Can someone look at this? (Full Version)

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DaveX -> Can someone look at this? (1/18/2007 22:47:54)

This is not my site but it is a site built by someone I work with from time to time. We work on different sites for the same place. Now, I'm no web mastermind but I get by. I'm sure my sites are far from perfect but they work for what we need them to do. Also, I'm not trying to get 'dirt' on this guy to throw in his face. What I'm looking for is some professional (or not so professional) opinions. In my opinion this site is VERY low tech and unattractive. When I first saw it I also found out that he was modeling it on a design by someone who was pushing hard for it to become some sort of standard. He no longer lists the link to this person's site but I'm hoping someone may recognize the design and be able to comment on it. In some respects the site seems to work fine but it's hard to navigate and a bit cumbersome and confusing in some areas. I think part of the idea is for it to be search engine friendly to the max.
The reason I'm asking for comments is that it's a bit hard working with him at all because he's very rigid in the way he wants the site to work and look. He want NO graphics and just getting a logo on it was like pulling teeth. Any graphics he does allow need to be 'under 5k'. Now, I understand that thinking... 10 years ago which is what I'm wondering here. This site seems to be from 1994.
At any rate, I'm not looking to start anything with this guy. I just want constructive criticism from people who have more experience than me (or him) that I can pass along to him. I hope this is appropriate and if not, please disregard.

www.nostalgia zone.com



Tailslide -> RE: Can someone look at this? (1/19/2007 3:01:37)

Well it's a bit basic isn't it!

It's using old-fashioned, but technically correct coding but it's a prime example of how reasonable coding isn't enough.

Sites should use good coding certainly, but they must also look attractive, do the job properly and be accessible for as many as possible.

The subject matter for the site is incredibly visual - so using only the bare minimum of visuals is counter-productive in a big way. The whole point of comics is their art surely? It's like selling paintings online without showing what they look like!

Sure you need a site to load quickly, but anything under 15 seconds is reasonable for dial-up connections.

I'd say that you definitely need small images of the comic's covers. I've had a quick look and pretty much ALL of your opposition has them.

I think you're right. The coding for the page is correct (for 1998) although it lacks modern attributes such as it uses tables (which will increase download time) and decent use of colours for links (it has no hover or focus effects). It looks like whoever did this stopped learning at that time and remains frozen style-wise!

So in summary - use more images (even small ones) and try suggesting he dumps the table layout if he wants to speed it up. Don't, however sacrifice good coding along the way as it will help the page remain fast to download.



jaybee -> RE: Can someone look at this? (1/19/2007 6:35:19)

Oh dear. That is not good is it. It kind of reminds me of the 1950s. I agree with everything said above. Everybody sing along....

"With a bit of a mind flip
You're there in the time slip
And nothing can ever be the same
You're spaced out on sensation,
like you're under sedation
Let's do the Time Warp again!"

quote:

a design by someone who was pushing hard for it to become some sort of standard
Find out who, point us in the right direction and we'll do some stomping. That is atrocious. Perhaps your colleague's been looking at a standards thing and got the wrong end of the stick?



Nicole -> RE: Can someone look at this? (1/19/2007 7:04:58)

Dave,

You have certainly come to the right place for open and honest critiques, just as I believe you have been open and honest with us in disclosing that this is not your website.

Honestly Dave, is this guy posting your websites for critique on other forums? If not why? You are doing it to him!




DaveX -> RE: Can someone look at this? (1/19/2007 9:47:30)

I've always known his code was better than anything I do. I basically use FP with little or no tweaking. I'd LIKE to go in and tweak it but my plate is full and the site works fine, blah, blah, blah. I think he's just obsessed with keeping the fastest download times AND search engine ranking. Well, it downloads quick but I have issues with his search engine theories. "Buy Comics, Comic Store, Collectible Old Back Issue Comic Books For Sale" Across the top looks horrible to me. And yes, he gets a number one listing on Google if someone searches a specific phrase ('buy collectable comics' I think...) but how many people use that phrase? Anyway, thanks for the comments. I was just looking for more informed opinions.



jaybee -> RE: Can someone look at this? (1/19/2007 10:37:50)

quote:

obsessed with keeping the fastest download times AND search engine ranking
Well it's a good thing to be obsessed with those but only if it's balanced with other stuff such as design, usability and accessibility.




Tailslide -> RE: Can someone look at this? (1/21/2007 4:05:32)

Ah that's it! I was trying desperately to remember who the style your guy was using was based on but I just couldn't remember!

It's Jacob Neilsen (slaps head at not remembering such a famous person) - http://www.useit.com/

Neilsen is useful for a lot of things but he is rather seen as an extremist style-wise. His site has looked like that since the 1990s and will probably continue to do so. That's his "thing" - he's making a point and nothing detracts from the point he's making in his content.

BUT he's:

a. Already very famous in the web design community (apart from me forgetting him apparently!)
b. Although he does sell books, he's selling to a community of people who already know him.
c. His point is and always has been that content is all that matters. I'm not sure I agree totally with that in that you have to have attractive design, good technical skills and accessibility to make a site work really well.



Nicole -> RE: Can someone look at this? (1/21/2007 4:53:26)

Funny you should mention him Tail,

I'm looking for sites I can send somebody to, to read "expert" opinions on why PDF files are a bad idea. His is the first that springs to mind whenever I need any resource to back up what I'm trying to tell people, but I'm very reluctant to send any potential customer to his site because of how it looks!



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