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Geek Culture / My Website - A credit to what a Mac can do out of the box

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Blue Shadow
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Posted: 2nd Jul 2006 19:07
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Hey guys,

After having my Black MacBook for just over two months I decided to put it to good use and create a website for my mums step dad for him to sell his photos. The whole website was made completely out of the box, except for a small piece of watermarking software, iWatermark, that cost me £10. I think that this just shows how great the iLife suite is on the Mac. The seamless integration between iPhoto and iWeb is exactly what I needed to create a website to showcase the photos.

Secondly, I think my webiste is a credit to the fantastic hosting provided by Frozen Flame. He has always been more than happy to help me and deal with any problems I've had.

Anyways, if you want to check out my webiste you can visit it at http://www.robindurrant.com. Any feedback or comments you have would be greatly appreciated, along with any tips on getting more traffic to my site.

Thanks,

Mike (Blue Shadow)



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Nicholas Thompson
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Posted: 2nd Jul 2006 20:14
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Nice design! Template or made yourself?

Advice: Get some meta tags in there (description and keyword). Also, the title "Welcome" is not descriptive. Give the site a proper title and if you need to, "pipe" it with welcome.. eg:
"Blue Shadows Site"
"Welcome | Blue Shadows Site"
"Projects | Blue Shadows Site"
"DBP Program | Projects | Blue Shadows Site"

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Blue Shadow
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Posted: 2nd Jul 2006 21:31
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Thanks Nick. Its actually a template from iWeb, the application I made the site in. I had thought about using meta tags, but somebody told me they were old new and hardly any of the serach engines used them any more.



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Megaton Cat
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Posted: 2nd Jul 2006 21:33
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I like it. Though is it really nessasary to write "Made on a mac" at the bottom?


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Robin
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Posted: 2nd Jul 2006 21:52
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Yeah very nice site

I use google sitemaps with my sites so I tell the search engines which pages to include in it's directory: http://www.google.com/webmasters/sitemaps/

Also make your site known by getting links to your site on other related sites. This increases the pagerank of your site and it's position in search results.

Robin


http://www.robinsgames.com http://www.darkbasicgames.com
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Blue Shadow
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Posted: 2nd Jul 2006 22:27
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Thanks for the positive feedback guys. I tried he sitemaps tool, got as far as verifying my domain, which i did, and then saw what you have to do to create a sitemap and was like . I might try that when I'm a little more awake and alert.

It would also be nice to hear some feedback from anyone who knows anything about photos as to the pricing of mine. I have no idea if these are too cheap, to expensive, or about right.

Thanks again,

Michael



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Robin
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Posted: 2nd Jul 2006 22:33
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my sitemap is just a .txt file with a list of all the pages I want to include in the search engines.


http://www.robinsgames.com http://www.darkbasicgames.com
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Zappo
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Posted: 3rd Jul 2006 00:41 Edited at: 3rd Jul 2006 00:44
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The 'keywords' and 'description' meta tags certainly are still being used by many search engines. As mentioned further up, the 'title' tag is very important too - especially to Google.
Also look up info on 'robots.txt' and the 'robots' meta tag. By default, the search robots spider all your links anyway but its good to know about them if there are ever any pages you would rather not get spidered.

Edit: Just as a side note... I always advise people to not put spaces in their folder or file names. Its makes linking to files more difficult and it doesn't look good in the browsers URL bar when you see lots of %20 codes.
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Michael S
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Posted: 3rd Jul 2006 04:45
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Very nice, i like the design alot.


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Megaton Cat
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Posted: 3rd Jul 2006 06:03
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Ugh, just noticed that it's an iWeb template, taking back my comment about the design. How do you sleep at night after getting such good comments on the design when you know you did not create the design?

Sorry, I'm sure your code must be solid but I can't respect the design.


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Les Horribres
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Posted: 3rd Jul 2006 07:35
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I think it is okay... but the pessimist in me is crying out.

Click and Drag websites are, okay, but I always feel it is better to code your pages. I mean it is okay to click and drag little things but when you want the REAL stuff it comes down to multiple hassles. Table in a table with a frame in one of the cells in the tables’ table. By far easier to code then to manipulate a limited program.

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JerBil
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Posted: 3rd Jul 2006 07:57
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Looks good, but can you maybe use jpeg for the thumbnails? They take
too long to load.

-JerBil

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Drew Cameron
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Posted: 3rd Jul 2006 12:01
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Lovely template! Seriously.

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Blue Shadow
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Posted: 3rd Jul 2006 19:51
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I know its an iWeb template, and i thought id specified that it was an iWeb template; hence the topic was a credit to what a mac can do out of the box, not a credit to my wonderful design skills.

