Once Again Looking For Comments

ExposeTheMoment · June 8, 2006

Over the last month or so I have posted my website (several different designs)looking for comments. Some were good some and some were bad.

So it was decided to scrap it all and start over, and here is the result.

http://www.exposethemoment.com

What do you think?

Andy · June 8, 2006

As far as I'm concerned, when you ask for critique, ALL OF IT is GOOD. You may disagree with some of it, but honest fair criticism can't be BAD, Gary. That only disses those that are trying to help you.

Your pages are not consistent widths so from link to link, there is noticeable movement.

There is NO apostrophe in FAQs.

"Mouseover images to view" does not work here for me (FF Mac)
http://www.exposethemoment.com/gallery/gallery.htm

The green titles and also some nav links just don't match, do they?
http://photos.exposethemoment.com/Weddings

3-across gallery thumbs looks odd. I should think you'd want 4-across, with the spacing you've made?

The text and nav links in your footer are really hard to read. Especially the green-on-teal. You cannot have the SmugMug footer text be unreadable, either. http://photos.exposethemoment.com/gallery/958946

Can't read the breadcrumb, it's green-on-teal.

http://photos.exposethemoment.com/gallery/958946 the slideshow button from The Graduate really doesn't match, at all. Ditto for the filmstrip arrows. As well, the filmstrip arrows need breathing room from the thumbnails.

http://photos.exposethemoment.com/gallery/958946 the default shopping carts from smugmug black can't be seen. You'll want to use the ones from smugmugwhite.

The header on your SmugMug pages looks really bland. Why is the navbar missing in Safari?

I'm sure there's more but I have to get to a meeting - Hope this helps!

ExposeTheMoment · June 8, 2006

Andy wrote:

As far as I'm concerned, when you ask for critique, ALL OF IT is GOOD. You may disagree with some of it, but honest fair criticism can't be BAD, Gary. That only disses those that are trying to help you.

Your pages are not consistent widths so from link to link, there is noticeable movement.

There is NO apostrophe in FAQs.

"Mouseover images to view" does not work here for me (FF Mac)
http://www.exposethemoment.com/gallery/gallery.htm

The green titles and also some nav links just don't match, do they?
http://photos.exposethemoment.com/Weddings

3-across gallery thumbs looks odd. I should think you'd want 4-across, with the spacing you've made?

The text and nav links in your footer are really hard to read. Especially the green-on-teal. You cannot have the SmugMug footer text be unreadable, either. http://photos.exposethemoment.com/gallery/958946

Can't read the breadcrumb, it's green-on-teal.

http://photos.exposethemoment.com/gallery/958946 the slideshow button from The Graduate really doesn't match, at all. Ditto for the filmstrip arrows. As well, the filmstrip arrows need breathing room from the thumbnails.

http://photos.exposethemoment.com/gallery/958946 the default shopping carts from smugmug black can't be seen. You'll want to use the ones from smugmugwhite.

The header on your SmugMug pages looks really bland. Why is the navbar missing in Safari?

I'm sure there's more but I have to get to a meeting - Hope this helps!

I use internet explorer galleries are 4 accross.

I see my nav on all pages

I only see regular defult shopping cart buttons on all pages

I dont see Graduate icons any where

you said
Your pages are not consistent widths so from link to link, there is noticeable movement.

is that my domain or smugmug pages

Yes Im looking for comments, however I am more concerned with my site and not any pages on smugmug

I want to fix all issues on url www.exposethemoment.com

then customize my smugmug pages if in fact there is a problem.

Smugmug info was not covered, its just the colors where not changed. when I changed the pages

Andy · June 8, 2006

if in fact there is a problem

Yeah, I'm making it up

Gary, it's like you don't want help from us, I don't get it. The page width jitter was on your site, not the smugmug site. You can see it if you click from different links in your navbar from one to the other. Mouseover on the page I referenced does not work for me, IE6 or FF.

On the SmugMug side, take the advice or not, it's up to you. The
You have filmstrip arrows and slideshow button from the graduate theme - they do not match your site. You have shopping carts that are too light. Your navlinks need color attention. This is in IE6 or FF on Mac.

It's generally accepted good webdesign practice to make your site work in IE6 and FF and Safari, the predominant browsers out there. If you don't want to follow that advice, that's cool.

W.W. Webster · June 8, 2006

ExposeTheMoment wrote:

What do you think?

No nav bar in Safari, therefore no way into the site!

greyalofus · June 8, 2006

W.W. Webster wrote:

No nav bar in Safari, therefore no way into the site!

hi there - greyalofus here...i'm the person who put gary's site together..and i have some questions for you if you don't mind...

