Webspeak....!

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Posted by Erin at 2/5/2001 11:17 AM EST


Other on team #65, Huskie Brigade, from Pontiac Northern High School and GM Powertrain.



So here's a little question for those of you who decide to answer it. I was just wondering what the masses of you think about a good webpage. As far as content- What must it have? What must its characteristics be to entice you visually? Must there be sound? What is better, Flash format (www.teammacomb.com - the best flash ever) or must it be wordy and filled with graphical / verbal content (www.chiefdelphi.com)?
What makes you want to visit a webpage again and again (besides forums....I can't steal that one-it'd be like stealing the swerve)? What is easier on the eyes as far as backgrounds are concerned? Are pictures important? If so, larger or smaller pictures? Does the filesize and time to load matter when you look at a webpage? What about beginning content, Do you like to see lots of movement or large embracing titles? Frames or no frames? What do you think the killer webpage would be composed of? Do you guys seek team response and interaction via the web? Would you strive to seek the acceptance of ideas from everyone on your team, or just go with your flow and get it done well by your standards?
Do you like your web editors with long hair and hazel eyes (j/k j/k, thats me, it was just a joke)
Ahh, so many questions, so little time.

Answer if you can, I would really appreciate it.

-Erin

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Posted by Kai Zhao at 2/5/2001 1:44 PM EST


Student on team #686, Botler & Associates, from Linganore High School, Frederick MD and NASA/GFSC and Smiths Industries.


In Reply to: Webspeak....!
Posted by Erin on 2/5/2001 11:17 AM EST:



: I was just wondering what the masses of you think about a good webpage.

I believe the best (team) website is content based, not visual audio based. Flash websites are awefully cool but so much of your time is spent on making the animation(s) that the website content is subpar. Background music and too much graphics are extrememly annoying. The next time I enter a site with a midi music background, I will kill the author.

Website charicteristics that I believe you should add if you want heavy traffic chatrooms (IRC, of course), an information database, and media. The problem of forums and chatrooms is that if no one currently visits your site, who is going to be in the chat/board? An information database to text wouldn't be bad. (an example is www.everything2.com) It is kind of like the "FIRST intellectual database" one had suggested. If you want a good starting ground, visit www.everydevel.com. Please note that Linux, SQL server, and Perl knowledge is required along with a dedicated server.

But to answer your question about file size, I would reccomend small, static pictures. If needed, they could open a larger version when you click on it. A clean interface would be nice. Don't make the website load too slowly, be considerate of people on 28.8k and even broadband people (me) don't like large sites. Frames are not good unless they must be used. Try to stick with "compiler" or Server Side Includes to insert common items. I made a SSI like thing with Javascript once (but SSI is much better). But most of all make it simple and clean. No wacky javascipt code, colourful GIF images, purple backgrounds, etc. Browser specificity is always bad. And NEVER, EVER, use any component of Microsoft Office (except Frontpage) to make a web page. Most likely, a linking problem (invisible to the creator) will result.

And to wrap it up, below is a link to my team's site. It lacks content and is a little bit active. I haven't updated it since 12/31/00 or something.

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Posted by AZTECHS 157 at 2/5/2001 2:11 PM EST


Other on team #157, The AZTECHS, from Assabet Valley RTHS and EMC/Simplex/Intel.


In Reply to: The best team website charicteristics...
Posted by Kai Zhao on 2/5/2001 1:44 PM EST:



I would also like to add that using a redirect page as your main link is not a good thing to do. It really annoys most users and novice users can't figure out how to get out.
(Hit back, get redirected, hit back, get redirected... it is an endless cycle unless you know what you are doing)
But, to answer the original question, content is more important than looks. Flash is nice as an addition to a page, but to make the entire page out of it tends to take away from the information of a site.)

Good design, like was said before, is simple, elegant and most importantly, cross browser compatible.

And now for the shameless plug:
If you want to see a site that I think contains good content and is relatively simply designed, visit http://www.aztechs157.org

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Posted by Jessica Boucher at 2/5/2001 4:48 PM EST


Student on team #237, Sie-H2O-Bots, from Watertown High School and Eastern Awning Systems & The Siemon Company.


