need my site checked

[toomyg]

http://tomswebplace.dyndns.org/

just need it checked to see if it looks OK to everyone and I just need expert input:D

[blue60007]

I think the drop down menu is kind of annoying. I have to click 3 times to go to a page. Just listing them as links would be a lot easier.

[TwoRails]

You might want to have someone proof read it for you. I know at work I always have someone proof my stuff:Thanks to the owner of were I work for giving it to me!... should that be, "where" ...

[toomyg]

You might want to have someone proof read it for you. I know at work I always have someone proof my stuff:... should that be, "where" ...
:eek: thanks

I really would go over it with a fine tooth comb :o



EDIT: Fixed thanks TwoRails

[toomyg]

I think the drop down menu is kind of annoying. I have to click 3 times to go to a page. Just listing them as links would be a lot easier.
Ya I was think of changing that too just havent come up with any Ideas yet

[mairving]

The background looks pretty good. The rest isn't good. The worst thing about the site is that it appears purposeless. Why is someone visiting your site. It appears that you have designed the site for yourself only. Most wouldn't care what kind of server that you are using to power the site. It's no problem to have that info but I would have it as the prime piece of your site. I would probably lead into it differently too. Maybe a small picture of the computer along with some teaser text.

The basics of a site are missing like:
-Logo - something to brand your site.
-Coherent site navigation. Current navs aren't good. A drop down menu in the middle of a page is not good navigation. Just jab a short menu in there and it will be a lot better.
-Consistent font styles - you really need to lose the multi-colored text. It looks like someone that is using an older version of Publsher for the first time. Replace that with a logo.

[toomyg]

The background looks pretty good. The rest isn't good. The worst thing about the site is that it appears purposeless. Why is someone visiting your site. It appears that you have designed the site for yourself only. Most wouldn't care what kind of server that you are using to power the site. It's no problem to have that info but I would have it as the prime piece of your site. I would probably lead into it differently too. Maybe a small picture of the computer along with some teaser text.

The basics of a site are missing like:
-Logo - something to brand your site.
-Coherent site navigation. Current navs aren't good. A drop down menu in the middle of a page is not good navigation. Just jab a short menu in there and it will be a lot better.
-Consistent font styles - you really need to lose the multi-colored text. It looks like someone that is using an older version of Publsher for the first time. Replace that with a logo.

At first my web site was just something that I was seeing if I could do with an older PC and it works same goes with my message board PHPBB it took along time to configure Mysql and PHP and of course my server software to work with CGI , PHP and Mysql to work together or for me just learning this web server stuff as for purpose at first it was just trying it out to see if I could do it and after alot of hours I got it :D
I got some plains for its purpose I'll you know and you can give me the low down on how it looks after I finish :p

Thanks for the input mairving it is much needed:o

[toomyg]

Well check it out it'svery plain but now it has a purpose BUT I LOVE THE multi-colored text.

other then that I think I,m on the right track

[blue60007]

Animated graphics are kind of annoying and so 1990's... also, I find excessive !!!!'s kind of annoying. Just my thoughts...

[toomyg]

Animated graphics are kind of annoying and so 1990's... also, I find excessive !!!!'s kind of annoying. Just my thoughts...


What do you mean "excessive !!!!'s":confused: I just need to get my brain in gear for a web page theme

[Kareeser]

Distracting and purposeless come to mind. BUT this is one person's opinion. In the end, it depends on your final clientele. If you're catering your site to friends and family, then I see nothing wrong with it in the slightest.

Go with your instincts, and experiment! That's what the web is for.

[blue60007]

I was just saying "This is my website!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" is a little overboard on the exclamation points. As Kareeser said it's just my opinion...and it's your site, not mine. ;)

[toomyg]

OK and no problem blue60007 I have it fixed up pretty good now and maybe someday it can be a business I run from my PC check it out http://tomswebplace.dyndns.org/

maybe a business that runs it self


thanks all for the help

[noob81]

darker blue text on black background, especially on the first page, can be hard to read.

[blue60007]

I liked it better when you had the light blue background behind the text. Made text easier to read...

[toomyg]

Ya I thought that to ... well I'm going to power it down for the night maybe after work I'll mess around with the make up of the page

[BlueKai]

If you're serious about this business, you need to hire a good web designer. People aren't going to take a site seriously when it's so obviously done in Frontpage with animated graphics, badly designed and flashing "click here" buttons, grammar mistakes, colored text on a black background, inconsistencies in capitalization... I'll stop there.

If you're doing it for fun, then it's just fine as it is.

If you're doing it to learn web design, try learning the html without the wysiwyg first.

