oh plez be gentle!

[Lainie]

A friend of mine asked me to create a website for his custom truck club. He designed the layout himself and I just followed his specifications (i.e., gifs, text, etc.). So as far as the design goes, that was his doing (I have made only a few webpages, but they looked waaaay more professional than this one). There isn't much content the pages yet.

The problems I am having are with his specifications. He wants different full-length songs playing on EACH page. (that is a warning to anyone who views the page..LOL) MIDIs are out of the question to him. I tried to explain that music on a webpage is kind of annoying, and can drive people away. Also, he wanted an animated background. The background and music files are huge, and I have tried to make them as small as possible. I am kinda at a loss on what to do.

He INSISTS that the music and background stays. I guess my question is, what can I do to optimize this site in order save load time, bandwidth,and disc space? Also, please tell me how well (or not!) the page loads. Thanx!

http://darksideillusions.us

[corey84]

Very neat code... your right the page doesn't look all that professional, but it isnt your fault, it would be good to get rid of the music, expecially if it is a different one on each pae, load time isn't too bad i suppose but it could be increased by using a static background... but you already know that..
and one more thing maybe using a different color text would be good makes it very hard to read


all in all good work

[kevin]

well, I guess if you're being paid (or its a favor to a good friend or family member) then you have to do what they ask for.

My honest opinion is that the site looks silly. The flaming skulls are as campy as it gets. The glowing text is almost unreadable. The layout takes up too much space. This is an attempt at being edgy and cool that falls flat on its nose.

Convince this peson that the website is terrible. At least get them to allow you to make an alternate site without music and flaming skulls. A site with a lot more class and a bit of dignity.

I know you asked for a gentle review but anything less than my honest opinion is just pandering to you. You know what must be done grasshopper, now go and do it! ;)

[Joe]

page could not be found :confused:

[charles bernard]

Seems basic, but well foundation is in order. I do like the music control on TOP. Possible to link or have PHOTOS courtesy of? Maybe a way to link back and fourth.

[chimneysweep]

No problem with the music, on the condition you can turn it on or off.

In general it looks tacky though, and animated backgrounds are BAAAAAAAAAAAD news. Maybe if you design a new really edgy one and show him both he'll come around?

[Slayer324]

I agree with Kevin, you should really try to convince him/her to change his/her mind on the design.

I think he should at least use Images for links to the different pages, not just grey boxes with writing in them.

Sorry, but thats what I think, methinks your just following orders though ;) so its not your fault :P

[AndyB]

Originally posted by joe2kiss
page could not be found :confused: Lucky you!! It's even worse than I imagined from the reviews posted above.

'Just following orders, so it's not your fault' is a bit of a lame excuse. Part of the skill involved in web design is being able to diplomatically explain to your client (friend or someone you've never met), that while their ideas are er, great ... they 'might' not translate well into a web site in which they're investing money. And to be able to show them a better way and explain why it's better for them. After all, they came to you because you had better skills than them so you owe it to them to provide honest opinions. If they don't listen ....

[GuitarHero]

It looks cheesy. If you took those skulls off it would be a bit better. But i wouldnt have chose that layout.

[Loucon]

Not to be mean but everything that you shouldn't do when making a website is done here. The only thing not on this site is the scrolling text {hate that by the way}, but as others mentioned this isn't your fault. I think the best thing to do is build the entire site using flash if you know how.

You would be able to keep a similar design and still make it look better.

i agree with AndyB

After all, they came to you because you had better skills than them so you owe it to them to provide honest opinions. If they don't listen ....