Topic: site review please

Greetings all.

I bought a domain name over 3 years ago and never used it. I've been working with free space
so far but now I've got a server and am ready to go online.

Would you be so kind as to check out these two looks for my web page?
It's very much a work in progress and sadly I don't have as much time
for it as I'd like. So, I'm looking for which you like better as is and which
(if either) would be your choice with improvements.

Look #1 www.ivanhoe.net/index1.html My first attempt, lots of eye candy.

Look #2 www.ivanhoe.net/index2.html My second attempt. I understand netscape has trouble with it.

Thanks in advance.
Cheers.

dave s: I'm a bit rushed so I'll throw in some quick thoughts and get back to you later with anything else I think of:

First design: My personal favourite. I like the colours and some of the things you are doing - some points:

1. It is far too 'busy'. That top area has far too much going on.

2. There are far too many styles on the page - with your title graphic contrasting with the oval buttons which contrast with those horizontal lines. You need to decide on a feel for the page and then pursue it (any of the 3 or 4 different feels that are in your page could be expanded into different pages).

3. Te page is too full - you've tried too hard and added far more than is needed on the page. Think about point 2 and when you go for a single theme/feel try to make things a little more sparse (however, this may be related to point 1 too).

Second design: Its not reall working for me. It seems to suffer from similar problems to that above and:

1. I don't like that yellow.

2. It all seems a little cramped on the screen.

3. You seem to be using two different backgrounds on the page and then the scrolling panel. You should think carefully before using one.

4. The graphics look are too strongly contrasted with the background - I'd want to merge them more seamlessly.

Overall I think you should concentrate on the first design but tease out a few elements (probably given the domain name the Olde Englishe look. And congrats on the domain - good find) and then design the game around that. Its got good colours and some good ideas so I'd go with that.

___________________
Emps

FAQs: Emperor

Thanks Emps.
Yeah, I was leaning toward the first one too but needed to hear it
from someone else. You gave me lots of good input there and sparked a few ideas.

[ (probably given the domain name the Olde Englishe look. ]
I donno why I ever went away from that in the first place. Just the kick in the ass I needed bro.
Thanks again!
Any other reviews greatly appreciated.
Cheers.

Huh. There I was, wandering around on the second design when I ran my mouse over the blank link looking things and a menu dropped down.
I've never seen that. A button with nothing on it I mean...almost missed the whole thing!

Anyway, I like both versions for different reasons. Anybody care? Probably not but I'm going to comment anyway.
Sorry, but I like the second version more. Probably because I have a compulsive need for order and everythings in order.
I did have to pop a blackie when I had trouble finding a menu though. If you need a central, scrollable window, try out Doc's ZScroller. It's better.

Allewyn

quote:

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I did have to pop a blackie when I had trouble finding a menu though.

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Jesus! That could sound bad if anyone from outside the Asylum read it! Heh, maybe I shouldn't have said anything...
*slowly shuffles towards the door...*