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Geek Culture / Opinions on my new site please.

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Junkrock
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Posted: 13th Nov 2007 06:59 Edited at: 13th Nov 2007 06:59
Hey guys,

Ive just finished the 1st draft of my new site. I aiming for 'professional' If I haven't achieved this and you can think why please let me know.

http://www.dazdicks.com

Thanks

DaZ

Zaibatsu
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Posted: 13th Nov 2007 07:22 Edited at: 13th Nov 2007 07:25
1. Don't make the audio play as soon as the page loads, let the viewer push a play button.

2. It's not 2008 yet. switch the copyright to 2007.

Edit:

Just noticed something. your site is built out of a bunch of images put together. that would make it load slower on 56k internet, which would be infuriating. if you want to protect the site, just buy an app to disable right clicking. If i was determined to, I could download the separate pictures and put them together.

"I admire its purity, a survivor, unclouded by conscience, remorse, or delusions of morality"

Junkrock
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Posted: 13th Nov 2007 07:29
I always have the audio play when the page loads, its the point of the site I wasn't peoples attention drawn to it straight away!

I'm aware its a bunch of pictures, i'm not fussed at all about people trying to steal images, I just don't have good web building software ie Dreamweaver so I had to build it in Photoshop (My HTML knowledge is very poor).

Agent Dink
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Posted: 13th Nov 2007 08:24
Visually it's very nice looking! The 56kers might hate it though since it takes a bit to load, even on my 768k connection.

Love your music as well, top quality stuff!

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Jeku
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Posted: 13th Nov 2007 09:55
Out of curiosity why are you dictating which game engines can be used with the packs? I've never heard of anyone doing that.

Digital Awakening
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Posted: 13th Nov 2007 12:12
Junkrock:
Visually the site is good. But since you are using Photoshop you should compress your images better. Even on my 100MB connection I can see the images loading 1 by 1 (which doesn't exactly look good). Also you are not reusing any images, they are reloaded for every page. You should at least "hack" the html files to use the same images where it can be done.

Preferably you should have 1 big background image and put the content in a separate layer, using either GIF or PNG for the text (if you use PNG you may require some additional compressing program or PS plugin).

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tha_rami
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Posted: 13th Nov 2007 13:13
Rather professional. I agree with Digital Awakening: don't reuse images you're already using. about_01 could very well be replaced with index_01 - and that one's already loaded.

I also agree about not letting the music play immediately. It really pisses me off in most cases, although I must admit that I liked the song that booted right away. Experience tells it's a bad thing, though. Better to have an ENORMOUS play button.

Also, you might consider using divs for the text on the images. While it all looks nice and crispy, this is extremely hard to update. I've just been learning .php, (in seven damn days, haven't seen any sleep) and I'm in nĂ³ way switching back - I used to do like you at first too, but it's just unpractical. CSS has z-layering, which might be of some help.

Overal, the looks are a 7. The image starts out larger than my screen, so that I have to scroll to see some things that would've easily fitted on the page. There's not enough contrast to clearly distinguish the menu from the content neither. Although the text styles makes a good division between the two - you might want to consider some more contrast.

Originality I give a 3 (you $%!# logo ripper - I think I know where you got that idea! - naah, kidding, I don't give away originality grades.


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Digital Awakening
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Posted: 13th Nov 2007 13:35
The advantage of using images for text is that you can have what ever font you like. If Daz isn't planning on updating his content often then that will do nicely. Actually, preparing a PSD with nothing but text would be almost as easy to update as a HTML or PHP file.

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tha_rami
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Posted: 13th Nov 2007 13:47
You kidding me, right? PHP is enter text, click, done. Not even uploading required. Text loads pretty fast, while images, especially for low-speed connection will reload every time an update is made. Not to mention some caching problems at times.

Imagine the situation where you want to have your text overflow the container? Then what?

You should try and use basic fonts for text and images for titles/subtitles.


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Digital Awakening
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Posted: 13th Nov 2007 15:16
Quote: "Not even uploading required"


You need to get your text to the server one way or the other. You also have to open up the PHP file to edit it. Using a software like Dream weaver you can have it upload the changes and that's quite convenient. This depends on if you have actually programmed or installed a backend, then you can make the changes through a web browser instead.

But we are talking about a simple website that won't get updated often.

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tha_rami
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Posted: 13th Nov 2007 17:56
Sigh. If we're gonna get technical, yeah, you upload it to the server. Why open up a .php file? If you program a simple CMS you don't need to edit anything.

Every website should be easy to update.


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Junkrock
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Posted: 13th Nov 2007 18:58
Heh I have neither the skills or tools to make anything more sophisticated at the minute, and because I could only create links via slices using images from other pages would be impractical because they would all be different sizes.

I still need to find a good (low price)web designer but till then i'm stuck with what I got

DaZ

Tom J
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Posted: 13th Nov 2007 19:26
Looks very proffesional and of a high quality

However I agree that you don't want to use images for text as the page took a while to load for me and will be hard to update. As tha_Rami said, php is a lifesaver when it comes to updating lots of pages.

I also don't think the music should play instantly, as it doesn't have time to load straight away on my connection.

