View Full Version : check out this rookie website!!!!
Jon Reese
15-10-2003, 13:30
this is the website fo a rookie team!
please go to it and get on its forums and make suggestions!!!!!!!!
then come back and rate it
(keep in mind it is a rookie team!)
thanks,
jon
captain 1255 Zelda's Mafia
Jon Reese
15-10-2003, 13:44
holy crap i forgot to put the website!!!!!!!!!!!11
go me!
its
www.freewebs.com/team1255/
thanks,
jon
IMDWalrus
15-10-2003, 14:57
Hmm. Personally, I can't stand frames, but that's just my opinion.
What's probably going to be a bigger problem, though, is the use of Zelda characters and images. Unless you're being sponsored by Nintendo OR you have permission to use the characters, I'd find another team name and theme - I wouldn't use copyrighted characters without permission.
generalbrando
15-10-2003, 15:27
I would also be weary of using Zelda. I like Zelda, but they might be able to come after you and ask for money! As for the design, It's not too bad. I would suggest making it a little easier on the eyes.
Frank(Aflak)
15-10-2003, 15:38
I wouldn't theme a robotics team off of a nintendo franchise without permission.
Besides, are you goingg to build a humanoid robot? Were there robots in Zelda? I don't get where you guys got Zelda from.
Ryan Albright
15-10-2003, 16:10
Dont take this the wrong way but, It just looks like a simple website that you would make in your first html project in class. Frames and everything. I would looking into php.
ok a few things
im the webmaster for the site, and ive only been working on it for a few days, by myself, with limited HTML knowledge and little artistic talent. so i can understand that the site needs a little work. hopefully ill get some solid feedback from my team other than "it sucks" so that i can actually make it better
second, the US's free use laws allow us to use the Zelda characters, as long as we give credit for them to nintendo, and as long as we arnt using the characters to make a profit, which we arnt. so there is no problem there.
I really wouldve appreciated it, jon, if you could have A: told me you were starting this thread and B: given me the time to get the site up to standards, and C: told me what you want on the site in specific terms. I mean im not sure how this looks, but you probally just made us look like another crappy rookie team here, despite the fact that we are the only rookies with a site.
if anyone has some REAL suggestions, or helpfull websites for advanced HTML or PHP, go ahead and email me or just post them here i suppose.
KenWittlief
15-10-2003, 16:44
I thinkyou are off to a good start. get a clear idea in your head what the purpose of the website is (other than having a cool website)
you can easily apply the engineering design cycle to this project:
1. analysis the problem - what problem are you trying to solve by creating this website? other teams need to be able to reach you? team members need a place to get inforamtion about schedule, dates, important event. promote the team to possible sponsors... once you know what problems you are trying to solve (write them down) then:
2. decide how to solve that problem - what information do you want to communicate? People names? school address? phone numbers? email addresses? Do you want a monthly calender of events or a list of dates and times? do you want a place where your team can post photos? ask questions (forum)? who should be allowed to post and who should be allowed to access? once you have figured out the how then:
3. you can start designing and implementing - this would be where you would start writing HTML and creating pages, and links, putting it up and testing it. As you build your site you can then:
4. test and debug it - ask other people to access the functions, to try to find information, try to post stuff, and provide a way for them to communcate with you when they cant find something, or make it work
BTW, I think usfirst.org has a link page to team websites. Browsing other teams websites is a great way to get ideas for your own. Almost all of them have contact information, so if you see something you want to implement on your site, ask them how they did it. Most people will be glad to tell you.
Trashed20
15-10-2003, 16:48
Since the website is incomplete, i think it would be hard to get any helpful ideas on what is lacking (ie, team info, pictures, info about first, game). A lot of this stuff is prolly in the process of being created or do not exist yet. New teams don't have anything really to put on websites when they start. I would say the fact that you are even attempting to make one is commendable. One of the main functions of our site is to have a single place that has meeting times and dates, contact info, and other things that have been crucial to running our club. I would say ask your team what they want/need, and then they can critique it from there.
