Can corporate be cool?

[gameon]

Hi ya,
I finished my first (fairly decent) flash site and put it for review here a while ago.

The response was fantastic (as always ) but raised some challenges for me.

Mainly file size, and the clarity of the text. I have worked till blood came out (won't say from where), and I'm fairly happy with it, but can now no longer focus on my screen, nor be objective or remotely rational.

Please can you have a quick check, and let me know what you think, and if it was an improvement.

The first one is:

http://www.activecm.com

The latest, new and improved effort is:

http://www.tautester.com

Thank you so much if you have the time. Do you think is good enough to get in any 'this is a good site' list - or is it too corporate and not funky enough...

Cheers then.

M@

 

[exodus300]

I like it, especially the "Loading xK of yK" instead of "x%". How do you do the print thing?

 

[gameon]

you tell flash to print a certain frame, using a mask to define the print area.

Did you prefer tau tester to active cm?

The text is loads better...

M@

 

[exodus300]

The text certainly is clearer, and I like the fading in effects. They are both good.

 

[gameon]

would you like an example fla for the printing.

Its in the built in manual too..

 

[xutopia]

I prefer the second one. I find the problem with many flash animations is that they flash too much.

Do put that site in your list. Gary

http://www.xutopia.com

Haran

 

[gameon]

I like the stuff on your site xutopia.

Is tau tester too flashy?

 

[xutopia]

thank you gameon.

I found tautester better because it was more intuitive and less things moved around in ways I am not used to. I didn't find that your second site flashed too much. It flashed well.

The thing I didn't like about activecm was the menu. It create a somewhat 3D effect with the slanted menus. That effect is quite cool but I'd use it only for a personal project or something that I don't have to sound trusthworthy but fun. Usually if you are looking at a company if their site has too much emphasis on the container rather then the content the feeling you will get is that the site doesn't have much substance so you most likely won't be using their services. That simili-3D menu is excellent for a gaming site or a forum and your code is worth keeping for other project.

The way you layed ou the content in tautester made more sense to my brain and made me feel more confortable with the site.

Just something to keep in mind the eye candy you can create is excellent for selling yourself as a programmer/designer. But the companies that pay excellent money are usually established companies with a more serious outlook on things. Keep eyecandy like on activecm handy to show off but do show that you can make something look serious.

Hope my comments help. Gary

http://www.xutopia.com

Haran

 

[gameon]

Wow, thanks for the feedback.

I'm glad you like it. The function of the 'fun to play with' menus (as far as my research has found) actually does add some value. Out of 20 people (I know its not that significant) all of them like to play with the menu and naviagte around. - just cos it was fun.

This means that people see more of the content.

Although some flash sites go so over the top that they are just un-naviagble.

M@