; i++)
    if (a[i].indexOf("#")!=0){ d.MM_p[j]=new Image; d.MM_p[j++].src=a[i];}}
}

function MM_findObj(n, d) { //v4.01
  var p,i,x;  if(!d) d=document; if((p=n.indexOf("?"))>0&&parent.frames.length) {
    d=parent.frames[n.substring(p+1)].document; n=n.substring(0,p);}
  if(!(x=d[n])&&d.all) x=d.all[n]; for (i=0;!x&&i<d.forms.length;i++) x=d.forms[i][n];
  for(i=0;!x&&d.layers&&i<d.layers.length;i++) x=MM_findObj(n,d.layers[i].document);
  if(!x && d.getElementById) x=d.getElementById(n); return x;
}

function MM_swapImage() { //v3.0
  var i,j=0,x,a=MM_swapImage.arguments; document.MM_sr=new Array; for(i=0;i<(a.length-2);i+=3)
   if ((x=MM_findObj(a[i]))!=null){document.MM_sr[j++]=x; if(!x.oSrc) x.oSrc=x.src; x.src=a[i+2];}
}
//-->
</script>

and in the body tag of your document:

Code:

<body onLoad="MM_preloadImages('mainwebsite_html/images/source/button-down.png')">

and finally, in the body of your document:

Code:

<a href="www.yourname.com" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage
'button_name','','mainwebsite_html/images/source/button-
down.png',1)"><img src="mainwebsite_html/images/source/button-up.png"
 alt="Button" name="button_name" width="130" height="39"
 border="0"></a>

keeping in mind that the filenames and paths would have to be relative to your directory structure.

Will the links on the navigational bars be roll-over's also or static image maps? Even if the letters would change color, it would be a nice effect.

My only advise would be to keep the page design simple and user friendly which is what it appears you have so far.

I could see the watermark just fine. I run at 1024x768, but it looks like your accomidating the 800x600 users quite well. It's always hard designing a site with a black background, but in the long run, I think it makes for a sleaker look. :-)

Again, lookin' good. Can't wait to see the finished product.

~Cheers~

Click Here for an example of a page I did for our band...

Adrian Douglas · June 12th, 2003, 09:41 PM

Alex,

It look like a good start. You might want to rethink the "might look like dog shit" line as this might be cool to 16 yo fans but to potential record companies etc it's a little bit unprofessional, it aslo doesn't reflect well on you as the designer.

Alex Knappenberger · June 13th, 2003, 05:24 PM

Heh, thanks guys. I took some of your suggestions and changed it. It's now more compatible with 800x600, even though I think it still looks like crap at that resolution. There's still a lot to do so don't think it's done yet. Once I get some good video of these guys (or hopefully make them a music video) i'll make a flash intro.

http://www.freewebs.com/harshmanner/index.htm

Chris Coen · June 13th, 2003, 06:11 PM

Alright! I like the image roll overs on the text links!

Robert Knecht Schmidt · June 13th, 2003, 06:55 PM

Is the select-text crippling for aesthetic or security purposes? I like to select text as I'm reading web content (helps me keep my place), and if anybody really wants your content they'll just view source.

Also, if you expect to have frequent news updates and the server allows, you might want to set this up as a PHP application hooked into a MySQL database, rather than just hard coding each entry in HTML by hand.

Also, I notice that while you uses styles in some places, in others you resort to using the <font> tag. Break the <font> habit and just use styles. While you're at it, stick all the styles in a style sheet and just refer to classes and (where called for) ids in your HTML document.

Overall, I'd say it looks great.

Chris: Your site looks great and your band has a great sound as well. You aren't kidding around when you hype your "heafty 1000 W thump."

Alex Knappenberger · June 13th, 2003, 08:01 PM

Chris, Robert, thanks. I removed the non-select text thing, I forgot about it -- it was carried over from the entrance page.

I updated it with a new logo at the top, I think it looks a lot better. Now I just need to do a few little things and then get some content on there.

http://www.freewebs.com/harshmanner/main.htm

Chris Coen · June 15th, 2003, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Chris: Your site looks great and your band has a great sound as well. You aren't kidding around when you hype your "heafty 1000 W thump."

Thanks Robert K S. :-) The bands been a lot of fun, and a great outlet for stress relief from work. It's good medicine.

~Cheers~

Aaron Rosen · June 15th, 2003, 11:16 AM

I would suggest removing the ENTER page. It could annoy people who want to get right down to the band and their info.

I would keep it, IF, the band and site is not intended for undage viewers. In that case, add a disclaimer and a link away.

Dan Holly · June 16th, 2003, 10:45 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Aaron Rosen : I would suggest removing the ENTER page. It could annoy people who want to get right down to the band and their info.

I would keep it, IF, the band and site is not intended for undage viewers. In that case, add a disclaimer and a link away. -->>>

"Splash pages" are old school, and are not needed.
I want to go right to a webpage, and not make another click on enter.

Those people who insist on using splash pages, I just bookmark the main page and bypass the splash page anyway.............

