sort of just starting up

[ashrat2004]

I'm looking for some ideas for something to put on my website. I have forums which visitors can use (even though i don't have any visitors yet). I need an idea that will bring people back to the website. After that, i'm going for website promotion.

The ideas need to be realistic, but i don't want anything like news headlines, or horoscopes or anything similar.

The website is at www.rattyweb.co.uk (http://www.rattyweb.co.uk)

It doesnt have a particular subject, so just about anything will do to go on it.

Also, what you think?

[FusionArtworks]

Sorry, I don't have any suggestions for content but I just wanted to tell you that your forum is tight! I like it a lot!!!!

Well done! :D

[MstrBob]

Well, I'd say first that spash pages are a pain-in-the-arse. Why not simply have a link to the forums from the main page? You could always do something like a blog, I guess, but those are all over the net, it'd have to be something special. I don't know, what is the purpose of your site? Are you a programmer? You post past scripts you've made, writings you've written, images you made. Random humor/interesting stuff you find online. Like I said, it all depends.

[davidbrent]

I, also cannot find the purpose for your site. However i might understand why it was created. Simply to experiment in the field of Web Development and broaden your horizons, so to speak.

I donn't mind the introductory page. It does basically give you a sign post for the crossroads. It gives an indepth map of the network. Other than that, here is my review.

1*) The introductory page > I do not like the typography of the whole swf movie. Try having smooth edges on the text, the pixelation does not create a visually appealing, proffesional look. The look i am certain you are trying to create.

2*) The "dancing" lines. No, no... no. Its distracting and a bit bland. How about fading the lines out and in. A smooth sequence would be appreciated.

3*) General introductory page > too much blue! Please, use at least a sperating colour. How about a pale blue of bluey white between square and border. The container with the "legal" buttons et cetera. Change it too a light colour. Just to give the page an "its not all about the blue" feel.
4*) How about a bit of colour on the hover state of the main "inside box" links. Just a little chnage from the ever so prominent blue.

5*) On the "/ashley/index.php" page > how about a bit of padding in between the table cell borders. Just to seperate the content from design.

6*) Also, same page, try using more than one background colour. Variance in colour stops the page being duller.

7*) The same page, the general border around links and the copyright notice. Its a bit too "boxed" and organised. Live on the wild side.

....ok it's late and i can't be bothered going into further water. So i will leave it to someone else - for now!

Hope i have helped.
Best Wishes,
David

[ashrat2004]

For all those that said they can't find a particular purpose for the site. It's because it doesn't have one, its going to to turn into something sometime. I did say it in the first post.

davidbrent
Simply to experiment in the field of Web Development and broaden your horizons, so to speak.

I guess you could say that, but i never thought of it that way.

1) I'm not totally sure about the meaning of pixelation. Is this the same alias text?

2) Yeah, i see what you mean

3,4,6) I guess there's something drawing me towards the blue a lot eh? Maybe I should "get away" from it a bit more.

5) I been trying to figure out how to do that (i knew how to do it all along). I'm just so stupid.

MstrBob
I admit i hate splash screens, especially within software applications. But to remove it would be a basic page with a link on it. The page wouldn't have much of a design.

FusionArtworks
Thx, what do you mean "tight"?

[FusionArtworks]

Thx, what do you mean "tight"?

It means it's AWESOME! I LIKE THE DESIGN -- BRILLIANT -- WELL DONE!

In my humble opinion, you did a good job designing your forum board.

It's a compliment man~!

However, after checking the footer, it seems that you may not be the artist that designed after all.

It's okay, I still dig it!

[ashrat2004]

Fusion, im glad you realized that someone else designed. I wouldn't want to claim it as my own or make anyone think that.

It was in the styles section of www.phpbb.com . I mainly adapted my site to be similar to the forum design.

[MstrBob]

When I said I don't like splash pages, I'm suggesting that you make "Ashley's Personal Site" you index page. As you go on, you'll see that the vast majority of websites don't have splash pages, as its simply one more thing for the user to click through, and users generally find them annoying. The only place that I can really seem them having a purpose is if you have a Flash site. On your index page you give the option of the HTML only or the Flash site. But anywhere else, really, its unnecessary. Your Personal Site is really your site, your forum is more of a subdomain. Simply put it as part of your navigation.

And, you must have had a purpose for the site. Why would you create a website unless there was a purpose? David's probably right, though. Many of us create personal websites to experiment with various web technologies, from (X)HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and many server side languages and also just to have our own little niche of the web. Keep it going though, I'm pretty much with you. My website (see signature) is currently nowhere. Well, the website bit. I use it much for testing new techniques. One day, though, I will develop it so that it can be good as people like Ryan Brill (http://www.ryanbrill.com).