In Reply to: Re: The best team website charicteristics...
Posted by AZTECHS 157 on 2/5/2001 2:11 PM EST:



Seriously, the best think you can do to make it easy on the eyes is to keep it simple. No dark backgrounds (I learned this the hard way), no strange/unreadable text (this annoys the heck out of me), and small graphics.

I really think that what goes up on the team site depends on how many people are assigned to it. On my team, its just lil ol' me...but I know other teams have "web teams" & such...where I feel that content would be more diplomatic.

-Jessica B, #237

PS. Have you thanked your team's webmaster lately? Maybe the site would be changed more if you did....

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Posted by Erin at 2/5/2001 5:55 PM EST


Other on team #65, Huskie Brigade, from Pontiac Northern High School and GM Powertrain.


In Reply to: Simple All the Way!
Posted by Jessica Boucher on 2/5/2001 4:48 PM EST:



Hey Jess, thanks for the idea!!



But I am not just updating the page...I am totally redoing it

Appreciate the Masters, whether we be women (who are better) or men

-Erin

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Posted by Jessica Boucher at 2/5/2001 6:06 PM EST


Student on team #237, Sie-H2O-Bots, from Watertown High School and Eastern Awning Systems & The Siemon Company.


In Reply to: /me thanks myself
Posted by Erin on 2/5/2001 5:55 PM EST:



the webmaster who decides to revamp the page, for they will only know long hours and major frustrations until the very end, when elation comes.

-Jessica B, #237

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Posted by Lora Knepper at 2/8/2001 9:43 PM EST


Other on team #73, Tigerbolt, from Rochester Institute of Technology / Edison Tech HS and Alstom and Fiber Technologies.


In Reply to: Blessed be...
Posted by Jessica Boucher on 2/5/2001 6:06 PM EST:



: the webmaster who decides to revamp the page, for they will only know long hours and major frustrations until the very end, when elation comes.

.... Until the next major update ;o) A webmaster's job is never done...

~ Lora *goes back to her cave and starts coding*
Webmaster - Team 73 Tigerbolt

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Posted by Mike Soukup at 2/5/2001 8:38 PM EST


Engineer on team #111, Wildstang, from Rolling Meadows & Wheeling and Motorola.


In Reply to: /me thanks myself
Posted by Erin on 2/5/2001 5:55 PM EST:



: Appreciate the Masters, whether we be women (who are better) or men

I know better than to comment on that statement.

Mike

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Posted by mike oleary at 2/5/2001 10:57 PM EST


Student on team #419, rambots, from bc high.


In Reply to: Re: /me thanks myself
Posted by Mike Soukup on 2/5/2001 8:38 PM EST:



: : Appreciate the Masters, whether we be women (who are better) or men

: I know better than to comment on that statement.

: Mike


i dont...men are so much better...women deserve the 1/2 pay they make...know why? cuz men are better
yay men!

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Posted by Anton Abaya at 2/5/2001 11:36 PM EST


Coach on team #419, Rambots, from UMass Boston / BC High and NONE AT THE MOMENT! .


In Reply to: Re: /me thanks myself
Posted by mike oleary on 2/5/2001 10:57 PM EST:



: : : Appreciate the Masters, whether we be women (who are better) or men

: : I know better than to comment on that statement.

: : Mike

:
: i dont...men are so much better...women deserve the 1/2 pay they make...know why? cuz men are better
: yay men!

he does not represent rambots on this thought.

-anton

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Posted by Erin at 2/6/2001 8:05 AM EST


Other on team #65, Huskie Brigade, from Pontiac Northern High School and GM Powertrain.


In Reply to: Re: /me thanks myself
Posted by Anton Abaya on 2/5/2001 11:36 PM EST:



ANTON!!

Keep your boy in check.

Women rule.

-Erin

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Posted by Brett at 2/6/2001 5:13 PM EST


Student on team #201 from Rochester High School.


In Reply to: Re: /me thanks myself
Posted by Erin on 2/6/2001 8:05 AM EST:



Crap, they do? *makes note in notebook*


*thanks self*

*goes to update site*

*sigh*