And please, don't be discouraged from continuing the site. Most site start off pretty bad, and we all learn from our mistakes.
:)
xplod1236
15-10-2003, 17:08
I think it would look a lot better if the forums matched the site...or the site matched the forums. I would prefer the site matching the forums. :)
yeah, jon was talking about changing the color sceme to white instead of black. unfortunatly i cant change the forum color options. Id love it if someone had a better forum they could offer me.
i just wanted to say, since i am in team 1255, that i thank ya'll for the advice on the page and that i agree it needs ALOT of work, but at least we have some kind of a page up and running.
morgan, put your real name in the AKA space, so that i dont get confused. and thanks alot for putting ALOT in caps. i mean its not like youre doing anything about it :D
hey i told you to not put the back ground in black and some other things like that but mr. high and mighty webmaster here didn't want to listen to lowly me lol j\k besides i mean it really does need ALOT of work, just compare our site with these guys
pphhff, black is fine for those of us that can read. but im working on a lighter colored background right now, cause plain white offends me. and remember how long delphi has been up, compare that amount of time to the whole 1 week our site has been up. and like i said, put your name in the AKA space so that other team members can identify you.
how do you change you aka, and white i good if it is used right but i was thinking of something more along the lines of imported pics from the game
i just sent you a pm telling you how, just click on the "pm" link near the top to view your pm inbox
ok now that me and morgan are finished chattering here, i still need to know if anyone knows a good forum hosting site, cause the one we have is ok, and certainly functional enough, but it doesnt have enough user friendlyness i think
hey tommy go to http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=zelda+wallpapers for some good pics to mabey set as the background
Putting one of those pics in the bg would be cool, but take alot of time to dl.
it will take me about ten secs becaues i have extremly high speed cable
A few things guys:
A--Try not to use ChiefDelphi for short, quick posts like that, meant for only one person. The PM feature is there for a reason.
B--Keep up the good work. It looks like you guys should be on your way to a great season.
C--If you need any help with webdesign, you can ask me and many others on ChiefDelphi. The majority of us would be glad to lend out a hand. If you need anything, don't be afraid to ask.
i thought i just did ask...... *shrug* like i said, i need a better forum site than the one im using, which is myikonboard.com
i am especially looking for one with good color sceme options. ikon board only lets me have blue on white, which is annoying
also i could really use a site that teaches how to use php, cause i dont know the first thing about it
Originally posted by Ryan_team710
Dont take this the wrong way but, It just looks like a simple website that you would make in your first html project in class. Frames and everything. I would looking into php.
PHP != design.
One thing I'd do is tone down the background behind the text. Everyone seems to do that (ever read people's xangas?! augh.) and it just makes me have to highlight the text to read, which drives me utterly insane. Either get rid of it altogether or go into your image editor of choice and lower the contrast.
Similar idea for backgrounds. Desktop backgrounds and backgrounds for websites are VERY different things. I'd suggest not having a background at all (less distracting to the eye...)
contrast!!! arg!!!! THATS what i needed to change to get the picture softer. dont mind me, im not much of a net artist, im kinda flying by the seat of my pants.
i was thinking about makeing a collage background out of tons of other pics, but then making it really muted so its a pale white color that wont be overly distracting, but will still look cool. if it doesnt work out then ill probally switch to white.
Allison K
16-10-2003, 00:03
How does mine look
I've never made a website before
www.freewebs.com/first1313/
Allison
PS- I especially like the pictures section.
Jeff Waegelin
16-10-2003, 00:09
Originally posted by Allison K
How does mine look
I've never made a website before
www.freewebs.com/first1313/
Allison
PS- I especially like the pictures section.