1)i am looking in both firefox and IE, and i do not notice page width jittering - the tables are a fixed width - i don't understand how they could move...perhaps you are seeing the scroll bar in FF which does make the page shift when it is longer than the browser - is that what you are referring to?

if so, we are considering using scrolling div's for pages that are too long in length.

2) - the mouseover phrase is incorrect - i will replace it when i finish choosing and processing the rest of the photos for the gallery slideshow.

3) i could not find anywhere in the site where i used FAQ's with an apostrophe.

As far as browser compatibility - i'm not sure what the issue is with the nav bar in safari - i usually don't check that browser - the menu is from sothlink dhtml - and according to their website it is compatible with safari 1.0 - as referenced here: http://www.sothink.com/product/dhtmlmenu/compatibility.htm

and also as reported by w3schools - safari has so little browser share - it's not even reported -

http://www.sothink.com/product/dhtmlmenu/browsers.htm

i'm not saying those statistics are the best - but it's what i had to go by when i purchased the software -

if anyone has an explanation as to why it wouldn't show up in safari - i'm interested to hear - and am willing to make changes wherever i can to be compatible with as many browsers as possible - although i don't know if it's possible to be compatible with all of them. the DHTML menu was chosen for gary as a way to streamline the many options he wants for his site without crowding.

ON TO THE SMUGMUG PORTION OF EXPOSETHEMOMENT..

neither gary or i are heavily experienced with co-branding of smugmug. we have done ok for the most part - but we could use some assistance in explanations of HOW we change things, not what is wrong - but rather the mechanics of making it RIGHT.

1) can you please point me to the directions on how i make a change to the tables so that it is 4 columns in both browsers? i don't understand why it is different in FF vs. IE, but is it, and I don't know how to fix that. I would appreciate any help you can give here.

2) the graduate icons were changed weeks ago, i don't know why you are still seeing them, perhaps it is your browser cache - i have checked on 2 other computers in my home and they do not show up - the regular white shopping cart icons do.

3) yes, the css on the smugmug site needs changing - however, is there some way to exactly pinpoint the elements? to date, it has been trial and error - as the css is not identified in such a way that i can find where the green gallery titles are coming from. the other css issues will be resolved soon - when i get the chance to work on things.

i am not a webdesigner by trade - i'm more or less a wannabee photographer and i am a photoshop junky. i know enough web stuff to be dangerous - but yet can manage to put together a site or two.

thanks for any replies...

Andy · June 8, 2006

greyalofus wrote:

3) i could not find anywhere in the site where i used FAQ's with an apostrophe.

Look harder

Andy · June 8, 2006

greyalofus wrote:

and also as reported by w3schools - safari has so little browser share - it's not even reported -

Don't upset off 75% of Mac Users: http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=35748

Andy · June 8, 2006

greyalofus wrote:

ON TO THE SMUGMUG PORTION OF EXPOSETHEMOMENT..

neither gary or i are heavily experienced with co-branding of smugmug. we have done ok for the most part - but we could use some assistance in explanations of HOW we change things, not what is wrong - but rather the mechanics of making it RIGHT.

1) can you please point me to the directions on how i make a change to the tables so that it is 4 columns in both browsers? i don't understand why it is different in FF vs. IE, but is it, and I don't know how to fix that. I would appreciate any help you can give here.

2) the graduate icons were changed weeks ago, i don't know why you are still seeing them, perhaps it is your browser cache - i have checked on 2 other computers in my home and they do not show up - the regular white shopping cart icons do.

3) yes, the css on the smugmug site needs changing - however, is there some way to exactly pinpoint the elements? to date, it has been trial and error - as the css is not identified in such a way that i can find where the green gallery titles are coming from. the other css issues will be resolved soon - when i get the chance to work on things.

i am not a webdesigner by trade - i'm more or less a wannabee photographer and i am a photoshop junky. i know enough web stuff to be dangerous - but yet can manage to put together a site or two.

thanks for any replies...

1) look to the miniBox widths, and use FF webdev extension - FF and the webdev are linked in my signature - both FREE

2) check again, I clear cache like every minute, part of the job

3) Gary knows this, too. USE FF and the FF Web Dev extension, it's FREE and easy and we teach you how to use them

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=31784

Lots more great help to be had in the customization forum right here on Dgrin

http://www.dgrin.com/forumdisplay.php?f=31

I hope this helps!