Insert Name Here
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Posted: 13th Nov 2007 20:27
One of the reasons that music playing instantly is bad, is because some people, including many of the people I know, veiw these webpages at work, and this would completely blow their cover. One person went to website at work only to have a massive eagle sound blast out o the speakers. She did't return to that website.
Also, HTML is a very easy 'language to learn', and if you don't want to learn it or shell out the money for frontpage, there are free editors out on the web.

Seeing as Sudoku Arts hasn't noticed that I removed my genius sarcasm:
Sudoku arts, the rabi and Nancy DrewG
Digital Awakening
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Posted: 13th Nov 2007 21:24
Junkrock:
I can offer you to make your site optimized and quite easy (with commented code) for you to update, using a bit of PHP, if you send me your PSD file. In exchange for your music packs. Wouldn't mind doing it for free if I had some extra time over, but I don't.

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Blood Of The Prophets
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Posted: 13th Nov 2007 22:04
Maybe being able to see the license before you buy your products will help, especially if it's restricted to certain game engines.

I couldn't think of a signature, so I put this.
Junkrock
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Posted: 13th Nov 2007 22:08 Edited at: 13th Nov 2007 22:09
What kind of additions would the php add? It sounds like a pretty interesting trade.

Oh and the reason I'm having trouble finding decent software is because i'm on a mac (an Intel one at that!)

DaZ

Keo C
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Posted: 14th Nov 2007 00:09
Well I like the look, but the audio when you open the page is kinda odd. I think you should put some info about what your selling and then let people listen to it on a different page.


tha_rami
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Posted: 14th Nov 2007 01:22
PHP is a scripting language that allows you to do funky stuff with your website. Good thing is it is processed before rendering the website and outputted as HTML code. Noone will be able to see the code you're using.

If you have an SQL database, you can use PHP to set up a basic CMS, where you post news and stuff into a simple form to have it processed. If you have time, I'll show you an example. Just drop me a mail.


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Junkrock
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Posted: 14th Nov 2007 02:33
The site is to host my portfolio, nothing else really, I put my action and horror packs on there so people could see them easier, just a fancy portfolio.

DaZ

tha_rami
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Posted: 14th Nov 2007 03:00
Sure. What if you come with a Fantasy Pack and you need to update the site? You'll need to add the Fantasy button, reslice ALL of the pages to add the link and basically, remake the whole site.

Don't get me wrong: It looks stunning. It's just a bit unpractical with things.


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Junkrock
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Posted: 14th Nov 2007 03:29
Lol I agree, mind you by the time I get that finished I will need a new site anyways

DaZ

tha_rami
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Posted: 14th Nov 2007 04:37
Do check your mail, BTW.


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Jeku
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Posted: 14th Nov 2007 04:44 Edited at: 14th Nov 2007 04:44
Can you answer my question about the licensing? It says the pack license states which engines it can be used for, and to contact you for permission with other engines. Why is it restrictive in that way? How can I know which engines they're licensed for without buying the packs first?

EDIT:

Upon further reading, the "engine" thing doesn't make sense. Are you referring to sound engine? Game engine? 3D engine?

Keo C
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Posted: 14th Nov 2007 05:18
You might want to fix these.



Junkrock
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Posted: 14th Nov 2007 05:29 Edited at: 14th Nov 2007 05:30
Quote: "Can you answer my question about the licensing? It says the pack license states which engines it can be used for, and to contact you for permission with other engines. Why is it restrictive in that way? How can I know which engines they're licensed for without buying the packs first?"


It refers to game engines, included are all of the TGC products. The reason I ask users of other engines to contact me is because if a professional games company was to use my pack and make millions I would be losing lots of possible business. I added the most commonly used engines in the list (that packs come with the list).

@Keo C: I have no idea what that list is about...I havn't had any other issues, could you explain more of what you are showing me.

DaZ

Digital Awakening
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Posted: 14th Nov 2007 15:14
Quote: "What kind of additions would the php add? It sounds like a pretty interesting trade."


Basically I can split the code up into separate files so that if you make 1 more page (for the fantasy pack) you basically copy in a line or two of code to have the layout included. And when you want to add the fantasy pack to the menu you only change the menu file (menu.php). Like in the menu example you create an image of the text with a transparent background, put it in a folder on your host, copy the line of code for an existing link and change the name. It's a very simple solution and easy to update on your own. The content you can just use photoshop for as you do now, but without the background and menu as that's added in separately. Easy enough for you to maintain and drastically lowers the download time.

PHP is basically a text file, like HTML, but a web server with PHP installed (most web hosts have that) processes the PHP code before sending HTML code to the visitor's browser so you can have variables and loops etc. and load in additional files, like any regular programming language.

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Junkrock
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Posted: 14th Nov 2007 21:37
I think what I may do is create an insert frame on the right hand side so that the main menu is always ontop and when you click a link it only changes the insert frame....if that makes sense.

