Pleas review heartheissues.com

**dpakman91** · 01-05-2005, 01:03 PM

I'm a relatively new webmaster, but have definitely had success (by my standards, anyway) with this new politics website that i put together a few months before the election. I've redesigned it twice with help from some members here, but i know it could still use much improvement as my web design skills are certainly lacking.

any suggestions or ideas, both specific and general, would be great.

www.heartheissues.com

**Republikin** · 01-05-2005, 07:31 PM

I like the fact that the information is very quick and easy to get to. It's simple and at least does not look like it was made in 1996, however it's also obvious that this it was made by someone without much design skill. I must congratulate you though, you stayed within your limits and didn't try to get fancy and make it look really bad.

My first impression is that of complacency. It does not strike me as beautiful or hideous.

**wmtalk.tk** · 01-05-2005, 08:07 PM

Great site but i have some recommendations:
-get a better, more attractive logo
-possibly a flash menu on the left
-and put SOMETHING about the tsunami in there possibly, jeez

**dpakman91** · 01-05-2005, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmtalk.tk

Great site but i have some recommendations:
-get a better, more attractive logo
-possibly a flash menu on the left
-and put SOMETHING about the tsunami in there possibly, jeez

ok, good suggestions.

-what might make the logo better?
-what kind of flash menu might be best? i'd like to not use any scripts, building everything from scratch, so is there any reference for building one?

-lastly, about the tsunami. since it's not a "news" website, i'm kind of holding out for a bit before i put something on there about the tsunami that would be different. one idea would be to put down donations by country, and then donations by country as a percentage of their economy, but even still, it wouldn't be THAT unique. i'm sure i'll come up with something soon.

**dpakman91** · 01-10-2005, 06:58 PM

bumping this to see if someone might be able to link me to a guide on how to make a java menu from scratch? i'd love to get that set up soon.

**Republikin** · 01-10-2005, 07:07 PM

You mean like a javascript dynamic drop down menu?

Something like this is much better as it's completely SEO friendly and works accross all the browsers I've tested. If you need help with it just let me know.

http://www.digital-halide.com/cssmenu/multi/

**crislem** · 01-11-2005, 01:30 PM

I'm using a 800x600 resolution and for me your website meant quite a bit scrooling in order to see all its content (left-right and up-down). It didn't bother me, but I know that some people find that to be pretty stressful.
One other thing is that you have too many things writen in the Featured section and the way they are displayed made it difficult for me to see them clearly (they are too "crowded").
Besides these little things, you've done a good job with it

**scotia** · 01-11-2005, 03:24 PM

Hi there, WOW what a lot of content!....

ok, the content is great, I really enjoyed reading some of the features, crime and guns etc....the navigation is straightforward and fast, if a little cramped (the links on the left). Overall the impression is of a "functional" site, rather than a graphically stunning or inspiring site, but I think thats what you are trying to achieve?...Javascript rollovers would add a little more interactivity, but it depends what your overall goal is!...

Check out www.dynamicdrive.com Ive used a good few things from there, they aren't really tutorials, but when I started out, pulling apart the scripts taught me enough to start writing my own. Good luck, and well done.

Two scores,
content 9/10
design appeal hmmm...sorry! 4/10 (but thats just MHO!)

Cheers, scotia

**dpakman91** · 01-11-2005, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crislem

I'm using a 800x600 resolution and for me your website meant quite a bit scrooling in order to see all its content (left-right and up-down). It didn't bother me, but I know that some people find that to be pretty stressful.
One other thing is that you have too many things writen in the Featured section and the way they are displayed made it difficult for me to see them clearly (they are too "crowded").
Besides these little things, you've done a good job with it

i've heard this from several people about the main page. any ideas how i might be able to simplify and make that page more appealing to the eye, and just better overall?

**dpakman91** · 01-11-2005, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotia

Hi there, WOW what a lot of content!....

ok, the content is great, I really enjoyed reading some of the features, crime and guns etc....the navigation is straightforward and fast, if a little cramped (the links on the left). Overall the impression is of a "functional" site, rather than a graphically stunning or inspiring site, but I think thats what you are trying to achieve?...Javascript rollovers would add a little more interactivity, but it depends what your overall goal is!...

Check out www.dynamicdrive.com Ive used a good few things from there, they aren't really tutorials, but when I started out, pulling apart the scripts taught me enough to start writing my own. Good luck, and well done.

Two scores,
content 9/10
design appeal hmmm...sorry! 4/10 (but thats just MHO!)

Cheers, scotia

great, i will check out the website now.

**Mike_S** · 01-11-2005, 03:44 PM

A great website for a great cause! I'm trying to think of a down-point but I'm afraid I can't. For someone that admits they haven't been in this game for long, you are doing VERY well. Well done!

**grammapecos** · 01-12-2005, 12:39 AM

I liked it
very informative
A H$*L of alot of work went into it
loaded fast- I have no complaints

**StudioWorks** · 01-12-2005, 06:25 AM

Content wise, your site rocks.

But i dont like the way you organized it. You have a lot of content, have you considered a CMS solution ?

**KGB-911** · 01-12-2005, 12:11 PM

good, i but to plain for my likeing... but it is still good

**dpakman91** · 01-12-2005, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StudioWorks

Content wise, your site rocks.

But i dont like the way you organized it. You have a lot of content, have you considered a CMS solution ?

I'm not even sure what a CMS solution is. What would it entail?

**Republikin** · 01-12-2005, 12:41 PM

a CMS is a Content Management Solution. Much like http://www.xoops.org/

**Paradox13** · 01-12-2005, 02:18 PM

I recommend reading up on how to use whitespace with your web design.

**dpakman91** · 01-12-2005, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paradox13

I recommend reading up on how to use whitespace with your web design.

alright, any specific links i should take a look at?

**Paradox13** · 01-13-2005, 01:25 PM

Quote:

alright, any specific links i should take a look at?

Hope this helps

http://graphicdesign.about.com/libra.../aa030900a.htm

http://www.grantasticdesigns.com/whitespace.html

http://www.sheriftariq.org/design/whitespace/

**TaylorAtCTS** · 01-13-2005, 01:32 PM

CMS is Content Management System. I design alot of them...

Basically it would allow you to store your information in a database (or text file) and you can make updates with no knowledge of HTML and keep up to date.. its not as time consuming to update.

_________________

I dont like the font, or font size. It makes everything way to crowded.

I really dont like the links on the left side of the page.. they should not e bold like that..

There should be some kind of order to the menu.. my eyes just jumble up when I look at that. Use a border line at the bottom so that its easie to read.. also consider removing the underline of the link and having the underline as a rollover effect (you move the mouse over and the underline appears, you move your mouse away it goes away)

You can do this with CSS easily.. ill show you when i get a few min