DavidTO · June 8, 2006

Andy wrote:

Don't upset off 75% of Mac Users: http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=35748

Just in case you don't dig deep enough into this link that Andy provided, I'll quote the pertinent part from the link within the link. <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/mwink.gif" border="0" alt="" >

Safari’s share is particularly interesting because its 3.3-percentage-point share in April 2006 consists entirely of Mac OS X users. That’s because, for now at least, Safari only runs on that operating system. ......<snip>........
When you realize that the Mac market share in April 2006 stands at 4.3 percent, Safari is apparently the browser of choice of over 75% of Mac users. There are good reasons for that, though like their Windows counterparts, many Mac users browse with whatever web browser is installed on their system. Until Microsoft stopped producing IE for the Mac, Apple included IE as well as Safari with Mac OS X. Now, however, Safari is it unless you download another browser.

Regardless of why it’s favored, developers need to understand that when they fail to include Safari in their compatibility testing, they are basically thumbing their nose at Mac users. In my world, that’s not just a nasty thing to do, it’s also illegal. After all, it’s essentially the same as putting a sign on your shop window that says “No Jews served,” or “No Illegal Immigrants served,” etc. The web belongs to everyone, and if you’re going to set up shop there, you should have to do it in a way that doesn’t discriminate against a particular group. Mac users browse with Safari, so if you’re a developer on a Windows system, you need to find a way to test your code with Safari.

Cindy · June 9, 2006

ExposeTheMoment wrote:

Over the last month or so I have posted my website (several different designs)looking for comments. Some were good some and some were bad.

So it was decided to scrap it all and start over, and here is the result.

http://www.exposethemoment.com

What do you think?

Hi Gary,

I barely know enough css/html stuff to keep myself from drowning

so as for all that stuff goes I'm no help whatsoever so I won't even try to look for errors, etc... but As far as your websites overall appearance, don't toss this one because even though it needs some refining I really like the way it's coming together. Overall color scheme looks great... I love the header as it looks great but not overbearing in such a way as to distract the viewer (boy I need to make a new header

: )
anyhow... just my worthless 2 cents. Have a great day & happy shooting.

ExposeTheMoment · June 9, 2006

Cindy wrote:

Hi Gary,

I barely know enough css/html stuff to keep myself from drowning so as for all that stuff goes I'm no help whatsoever so I won't even try to look for errors, etc... but As far as your websites overall appearance, don't toss this one because even though it needs some refining I really like the way it's coming together. Overall color scheme looks great... I love the header as it looks great but not overbearing in such a way as to distract the viewer (boy I need to make a new header : )
anyhow... just my worthless 2 cents. Have a great day & happy shooting.

Thank you cindy, your the first person who has looked at my website and actualy commented on the site design, rather then the flaws at hand.

That was the problem before, we where told the header was too busy etc so we decided to start from stratch.

I don't need to be concerned about smugmug, cause my smugmug set up is not what is selling my services, its the main domain URL thats selling my services, and the infomation I provide to my viewers.

Smugmug is a whole different issue and will be handled after the main url pages are fixed up.

Cindy · June 9, 2006

ExposeTheMoment wrote:

Thank you cindy, your the first person who has looked at my website and actualy commented on the site design, rather then the flaws at hand.

That was the problem before, we where told the header was too busy etc so we decided to start from stratch.

I don't need to be concerned about smugmug, cause my smugmug set up is not what is selling my services, its the main domain URL thats selling my services, and the infomation I provide to my viewers.

Smugmug is a whole different issue and will be handled after the main url pages are fixed up.

Your welcome Gary

:
Something else I really like is your dropdown nav bar. I'd love to figure out how to do that on my site someday when that day is ever available - haha. I didn't know it was a dropdown until I hovered over it but I don't guess that matters much as anyone wanting to view will figure it out easy enough just as I did. I noticed that under some of the dropdowns (Faq & more; book & pay) that they're contained in an outlined box, but that your Gallery & Services dropdown are not contained in an outlined box. Just in case your wondering I like the dropdowns contained inside the outlined box containers best because when the color sometimes matches the photo below it helps to keep them seperated and much more easily readable. Hope that makes sense. I'd best get back to processing.

greyalofus · June 9, 2006

thank you from me as well cindy

Andy · June 9, 2006

ExposeTheMoment wrote:

Thank you cindy, your the first person who has looked at my website and actualy commented on the site design, rather then the flaws at hand.