Good choice of layout. I assume it's probably a template, but hey, there's nothing wrong with that, especially if you don't know much HTML. Given that I can't do much better, I can't criticize ;)
Allison K
16-10-2003, 00:18
Originally posted by Jeff Waegelin
Good choice of layout. I assume it's probably a template, but hey, there's nothing wrong with that, especially if you don't know much HTML. Given that I can't do much better, I can't criticize ;)
Yeah. I didn't even know freewebs (or anything like it) existed until I read this thread. So yes it is a template. I just kinda started and figured it out as I went
I think I might try to actually learn some kind of code (either flash or HTML) but I think I'd better wait until things slow down a little. Between College and actually starting the team I'm a little busy.:)
LizJJury
16-10-2003, 12:51
Hey as for all of the debate....its looks to me like the main page has nothing to do with robotics and everything to do with personnal taste and updates. Kind of like it is his site and then the team decided to add a link for the team. I personnally like it and i say good job.
robot180
16-10-2003, 17:48
I'm in a hurry so sorry if this has already been said about the first website link in this thread.
First thing. LOOSE THE FRAMES!!! This very good rule can apply to either web design or vision correction. (as opposed to getting contacts) Anyways, frames can work against you when making a professional looking website. It is just as much work to use a table to align everything and you make it look neater and it will be less confusing for a lot of people who lack computer skills. How?, PM me and I will give you the whole lecture about my theory on "IA". Also, I'm sure someone mentioned this. The announcements on the home page are a bit hard to read, especially if you are older and are not used to using computers to read information, considering the fact that older people are used to reading things on paper with plain backgrounds since it is expensive to make designs in the backgrounds.
Using tables, for everything, replacing the frames, will make it looks more proffesional. Also, make some kind of mouse over effect, with the hyperlinks, or items in the left frame. Make sure that the mouse over effect doesn't take too long to load however.
Jon Reese
17-10-2003, 13:24
thanks for everyones input.
were just trying to get people to hear about our team........
we want to show real well for a rookie team.
Raven_Writer
17-10-2003, 15:10
Originally posted by Holla
Its ok that your site isn't amazing. I'm not too wild about the Zelda team, but what ever floats your boat :) you can check out our website. . . http://www.simbotics.net . . . last years site is still up. . . I made it, I have limited knowledge as well. This year we are making it in Flash or something, not sure about the specifics. . . we hope to have it up by next week, it's looking awsome so far, but we have to finish up the main page first ad then it will be very limited. We dont have any sub-sites made yet for the new site. So keep looking back if you want to see the new site, hoepfully it will be next week. if not, enjoy the badness that is my creation :) LoL Good luck with the compitition, welcome to the FIRST family.
I remember when you showed me a small version of it, and I have to agree. It is awsome (and that was back in June).
Back on topic though....2 things:
1. Change the link colors. Blue + Black = yuck. Purple + Black = yuck. Use light colors on dark backgrounds, and dark colors on light backgrounds. If the background is mixed, mess around with the colors.
2. This is just my personal opinion, but frames are low level. Tables w/ or w/o CSS coding is fine to me.
By Tarsen:
ok a few things
im the webmaster for the site, and ive only been working on it for a few days, by myself, with limited HTML knowledge and little artistic talent. so i can understand that the site needs a little work. hopefully ill get some solid feedback from my team other than "it sucks" so that i can actually make it better
second, the US's free use laws allow us to use the Zelda characters, as long as we give credit for them to nintendo, and as long as we arnt using the characters to make a profit, which we arnt. so there is no problem there.
I really wouldve appreciated it, jon, if you could have A: told me you were starting this thread and B: given me the time to get the site up to standards, and C: told me what you want on the site in specific terms. I mean im not sure how this looks, but you probally just made us look like another crappy rookie team here, despite the fact that we are the only rookies with a site.
if anyone has some REAL suggestions, or helpfull websites for advanced HTML or PHP, go ahead and email me or just post them here i suppose.
I really think you should take all criticism. Don't get mad at us for saying "it sucks". The ones who said it, have given reasons for their thoughts. Website-making is like a sport (god I hope that didn't sound like I'm preaching). There will always be one who likes your style, and ones that don't. You must ask why if someone says "I don't like your playing...", or "I love your playing...".