[toomyg]

Whats wrong with Frontpage?

[toomyg]

If you're serious about this business, you need to hire a good web designer. People aren't going to take a site seriously when it's so obviously done in Frontpage with animated graphics, badly designed and flashing "click here" buttons, grammar mistakes, colored text on a black background, inconsistencies in capitalization... I'll stop there.

If you're doing it for fun, then it's just fine as it is.

If you're doing it to learn web design, try learning the html without the wysiwyg first.
check it out now

http://tomswebplace.dyndns.org/

[TwoRails]

Wow, what a difference!! I like the concept. Just curious, but is it working? Meaning have you sold anything yet?

Just a note, something to check into: In a live yard sale, stuff is sold "as is." Since you're putting things "in writing" on your site, you most likely will be held contractually liable. For instance, that 'lectric drill you "promise" as "works great"..... by who's definition?? Your? or the buyer's? That implies a specific warrantee. What happens if it works great for the first 2 or 3 times?? Does your implied warrantee cover it? You may not have a choice, legally, since you put it in writing that it does...

[toomyg]

Wow, what a difference!! I like the concept. Just curious, but is it working? Meaning have you sold anything yet?

Just a note, something to check into: In a live yard sale, stuff is sold "as is." Since you're putting things "in writing" on your site, you most likely will be held contractually liable. For instance, that 'lectric drill you "promise" as "works great"..... by who's definition?? Your? or the buyer's? That implies a specific warrantee. What happens if it works great for the first 2 or 3 times?? Does your implied warrantee cover it? You may not have a choice, legally, since you put it in writing that it does...

The concept for the web page I really wish I could say it was my own but I found a site that offered free templates I just made use of a graphics program I got (PhotoImpact Pro)for the title then I just moved some stuff here deleted there added here and thats how I got it now I wish I could think of a template of my own but my mind draws a blank when it comes to stuff like that.

It really isn't working yet I still have to advertise it in paper and as for the warranty issue ! Just for now I want to keep it local were I live that way I can show that it works electrical stuff that is, But if it gets bigger were I ship stuff out of state then I'll have to figure something up.

For things like the electric drill when I say it works great it means it works the way it is suppost to work new or used.

I know i got alot of kinks to work out.

[billstur]

What's wrong with Frontpage? Nothing! I've been doing web sites for ten years. I've used Notepad, Dreamweaver, Macromedia Flash (a complete site in Flash only) and Frontpage. IMHO, Frontpage is the easiest and best. It can be a powerful tool, if you want it to be.

I admit, I do some straight HTML while using it <smile>. A lot of web developers believe it doesn't allow them as much control as they want. Some believe it's only for beginners. But if you want to use it, go right ahead.

All the people in this forum have given you some very good advice. You do need a lot of help with spelling and grammar (sorry, but it's true).

[toomyg]

What's wrong with Frontpage? Nothing! I've been doing web sites for ten years. I've used Notepad, Dreamweaver, Macromedia Flash (a complete site in Flash only) and Frontpage. IMHO, Frontpage is the easiest and best. It can be a powerful tool, if you want it to be.

I admit, I do some straight HTML while using it <smile>. A lot of web developers believe it doesn't allow them as much control as they want. Some believe it's only for beginners. But if you want to use it, go right ahead.

All the people in this forum have given you some very good advice. You do need a lot of help with spelling and grammar (sorry, but it's true).

Well to sum it all up after installing Mysql, PHP and everything else that makes it work bad grammar is the least of my problems :D

thanks for the input

[toomyg]

Made alot of changes to my site

1. Changed message board forum from PHPBB to SMF forum.
2. Changed photo gallery from PHPalbum to Coppermine.
3. Added a picture of the day to main page just for the heck of if.
4. Cleaned up all the miscellanies links on main page and moved then into drop down menu.
5. Get my site into local paper and just hope all the effort pays off :rolleyes:

just want input on how it looks and what you all thought of my idea "Internet yard sale"

link is in sig

Thanks

[ChoboSeki]

Just some things..
├ You should make the logo transparent instead of a white background.
├ You should type the same for everything:
├---- For the "Updated" information you have "*06/03/07-Updated and", "*06/02/07- updated my" and "*05/28/07- added stuff" - either capitalize the first word for them all or don't, don't mix like that.
├ For things like "Here is what I mean." - use a colon, not period.
├ The logo has "YardSale" but everywhere else it has "Yard Sale" (the space..)
├ Under "Here is what I mean.", it has "yard/Garage", 'Garage' shouldn't be capitalized.

A professional website should have correct spelling and punctuation.

