OK, Crush time CC Only please

[desktopjockey]

Glad to see the forumsa re now open. I've a website that needs a little reviewing from some professional poeple. I've just started webdesign, and this is my first sight. I've pretty much taught myself how to uise the tools including 1st page and others. Please check this out - it's a church website (just to let you know.)

http://www.bftcog.org

Thanks for all your Constructive Criticisms.

RH Seabrook.

[Dynasty]

Although frames are the easier way to make a page, personally speaking I don't like sites with frames, tables can do the same, apart from the scroll bar thing. And look better in general when done right.

The links down the left hand side are a bit on the small side, and are hard to read.

And a last personal thing here, is to do with the fade transition, yes it looks nice once, but it loses it's appeal very quickly. I'd probably suggest removing that.

However that said for the most part that site is good, gets the job done.

[desktopjockey]

Thanks Dynasty for the insight.

I can do tables, although you are right that frames are easier. I am curious, what is the big "faux-pas" with frames? What are they good for if no one uses them? They are easier to update throughout the site, this is true. If I must add to the navigation bar on the side, I only do it once with a frame. If I have tables, I must touch each page to make the addition. Doesn't do much for time management. I'm not married to frames, in fact my first shot with this was all in tables. Matter of fact, check out this link - http://www.seabrooksites.com/bcog/index.html . It is my first cut, and is all tables. AS I stated earlier, I am learning, and thus have many questions. Soon I will be in school learning about this.

Thanks again for the insight. Keep it coming.
God Speed~

[Dynasty]

I agree that working with tables can get time consuming, but if you have the ability to use SSI, then it gets a lot easier, because you just put the menu code in a separate file and link it using

<!--#include file="file with table code" -->

Makes life a lot easier, provided your host supports it.

[lieut_data]

The second version is alot less distracting. Besides, for users with varying screen resolutions, frames provide a host of unnecessary scroll bars. The second version will at most, give 2 (Vert & Horiz).

Stick with the second version :-)

Cheers

Lieut_Data

[-TheDarkEye-]

the second version is better, but i think it still needs some work. work on the top banner some more. it looks terrible streched out on my sceen.

[desktopjockey]

Thanks to all that are responding. I LOVE other insights. I've decided to go with the tables instead and have gotten my "client" to agree as well. Thanks so much for the include statement, I will seriously research this further since it anihilates my only argument with tables so far.

I agree about the banner, I created it from scratch, and hate that it skews with any resolution larger than 800x600. Graphics are my most time consuming task, and I haven't been able to get back to it. I'm tossing different ideas including making the background really a background and dividing up the words and graphics to individual layers. Sound good? Suggestions? Currently it's a merged .jpg file.

Thanks again for all the insights. I don't mind being beaten up if it's constructive and correctable.

[Sky]

Definately use tables... looks good now tho

[desktopjockey]

Working on the tables - this is a part time gig. Family just grew by one, so updates are a little on the back burner now. I'll repost when I get the thing updated. Sounds like the site is do-able, but FRAMES gotta go!

[Waves]

I like the second version much better, although i think tables are the way to go. I use tables on my site, and I think my layout could work out for your site. Go ahead and view my source if you like it.

[desktopjockey]

Waves - thanks for the offer, I believe in "grand theft good ideas". Waht is your URL? I'll check your profile, but wanted to ask for the forum.

[Sky]

LoL. I like that title. anyway knowing your own design is definately good

[ThFhAtEcRiMe]

desktopjockey, I think you can do a lil something with flash and some graphic or just some graphics. Have you ever considered using photoshop 7. The layout now isnt too bad the table could be better but looks ok for a church website. if you would like i may be able to make you a set of graphics if i get some free time while im not designing for a customer post back if you would like.
:D :D :bangbang:

http://www.hostile-contact.com/thfhatecrimebannerjpg.jpg