As per the comments regarding 'real webpages are coded by hand' I dont really agree with that. If a website is functional, easy to use, looks nice and fullfils its purpose then it doesnt really matter how you made it. Its like saying that 'real' games are made in C++, whilst there are some fantastic games made in DBP.

Thanks for all the other comments guys. Glad you like the website. I know I didnt take the pictures either, but there are some fantastic photos there. Especially in the "Other Animals" section.

Lastly, to get my site noticed I should include meta tags, and submit a sitemap to google? Any other tips for increasing traffic?

Thanks again,

Mike



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Les Horribres
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Posted: 3rd Jul 2006 19:55
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'real webpages are coded by hand'

I never said that... did I say that?
Quote: "Click and Drag websites are, okay, but I always feel it is better to code your pages."


What I said was that software is currently not at a point where you can't type what you want faster then click and pointing it. Sure if you do the simple templates, as shown, but the more complex you get the harder it is to USE the software to do what you want.

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Blue Shadow
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Posted: 3rd Jul 2006 20:37
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I apologise, I was paraphrasing and posting from memory. I should have re checked your post before posting. Sorry.



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Megaton Cat
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Posted: 3rd Jul 2006 20:46
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Quote: "and i thought id specified that it was an iWeb template"


Thee is a difference between clearly stating it's a template in your original post, and stating it's a template only AFTER someone's specifically asked if it was a template.

I know you didn't directly lie and say you made the design, but in my eyes it's the same as making a post saying "Hey guy's here's my website" and not mentioning that you didn't design it.

Just my 2C. (God I am sick of that phrase)


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Blue Shadow
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Posted: 3rd Jul 2006 20:54 Edited at: 3rd Jul 2006 20:55
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Once again I apologise. I forgot that most of you wern't on macs and had never used the iLife software. The whole principle of iWeb is that you build a website around a template, therefore making it unnecessary to specify that it was made with a template. I forgot that most of you were still on windows machine. You should come over to the dark side, we have cookies.

And you know what they say, once you go mac, you don't go back. (or was that black?)



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Megaton Cat
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Posted: 3rd Jul 2006 21:01
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No problems, I had no clue what iWeb was untill this thread so you gotta let my Maccy ignorence slide aswell.


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Jeku
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Posted: 4th Jul 2006 22:54
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This doesn't really show what a Mac can do, as there are countless templates and web apps out there for PCs.


"I understand creative people. After all, I worked with towel designers." - Ray Kassar, former head of Atari
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Blue Shadow
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Posted: 5th Jul 2006 00:59
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Although the final result may not be any different to what you can achieve on a PC, its the workflow that is important. For example, I gurantee that the workflow on the Mac is far more seamless, and overall a more pleasant experience. For example, how long would it take, and how many pieces of software would you need to import 3000 photos, sort them, correct colour balances, smoothen, sharpen, ajust practically every aspect of the photo and divide them into different albums. Then select each of these albums, design a watermark and watermark every photo, then sort them by date and rename them adding a number to the end of their filenames. Then use these watermarked photos to create photo albums for over 300 photos. On a PC you would have to manually import each thumbnail, then link it to a larger version, then code the slideshow settings. On the Mac you only need 4 pieces of software, all that integrate smoothly and seamlessly together:

1) iPhoto - Importing and Editing Photos
2) iWatermark - Watermarking the photos
3) Automater - Renaming and sequencing batches of files
4) iWeb - Creating the actual website

Im not saying it couldnt be done on a PC, its just that it is far more simple on a Mac.



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Mnemonix
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Posted: 5th Jul 2006 16:56
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Quote: "Im not saying it couldnt be done on a PC, its just that it is far more simple on a Mac."


Thats speculative at best. How much of the software for windows have you used? Your coming to say how good a mac is at doing such a menial task and its rather pointless tbh. The mac was not designed to be brilliant at allowing people to make simple websites.

WE SHALL BECOME ALL POWERFUL! CRUSH THE LESSER RACES! CONQUER THE GALAXY! UNIMAGINABLE POWER! UNLIMITED RICE PUDDING ! ! ! ETC. ! ! ! ETC.! ! !
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Megaton Cat
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Posted: 5th Jul 2006 17:07 Edited at: 5th Jul 2006 17:08
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Quote: "For example, how long would it take, and how many pieces of software would you need to import 3000 photos, sort them, correct colour balances, smoothen, sharpen, ajust practically every aspect of the photo and divide them into different albums. Then select each of these albums, design a watermark and watermark every photo, then sort them by date and rename them adding a number to the end of their filenames. Then use these watermarked photos to create photo albums for over 300 photos."


On a PC, using Macromedia Fireworks Batch Process? Mere minutes. I wouldn't even have to do anything.

