Great site? [Archive]

DarkCloud

30th March 2003, 10:52

The flow is pretty strange...

There is a bit too much going on in your website, try keeping as few things moving as possible that way there won't be too many objects fighting for attention.

The news and headlines should be the same style and width

I personally would move the new members to the side bar.

Throw the advertisment else where like at the extreme bottom of the page. It seems like the advertisment is drawing attention away from everywhere else.

Other than that. Its pretty good.

[btw] try using a font color that is more distinquishable from the back ground, the words seems to get lost in the background and will grow hard to read.

[0-btw] I just noticed that there is music on your website. I suggest that you have an off and on switch on your site to turn off the music that is very easy to find. I would further suggest that you use a song that doesn't have any vocals. If you really want to keep your music, use something with a loop and no vocals and make sure the loops very well. I would also say use a song that isn't very common.

But overall, its a pretty good website in comparison to what I have seen.

luck777jojo

30th March 2003, 13:12

not bad... I kinda though it was all jumbled up but the style and everything isn't bad.... maybe you should try making that page longer and spreading everything out a bit more.

Felix

30th March 2003, 16:10

I can't say its a great site, but its better than alot of the ones I have seen. DarkCloud is right, your doing too many things at the same time. Still, a nice site

Sno

30th March 2003, 16:33

It reeks of a premade script hehe personally I will make my own site with. the only thing I will use is Invision board Then I make custom mods for it to fit my needs so I make portal new skin and so on its very nice

Machiko

30th March 2003, 17:11

3dsmax and hand drawn (if you are that tight or just creative and dont relay on these damn lame ass "i've seen it all every site 10x over "apps). Alot of people are stuck doing the same boooring stuff. **** the status quo. Hey ya lucky is right though ,spread it out some. I don't mind alot of stuff at once...but thats my theme to hide and I hand draw alot or create 3d models for stuff. I love the busy I do, it remind sme of tokyo if anyone here knows what I am talking about. A milder version of that might be times square more so as seen in vanilla sky though at the beginning or bladerunner. Busy lots of crazy shit happening is so damn sexy. Thats me though... i love that look. Do what you want though. Do what feels comfortable .

KenShin

30th March 2003, 19:51

Do you think you can give me the html code for a switch to turn the music on and off.

Felix

30th March 2003, 20:14

I just noticed that there was music. I suggest using music that doesn't have lyrics though. Thats just my opinion.

bigtimestuff

30th March 2003, 20:19

Seems solid but about par for those kind of sites. Nothing really original to set you apart from the others. I agree with the jumbled observation; white space or open, unfilled space is important to have to be easy on the eyes and to emphasize the content. Try spreading out and dividing the information into sections seperated by more open space. Could use a little more variety of color to spice it up too. Otherwise looks pretty solid!

Malicious

30th March 2003, 21:09

I think that over all it is good. Could use some work, but you have a very very good starting place. It is hard to be original, but I will say with web design that there is something to be said for simplicity. There is a little too much going on it as others have said.

Also, I have a problem with music on websites. Not that I don't love that song :cheeky: Just don't forget that not everyone has cable/dsl/anyThingFasterThan56K. I don't have low speed, but check to see how long it takes for you sight to load completely. It should load withing 10 sec on 56K, if it doesn't then you failed.

I tested your site on 800x600 which is the standard and it just bairly doesn't fit all on the screen so you did a pretty good job with that. I think the bar just bairly has to go over to the right to see the whole thing.

It is hard to be original with these types of sites, because everyone is going to have about the same content, which is expected. So it is hard to judge on originality with sites like this.

I do like your top bar, although I think that you could have done more with the text there. :bandit:

Over all I think that you did a very nice job, not a GREAT JOB BEST SITE I EVER SEEN!!! But good. And better than a lot of other clan web sites that I have seen. Looks like you took your time making it and didn't just throw it together. I have a mojor problem with clan sites that are just thrown together.

So, to recap:

get rid of music or make on/off
a lot can be said for simplicity
overall good job and best of luck to u with it in the future

KenShin

31st March 2003, 06:53

Thanks guys and i love to hear all those imputs

DarkCloud

31st March 2003, 08:50

If you want like professional quality and you're lazy at the same time, I would suggest doing only two things in flash.
-Navigation
-Music Control

I suggest using music control in flash because it allows mp3's to be installed into it. You can also easily code a stop and start feature for the music.

luck777jojo

31st March 2003, 10:14

yeah and both of those features are available in dremweaver as plugins so you don't even have to learn flash.