All points said are REAL suggestions. As far as advanced HTML or PHP, you must learn the basics of HTML before even doing any scripting IMHO. Other wise you'll be doing stuff you don't know, and that may lead to bad problems.
i dont mind people saying "it sucks" as long as they give a good reason why, and how i could fix it. i dont accept "it sucks because i dont like it." as a critsism, that is just an insult.
im working on the color sceme at the moment, and hopefully by next tuesday the entire color sceme will be different, and the frames will be gone. i just used frames at first cause they are easy to do, and i like having that little menu there, i just find it convenient. but hey, everyone is entitled to thier opinion on that one.
Originally posted by Raven_Writer
All points said are REAL suggestions. As far as advanced HTML or PHP, you must learn the basics of HTML before even doing any scripting IMHO. Other wise you'll be doing stuff you don't know, and that may lead to bad problems.
ARGH ARGH ARGH ARGH.
HTML != PHP.
DESIGN != PHP.
Let me offer a brief example, my dad manages a team that writes code for IC layout and simulation. He knows java, c++, etc etc. But he couldn't make a table in HTML if his life depended on it. And thankfully it doesn't. He certainly has no "bad problems" because he understands programming but hasn't learned the tags that comprise HTML!
Stop thinking of PHP/(server-side language of choice) as being intricately tied to HTML. It should not be that way. Presentation and logic should be seperate. I wrote some basic roster and event calendar objects for my club for school without even having finalized the site's layout. My PHP script did not contain any HTML tags until awhile later (IE: I seperated data storage/retreival from the data "objects" and seperated that from the actual presentation. They are three seperate layers that interact through set interfaces but are distinct and if necessary could be replaced by similar layers with the same interface.)
Raven_Writer
18-10-2003, 18:34
Originally posted by HFWang
ARGH ARGH ARGH ARGH.
HTML != PHP.
DESIGN != PHP.
Let me offer a brief example, my dad manages a team that writes code for IC layout and simulation. He knows java, c++, etc etc. But he couldn't make a table in HTML if his life depended on it. And thankfully it doesn't. He certainly has no "bad problems" because he understands programming but hasn't learned the tags that comprise HTML!
Stop thinking of PHP/(server-side language of choice) as being intricately tied to HTML. It should not be that way. Presentation and logic should be seperate. I wrote some basic roster and event calendar objects for my club for school without even having finalized the site's layout. My PHP script did not contain any HTML tags until awhile later (IE: I seperated data storage/retreival from the data "objects" and seperated that from the actual presentation. They are three seperate layers that interact through set interfaces but are distinct and if necessary could be replaced by similar layers with the same interface.)
When did I say that I think HTML == PHP and/or Design == PHP?
Jeremy_Mc
18-10-2003, 19:07
1) insert some css - it will make your life much easier when you try to change color schemes and what have you...
you can learn all about that + HTML at www.w3schools.org
2) don't worry if your site isn't super awesome your rookie year...you've got many years ahead to worry about your site ;)
3) if all else fails, you're more than welcome to go to my team's site (www.firstubergeeks.com) and rip off whatever you like...we offer the entire site up for download (php scripts and all if you're into that...but i think you need to get firm design concepts down first...and YES i know php != design...).
if you have any more questions or what ever, feel free to pm me or im me or e-mail me...
Originally posted by Raven_Writer
When did I say that I think HTML == PHP and/or Design == PHP?
*points*
Originally posted by Raven_Writer
All points said are REAL suggestions. As far as advanced HTML or PHP, you must learn the basics of HTML before even doing any scripting IMHO. Other wise you'll be doing stuff you don't know, and that may lead to bad problems.
What I got out of that was PHP/scripting is tied to webdesign period, and that if you don't know HTML you can't script. (Sort of like the connection between CSS and HTML). Having made some rather bizarre helper apps in PHP/GTK (I need a life, so what?) I can confidently state that PHP is useful for more than just the web. (Though it does excel at that)
I want to let ya'll know that tommy has taken many of your sugestions and changed the website(but not hte FRAMES or the forum.) Tommy ig getting some help from a good web designer and a bood multimedia person so if you would keep checking back and tell us what you think of the changes.
what are you talking about? i did get rid of the frames, take a closer look, that is just a virticle table with some links. hopefully i will have dreamweaver and adobe photo shop for ron and justin and they can get to work.
