REVIEW REQUEST: MikeSussman.com & PattySussman.com
I know the first thing you're gonna say: "But you can't have two sites reviewed in one thread!" Yes it's two domains but it's really only one website. You'll see what I mean in just a minute...
MikeSussman.com
PattySussman.com
See, I told you it was really only one website. Through the power of php variables I have one domain for me and one for my wife, but it's all the same pages. You'll see a link to switch templates at the bottom of every page. Of course there was no reason to make two different sites since most of the content will be the same. Other than the color difference, you'll notice that my domain has more navigation links. Also on the 'Family' page you'll see that 'Our Story' will print "Patty and I" if it's from my domain and will print "Mike and I" if it's her domain.
Warning: It's only 50% complete! Also keep in mind that this is just a personal website (until I finish my TV section), so right now my visitors are just family and friends looking at photos.
Questions:
#1) Do you like or not like having a splash page? What about this one in particular? I know it's real simple but I don't really have a natural 'home' page.
#2) Should I ditch the table limit and let it flow out to the right on bigger browsers? If so, why not center the whole page?
Known Problems:
#1) Built for IE but looks okay in NS6. But what's with the margin on the very right side of most pages (except the guestbook)?
#2) Gallery has margin all around (not just on the right.
#3) Net mechanic says BODY TOPMARGIN is no good for NS6. Seems to work fine for top bottom and left but not right (see #1). So what's the NS6 version of this attribute?
Thanks everybody!
Busy posted this at 09:07 — 15th January 2003.
He has: 6,151 posts
Joined: May 2001
As a personal website there aren't any rules as such, so splash pages etc are no problems - except ... If I was to return everynow and then to check on the family I'd bookmark the contents page as it's what I want to see
add marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" to your body tag or better ye use margin 0; in CSS for NS and Opera.
Not sure how netwise yoru family and friends are but I'd swap the links and underlined text around - make text bold (no underline) and links underlined.
I like those scripts that tell you what browser your using when you use Opera, with Opera I'm using IE5, Opera and NS4.7 lol 3 browsers in one.
what are the symbols next to the date on the guestbook?
The gallery flows and is nicely spaced in IE5 and Opera6
I'm not a fan of green but both look good, good work
disaster-master posted this at 14:30 — 15th January 2003.
She has: 2,154 posts
Joined: May 2001
I like the site(s) and think the splash page is fine.
My favorite page was Maegan Says.
That is a great idea and will be something that you and she can look back on and cherish.
Not crazy about the colors either. They aren't bad...just a personal preference.
The little images that you have on the family page of you, patty and maegan would look better without the lines in them IMO.
Nice work.
Megan posted this at 15:25 — 15th January 2003.
She has: 11,421 posts
Joined: Jun 1999
I don't mind the splash pages here. I think splash pages are alright for personal sites like this - sets a tone right off. Even with the simple design you've used here I think these pages are quire effective.
The actual interior pages are a litlte on the boring side. You could try to experiment with some curves and such to add interest. Look around for more unique looking fonts as well. One thing I really don't like is those graphics on the gallery page - the frames just look cheesy IMO and don't fit the clean design of the rest of the site.
A good job overall.
Megan
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taff posted this at 17:53 — 16th January 2003.
They have: 956 posts
Joined: Jun 2001
I like both colour schemes. I can't say the same about the snowflakes though
I got a little sidetracked on the critique thing when I hit "Maegan Says" - those are priceless!
.....
The Webmistress posted this at 08:13 — 17th January 2003.
She has: 5,586 posts
Joined: Feb 2001
I pretty much agree with everyone else here. As a personal site you have the freedom to experiment with different colours and layouts. There is nothing wrong with what you have here but IMO it looks a bit conservative.
Julia - if life was meant to be easy Michael Angelo would have painted the floor....
Renegade posted this at 10:37 — 17th January 2003.
He has: 3,022 posts
Joined: Oct 2002
It looks cool, only other thing I can say about it is that the snowflakes are a bit distracting
fifeclub posted this at 15:24 — 18th January 2003.
He has: 688 posts
Joined: Feb 2001
Thanks everyone. I'll be keeping all of your comments and suggestions in mind as I eventually tweak things. But since it is a personal site I may not get around to some things right away. Thanks.
P.S. Way to nail the term "conservaive", 'Webmistress'. Not that I was going for that particular word but now that you said it, that is a good description of the style.
P.P.S. Check out one wierd change. In the footer of every page was this code between each link at the bottom:
<?php ‌
?>
<?php
?>
Busy posted this at 20:22 — 18th January 2003.
He has: 6,151 posts
Joined: May 2001
Some characters aren't fully supported and databases can corrupt these symbols. It also can become corrupt due to the type of font used as not all symbols work in all font styles.
I'm not sure what zwnj is off hand (with checking) is there a word for it ie: © is also ©
fifeclub posted this at 02:56 — 19th January 2003.
He has: 688 posts
Joined: Feb 2001
Its supposed to be a straight up and down line separator. I don't know of any alternate code, but maybe I can just copy and paste the actual symbol into the code (once I find it again).
Busy posted this at 04:14 — 19th January 2003.
He has: 6,151 posts
Joined: May 2001
you mean a "|" ? just type it out as that (shift and backslash - the one under the backspace, above the enter key)
Abhishek Reddy posted this at 04:30 — 19th January 2003.
He has: 3,348 posts
Joined: Jul 2001
Or under the enter key, between the SHIFT and foward-slash key; or somewhere in the top-left region of your keyboard (?).
three posted this at 07:48 — 19th January 2003.
They have: 8 posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Cute kid. Clean site. Online family fun is always a good idea. Bet the relitives love it. Keep the flakes...set the mood of the home town, I'm originally from jersey.
sean
Chaotrics Design
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