Malicious

31st March 2003, 18:11

Yeah but plugins are no fun! BUild it your self! You'll thank me later ;)

eboLavirus

31st March 2003, 18:25

hehe .......... if you talk about Sites, lemme show you the sites i have made:

www.team-kdn.com ......... made for a clan :-)

http://eternal.strikenet.com/heat666/ ..... my personal site. The last update was 3 mont ago :-)

Malicious

31st March 2003, 18:34

Nice job. But I have to say that some of the text is hard to read.

DarkCloud

31st March 2003, 19:42

It looks pretty good overall. the only thing I didn't like is that the window had two vertical scrolls on it. A website should only have one. The entrance button could be more simplified. Its good over all. I would give it an A-/B+. Your graphics is good but there is room for improvement on your website development. Your strengths are graphics and pair with someone with a strong coding background and the such, you probably would have professional quality webpages.

eboLavirus

31st March 2003, 22:01

Hehe thx.....

Sorry about the entering screen.... someone of the Clan has made it....

and yes i cant cod. Thats my problem. Iam ready to learn it but i have not enough time.

Felix

31st March 2003, 23:38

Originally posted by eboLavirus
hehe .......... if you talk about Sites, lemme show you the sites i have made:

www.team-kdn.com ......... made for a clan :-)

http://eternal.strikenet.com/heat666/ ..... my personal site. The last update was 3 mont ago :-)

I gotta say, I hate those opening pages. They are way too big. In my opinion, don't make them so big that you have to scroll down to enter the site. It seems like your trying to hide something. I know this has been said already, but I have to say it again. ;)

eboLavirus

1st April 2003, 00:02

Originally posted by ~WoRLD

I gotta say, I hate those opening pages. They are way too big. In my opinion, don't make them so big that you have to scroll down to enter the site. It seems like your trying to hide something. I know this has been said already, but I have to say it again. ;)

Hey.....

this was not my idea.... i said: No opening pages make a bad impresion to the viewer..... but nooooooooooooooooo

Nobdy is listening to me :-(

Felix

2nd April 2003, 23:53

I was just stating my opinion

luck777jojo

3rd April 2003, 04:26

the gfx are pretty nice but yeah work on the layout a bit.... remember the best sites are made to load fast and be fully displayed on a monitor with 640x800 resolution (at least horizontally)

DarkCloud

4th April 2003, 13:31

800x600. Its true that the best sites load the fastest. I've installed three different browsers onto all my computer so I can test the compatibility of all the pages I designed. If one page didn't work in any of the three leading browsers, I would work on it again.

I'm glad that you're page does follow the three click rule and that rule is probably industry standard.

Malicious

4th April 2003, 17:49

what is the 3 click rule?

DarkCloud

4th April 2003, 23:18

The three click rule:
If you can't get to where you want in the website within three clicks of the mouse, then you need to re-do your navigation.

All professionals follow this website. But artists with an artistic design to their website are the exceptions.

Malicious

4th April 2003, 23:54

I try not to do a lot of flash and stuff like that. not that it isn't good in moderation...

So do you have any ideas for things that I can do to make my sites look professional yet not like every other site out there. I am ok with adobe and not so good with flash (still learning them) but I can code in html very well. I know most people don't think html is hard but it is a skill to use it to its full potential without using dreamweaver or anything. I try to code all of my sites in notepad so that i learn more. I have also found that looking at other site's code has helped me out as well. So... My question here is: What can I do to make site look professional without over using graphics/flash?

Other question is how importand is php, I read what it is but I don't think i really understand. Could some one explain it perhaps? I did read on it, but I guess what i read was a little over my head. :umn1:

Felix

5th April 2003, 00:38

Same here, I have been wanting to learn php for awhile, but it seems so complex. Anyone have any pointers?

DarkCloud

5th April 2003, 00:47

That's tough. Its difficult to make a professional website that does not use graphics but it possible possible to do w/o flash. Many sites have and many others do still succeed with out flash on their page.

I'm not sure about PHP but from my understanding is a web-based programming language. Another thing is, PHP is for dedicated servers or a machine you want to use to host a server. PHP is more so a service provided that uses SQL which is basically Microsoft Access (er.... database)

http://www.php.net/manual/en/tutorial.php

Malicious

5th April 2003, 01:01

I don't mind using graphics, just don't like to over use them. Is there like a underline rule for how much graphics per-page?

And with flash as i understand it is just don't make ur whole page with it....

Dark do you have any sites that you have done that i can look at? Or anyone else for that matter..

