BidMod's Googlepages (Aesthetics Question)

BidMod

New member
Hi all,

After taking the soft option of using Google's WYSIWYG system, I've delved back into the realm of HTML (by hand). With the Googlepages, I've always edited the script myself anyway, but this is the first page I've released for a long time written completely from scratch (my last hand-built site was pulled after it received bad press among it's intended audience).

It isn't finished (obviously lol), but could I have some opinions on the appearance (not the content - that's to be finished later).

Basically, I want to know if it is clear and easy to read, and how does the appearance compare the the stuff I've made using the Google editor. I'm also interested in what people think of the colours and fonts used.

Pages:
handwritten -> http://bidmod.googlepages.com/tramway.htm
Current Homepage -> http://bidmod.googlepages.com

Finally, do trainzers visit such websites, or not? I know some of my closer friends nosey around my site, but what about you guys?

Thanks,
BidMod.

PS I know I've misspelt MichealWhiteley (as MichealWhitley - though I guess that says something about spelling ;)), but this is on the list of content changes. Full apologies until I get an opportunity to correct it (unless you wish to change your name, Mike).
 
To be honest, I find both pages to be interesting in content, but hideous in appearance, they really need some aesthetic work as they honestly look like all the other dull, bland uninformative blogs and miniscule search engines that are popping up like daisies every day. Just take a can of spray paint to the moniter, it works wonders:p;).

WileeCoyote:D
 
I'm also on Google Pages, I wonder hat people think of mine?
I went there because I tried several different providers and given my email and none replied. So I used it as a way ofshowing what I do. I've been on your site several times because (I know it's hard to believe!) I am interested in Trams aswell as Trains. You could load up your own template? They are both easy to read.

CoolMatty
 
BidMod if you want my honest opinion I would have to agree with WileyCoyotee. Both make what I consider to be basic design mistakes and the google one is almost the worst simply because it looks like everything else on the net. I am not claiming to be an absolute expert but I think it's best to be original (i.e. come up with it yourself) but if you are going to do so make sure the menu and layout is clear with clear demarcation between areas. At the moment mine still needs tweaking to make the menu clearer but it's on the to do list.

The google page is just what you would expect from that sort of WYSIWYG. The handwritten page would benefit from the use of graphics in a different way, e.g. not as a background which makes text harder to read but in a header and a side menu built around an image. IMHO Text for the main page title always looks a little naff and certainly not as impressive as a well designed banner. Then again it's not a disaster and there are certainly other sites out there much worse off.

As for people visiting, I have learnt that the way to do this is to make sure you update it regularly and make sure people know you do and to put stuff on it that is worth visiting the site for. If you are a layout creator who updates it once a month you won't get much traffic. However, if you update it every week or so (not every week necessarily but with a degree of regularity) with information that is worth visiting and reading through then people will visit.

I hope that helps and wasn't too harsh!

Andy
 
Thanks,

I'll start to revise it, bearing these in mind. I had actually spent a long time editing the colours in that image to make the text readable (I can read it, which is good because I have trouble with colour sometimes), but I think you're right. It was a great improvement on my previous site though, and it takes a lot of time to build something great (I hashed that page together in an evening).

I think what GreatEastern says is probably a fair assessment - I shall report back with developments later :).

I hope that helps and wasn't too harsh!
All comments are constructive unless they're rude :D

Coolmatty- the file is a regular .htm file - you can upload anything to the site if you wish (use the uploader on the right), but the home page needs to be one of the Google design. I can send you the file if you wish.

BidMod.
 
Since I don't have a copy of your address (though I could work it out ;)), just right click on the link to the page and select "save target as".

reminder: http://bidmod.googlepages.com/tramway.htm

EDIT: I should add that you need to select "open with ... Notepad", or alternatively you can just click "view source" on the page itself.

BidMod.
 
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Glad to be of some help. I am one of those people for whom sites that I deem to be poor really grate, and I am quite picky about them :D

But good luck having a fiddle.

Andy

Edit: If you need any more help just drop us a line...
 
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Similar idea, new theme and style (blue). This time I've taken my attention to the homepage.

Could I get some opinions from here please? Also - does the title sound too clichéd? It's quite a common idea now.

link ► http://bidmod.googlepages.com/0home.htm

Thanks,
Bidmod.

PS - the note on the text title - a replacement is coming soon
biggrin.gif

PPS - if anyone runs it through a validator, you'll find that the construction doesn't quite match the specifications. This misinterpretation will be corrected with the next iteration.
 
