site design/layout opinions

[NogDog]

Which layout for my site do you think would be best?

1. Current design (http://www.charles-reace.com/)
2. New layout I've been toying with (http://www.charles-reace.com/new_layout/) (still needs some work on the details)
3. My recently added blog's layout (http://www.charles-reace.com/blog/)
4. None of the above

[nrg_alpha]

Nog, number 1 and 2 link to the same exact thing (http://www.charles-reace.com/).

I like the PHP Musings page.. the colours are more vibrant, and the layout more pleasing. SO I will hold off voting unitl you have the proper links for 1 and 2.

Cheers,

NRG

P.S Counter to your site'a claim, it is not w3c compliant.
Granted, it only has one error.. but still... (you are missing the closing </a> tag...)

[NogDog]

Nog, number 1 and 2 link to the same exact thing (http://www.charles-reace.com/)....
Thanks. Fixed. :)

PS: P.S Counter to your site'a claim, it is not w3c compliant.
Granted, it only has one error.. but still... (you are missing the closing </a> tag...)
Also fixed. (That's what happens when you make a "simple" edit at 2:00 in the morning. :rolleyes: )

[nrg_alpha]

almost forgot.. here is one (very small suggestion)..
You know when using Firefox, you got those rediculous dotted lined borders around links you click on?

Insert this CSS line of code into your stylesheet..
:focus {-moz-outline-style: none;} /* removed dotted link lines in firefox */

Firefox no longer displays those horrid dotted borders anymore.. I personally for the life of me can't understand Mozilla's mentality sometimes..

You could also embed that CSS rule (or some variant of it.. can't remember which) into your actual Firefox browser's built in stylesheet.. but this would only solve this issue on your browser.. by incorporating it into your site's stylesheet, it applies to everyone using Firefox who visits your site..

Perhaps the only drawback is that your .css file will not longer be completely validated when checking for errors.. as this rule is specific to Mozilla..but who cares? I would rather have that one deliberate error but have no dotted borders..

Cheers,

NRG

[nrg_alpha]

Ok.. I voted for #2 (newer layout).. feels sleeker and cleaner.. but I do like the colours of #3 more.. feels more alive and vibrant.. to get me wrong..I have nothing against purple (heck, my site's newest concept is VERY medium to dark blue), but I feel that the colours could be more vibrant for sure.

But perhaps I'm getting too far ahead of myself.. this is after all a LAYOUT poll.. so yeah.. #2 :)

Cheers,

NRG

[NogDog]

Don't worry, I'm very undecided where I want to go with it, so I'm just looking for feedback (hopefully from people with a better artistic sense than mine ;) ).

I may move the whole site into WordPress, and then who knows...maybe I'll find that "perfect" WP template out there that feels exactly right. (And then maybe I'll quit fiddling with the site's layout every 6 months -- or not.)

[bpat1434]

I'm a lover of nature, and as such, I voted for #3. I like the design of it.

@nrg_alpha: The reasoning (probably) behind having dotted borders on links is so that users know which link they clicked. For example when in a long list of links they click the 7th of 20, they'll know when they go "back" which link they were just at, not just what links you've been to (i.e. a:visited).

[NogDog]

1 vote each at this point. This trend is not going to help me make a choice. :)

[nrg_alpha]

I'm a lover of nature, and as such, I voted for #3. I like the design of it.

@nrg_alpha: The reasoning (probably) behind having dotted borders on links is so that users know which link they clicked. For example when in a long list of links they click the 7th of 20, they'll know when they go "back" which link they were just at, not just what links you've been to (i.e. a:visited).

Makes sense.. but so long as I have that CSS rule in my site's master stylesheet, that's all that matters (besides. not many links to get lost in).

@Nog.. indeed.. I was surprised to see the votes right down all three... what, oh what version will you pick? ;)

If you are interested in seeing plenty of variety in site design, you can always visit http://www.templatemonster.com/ this site is compilation of websites available for purchase.. but you can see fair sized thumbnails of the sites.. alot of talent in that pool (not that I am saying you're not talented.. I know you are.. but its a suggestion if you feel trapped by layout options..I'm ignoring the graphics on that site, for the sake of simply dealing with layouts...).

Cheers,

NRG

[rulian]

3 IMO

[NogDog]

I'm now working on option #4. :)

[nrg_alpha]

Really? You don't like any of the versions you came up with?

If you don't use any of them, what will you do / use?

Cheers,

NRG

[bpat1434]

Heh.. I like #4

[NogDog]

Really? You don't like any of the versions you came up with?

If you don't use any of them, what will you do / use?

Cheers,

NRG
See the link in my previous reply.

Working on modifying your own personal site is a good news / bad news situation. The good news is that you don't have a deadline hanging over your head, so you can take as long as you want to make these sorts of decisions. The bad news is that you don't have a deadline hanging over head, so you can take as long as you want to make these sorts of decisions. ;)

[nrg_alpha]

lol I understand.. well, if you want a deadline, I'll give you a deadline! You have t'ill sundown tomorrow! :quiet: j/k

And yes, I missed your latest link. While I like the new number 4 (which flies in the face of your original number 4 in your original post), I still think I like the one I voted for.
Granted, number 4 is clean and easy on the eyes as well.. I say run with it.. but understand that #4 in the poll is 'none of the above' ;)

hehe.. as for me, it's not a matter of not finishing my site (i'm on iteration #2), its the fact that I keep tweaking and tweaking.. I'm reminded of a quote I once read in a thesaurus (of all places..) which was written by the editor as a preface (I was bored.. VERY bored). It went like this:

"Of course, given all the time in the world, one would never complete any project for each revision would yield not only to greater experience, but theortically, the temptation to acheive perfection.. clearly unattainable."

Yep.. that sums it up for me! :D So I gotta stop messing with the thing and move on already!

So I feel your pain.

Cheers,

NRG

[Thikho]

PHP Musing is doing it for me but the google search does not appear in a nice way some on firefx