New Website

[dirtyratjim]

Wanted a site for video artists to display their amateur movies/videos.
Check it out and please leave your constructive advice. Thanks
http://videodepot.org

[blade83]

Well, I think the site is a great idea but there a lot of things I would change just for usability's sake.

Firstly, all of your links open in a new window but never leave your site. It is imporant to let your users know that they are still on your webpage. You should open links within your website within the same browser window; external links open in a new window. There should be uniformity in your pages. Make sure that each page at least resembles the other pages in your website.

Secondly, all pages within your website look completely different from the rest of the pages. There should be uniformity in your pages. Make sure that each page at least resembles the other pages in your website.

Your header graphic needs a little work because the background color does not match the black background of your website. The white line also does not line up with the white line on your website.

Once its all set, I'm sure this will be a great website!

BTW, I looked through your website using Mozilla Firefox for Mac OS X.

[YvetteKuhns]

Sans-serif fonts such as Arial look better on screen than serif fonts such as Times. Yet another site with sponsors spelled incorrectly. It appears that this site gets free contents from visitors who submit and try to make money with affiliate links and donations. Good luck. :rolleyes:

Try to add useful, unique contents to get people to visit and revisit the website. This would be a great place for a forum. The Tiger Direct banner image does not appear. Links to other websites should open in a new window, but links within a website should open in the same window.

I watched the War Pigs video and expected to hear Black Sabbath, which I did. But I doubt that the song was used with permission, so be careful about copyright infringement. If this website really does get submissions and visits, expect the bandwidth usage to increase dramatically.

[dirtyratjim]

Thanks Yvette. I like the Forum idea as well but not sure how to set it up, what to include, etc. I'd like to change the "Sources" to "Forum"? I thought that since the WarPigs was not for sale and only for amusement that the copyright part was not infringed. I'd hate to be sued over that!
Thanks too for catching that sponsor spelling. :cool:

[dirtyratjim]

Ok Mike,
You can tell I'm new to all this. Great tips, thanks. Check back and see if you like the improvements. By the way, is the train page and movie page colored ok?

[blade83]

Yes, much improved though I would try to keep the black background throughout.

[YvetteKuhns]

Your copyright info is appearing in white text and blending into the white background. You can change the color and/or move the text up or down.

[dirtyratjim]

Yvette,
What were your general thoughts about the War Pigs video? Other than the infringement issue? I sent a copy of the video to Ozzy Osbourne while he was hospitalized. Never heard anything back though!

[dirtyratjim]

Did I mention my first car was purchased from Allentown, PA.?

[YvetteKuhns]

The War Pigs video was interesting, but I saw similar videos in the portfolios of people applying for multimedia work. I doubt that Ozzy got to see the video.

I bought MY first car in Allentown, PA too!

[MacTech]

Firstly, all of your links open in a new window but never leave your site. It is imporant to let your users know that they are still on your webpage [...]

Secondly, all pages within your website look completely different from the rest of the pages [...]

Your header graphic needs a little work because the background color does not match the black background of your website [...]


Blade I totally agree with exactly what you have said already, those where the first things that came to my mind when viewing this site.

Desipte the changes that probably should be made, I really like the concept of the menu on the index page, very unique and always nice to see. I find myself always creating to many square sites and I guess thats my downfall. IMO the right change should be what blade has suggested and follow threw a theme, imo should themed on the index page.

not bad :)