criticize me!

[bigblock]

I'm working on a new design for my site. Just the homepage is done -- it is here:

http://hotrodders.com/testnew/10-3.html

The old homepage is here:

http://hotrodders.com

Any opinions on the new design? Too dark? Can you read the blue text?

[JellyBelly]

I can read the blue text on the new design but not as easy as I can on the old one.

From a more personal view, I never really like very dark backgrounds, to gloomy for me. :boil:

On a :) note, you do have a cool site!

[ihelpyou]

hey bigb, I'm with Jelly on this. I actually like the old site much better. :)

[Hope]

From a users point of view, the old site is much easier on the eyes. If you get a visitor with any eye problems, even one who has bad lighting, they are not going to be able to read your new site. It is very hard on the eyes. I felt eye strain as soon as the page loaded. If you want a dark background, you will need to find a better color for the text.

[bigblock]

Thanks guys -- that's what I was afraid of. The old site looks amateurish to me though, and is significantly lacking in slickness.

What color can safely be used as a link color on a black background?

[Blue]

Hey BB,

I don't know! I'm probably one of the few who don't mind dark or black backgrounds.

I have done white text on black for a few clients and they're doing well with their ROI. Maybe it just depends on the type of site.

I wasn't immediately aware that your new site was a SE until I viewed the old site though. I really love your graphic, though! It's SLICK!!! You need to put something in the upper left & right corners (not something that will take away from the main graphic) as they are kind of empty looking.

I think if you tried a different text color, and had three (maybe four) colors to offset the black, it will work.

Sent you a PM.

[WebSavvy]

What color can safely be used as a link color on a black background?

Try the color #E2CC84 It displays rather well on a black background. I have used it on the sites of a few of my clients who insisted on having a black background, for whatever reason.

[bigblock]

oooh -- thanks savvy1! Looks much better now. IOU1.

http://hotrodders.com/testnew/10-3.html

Do you ever worry about using non-netscape 216 colors?

BTW Blue -- thanks for the graphic compliments -- I did it myself. Heh-heh just kidding, I found a 3D guy that does amazing work and specializes in drawing hot rods. Traded him for advertising in my "Hot Rod Art" SE category. Here's the original:

http://hotrodders.com/newlogo.jpg

It's a shame it had to be reduced in quality and scaled down in size.

[ihelpyou]

Yes, that color font is much better! Nice job Deb!

[WebSavvy]

Hey that looks pretty good with that color in there now. No, I never worry about using non-netscape 216 colors. With cross browser compatibility becoming the norm, graphics and colors seem to render without much difference.

[F-S]

I'm with Jelly & Doug on this too. I like the old version (lighter colors) better.

[JellyBelly]

That new font color does make it easier to read. :happy: But that bg is still spooky :boil:

[bigblock]

Yeah, I know the black is a little ummmm...pornified.

I actually chose that original yellowish background color -- ffffcc, after reading some color psychology studies. Apparently those yellowish tones are supposed to "imprint" on a surfer's mind when his/her head is full of website images that he/she has seen that day. Who knows if that stuff is true -- that was ages ago, but the site did surprisingly well, so I wasn't about to change it.

I just don't get "that feeling" anymore when I look at the site, so I figured a major redesign was in order.

Besides, it looks unprofessional to me. The site just broke 6 figures in unique visitors last month, and, IMO, it still looks like kiddie stuff.

[WebSavvy]

BB, the black BG actually works well how you have it with that beautiful automobile graphic and the #E2CC84 font color. It looks very classy.

Try moving the font-family to Verdana and you'll love it even more. I wouldn't change anything else if I were you, it has good balance, nice color combination, good content, and beautifully illustrated graphics. You've done a superb job.

[bigblock]

thx for the compliments savvy1, and I truly appreciate the critiques from you and others -- youhelpme :).

Are you sure about the Verdana? I'm having trouble networking my copy of VirtualPC to my mac today, so I can't see how it looks on a PC (the fonts always look smaller on a mac -- argghh!).

Check this out:

using Verdana font (http://hotrodders.com/testnew/10-4.html)

using Comic Sans MS as before (http://hotrodders.com/testnew/10-3.html)

Whaddaya think?

[aps]

bigblock,

Off Topic!

What script/program are you using for your "directory" listings?

Thanks,
Dave S.

[WebSavvy]

Hey BB, the Verdana looks great! :)

[Blue]

Yup! Verdana looks better to me!

[bigblock]

OK -- maybe I will go with the Verdana :).


aps -- the SE software is a highly modified version of Hyperseek. Excellent SE and directory software, and very well supported in a private newsgroup. Written by John Cokos, who moderates the "Running Your Own SE" forum at SEF. You can email me if you have any questions about it -- my addy is in my profile.

[aps]

bigblock,

Thanks for the info on Hyperseek!

I agree that your site does look better using Verdana.




Dave S.