Review Band Site

[synoptic]

I think this is the third version of the site and just want to know what everyone in the web-dev world thinks of it.

Also check out the music, if you like,...I'll take a review of that as well.

Thanks in advance for your replies,
Chris
Synopticmusic.com (http://www.synopticmusic.com)

[Skunkboy]

For a change, I'm on highspeed; so, I can't really give a dial-up aspect.

As I'm browsing:

Having two copies of the site is a plus... high and low bandwidth

Careful using frames. Search engines don't exactly like them. There's other posts here on the forums about engines and frames you may want to search for.

May want to alter the font on your menu slightly. The bigger words (downloads, messages, contact) somewhat blend their letters (and when a late nigher like me is trying to see, it can be difficult).

It is always a plus to have stop buttons on music'd sites. Nice idea offering song options as well. I did notice that Slipping Through garbled up at the end.

If you're going to run a framed site, it is best to stick with it vs additional browsers. Get a million browsers open then start shutting them down ... it can sometimes result in closing too many and in turn, accidentally leaving the site. Either that or if you must run an additional window, offer a "close window" button right up top (vs bottom so that people can see it).

cool bio_flash.htm. At first, before I read anything, I was thinking I would've centered up your graphic; but, then I happened to slide the mouse over the picture and was surprised. Nice touch! I would still consider centering buscardsynopticlowreswebred.jpg.

On your contact page... I would change the listed address from hotmail to one at a domain and even at that, I would be careful about posting the address in plain text like that. Perhaps a graphic with the addy on it or a substitution for the @ or a script to build your address. This helps keep the spam bots away. With 650 mailboxes here and unlimited aliases... if you insist on using a hotmail address, make an alias to forward it to there.

Links pages usually aren't all that great... you made something "different"... something more creative.

I sent you something through the site as well... feel free to drop me a line and I'll mention more.

Overall... nice work.

[Mirzabah]

I only had a quick glance. Two things that stood out as bad things: When rendering your images (ie. your menu buttons and so on), render them on a black background. You're getting a white "halo" on everything.
In your menu, stick to one font size and accept that your buttons will be different widths (and left or right align them, don't use centre alignment). Don't try to adjust the font size to make the buttons the same width. The 80s taught us two extremely valuable lessons: (1) t-shirts with shoulder pads are a whole new world of ugly, and (2) the only thing uglier than a t-shirt with shoulder pads is a page with half a dozen or more different font sizes. ;)Otherwise, what I saw is good :)

[XJnick]

Hi,

I'd have to agree with Skunkboy about the frames. But if you insist on using frames, you really should consider using a javascript to reload the frameset if anyone of your pages happens to get loaded outside the frame set.

Also, I'd pick a different color for the background than black. I've always hated black as a webpage background, first because I find it very hard to read, and second because I think it feels uninviting, and third because you can see every stray pixel in images with transparent backgrounds.
Maybe you could use a shade of grey or a pattern in the background?

Another thing I notice is that the text seems huge on the Bio page, but ok sized on most of the other pages. It is best to try and keep a set font size for all the pages, so viewers aren't having to constantly click the increase or decrease text size buttons in their browsers ;)

Other than what's noted above, it's a great start :D

This was viewed through Mozilla Firebird 0.7

I guess Mirzabah and I were typing at the same time, sorry for any repetative comments :D

[YvetteKuhns]

I agree with other comments. I love the music and my son likes to hear it while playing games. I filled out the form for the free CD and noticed you are using the PowWeb formmail script. You should have the formmail script on your server.

Looks like all the contents are there, you just need to get rid of frames and make things a little nicer. Great start!

Need any help, just ask.

[Mcspam]

Site looked pretty good. Onthe music though. The music is great and everything as is but the singer needs to be more of an aggressive rock singer, unless thats the sound you are looking for. Because alot of your songs sometimes sound real hard with the guitar and all but then he starts singing and its soft and it like hes singing a solo. Get that rock mentality. But still good stuff. I like the guitar, it sounds pretty good.

[YvetteKuhns]

The music is great and everything as is but the singer needs to be more of an aggressive rock singer, unless thats the sound you are looking for.

I had a similar impression at first, then thought it gave them their own signature sound. I am 35 years old, so I remember music over the last few decades and some bands have a sound that sets them apart. Everyone recognizes the Rolling Stones for their style of music and especially the lead singer's voice.

This band's music reminds me of music I have heard but still has its own sound. But you are right that a stronger voice will help keep with the rock sound and not get overwhelmed.

[Mcspam]

I know but man that guitar can rock out man. That guitar is some good stuff.

[YvetteKuhns]

I agree. I was letting the music play while working and my son was head-banging behind me while playing games on the laptop.