Machiko

5th April 2003, 01:03

you know what "professional" is? Majority rules.
People start to break those rules and i dont mean little breaks here and there but disregard it all, and be artists "just play jazz" like David Ammes said (Vanilla Sky). That's hard for most artists to be (all the jim lee rip offs out there), hapens one every 1000 years I swear. I use heavy graphics - 50% pshop or max depends the page and I draw 50% of them by hand but people can't tell.

Oh hey Darkcloud PM me ...I had offline commitments yesterday. You probably knew that though.

DarkCloud

5th April 2003, 01:10

I'm working on getting my portfolio installed into my website. I have a couple of flash sites and plenty of html\Java sites. I'll post up my website as soon as I get around to re-assembling my portfolio website.

Machiko, you're right about the professional. Professional is more of a state of mind and a psychological thing.

However, its also about making it convenient and looking "good"

Machiko

5th April 2003, 01:16

ya but looking good to some is not the same as it is to others. Half the underground true goth sites on the net(not fake easy accessible sites), violate the "rules" of so called professionalism not because a "noob" made them but because certain colors and heavy graphics are a reflection of gothic style. Half the people here wouldnt like what I am working on slowly, just the graphics end now. As for me, i will never bow to convienance or look to make it get the "thumbs up" by anyone. If I did that, then I wouldnt be a goth, I'd be a slave.

got to go again. Talk to me about this later, have some questions.

DarkCloud

5th April 2003, 01:28

Understandable. I applaud you for being your own person.

Well, I guess there aren't really any rules but more so preference and standards. Sometimes, you have to do something unorthodox, illogical or unusual to make something that there is no word in any language to describe how beautiful it is. That is trully a unique beauty.

Your differences is what makes you a trully unique beauty, Machiko.

Malicious

5th April 2003, 01:44

I guess I am just trying to learn and soak in as much as i can. I understand sometimes graphics tell the story and then sometimes the get in the way of it. (this is a really good thread ;) )

machiko do u have some sites you recommend me looking at that demonstrate great graphics use?

luck777jojo

5th April 2003, 02:25

personally I say visit the 2advanced site www.2advanced.com and the WhosWe website www.whoswe.com personally I like those two and not only because of the gfx but also because of the nice flash

DarkCloud

5th April 2003, 02:42

sweet design and music. Flash definitely sets a whole new standard to the industry.

Malicious

5th April 2003, 06:03

I have to say this...

Thost sites were focking great!:classic: :classic: :classic:

luck777jojo

5th April 2003, 10:09

the whoswe site worked???? it was down for me just this morning when I decided to look at it after posting, and oh yeah..... another great site www.blitzds.com

Machiko

5th April 2003, 20:49

the only thing i dont like which is so typical and unimaginative about is the top bar on http://www.2advanced.com/. I dunno. Not my style. I can draw and model something that would pound that into the ground like a saddam solider. The code is cool sure...nothing against it. Not my style. I have seen 10 million sites with that same graphic style since the 90's. I respect what you like, but I just know there is so much more better stuff then making digitally empty designs like that. Again you are speaking to someone who thrives on standing out in how she dresses, what she draws, the music and films she likes so I am not the average on-looker here. Nice posts though Lucky. Always nice to see you in the game.

DarkCloud

5th April 2003, 20:54

Very interesting. Hmm.... I must really work on my style then.

Machiko, are you on any of the messengers?

Machiko

5th April 2003, 21:13

i'm not saying that style is "bad" but boy its old and not very eye catching to me, again I am biased and seen alot, and not much impressed by that. Hmm seen a primitive take on it in the 80's Tron, heh. I dunno it doesnt spell out sexy, dark, anywhere close to the untouchable style of the Japanese art, or what I would attempt to do. It's not bad for others, and believe me I come from a place where art is more imaginative then this. People wont get the precision tight stuff if they stick it out with the computer apps as their only method to design. I am all for the hand drawn , computer colored and 3d modelling types of things. Just don't take what I say as something personal. I always look for something that fits my ideals and that's just how it is for me. Nothing wrong with wanting what you like, is there? I also respect what others like even if it isn't my flavor.

DarkCloud

5th April 2003, 21:18

Its true about originality. I must really develop my style and design. Most of my designs aren't that great but I'm pretty much working on how to go about it. There are a couple of good sites out there that have a totally unique style and design to itself

Flazoom.com recognizes a lot of the websites that are unique. I usually go there and look at the designs and styles to inspire me. But right now, you've been an inspiriation to me.

Machiko

5th April 2003, 21:25

i havent seen anything touch on what I like at all. Probably because I haven't made the site yet. Here we have two different countries you know, two totally different set of eyes looking at these things. Its been a known fact, Japan has been ahead of the art game forever. I have books from the early 90's showing that same style depicted on those pages. It doesn't really matter to me though. I really want to stand out with what I do, and not look like another copy of a copy.