Quote: "On a PC you would have to manually import each thumbnail, then link it to a larger version, then code the slideshow settings. On the Mac you only need 4 pieces of software, all that integrate smoothly and seamlessly together"


That's a joke right?

I think it's already been proven by well known designers/artists that it doesn't matter if you're on a PC or Mac - you can still create kick-ass work.

And seriously? I'd rather continue using one program that does 4 tasks for you (Fireworks/Photoshop) rather then use 4 programs for 4 tasks.
(iPhoto? iWatermark? iWtf?)


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Blue Shadow
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Posted: 5th Jul 2006 18:04
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Quote: "Thats speculative at best."


Actually, thats fact. Its all very well saying you can do it with Macromedia Fireworks, Flash, Dreamweaver and whatever else. Thats nice, but has no bearing whatsoever on the topic. This is about what a Mac can do out of the box, and none of those software packages are included when you buy your PC.

Quote: "How much of the software for windows have you used?"


Once again this is a comparison between what a PC can do out of the box, and what a Mac can do. Having made websites on both PC and Mac, I am purely saying that *I* find it easier on a Mac.

Quote: "Your coming to say how good a mac is at doing such a menial task and its rather pointless tbh."


If its such a pointless discussion, why post? Surely that would be more pointless, as I achieved something from my post and you did not?

This is not supposed to be a discussion between Mac vs PC. It was purely to advertise my site, recieve some feedback on the general layout and pricing/formats available for purchasing, and to be a one off comparison of the web design features of a Mac and PC out of the box. It was also supposed to advertise the fantastic free hosting provided by Frozen Flame at www.galekus.com. If you can't appreciate what this topic is about, then kindly dont waste your own time, and others, by posting.



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Mnemonix
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Posted: 5th Jul 2006 21:06
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What if the pc has linux (Which is free).

Some distros of linux out of the box will have undoubtedly better capabilities of creating websites. Why not just post saying you want to advertise your site?

WE SHALL BECOME ALL POWERFUL! CRUSH THE LESSER RACES! CONQUER THE GALAXY! UNIMAGINABLE POWER! UNLIMITED RICE PUDDING ! ! ! ETC. ! ! ! ETC.! ! !
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Nicholas Thompson
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Posted: 5th Jul 2006 21:15
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Quote: "Why not just post saying you want to advertise your site?"


Stop playing Devils Advocate! And what are the first 2 words of his subject line?

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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 5th Jul 2006 21:40
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Quote: "And what are the first 2 words of his subject line?"


Eat pie? I don't get it...

Quote: "Stop playing Devils Advocate!"

Please don't, I wanna play! I love that game, I wish there were games these days that are just as fun.

The website looks good considering you used standard tools, which does show how iSuite is more suitable as standard than Microsoft Works and how it can compete with some buyers, but as Jeku said, it shows nothing of Apple Mac, just their software I hope they like the website though, its better than one of the free webs designs, even though you used standard templates, not much credit can be given, but just play with it to get more original work out of it.

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Nicholas Thompson
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Posted: 5th Jul 2006 21:49
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Quote: "[quote]Quote: "And what are the first 2 words of his subject line?""


Eat pie? I don't get it...[/quote]

Quote: "My Website - A credit to what a Mac can do out of the box"


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Jeku
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Posted: 6th Jul 2006 03:05
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Quote: "Im not saying it couldnt be done on a PC, its just that it is far more simple on a Mac."


It's not the OS that makes it easy, but the software


"I understand creative people. After all, I worked with towel designers." - Ray Kassar, former head of Atari
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Saikoro
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Posted: 6th Jul 2006 05:25
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flame flame flame

banter soapbox flame

flame banter banter soapbox

trainwreck flame trainwreck

locky chu


I like the site.


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ionstream
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Posted: 6th Jul 2006 05:50
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Well, I made a web server in Python and now all of my web pages can be coded in python!

Anyways, the website looks good. Loads kind of slow for me, though.

Quote: "Actually, thats fact."


No it's not, it's opinion. You can't just say something is a "fact" because you strongly believe it. Get the right software and it doesn't matter what platform your on.

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Saikoro
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Posted: 6th Jul 2006 05:58
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Quote: "Get the right software and it doesn't matter what platform your on."


Out Of The Box


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ionstream
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Oh. Then forget what I said. .

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Hobgoblin Lord
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Posted: 6th Jul 2006 06:13
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Quote: "Out Of The Box"


That is a vague statement however, You buy a cheepo system and sure ya get MS works, my sister in law however had to buy a laptop for school, and had to purchase it through the school, and out of the box it has photoshop cs, live, pagemaker and a few other goodies. So it depends on what "box" your getting it out of. what do you get from Mac for a $299 system compared to a $1,700 system?