[Petef56]

just want input on how it looks and what you all thought of my idea "Internet yard sale"


toomyg,
I had a similar idea of having a "virtual yard sale" similar to what you've done, but my idea
was to keep it more simple than what you have done. I think all you need to do is setup
the home page and display ALL the items for sale and allow your visitors to click an
item of interest to get more info. Keep it real simple up front. Then go into more detail
about how it all works on subsequent pages after you've grabbed their interest.
Overall I love the concept!!!

As for your website design, the "yard sale" background interferes with reading of the text
so I'd go to a white background wherever you have text and just use the "yard sale"
background for displaying photos of the items for sale.

Main thing is, you need to show the items for sale on the home page or within one or
two clicks of the home page. I think you should reserve the forum for the future and
just use Email to communicate and make the sales. If people think they are required to
join a forum just to browse around or make inquiries, you will lose a large percentage of
potential buyers. That's what i initially thought when I came to your site. It took 3
visits before I found the items for sale.

Simplify the home page so that most things they click on results in seeing the items
for sale. Explain the details later.

Keep up the good work!
You've motivated me continue building my own "yard sale" site. My idea is to make
a virtual yard sale website and run an ad in the local paper under the yardsale
classified ads. Then just sell to local buyers.

---pete---

[quartet-man]

As stated there are many mistakes in grammar and spelling on the message board. I noticed several just glancing at it. One mistake you make a lot is making things possessive that should not be. (I.E. electronic's should be electronics unless you are talking about something owned by electronic. :))

Another was what your selling. In this case it should should have the ' since it is a contraction of you are. (What you're selling.)

[toomyg]

toomyg,
I had a similar idea of having a "virtual yard sale" similar to what you've done, but my idea
was to keep it more simple than what you have done. I think all you need to do is setup
the home page and display ALL the items for sale and allow your visitors to click an
item of interest to get more info. Keep it real simple up front. Then go into more detail
about how it all works on subsequent pages after you've grabbed their interest.
Overall I love the concept!!!

As for your website design, the "yard sale" background interferes with reading of the text
so I'd go to a white background wherever you have text and just use the "yard sale"
background for displaying photos of the items for sale.

Main thing is, you need to show the items for sale on the home page or within one or
two clicks of the home page. I think you should reserve the forum for the future and
just use Email to communicate and make the sales. If people think they are required to
join a forum just to browse around or make inquiries, you will lose a large percentage of
potential buyers. That's what i initially thought when I came to your site. It took 3
visits before I found the items for sale.

Simplify the home page so that most things they click on results in seeing the items
for sale. Explain the details later.

Keep up the good work!
You've motivated me continue building my own "yard sale" site. My idea is to make
a virtual yard sale website and run an ad in the local paper under the yardsale
classified ads. Then just sell to local buyers.

---pete---

Thanks Petef56 I got more ideas for home page but so far I sold afew thing so it guess it's working some and I still need to put it in local paper and when you make your yard sale page I hope you post a link:D

[toomyg]

As stated there are many mistakes in grammar and spelling on the message board. I noticed several just glancing at it. One mistake you make a lot is making things possessive that should not be. (I.E. electronic's should be electronics unless you are talking about something owned by electronic. :))

Another was what your selling. In this case it should should have the ' since it is a contraction of you are. (What you're selling.)

Wow i can't believe I spelled electronics like that :eek: and never even seem it :rolleyes:

[quartet-man]

Wow i can't believe I spelled electronics like that :eek: and never even seem it :rolleyes:

Seem it? :) LOL

I catch some of my own before finishing, but sometimes catch them later. We tend to see what is supposed to be there instead of what we put there sometimes. :)

Now I have to ask if your eye rolling was a way of trying to say you can't believe I am being so anal about it, or not? You asked, and I replied. I am not perfect either, but try to get spelling and such right. Like it or not, in particular many spelling and grammar mistakes make a site look amateurish.

If you are rolling the eyes because you didn't catch it, ignore the above (but still true) paragraph. :)

[Statica]

Also check the spelling on your drop down menu .. it's spelt heart and not 'hart'.

Forget web design and aesthetic and the wow-factor .. there are a few basic things that you can do to make your site look better. They don't take a lot of time or expertise but should definitely not be ignored:
a) Check your spelling: I know it's been pointed out before but you haven't yet addressed the issue
b) Grammar .. there's nothing more amateurish than reading sentences that go on like One more note anything 20 max pound can be shipped in the US only and like I said no need to join anything just browse and if you find what you like post reply to your interest and we will link up one way or another. or how about random punctuations as in: Pictures change's randomly every day or when ever it feels like.
c) Pay attention to simple points like what's to be capitalized and what's not. What phrase is to be punctuated with a period and what isn't - like the items on your drop down list

You are using a Microsoft product to create your web page .. use the tools provided like the spell check and the grammar check. They're in there for a reason.

