Sports Central's New Design...

mjames's picture

They have: 2,064 posts

Joined: Dec 1999

Hello fellow posters,

I'd like to request a review for my site, Sports Central.

The current site and design is at http://www.sports-central.org . That design has worn stale and it is time for a change. My new design is at http://www.sports-central.org/new_sc/index.shtml .

I'd like all positive/negative comments anyone might have. I've worked hard and would like to make it as user friendly as possible. Keep in mind this is design is still in the testing stages and it hasn't been launched as the new design yet. I figured I would tweak it more before it comes into full use.

Users in the past have said we designed it in/for 640x480 (*gasp*). It wasn't/isn't. We use 1024x780 and 1280x1024.

Also, if you try clicking on the links, they will work, but the pages will still be using the old design. These pages have yet to be converted to the new one.

I look forward to implementing improvements and suggestions you all might have.

Thanks!

[Edited by mjames86 on 07-28-2000 at 01:03 PM]

They have: 184 posts

Joined: Jun 2000

Hmm. Looks alright to me. However, one suggestion I would have is [if you want to] make that blue table on the right side a bit lighter, because the Black Text, while seeable, is a bit lost in the fray of things.

Mike Fisher
Hypertrophy (design)
[email protected]
ICQ: 38389521
"Taking over TWF, one post at a time."

mjames's picture

They have: 2,064 posts

Joined: Dec 1999

I kind of like the dark blue versus the old, lighter blue on the old design. Besides, if I did on the right side, it would be unbalanced with the left side.

Anyone else? I'd love to hear more comments.

Justin S's picture

They have: 2,076 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

Hmm, well this is hard, 'cause I don't really see much improvement over the last one, but the design is totally different. So I'll just comment on the new one...

1) The logo. First of all, I would move the blue circle thing to before the Sports Central text. Second, that black text for 'Sports Central' is pretty boring.

2) The design would look better centered.

3) Why not make all the text on the right bar white? It would look better and more uniform with the left menu bar, and it would also be easier to read.

The design/layout is fine. But, like I said, I don't see much improvement over the last design. The biggest improvement I see is that the graphics aren't fuzzy in the new design.

They have: 98 posts

Joined: Apr 1999

I agree with Justin's comments for the most part but I really like the new logo compared to the old one which was well, lost in the midst of design elements in the old design.

R Smith
The XRS Network - Webmaster and Developer Resources, Tools, etc.
XRSolutions - Professional yet Affordable Design and Development.
Unified - An Extensive Site Dedicated to Creed.

mjames's picture

They have: 2,064 posts

Joined: Dec 1999

Thanks guys! I've implemented several of your suggestions, including centering the design and changing the font color on the right side's font color to white. Check it out at http://www.sports-central.org/new_sc/index.shtml .

Keep the ideas, comments, and suggestions flowing!

[Edited by mjames86 on 07-28-2000 at 01:03 PM]

They have: 677 posts

Joined: Mar 1999

It took a really longtime to load.
I dont know why, but it did. I like the design its good really, i think.

Shaq and Kobe could always beet everyone else...

The banner in the left nav bar, that should go most definitly.

Cool Sports site.
-----------
Ken Prescott
http://www.21studios.com

Ken Prescott

They have: 472 posts

Joined: Oct 1999

I would prefer the new one.

Justin S's picture

They have: 2,076 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

Yeah, it looks like the server you're on isn't doing to good right now. It took forever to connect to the site and download it. All the other sites I'm looking at are working fine, so it must be the server. Anyway...

I think the changed you implemented made the site look better overall.

They have: 98 posts

Joined: Apr 1999

The site loaded fairly quickly for me and I do like the changes like the centering, etc. However, the little bit of black text in the right column where the fan poll is a little hard to read with that kind of blue. Other than that, it looks good. Oh yes, by the way, Jordan/Pippen would beat any other duo in the Fan Poll... Smiling

R Smith
The XRS Network - Webmaster and Developer Resources, Tools, etc.
XRSolutions - Professional yet Affordable Design and Development.
Unified - An Extensive Site Dedicated to Creed.

mjames's picture

They have: 2,064 posts

Joined: Dec 1999

I just realized I forgot to change the font color of the poll question. That should be fixed now, my bad.

I think it would look at little better if I put some space above the button on the left side bar, but I can't figure out how to do it. I tried putting a there, but nothing happened. Please help.

As for the load time concern, it was definetely the server last night. It was the same when I tried it. It should be back to normal now... I'm switching hosts to ThinkHost so I can get a UNIX server instead of NT, some actual tech support, unlimited subdomains and POP accounts, etc., which this host I'm currently with doesn't have.

mjames's picture

They have: 2,064 posts

Joined: Dec 1999

I decided to use SSI (after I finally figured it out!). This is a plus, meaning no more javascript and people with javascript disabled can now view the site.

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