Topic: what would you change ?

hey everyone i am kinda new to the website thing and i am looking for some input on my site to make it better
http://www.fishchatter.com

thanks lots


Edit: Fixed link

(Edited by twItch^ on 05-28-2005 19:35)

I would remove all the frames and not use tables for layout (CSS instead).

There doesn't seem to be a lot of color continuity between sections, either.

I'm almost getting sentimental here. This is so 1995.
Sorry for the not-so-constructive feedback, but I just don't know where to start.

(Edited by HZR on 05-28-2005 23:40)

quote:

---

HZR said:

Sorry for the not-so-constructive feedback, but I just don't know where to start.

---

Same here...First of all, like said by reisio, get rid of the frames... For me it was way to amy scrollbars, to a older or less knowing surfer looking for info, they may be overwelmed by the number of scrollbars. The bar of affiliates at the bottom is kinda distracting, too. I would have maybe 2 randomly displaying at the bottom of a nav area, and then have a page that holds all of them.

But I would start out by illiminating those frames, and make the page viewable from any resolution. With this being an informative type page, you can count on people with much older computers/monitors to be visiting. I get about 200 hits a month with people with 800*600 resolution.

And I would also start moving towards a more CSS based site. It makes loading faster, page look better, and allows your code to much cleaner. FOr example, on your main page, you have this:

<p align="center">This Site Is best viewed in 1024x768</p>
<p align="center"><font size="7"><font size="3"><br>
  </font></font></p>

<p align="center"><br>
</p>
<p align="center">&nbsp;</p>

Using CSS, you can clean it up:

<div class="footer">
     <p>This Site is best viewed in 1024x768</p>
</div>

The site is a good idea though, you don't know how many times I have wondered what it would take to have a saltwater tank but got tired of looking around for info in many different places.

:: WWW || Deviations || ThoughtPrism ::

wow hmm so rebuild with css no frames anything esle ?
thanks i need more members on the forum if you know anyone in to fish lol

(Edited by Fish Chatter on 05-29-2005 04:02)

I have to agree with the comments so far, sparse as they may be.

The question, to me, turns more into "what would I keep?"

The answer is in two parts:

1) I would keep the content.

2) I would keep the desire and dedication involved in making this kind of website - it is a great thing to put your passion on the web in a manner intended for the benefit of others and with a goal of community and sharing of information.

The design itself is unattracted both visually and code-wise.
I would lose the frames, I would lose the tables, and I would definately lose the times new roman typeface, and the default colorings (the default grey, black and blue is just very tiresome on the eyes...)

I would suggest perusing the Gurus Network - both the links section (some good photoshop tutorials may help the graphics, and there are several great CSS tutorials that will help get started), and the links section - lots of great links to CSS layout tutorials and articles.

Really can't get more specific at the moment - it looks like perhaps it is 'baby steps' time on this end of things.

But as I said, keep the drive that got you this far - it's great to see actual content come online!

Not much to add here, but I've got to agree with DL--it's nice to see actual content. Content is still king.

Take a look around at what other people are doing with their sites these days for some ideas, or just to get a feel for the current state of design. Like HZR said, you're just a tad behind the times.

___________________________
Suho: www.liminality.org | Cell 270 | Sig Rotator | the Fellowship of Sup

ok thanks lots i i kinda figured that i was behind in coding soo i am going to teach myself css and go for it so ill be playin if you have any other tips i would love to hear them
thank for your help

CSS is infact very easy to learn... Here are some resources:
http://www.w3schools.com/css/
http://www.ssi-developer.net/css/ (Tutorials)
http://www.ssi-developer.net/main/templates/ (CSS Templates)
http://www.htmlhelp.com/reference/css/
http://www.echoecho.com/css.htm

And of course, you can always just Google it. :D

Best of luck to you, welcome to the Asylum, and don't give up!

Be sure to keep us posted on your progress, and if you have anymore questions I am sure one of us can help you...

:: WWW || Deviations || ThoughtPrism ::

(Edited by WarMage on 05-31-2005 14:20)

ok thanks

Nothing to do with web design, but take the apostrophe out of "Disease's" if it is intended as a plural...

I had to pick on it. I like the site tho'!

thanks and once again forum members our needed if aanyone is into fish please join up thanks

Tables are one thing... BUT FRAMES! Templar go dizzy...

Half of you site doesn't exist!! I can't go anywhere from "Plant Profiles", your "Disease's" section is no where to be found! You've got nothing in "Saltwater"!

I don't see what's so fishy about this site there nothing there that indicates it's related to fish!! You've got no pictures of Fish... ok I'm not going to argue with you there I wouldn't keep alot of pictures of fish on my site either!! But you have absolutely no information about fish even though the site's name is "Fish Chatter"... ok so you've got aquariums... a guy can put a hamster in his aquarium... MORE FISH!!!

And get rid of those tables...

*looks at frames again*

ARRGH I'M MELTING!!



(Edited by templar654 on 06-03-2005 16:22)

it wasn't done and i am working on a new one

Don't I remember a Doc/Malin build on an aquarium site? Wait a minute.. it was a manufacturer. Quite specialized as I recall.