Originally posted by Argoth
i just wanted to say, since i am in team 1255, that i thank ya'll for the advice on the page and that i agree it needs ALOT of work, but at least we have some kind of a page up and running.
Ok.
Yes, the page needs a lot of work.
It needs more content, for one. Also, I'd look into a domain name--they're $6.95 a year from www.web.com.
Even if you can't get a domain name, I'd still move your domain over to www.staghosting.com. They'll give you FTP, SSH, mySQL, PHP, and 50 email addresses. For free. With no ads.
Wherever you host it--disregarding a domain name--I'd get a .tk URL. It's short, easy, free, and only has a small pop-up ad. Go to www.yourdesireddomainname.tk and if it's available, you can register it.
I've had some bad experiences with myIkonboard. They screwed over our ToyDestruction.com board before we hosted out own. I'd go with either phpBB or Invisionboard myself.
I'd try to make the site look a little more organized. I like the way you have posts organized on the homepage. To use the common vernaculer, however, the rest of your site sucks. See if you can spiffify your banner up some.
Not a bad start, though. Good concept. I'm sure that you could make the site cool with a little photo shop, table use, and elbow grease.
By the way, I'm a webmaster from a second year team. We're over at www.theforceteam.com. Feel free to head over and check out our site, or contact me if you want any help or suggestions.
--Petey
Sam Oldak
27-03-2004, 08:18
ok a few things
im the webmaster for the site, and ive only been working on it for a few days, by myself, with limited HTML knowledge and little artistic talent. so i can understand that the site needs a little work. hopefully ill get some solid feedback from my team other than "it sucks" so that i can actually make it better
second, the US's free use laws allow us to use the Zelda characters, as long as we give credit for them to nintendo, and as long as we arnt using the characters to make a profit, which we arnt. so there is no problem there.
I really wouldve appreciated it, jon, if you could have A: told me you were starting this thread and B: given me the time to get the site up to standards, and C: told me what you want on the site in specific terms. I mean im not sure how this looks, but you probally just made us look like another crappy rookie team here, despite the fact that we are the only rookies with a site.
if anyone has some REAL suggestions, or helpfull websites for advanced HTML or PHP, go ahead and email me or just post them here i suppose.
You guys are not the only rookies with a site. Just to let you know, Walt Whitman Robotics (http://wwhsrobotics.tk) is a rookie team, and I put this website together.
Sam Oldak
27-03-2004, 08:22
Ok.
Yes, the page needs a lot of work.
It needs more content, for one. Also, I'd look into a domain name--they're $6.95 a year from www.web.com.
Even if you can't get a domain name, I'd still move your domain over to www.staghosting.com. They'll give you FTP, SSH, mySQL, PHP, and 50 email addresses. For free. With no ads.
Wherever you host it--disregarding a domain name--I'd get a .tk URL. It's short, easy, free, and only has a small pop-up ad. Go to www.yourdesireddomainname.tk and if it's available, you can register it.
I've had some bad experiences with myIkonboard. They screwed over our ToyDestruction.com board before we hosted out own. I'd go with either phpBB or Invisionboard myself.
I'd try to make the site look a little more organized. I like the way you have posts organized on the homepage. To use the common vernaculer, however, the rest of your site sucks. See if you can spiffify your banner up some.
Not a bad start, though. Good concept. I'm sure that you could make the site cool with a little photo shop, table use, and elbow grease.
By the way, I'm a webmaster from a second year team. We're over at www.theforceteam.com. Feel free to head over and check out our site, or contact me if you want any help or suggestions.
--Petey
the force team's website link doesn't work. I even took out the extra dot at the end. Maybe it's a typo?
Nice website, but...try not to bring back >1 year old threads?
Raven_Writer
27-03-2004, 09:25
Nice website, but...try not to bring back >1 year old threads?This isn't >1 year old. Last (non-2004) post was 10-30-2003.
Sam Oldak
27-03-2004, 09:47
sorry if anyone doesn't like the old thread. I forgot to check when it was posted.
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