Hmm... the title is I think relatively original (then again I hardly ever see it), but it still is just lacking pizzaz. Maybe if you ask sg1 nicely he might do something, if other wise just start photoshopping.

WileeCoyote:D
 
BidMod, just wondering, what are you using? It doesn't look like high end at all, it looks like standard office apps (I wouldn't recommend) rather than something more pro. If you click on my station sign you'll find my site, which was created in Macromedia/Adobe Dreamweaver (V8).

Yes, I am well aware that it costs lots of dosh, but there is a simliar version known as "NVU", which you can find here:
http://www.nvu.com/index.php


If you need to know how to use it, try here:
http://www.eccentricgnat.com/nvu/index.html

And for creating images from scratch, try:
http://www.gimp.org/

Hope this helps.

WYSIWYG editors with the proper training, creativity and thought process does create some really professional looking webpages. It takes time, so don't rush, it takes thought, so design something first. Create a storyboard and a hierarchcial structure, that way you know how everything fits in place.



He who says who has studied computing for a year at a college and has had to several of these. (Oh, I've even made a site for a live client.)
 
Hi all,

BidMod, just wondering, what are you using? It doesn't look like high end at all, it looks like standard office apps (I wouldn't recommend) rather than something more pro. If you click on my station sign you'll find my site, which was created in Macromedia/Adobe Dreamweaver (V8).

Office? I don't think office could produce anything like that. For starters, Publisher's idea of a web page is half monitor wide and about three tall, but at least the tags are probably OK.

It's written by hand using CSS, rather than a WYSIWYG editor - I wanted to see if I could do it better by hand. Feel free to take a look at the source - it's quite basic at the moment (revision 2 is in the works already and will be a bit harder to follow).

Yes, I am well aware that it costs lots of dosh, but there is a simliar version known as "NVU", which you can find here:
http://www.nvu.com/index.php


If you need to know how to use it, try here:
http://www.eccentricgnat.com/nvu/index.html

I'm aware of NVU, but I've never really been bothered to download it. The inherant problem with Dreamweaver, Front Page, NVU and similar is that it takes a fair bit of time to get them to work effectively, and I don't have the patience. I'm trying to create something to work from, then building on it, hence the creation of this thread. Hopefully, webby-wannabees similar to myself can also learn something.

Plus I get a lot of satisfaction from writing from scratch and enjoy it. Fortunately, I don't have a client or deadlines, so this doesn't matter.

And for creating images from scratch, try:
http://www.gimp.org/

I have Photoshop Elements at my disposal, but MS Paint does some fair images if you use it right. <-(key statement)

WYSIWYG editors with the proper training, creativity and thought process does create some really professional looking webpages. It takes time, so don't rush, it takes thought, so design something first. Create a storyboard and a hierarchcial structure, that way you know how everything fits in place.

I'm basing it on the basic structure of the existing pages (which were hashed together quickly in January and I feel it's too obvious), but obviously there may need to be some changes. The snag with still using Google as the host is that you can't create the same file structures/use of directories that you might with a professional (as in paid for) host - I guess this has both pros and cons. Having used a professional host with a friend at one point, there's really little to choose between, but by using my own Googlepages area then I can preserve my content, and any changes don't reflect on any other party. I don't have the need to get some space purely for myself.

Once I've decided on a style to adopt, then I'll worry about the content second. This seems to work when programming.

Finally -> GreatEastern -> I was thinking about having the navigation to the side for the pages with the actual content, but is that necessary for the main homepage? I guess this is down to taste. I can see the basic angle - I'm still experimenting with styles to see what I can come up with, then I'll introduce more graphics and colours to see what happens. One thing I'm definately trying to avoid is getting the page too crowded.

Thanks for the comments,
BidMod.

PS - I used Front Page as an example only - When using it at school a few years ago, I found the files prone to disappearing, so you need to start over. I recommend against getting it.
 
Finally -> GreatEastern -> I was thinking about having the navigation to the side for the pages with the actual content, but is that necessary for the main homepage? I guess this is down to taste. I can see the basic angle - I'm still experimenting with styles to see what I can come up with, then I'll introduce more graphics and colours to see what happens. One thing I'm definately trying to avoid is getting the page too crowded.

It sets up a standard for your site, helps it look tidy and means that people know where to look for navigation later on in the site, if nothing else it is illogical imho to have it in a different place on the main page.

Andy
 
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