Request from a "codeless" dabbler

[idealdabbler]

Hi, I've had my site with PowWeb for almost two years now, but I have never had any comments from others. I would love to hear what others think, particularly from people who seem to know their craft well.
I am completely open to suggestions, as well as any advice on how to go about setting up an online store.
Thanks for your time,
Tom

The Ideal Times (http://theidealdabbler.com/)

[Mirzabah]

It might help if you could provide us with an URL...

[idealdabbler]

Sorry, I left the hyperlink, "The Ideal Times," I should have specified that this is the site I wanted reviewed. the URL is: http://theidealdabbler.com/ if that is what you needed.
Tom

[TMarie820]

One of the first things I noticed is that you have to scroll a lot on your main page.... scrolling down a lot tends to annoy me especially if there isn't even much there.

[(jj)]

Just a couple things I noticed, other than what has been mentioned.

1. Some of your images are rather large and you are using the HTML to resize them. For instance, the Idea.JPG is actually 800x600 and you are constraining it to 576x423 with your HTML code. But it is still over 451 KB in file size, so anyone that is stuck on a dialup connection (like many of those in rural ND and MN) will be waiting some time for it to load.

2. On your News page, you have "Thursday October 09, 2003" at the top of the page. That makes it look as though the news has not been updated since that date.

[idealdabbler]

Thanks for your comments, TMarie. I think I'm beginning to realize what my problem is there. I think I'm trying to use 8 1/2 X 11 graphics sensibilties in a more constrained medium. As well, I see I should maybe move the Contents listing to a page separate from the Cover, and eliminate some of the unnecessary "noise" on the Cover.

Just a couple things I noticed, other than what has been mentioned.

1. Some of your images are rather large and you are using the HTML to resize them. For instance, the Idea.JPG is actually 800x600 and you are constraining it to 576x423 with your HTML code. But it is still over 451 KB in file size, so anyone that is stuck on a dialup connection (like many of those in rural ND and MN) will be waiting some time for it to load.

2. On your News page, you have "Thursday October 09, 2003" at the top of the page. That makes it look as though the news has not been updated since that date.

1. I find this comment particularly helpful jj. I assume the remedy for that would be to resample the images and size them in a graphics program before uploading them. Does that sound right?

2. Ah yes, the News. This is where I show my ignorance on how to put a date on a page. What I would like to do is be able to put a date field in that is automatically updated when the request for the page is served. Since I'm pretty much dependent on Front Page for creation, I can't figure out how to do that. Any suggestions?

Thanks to you both for your time.

[(jj)]

1. Yes, just use any graphics program that is capable of resizing an image, then resize the images to the exact size you want them to be. If you don't have a good graphics program, IrfanView (http://www.irfanview.com/) is capable of doing this, plus it's free :)

2. Not being a Front Page user, I can't offer much of a suggestion here. But there are a lot of javascripts capable of displaying the current days date and/or time. Here's One (http://www.hotscripts.com/Detailed/24350.html) and there are many others available I'm sure.

[boblob]

ok i went to that java link he gave you and i found all kinds of weird stuff with pop ups galore but no usable java, if you neeed some java written up for date in broswer let me know just what you want i can write it for you.it is pretty simple code date u want year day month hour second min just what do you want let me know thanks, oh yes thats what one class of html will do for you let you put date on browser

[YvetteKuhns]

The Ideal Times makes me think of a newspaper, but the web design layout does not. I think a white background would be more appropriate.

The page seems to scroll alot. Some of the contents could be included on other pages. There are two links for Acrobat Reader on the home page instead of just one.

The site counter is not necessary. The copyright info should be the last thing on the web page. The site search should appear near the top of a web page. The fonts should be bigger, so people can read the text! Choose one font style for text for all text (excluding logos).

Consider making a links menu on the left for your contents and have descriptions appear when pointing at the links. This should save space.

The pages are inconsistent. Other pages have the copyright info at the top of the page. Collections page does not have links, so the visitor needs to hit the back button in the browser window! Design one page and use that layout for every page (this may exclude the home page).

Try separating text with an occasional image or horizontal line to add color and give the eyes a break. Too much text is difficult for people to read.

It appears that you have your contents organized, but need to design a web page layout that works for the web site. Look at other websites that report news and make a list of things you like or don't like. Then create a page that suits you.

[idealdabbler]

Thanks for the link, jj. I will try this out, and see if I can make it work.

Thanks for the offer boblob. I will keep it in mind as I work on the site, but I will try the link first. I didn't have the same problem you did with the link, and being "codeless" I can't tell usable java from unusable until I see the result.

Thanks, Yvette. You've given me many things to think about. With as little time as I have for work on the site, it may be some time before I can implement your suggestions, but don't think I am ignoring them. It just takes me awhile to digest the information. At any rate, I certainly appreciate that you took the time and effort to share your thoughts.