The colors of the nav buttons should match the top part. The blue that they are now do not match. Too drab looking.
The shadow(i think that is what it is suppossed to be) around the left side of the top bar looks jaggie and deosn't look like a shadow. I'd remove it.(the gray part)
Your nav buttons are jagged on the curved side.
Looks nice and clean so far.
Oh, and the text for your buttons on the top bar are 3 different sizes and also are hard to read. Try a different font. Maybe Veranda.
That's the first thing I was going to pick on too. That's the problem with using buttons for navigation - you have to make all your labels fit on the buttons in the same font size. Maybe just expand the width of those buttons to fit the text, having them go all the way across the top there. I don't think it would be a big problem if they're not all the same size either. Mouseovers would be a big improvement as well.
Now, I'm a little confused as to what your site is about. It sounds like it's a local portal? The design really doesn't seem to be appropriate for that but then I've never been there so what do I know.
Don't style your form buttons like that on the search box - I didn't readily identify it as a form, so I imagine a lot of newbiews would have an even harder time with that. You have to be careful with styling forms and things like that to make sure they still look like forms!
I would also like to see more content on the front page there, and more space for it. Those news headlines seem really crammed in there.
You know what, I just noticed that your site title does not appear anywhere in the logo/header/nav design. You really need to get that in there somewhere so people will know who you are and remember you!
I like the boxes in the graphic there. It would be neat if you could have them do something on mouseover - would be kind of fun to see them change colour and have them point to.... maybe some of the websites hosted there, and have the site title pop up below the graphic.... neat. I am seeing a little white line between "pages", the middle few boxes there and again beside "help" - dunno if that's just my browser or what.
the top buttons of course must be fixed.
the side buttons are misleading since you expect the whole blue part to be clickable but it's not.
the search really oughtn't be yellow.
the middle block of text is too islanded by white.
nice logo.
ValleyPages posted this at 07:56 — 17th November 2001.
Thanks for the tips. I forgot to remake buttons for the left navbar... Those buttons are originals that came with the DHTML script from dhtmlcentral.com. I'll change the color and make them more interesting, maybe add some subtle graphics on the button (little paintbrush for art, etc.)
I'm trying to keep it clean and so easy to navigate that lynx users would find any page. About the top buttons, I'll change the font or size. I'm thinking either the same font (that technical one), Verdana or Poor Richard. Something like this? About the mouseovers, I have these drop downs coming down.
Quote: Now, I'm a little confused as to what your site is about. It sounds like it's a local portal?
Yes, it is. I'll make sure to mention it often.
Quote: You know what, I just noticed that your site title does not appear anywhere in the logo/header/nav design. You really need to get that in there somewhere so people will know who you are and remember you!
Very true. Will be sure to put the name in.
Quote: I am seeing a little white line between "pages"
I saw it too in both IE5.5 and NS6. Thanks for pointing that out.
Minus the styling on the search box, it saves me a few kb's.
I have a question: Is it overkill using two navigation menus like I plan on doing?
The side buttons dont show up in Netscape 4.7, read the comments about them but never saw em so opened up IE to see how it should be.
Another thing is your top section, it has gaps in Net4.7 at the end, its 'pages' gap graphic section gap help. you have a lot of empty table cells (td's), always use in these or you'll get gaps in netscape etc
the search section is input box (normal) new line search button drop down selection, unlike IE where you have a yellow box, search button and selection box on next line.
sorry have to do this, "like ya know, like I love how it shows my time zone and all, like totally tubular :)" sorry but I've watched to many bubblegum movies
oh and i like the squares on the banner, gives it depth and effect
ValleyPages posted this at 07:13 — 18th November 2001.
if so nope, but seeing a set up like this I'd be more inclined to only use the side ones as thats where the content is, but having the top ones can be great for showing a few main pages, like updates, sitemap, home, contact etc, kinda like sub sections.
Brykess posted this at 03:54 — 20th November 2001.
some of the navigation buttons aren't working that well. Also, the server that you have is quite slow. I am on a t-3 line and it loaded slow. I came back again later and it was slow again.
Other than that, the site is nice. Keep up the good work.
`Bryan
Want to join the discussion? Create an account or log in if you already have one. Joining is fast, free and painless! We’ll even whisk you back here when you’ve finished.
disaster-master posted this at 19:59 — 16th November 2001.
She has: 2,154 posts
Joined: May 2001
The colors of the nav buttons should match the top part. The blue that they are now do not match. Too drab looking.
The shadow(i think that is what it is suppossed to be) around the left side of the top bar looks jaggie and deosn't look like a shadow. I'd remove it.(the gray part)
Your nav buttons are jagged on the curved side.