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Nicholas Thompson
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Posted: 6th Jul 2006 09:33
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from Mac I dont think you can get anything resembling a system for $299! That'd barely get you an iPod nano!

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Cash Curtis II
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Posted: 6th Jul 2006 09:42
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Well, I think that it's a nice example of what a Mac can do with almost entirely included software. Dreamweaver is fantastic, the perfect blend of editor and manual coding, but it sure doesn't come with a computer.

You might get a lite version of Frontpage with a new computer, but Frontpage is only good for testing new viruses out on. Just terrible.

Macs are always making me jealous. At least Windows has DBP.


Come see the WIP!
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Hobgoblin Lord
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Posted: 6th Jul 2006 13:31 Edited at: 6th Jul 2006 13:33
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Hmm. THis post is not a Mac knock just did some comparing.

Looks like the cheapest Mac is the Mac mini for $599 that does not include a monitor or any extras.

Recently I bought an emachines system for $499.00 did not come with all the great software the mac does I am sure but I did get a monitor (17" crt so say $75-$100) a Printer ($50 that I gave away) 512 MB more ram $60, 2.6 ghz compared to the minis 1.53, slightly larger hard drive 100gb compared to 60gb ($20), My dvd drive is a RW not just a ROM, 1 more usb port (whoop de doo), I got an 8 in 1 card reader but no big deal, Powered speakers ($15),Now its not listed in the contents of the box but I assume the mac comes with a keyboard and mouse.

Adding this up and not counting the processor speed difference, or the ability to burn dvd's, I get a little over $300 difference, not alot but I think for $300 I could custom tailor the software I need and not really care if it all comes in the same "box". Also I have seen systems closer to the specs of that mini (with a monitor but a 400 mhz bus) as low as $149 over the holidays and about $299 quite often.

So I guess my opinion is this whole "out of the box" thing is a marketing ploy that is not worth my $300.00

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Nicholas Thompson
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Posted: 6th Jul 2006 14:07
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1) The mini's use one of Intel's latest CPU's - the two Mini's you can get in the UK are 1.5Ghz Solo and 1.66Ghz dual core. Was that 2.6 a Celeron or something?
2) The Mac's come with MacOS X. Idont know if you've used it before, but (PERSONALLLY SPEAKING) I find it MUCH easier to work with compared to windows.

Also, you're not comparing like for like.

You're comparing a machine which has got a market edge compared to a machine which is fairly niche. Its not like for like - one is just a box which has windows and a bunch of crap hardware in it and marketted to be cheap. The other is a machine which is engineered and aimed at a specific market. Also - the Mini is gonna cost more because its so small. You'd probably be better off comparing Mac Mini's and AMD/Intel Shuttle PC's.

I'm not arguing against you though. Macs are VERY overpriced and you an pick up a more powerfull PC for less - but Macs are aimed at more professional users (like graphic designers, video editors, geeks who like shiny new toys, etc)

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soapyfish
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Posted: 6th Jul 2006 14:09 Edited at: 6th Jul 2006 14:13
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The site takes a while to load on 56k but that's to be expected of a photography site. The photographs are great and I like the idea of selling the calanders, cards etc.

As a Mac-head I agree that it's a great showcase of what a mac can do out of a box. Even if you could get a computer with dreamweaver, photoshop etc installed I think it's worth remembering that the site is a showcase of the photographers skills, not the web masters. I realise you made the site but in my opinion iweb is the perfect app for peope who want a quick and easy way to showcase their work without having to spend time learning how to use something more complicated (now someone's going to say a photographer probably already knows how to use photoshop).

I'll say again, great photographs.

<º))))><.·´¯`·.Here's to the crazy ones¸.·´¯`·.¸><((((º>
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Hobgoblin Lord
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Posted: 6th Jul 2006 15:12
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Quote: "Its not like for like"


I was not trying to directly compare the two machines I just chose the mini cuz it was the dirt cheapest item on apples site, looking a regular desktops were like $1,700+. I wanted to find something as close as possible to the price I paid. I agree Mac's are the unit of choice if you are in the arts (video, music, graphic design), though unless I was really hardcore into one of those fields I would likely still get a PC. As for the processor it is an amd athlon.

Quote: " find it MUCH easier to work with compared to windows."


I have worked with it some, though not extensively, and I agree it is easy to use and we all know windows can be a pain in the ass. I would still choose windows however for the matter of available software, have to think there is a reason mac are setting up to allow windows installs now.

I have been an apple fan for a long time and were they more resonably priced I would likely get one, but when I look at $1,700 for a low priced (compared to some of their others) desktop I could put that money into a PC and get a really good system (not that I don't like the one I have now).

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