June 12th, 2003, 02:34 PM	#1
Alex Knappenberger High School Student Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Canton, Ohio, USA Posts: 609	Website suggestions and comments. http://www.freewebs.com/harshmanner/index.htm Just got done doing the basic layout of that website. It looks like crap at 800x600 (which amazingly, some people still use). How does that look on your computer? What resolution are you at? Can you see the slight harsh manner logo in the background? (not the one on the main entrance page) The reason I ask this is because some peoples monitors are wayy to dark, and I am wondering if I need to "brighten" (make it less transparent) it up. There seems to be a bug with the rollover image on the main page too. If you have your mouse over it before the page fully loads, and then move it off the image, you get a red x...eh. Thanks.

June 12th, 2003, 03:00 PM	#2
Mark Moore Major Player Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 301	Alex - have no idea what resolution this monitor is at, but I saw the watermark logo on the second page. Looks ok to me, but what do I know?! __________________ Mark Moore Sugar Free Productions

June 12th, 2003, 03:12 PM	#3
Keith Loh Air China Pilot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 2,389	The images are muddy. I think you could stand to reduce the dimensions in favour of resolution. __________________ -- Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com \| stuff about living in Vancouver \| My Flickr photo gallery

June 12th, 2003, 04:56 PM	#4
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Looks okay here. A little bit of anti-aliasing on the words might be nice... Background image is just fine. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

June 12th, 2003, 05:25 PM	#5
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	Out of curiousity, have your clients requested their equipment listed on their web site? This seems unusual and a bit unprofessional. Unless the band prides itself on its distinctive instruments (a la Blue Man Group), the selling point of a band never will be what gear it uses. For a small band without a security entourage, this will probably be nothing more than an invitation to theft. __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

June 12th, 2003, 06:10 PM	#6
Alex Knappenberger High School Student Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Canton, Ohio, USA Posts: 609	I was just going from what was on their "website" from like 2 years ago. I will probably change it, no big deal.

June 12th, 2003, 09:41 PM	#8
Adrian Douglas Trustee Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Chigasaki, Japan. Posts: 1,660	Alex, It look like a good start. You might want to rethink the "might look like dog shit" line as this might be cool to 16 yo fans but to potential record companies etc it's a little bit unprofessional, it aslo doesn't reflect well on you as the designer. __________________ Adrian DVInfo.net Search for quick answers Where to buy? From the best in the business...DVInfo.net sponsors

June 13th, 2003, 05:24 PM	#9
Alex Knappenberger High School Student Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Canton, Ohio, USA Posts: 609	Heh, thanks guys. I took some of your suggestions and changed it. It's now more compatible with 800x600, even though I think it still looks like crap at that resolution. There's still a lot to do so don't think it's done yet. Once I get some good video of these guys (or hopefully make them a music video) i'll make a flash intro. http://www.freewebs.com/harshmanner/index.htm

June 13th, 2003, 06:11 PM	#10
Chris Coen New Boot Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 19	Alright! I like the image roll overs on the text links! __________________ Current Equipment \| System: \| GL-1 \| XP Pro \| P4 2.0~1GB Ram~340GB HD Space \| ProTools \| Premiere 6.5 \| MyDVD \| Sony DRU-500A DVD burner \|

June 13th, 2003, 06:55 PM	#11
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	Is the select-text crippling for aesthetic or security purposes? I like to select text as I'm reading web content (helps me keep my place), and if anybody really wants your content they'll just view source. Also, if you expect to have frequent news updates and the server allows, you might want to set this up as a PHP application hooked into a MySQL database, rather than just hard coding each entry in HTML by hand. Also, I notice that while you uses styles in some places, in others you resort to using the <font> tag. Break the <font> habit and just use styles. While you're at it, stick all the styles in a style sheet and just refer to classes and (where called for) ids in your HTML document. Overall, I'd say it looks great. Chris: Your site looks great and your band has a great sound as well. You aren't kidding around when you hype your "heafty 1000 W thump." __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

June 13th, 2003, 08:01 PM	#12
Alex Knappenberger High School Student Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Canton, Ohio, USA Posts: 609	Chris, Robert, thanks. I removed the non-select text thing, I forgot about it -- it was carried over from the entrance page. I updated it with a new logo at the top, I think it looks a lot better. Now I just need to do a few little things and then get some content on there. http://www.freewebs.com/harshmanner/main.htm

June 15th, 2003, 11:16 AM	#14
Aaron Rosen Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: HB, CA - USA Posts: 298	I would suggest removing the ENTER page. It could annoy people who want to get right down to the band and their info. I would keep it, IF, the band and site is not intended for undage viewers. In that case, add a disclaimer and a link away.

June 16th, 2003, 10:45 AM	#15
Dan Holly Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 336	correct <<<-- Originally posted by Aaron Rosen : I would suggest removing the ENTER page. It could annoy people who want to get right down to the band and their info. I would keep it, IF, the band and site is not intended for undage viewers. In that case, add a disclaimer and a link away. -->>> "Splash pages" are old school, and are not needed. I want to go right to a webpage, and not make another click on enter. Those people who insist on using splash pages, I just bookmark the main page and bypass the splash page anyway............. __________________ Dan Holly Anchorage, Alaska