Looks nice and clean so far.
Oh, and the text for your buttons on the top bar are 3 different sizes and also are hard to read. Try a different font. Maybe Veranda.
Megan posted this at 21:01 — 16th November 2001.
She has: 11,421 posts
Joined: Jun 1999
That's the first thing I was going to pick on too. That's the problem with using buttons for navigation - you have to make all your labels fit on the buttons in the same font size. Maybe just expand the width of those buttons to fit the text, having them go all the way across the top there. I don't think it would be a big problem if they're not all the same size either. Mouseovers would be a big improvement as well.
Now, I'm a little confused as to what your site is about. It sounds like it's a local portal? The design really doesn't seem to be appropriate for that but then I've never been there so what do I know.
Don't style your form buttons like that on the search box - I didn't readily identify it as a form, so I imagine a lot of newbiews would have an even harder time with that. You have to be careful with styling forms and things like that to make sure they still look like forms!
I would also like to see more content on the front page there, and more space for it. Those news headlines seem really crammed in there.
You know what, I just noticed that your site title does not appear anywhere in the logo/header/nav design. You really need to get that in there somewhere so people will know who you are and remember you!
I like the boxes in the graphic there. It would be neat if you could have them do something on mouseover - would be kind of fun to see them change colour and have them point to.... maybe some of the websites hosted there, and have the site title pop up below the graphic.... neat. I am seeing a little white line between "pages", the middle few boxes there and again beside "help" - dunno if that's just my browser or what.
Megan
Connect with us on Facebook!
aqzsvwx12345 posted this at 02:55 — 17th November 2001.
They have: 45 posts
Joined: Oct 2001
the top buttons of course must be fixed.
the side buttons are misleading since you expect the whole blue part to be clickable but it's not.
the search really oughtn't be yellow.
the middle block of text is too islanded by white.
nice logo.
ValleyPages posted this at 07:56 — 17th November 2001.
He has: 46 posts
Joined: Nov 2001
Thanks for the tips. I forgot to remake buttons for the left navbar... Those buttons are originals that came with the DHTML script from dhtmlcentral.com. I'll change the color and make them more interesting, maybe add some subtle graphics on the button (little paintbrush for art, etc.)
I'm trying to keep it clean and so easy to navigate that lynx users would find any page. About the top buttons, I'll change the font or size. I'm thinking either the same font (that technical one), Verdana or Poor Richard. Something like this?
About the mouseovers, I have these drop downs coming down.
Yes, it is. I'll make sure to mention it often.
Very true. Will be sure to put the name in.
I saw it too in both IE5.5 and NS6. Thanks for pointing that out.
Minus the styling on the search box, it saves me a few kb's.
I have a question: Is it overkill using two navigation menus like I plan on doing?
I appreciate the feedback. This site rox! :wave:
Busy posted this at 08:25 — 17th November 2001.
He has: 6,151 posts
Joined: May 2001
The side buttons dont show up in Netscape 4.7, read the comments about them but never saw em so opened up IE to see how it should be.
Another thing is your top section, it has gaps in Net4.7 at the end, its 'pages' gap graphic section gap help. you have a lot of empty table cells (td's), always use in these or you'll get gaps in netscape etc
the search section is input box (normal) new line search button drop down selection, unlike IE where you have a yellow box, search button and selection box on next line.
sorry have to do this, "like ya know, like I love how it shows my time zone and all, like totally tubular :)" sorry but I've watched to many bubblegum movies
oh and i like the squares on the banner, gives it depth and effect
ValleyPages posted this at 07:13 — 18th November 2001.
He has: 46 posts
Joined: Nov 2001
I have some new comments-see above
ValleyPages posted this at 11:31 — 19th November 2001.
He has: 46 posts
Joined: Nov 2001
I have a question: Is it overkill using two navigation menus like I plan on doing?
Busy posted this at 23:29 — 19th November 2001.
He has: 6,151 posts
Joined: May 2001
You mean the couple at the top and the side?
if so nope, but seeing a set up like this I'd be more inclined to only use the side ones as thats where the content is, but having the top ones can be great for showing a few main pages, like updates, sitemap, home, contact etc, kinda like sub sections.
Brykess posted this at 03:54 — 20th November 2001.
They have: 50 posts
Joined: Aug 2001
some of the navigation buttons aren't working that well. Also, the server that you have is quite slow. I am on a t-3 line and it loaded slow. I came back again later and it was slow again.
Other than that, the site is nice. Keep up the good work.
`Bryan
Want to join the discussion? Create an account or log in if you already have one. Joining is fast, free and painless! We’ll even whisk you back here when you’ve finished.