DaZ

Dr Schnitzengruber
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Posted: 15th Nov 2007 01:09 Edited at: 15th Nov 2007 01:15
<wrong rate my website thread>

the answer to life the universe and everything = 42
Keo C
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Posted: 15th Nov 2007 02:59
Quote: "I have no idea what that list is about...I havn't had any other issues, could you explain more of what you are showing me.
"

Errors in code, according to W3 Standards.


Junkrock
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Posted: 15th Nov 2007 03:20
Does that come up on your screen instead of the site or is that all internal stuff?

DaZ

Dr Schnitzengruber
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Posted: 15th Nov 2007 03:30
Keo C has some kind of firefox plugin that check the html of the site for errors. W3 decides how html is made so you better listen to them. this is the validator Keo c's plugin is based on. The validator returns valubale information about your errors.

the answer to life the universe and everything = 42
Keo C
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Posted: 15th Nov 2007 04:12 Edited at: 15th Nov 2007 04:14
If you don't want to fix those it's not like your page will die or anything, just a recommendation to keep it in line with the standards.

(oh and Dr Schnitzengruber, to get you out, delete yourself and boom your in the Recycle Bin.)


Junkrock
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Posted: 15th Nov 2007 04:43
Oh ok if it wont shut down the site just yet ill make do, im thinking of redesign very soon to sort out the long load times.

DaZ

Keo C
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Posted: 15th Nov 2007 04:55
I think the problem is that WimpyPlayer. If I have the time I'll do some bug smashing for you.


Osiris
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Posted: 15th Nov 2007 05:25
Hmm, I think you should at the very least consider making all of those images be one, if you have one as opposed to twenty the page will load considerably faster.

RIP Max-Tuesday, November 2 2007
You will be dearly missed.
Junkrock
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Posted: 15th Nov 2007 06:41 Edited at: 15th Nov 2007 12:00
Well after much photoshopping and a nice little crash course in HTML I got a functional site now. I think i'm gunna stick with this design for a while!

DaZ

Digital Awakening
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Posted: 15th Nov 2007 12:49 Edited at: 15th Nov 2007 12:50
Junkrock:
I really like your new design, graphically anyways.

The problem is that it's not made for small resolutions. I'm running 1280x800 on my laptop and the width is very nice but I have to scroll a bit down. Nowadays the standard resolution is 1024x768 which means it's much smaller on the width and slightly smaller on the height, these people will have to scroll your site both down and to the right.

Another thing is that on your about page the right scrollbar takes up so much space that a bottom scrollbar appears, at least it does on Firefox.

Oh, and you should remove the "Listen" option from the menu as it makes no sense

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tha_rami
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Posted: 15th Nov 2007 12:52
Now thĂ¡t looks much more professional. The music pack pages also show a horizontal scrollbar for me, which is a bit of a shame. Still the image thing, but as it seems you're okay with that; okay with me .


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Digital Awakening
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Posted: 15th Nov 2007 13:07
I didn't look at the pack pages. BTW, you have some very large images, like horror_01.png is 125.22 kB in size. This is something that normally is only text and thus much less then 1 kB.

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Roxas
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Posted: 15th Nov 2007 14:05
O_O

Your music is amazing! Nice job
Site is good too

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5Louiz
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Posted: 15th Nov 2007 14:11 Edited at: 15th Nov 2007 14:12
The site and the tunes are beautiful.

Did you make that player as well? It is very good.

Megaton Cat
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Posted: 15th Nov 2007 15:45 Edited at: 15th Nov 2007 15:46
The background art is pretty nice. I'd get rid of the cheese drop shadow/inner shadow/belevel effects though. They're not really used well in this scenario.

5Louiz: what the hell is up with your sig?

Junkrock
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Posted: 15th Nov 2007 20:07
Hey, Thanks for the comments. I bought the media player from Wimpy http://www.wimpyplayer.com/ Its a very cool player.

Heh the visual look of the site (including used effects) are of my personal choice and I think they look pretty cool...each to their own a I guess. Keep in mind also I'm no web designer I'm just a musician, its the best I can do with what I have

I apologize for sizing issues but everybody can handle a little bit of scrolling every now and again...lazy beggars

Thanks again all.

DaZ

Digital Awakening
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Posted: 15th Nov 2007 20:32
Junkrock:
There are people who doesn't bother with pages where they have to do more then use the mouse wheel (no side scrolling). But since your visitors usually are after something you are sort of safe.

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Junkrock
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Posted: 15th Nov 2007 21:46
Heh the only thing that matters on my site is the media player anyways and that plays from the start so its hard to miss. My site is more about hosting my portfolio than trying to sell things so I can get away with the minimum.

DaZ

bitJericho
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Posted: 15th Nov 2007 21:54
I think it looks fine. I am running at a fairly high res though

You should make sure that text appears somewhere as text (rather than image), for google food.


The greatest multiplayer text adventure ever...
Keo C
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Posted: 15th Nov 2007 22:05
Quote: "
You should make sure that text appears somewhere as text (rather than image), for google food.
"
Or cram it full of meta tags


5Louiz
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Posted: 15th Nov 2007 23:31
Aikicat, my signature basically warns that I am not a comedian. Lame, isn't it?

Cheers.

Keo C
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Posted: 15th Nov 2007 23:45
Hot thread.


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