I need to know what people don't like

[gameon]

Hi. I am just about to start re-designing the Euphoric Records site.

http://www.euphoricrecords.com

The people that commissioned it decided that they wanted the site up before they had come up with any real content.

So, the site is not doing what it is supposed to. (apart from offer the video footage, 3d gallery and streaming audio tracks.)

But, they are not happy with it, and having that typical, I know better than you attitude. I would really like to know from you guys what you think works, and what you think doesn't.

It would really be some help, so I as a designer can back up my statements when I disagree with their years of practical experience. I understand that any opinion is good, but un-thought out reactive comments are not.

Please help.

Matt

mattg@3rd-angle.com

 

[davdesign]

hi matt,

First of all good luck. Sounds like a great challenge, not just the creation side but the persuasion side also! ;-)

I assume you want a flash viewpoint on this so that's what I'll give. I couldn't comment on xml etc because it ain't my forte, so to speak.

In my opinion, flash sites offer the best visual stimulation possible on a website, provided its done within the boundaries of 'not too flashy' and 'was it worth the bother?'. ie: keep it neat, tidy and clean. They might sound the same but they mean entirely different things, you know what I mean. Also, if you're gonna use flash, keep it constant, ie: keep something moving at all times if you can, keeping two things on the move prevents hypnotism towards a singular.

Okay, you can create a couple of neat gifs and have them on html, but can you make them interactive, have a mind of their own which grabs the user by throat and says "watch me you fool"! You're guys might argue towards javascript, of which I'm a complete flunky, but can javascript functioning offer the crispness of flash? (eh, I don't know the answer to that one actually LOL). But hey, that's an argument though! (?)

It's also getting to the point where Flash is capable of integration with almost everything, xml, quicktime, javascript, asp, php, cgi, you name it, flash benefits from and can talk to them all. So you're not stuck in an all-flash-or-nothing situation.

I'm just finishing a website for a 3d graphics company who previously used simple html and gif/jpegs, with no way of viewing their animations or provding interactivity with the user (

http://www.pinkzeppelin.com

). The difference of this site to the previous is unmistakable, with response very positive whether its the guys on this site, or businesses which the guys at pinkzeppelin already deal with. Why are people so positive? Because it doesn't just sit there and wait for YOU to do something, its off enjoying itself whether you like it or not.

Anyway, I'm off to bed for the night. I hope that was the kind of banter you were after, if not then I apologise for rambling on aimlessly.

Good luck with the project.

dave dave@davdesign.co.uk

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[gameon]

Hi Dave,
would you be able to give me any comments on what is already there. Unless you were one of the five people who looked at the site last night with the following systems:

1. MSIE 5.5; MSN 2.5; Windows 98; Compaq
2. compatible; MSIE 5.5; Windows 98)
3. Mozilla/4.07 [en] (Win95; I ;Nav
4. compatible; MSIE 5.5; Windows 98
5. compatible; MSIE 5.5; Windows 98

I grap the IP addresses as well, but I won't put them up.

Like your site by the way!!

Cheers,

Matt

http://www.euphoricrecords.com

 

[davdesign]

hi gameon, I'm home for my lunch so my connection right now is slo

http://wwww,

so when i go back to the office i'll have a sneaky peak and post later in the day.

dave dave@davdesign.co.uk

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^