Oh puhleeze Gary ! You've received IMO over this and prior posts, very valuable criticism from lots of folks. In our business, we MUST be able to take the good with the bad, and thank everyone who takes the time to comment. What you do with it is up to you.

wxwax · June 9, 2006

Andy wrote:

Oh puhleeze Gary ! You've received IMO over this and prior posts, very valuable criticism from lots of folks. In our business, we MUST be able to take the good with the bad, and thank everyone who takes the time to comment. What you do with it is up to you.

No question. The stuff we need to hear usually isn't the stuff we want to hear. The help you give is an impressive example of how smugmug distances itself from the pack in terms of service.

ExposeTheMoment · June 10, 2006

Comments From Others
I have received this from other at another site.

Um, let me see..........WOW!!! COOL!!! VERY NICE!!!

I like the arrangement of the site

Looks great Gary! This design is my favorite of all of your designs I've seen. I'm sure you are happy to have it done for now (is a website EVER done

).

The site looks really nice. Very streamlined and clean.

it definitely looks like a keeper.

Andy,

99% of your comments seemed to be based on the Smugmug portion. As I stated before, yes comment are wanted, but the Smugmug portion is not what attracts visitors.

gus · June 10, 2006

ExposeTheMoment wrote:

I have received this from other at another site.

Um, let me see..........WOW!!! COOL!!! VERY NICE!!!

I like the arrangement of the site

Looks great Gary! This design is my favorite of all of your designs I've seen. I'm sure you are happy to have it done for now (is a website EVER done).

The site looks really nice. Very streamlined and clean.

it definitely looks like a keeper.

Andy,

Yerbut garry .....some people eat marzipan. I'd have to question if they know what they are doing also.

Bodwick · June 10, 2006

gus wrote:

Yerbut garry .....some people eat marzipan. I'd have to question if they know what they are doing also.

Hmmmm.... Marzipan :eat

Don't think I'd be too quick to munch on his wee guy though.

I was mailed a load of shots like this but don't know where they come from so can't give the link. Sry. I'm not even sure why it was thought I'd be interested in cake design.

Andy · June 10, 2006

ExposeTheMoment wrote:

99% of your comments seemed to be based on the Smugmug portion. As I stated before, yes comment are wanted, but the Smugmug portion is not what attracts visitors

I'd say, try your maths again. Whatever though, I don't really care.

Gary you are a piece of work. Do you actually read what you post before you post it?

ivar · June 10, 2006

I think the white hover-state on some of the links needs to be changed, it's pretty much unreadable on hover.

Also, i think the caption-function needs to be removed on this photo, or a caption needs to be entered:

ivar · June 10, 2006

OH, also, in your menu : services > famiily..... i'd loose one i.

bwg · June 10, 2006

ivar wrote:

OH, also, in your menu : services > famiily..... i'd loose one i.

i'd lose an 'o' too

ivar · June 10, 2006

bigwebguy wrote:

i'd lose an 'o' too

that's the new way off spellling

bwg · June 10, 2006

ivar wrote:

that's the new way off spellling

Andy · June 10, 2006

bigwebguy wrote:

i'd lose an 'o' too

Let's see some of your Dutch spelling, BWG

Bakat · June 10, 2006

I like the new layout much better than the old one. I like the look and feel, it is easy to navigate...

Ok now for my beef. The language on your page for prepping for the shoot felt really harsh. I think a more passive voice would be better.

The is the first line of this page and I found it very off putting...

"Your hair, make-up, nails and everything else must be done at home and you must be ready for your session when you come to the studio. "
"I want to create portraits of people, not clothing."

I know that these are just 2 lines, taken out of context, but I really felt like you were ording me around rather than making helpful suggestions. I sort of got the feeling that you were doing me a favor by taking my pictures rather than providing me with a service.

Maybe it's just me, maybe I'm just feeling sensitive today.

Sorry if I was kind of harsh,
Kat

bwg · June 10, 2006

Andy wrote:

Let's see some of your Dutch spelling, BWG

bork bork bork!

ExposeTheMoment · June 10, 2006

ivar wrote:

OH, also, in your menu : services > famiily..... i'd loose one i.

Thanks, yea I was already ware of that spelling issue. The site needs to be spell checked.

Also I don't allow any comments on any gallery. This must be a site wide over site, I check it out thanks.

ivar · June 10, 2006

bigwebguy wrote:

bork bork bork!

har har

ExposeTheMoment · June 10, 2006

ivar wrote:

I think the white hover-state on some of the links needs to be changed, it's pretty much unreadable on hover.

Also, i think the caption-function needs to be removed on this photo, or a caption needs to be entered:

Something is wrong, I check that galley and comments are off.