DarkCloud

5th April 2003, 21:27

Yeah, have you ever looked at david bowie's website? I think his navigation is orignal.

I can tell that japan has been a head of the game for a good long time.
http://tokyoplastic.com/

That is what I call a very clever website.

I can see that it has a lot of heavy programming to go with it too.

eboLavirus

5th April 2003, 21:34

Hey here iam again! hehe

iam working on a new clan site http://www.kdn.m00se.de/sitealpha.jpg

what do ya say :>

DarkCloud

5th April 2003, 21:36

Interesting design. Looks dark and smooth. I would suggest though you only have one vertical scroll.

You might wanna shorten the length of the page so that you'll be able to view all of it in a single page. I see a great amount of improvement in your work. Keep it up.

Machiko

5th April 2003, 21:37

Originally posted by DarkCloud
Yeah, have you ever looked at david bowie's website? I think his navigation is orignal.

I can tell that japan has been a head of the game for a good long time.
http://tokyoplastic.com/

That is what I call a very clever website.

I can see that it has a lot of heavy programming to go with it too.

dont look japanese to me, at least what I saw living there. Just the writing. I dont like that stuff i guess. I'm sure its good...i hate white too btw, I don't...I will show you what I want to do next, so you get a feel for what I am seeing in my mind. I'm about to go out will be home tonight though.

eboLavirus

5th April 2003, 21:40

Originally posted by DarkCloud
Interesting design. Looks dark and smooth. I would suggest though you only have one vertical scroll.

yep finaly there will be only one scroll xD

But first i have to gfx it to the end......... then i can "code" it :]

DarkCloud

5th April 2003, 21:41

Hmm... I won't be home till late night. So perhaps I'll see you then. Till then, miss you lots. Are you gonna be home at midnight?

@ebo, you might want to slice up the entire thing and prioritize which graphics you want to load up first. I would suggest that the buttons load first, top to tell the user where he or she is, then side bar background. That should make the loading go much much faster.

Machiko

5th April 2003, 21:43

Originally posted by eboLavirus
Hey here iam again! hehe

iam working on a new clan site http://www.kdn.m00se.de/sitealpha.jpg

what do ya say :> '
what is this crazy thing since the late 90's with say that title bar graphic? That is just too easy to do, not attacking it. Good site if you want it to look like that. the "spikey ball" is made in 1 minute in 3dsmax with a geosphere/sphere and pulling a bunch of verticles out, done by hand or you can just use premade primitive (depends what max you use, the bought version or the naw-t version). As youknow the latter of the two can be missing things. Still sphere - play with the verts, you got that look.

Still good work there eboLavirus, hope you are turning out a site that you had envisioned.

eboLavirus

5th April 2003, 21:51

hehe for me it takes longer to make this spikey ball cuz i only worked for one week with 3d studio max. The menu bar..... hmm i used it cuz. the clan wanted something like that. And thx for your comment cuz i need critic to get more powerfull in photoshop. :D

ahh what you mean with "play with the verts"

and something else.... i think you have good arting skills right. do you have something against it if we can meet in icq or irc and you can help me to grow up my experience? cuz iam still a noob i think

thx

DarkCloud

5th April 2003, 21:54

this breaks the typographical rules:
http://www.wddg.com/v.X.html

but it works beautifully.

It takes time to develop and a lot of hard work to make something that is trully unique. Keep working with photoshop and the more you work with it the more experience you'll get.

Machiko

5th April 2003, 21:55

Machiko@sexy.net.kg

verts=verticles

got to go. Enjoy the day. The Music Box Darkcloud...the theater. later.

DarkCloud

5th April 2003, 21:58

DarkCloud@techie.com*

If you ever need programming and coding assistance. I'm coding and programming oriented so if you ever need my help.

Machiko is more graphical oriented than I so if you need graphics assistance she's the one you can go to help.

But I'm sure she's a very good coder too.

I'll see if I can find my way there. Lates.

My bad too used to saying techie.net hehe

eboLavirus

5th April 2003, 22:10

Ohh big thanks for this offering!!! You can be sure that ill need your help!!! thanks

masterc

13th April 2003, 02:23

Originally posted by KenShin
Tell me what you think of my site.

http://tek-gaming.aowc.net

It's nice, but its the same as every other clansite or gaming site.

bigtimestuff

13th April 2003, 08:15

If u want to make it original and its a clan site for first person shooters... why not amake kind of a rugged, army themed site? Have camo and earth colors in the background, maybe some faded out tanks or wars scenes. And use that army- stencil type lettering. I dont know just an idea.