An attempt at a CSS/image based site

[Bionoob]

Ok, I'm sticking my neck out so here goes...

I've written a website in a fit of lunacy (www.timetomb.com (http://www.timetomb.com) ), learning CSS (I hope) as I go and also how to do basic photoshop stuff. I've tried viewing it in IE6, Firefox and Netscape 7, and it seems to look ok.

Any constructive comments would be appreciated. Especially those that address:

appearance
download speed
does it actually work in everyone else's browsers?

Incidentally, I tried CSS validating it, but the validator came up with a number of omissions that were incorrect i.e. the code was right but the validator couldn't see it e.g. "your > is missing", but it wasn't etc. Has anyone else found this?

thanks

"Bionoob"

[Kevey]

appearance: 6 out of 10 mainly due to the image map menu. I would like to see roll-overs on the menu items. Also, you might consider making an external style sheet instead of putting the CSS inline. But I love the opening page picture with the bug in amber. :)
download speed: great...very small footprint.
does it actually work in everyone else's browsers? works in mine...using FF 1.0.7

[Bionoob]

Kevey, thanks for the feedback.

Is the lack of rollovers in the menus the main problem, or are image maps generally annoying to people? Also, my sitemap is somewhat different, how could I retain the appearance without using an image map? Slices with img links instead? Or would that lead to horrible complexity?

I thought about the external style sheet, but as you've seen, there is no common style running through the site (other than the menu bar) so there didn't seem much point.

Any ideas/comments much appreciated.

[KDLA]

I'm not fond of the changing backgrounds - seems a little much. For the "serious" pages, like "Buy" and "Rules," I'd use a white or tan background. (The aqua on the "Rules" just doesn't fit in with your color scheme.)

Also, I suggest using a form for the contact area, rather than a link that opens up an email message.

I like the amber graphic. Very creative.

KDLA

[Bionoob]

Thanks for the feedback KDLA.

I'll see about creating a form for the contact page and changing the "buy" page background. As for the other backgrounds, well, if they didn't change then the site would really be utterly pointless, surely?

Bionoob

[KDLA]

Well, determining whether or not the site is pointless shouldn't be dependent upon the page backgrounds. My point was, if you're asking for money from people, you need to have a "professional" looking website. Those two pages, "Buy" and "Rules," seem (to me) the crux of your business. As such, they should be presented in a more "formal" fashion.

But, hey, all of this is subjective, rather than objective. Other posters might refute or support the view. Just never know.

KDLA

[Bionoob]

I agree that the "buy" page sticks out a mile and doesn't fit in. I'll change it. But the "rules" page? Maybe my idea is just too odd/different. Or just not executed well enough?

[KDLA]

I think it's more like the graphic (on the Rules page) you've picked is too pixelated, and consequently looks really cheesy - homemade.

[Bionoob]

Thanks, yes. This optimising images thing is new for me. I tried to get the image as small as possible to minimise download times for those with slow connections. It's hard to know what sizes are "best". I'll have to work more subtly.