[Petef56]

Thanks Petef56 I got more ideas for home page but so far I sold afew thing so it guess it's working some and I still need to put it in local paper and when you make your yard sale page I hope you post a link:D

Sure, I'll be happy to share it with you. I've been trying to get to it all week.
I'm just at the stage of selecting items to sell and taking pics. So far I picked up
a solid blue table cloth for the background and made a list of items to sell.
Give me a few weeks to catch up.

I've been thinking that *first* I should call the local newspapers to see if they'd
allow me to run my ad in the "Garage Sales" classified section even though mine
will be a virtual garage sale.

---pete---

[toomyg]

Also check the spelling on your drop down menu .. it's spelt heart and not 'hart'.

Forget web design and aesthetic and the wow-factor .. there are a few basic things that you can do to make your site look better. They don't take a lot of time or expertise but should definitely not be ignored:
a) Check your spelling: I know it's been pointed out before but you haven't yet addressed the issue
b) Grammar .. there's nothing more amateurish than reading sentences that go on like or how about random punctuations as in:
c) Pay attention to simple points like what's to be capitalized and what's not. What phrase is to be punctuated with a period and what isn't - like the items on your drop down list

You are using a Microsoft product to create your web page .. use the tools provided like the spell check and the grammar check. They're in there for a reason.

Thanks Statica for the advice.

Sure, I'll be happy to share it with you. I've been trying to get to it all week.
I'm just at the stage of selecting items to sell and taking pics. So far I picked up
a solid blue table cloth for the background and made a list of items to sell.
Give me a few weeks to catch up.

I've been thinking that *first* I should call the local newspapers to see if they'd
allow me to run my ad in the "Garage Sales" classified section even though mine
will be a virtual garage sale.

---pete---

I got mine in the local paper for saterday now only time will tell.

Seem it? :) LOL

I catch some of my own before finishing, but sometimes catch them later. We tend to see what is supposed to be there instead of what we put there sometimes. :)

Now I have to ask if your eye rolling was a way of trying to say you can't believe I am being so anal about it, or not? You asked, and I replied. I am not perfect either, but try to get spelling and such right. Like it or not, in particular many spelling and grammar mistakes make a site look amateurish.

If you are rolling the eyes because you didn't catch it, ignore the above (but still true) paragraph. :)
The eyes rolling meant as "Wow I can't believe I missed that."
I put it in the paper today quartet-man I'll let you all know how it worked out in the next day or so.

[toomyg]

Well the paper idea didn't work but I posted my site at free ad sites and sold afew things and I get any were from 300-500 hits a day so I guess my plane it working so far!!!!!!!

[TwoRails]

That's cool!! Keep us posted :)

[toomyg]

That's cool!! Keep us posted :)
It's cool how that old computer can handle all those hits! I had 32 people on it at the same time and my network barely slowed down but the only problem I have had is defraging while server is running and I have not had a time were know one was on it at any given time.
But other then that it runs very good

[toomyg]

That's cool!! Keep us posted :)
Tworails read this
http://tomswebplace.dyndns.org/warn.htm

Live and learn running an on line yard sale:(

[TwoRails]

In one word: wow...! -- It's a shame that there are so many people out there like that. But I guess they've been around "forever" and will continue to do so :(

[toomyg]

In one word: wow...! -- It's a shame that there are so many people out there like that. But I guess they've been around "forever" and will continue to do so :(

Funny thing is I use gmail as my contact for my on line project and it didn't even worry this person when I told them every email was being saved plus I got 100's of logged IP's on my server I just wish I could find this persons I even tried to trick them into signing my guest book but I guess they knew what I was doing.


Live and learn Tworails live and learn

[JunkYardJeff]

i really like the web site. i viewed the source code. did you type in the html code yourself? i have made some web sites and typed in the code myself but i just do the basic code tags, i dont know how to do all that other fancy flashy stuff.

[toomyg]

i really like the web site. i viewed the source code. did you type in the html code yourself? i have made some web sites and typed in the code myself but i just do the basic code tags, i dont know how to do all that other fancy flashy stuff.


No JunkYardJeff I typed in a tiny bit is it but most of it was done with Front Page 2002 and the PHP forum was made by someone else I just had to install that onto my server.

[TwoRails]

... Live and learn Tworails live and learnThat's what it's all about :eek: ;)