TR-x 145 website

[mikecombes]

The Tr-x website has been changed a lot during the past couple of days and we want to know how it looks. Feel free to give comments below this because we shall look at it regularly. And also it is not fully going to stay like it is because its still in beta stage. We would like to have your comments.

http://www.trx145.net/index.htm

For our beta template, check it out at http://trx145.net/beta/index.htm

[rsisk]

Wow... that's different.

Love the background picture, don't like all the animation on the home page. I have to scroll down before I find a link to the content which takes me to the next "home" page and then...

Wow...that's different ;>

Three scrolling frames with Navigation in one scrolling frame, a Sponsor list in another scrolling frame and links to other schools in another scrolling frame. I would ditch the frames, move the navigation to the side of the frame with the list of schools, have the sponsors frame on another page. The link to "TRX 145 in the news" is broken.

Maybe open the links to the other schools in a new browser window rather than loading them into the current frame.

The Link to Proctor and Gamble will not let you use the back button to return. Definitely a candidate for opening in another browser window.

On the Mentors Page, listing the Mentors in Black text on a dark background makes me think you are trying to hide something ;> I cannot read the names.

Overall, content looks OK, but the organization and layout could use some work as described above.

[synth3tk]

Uhm.... I basically agree with Mr. Sisk. You guys have the content, but the delivery could use a little bit of rearranging. Erm..... where to start. Most of this will try to come from a visitor's standpoint, some of it from a developer's view. Don't take any of it personally, I'm just here to help. Here we go.


Splash page:
The scrolling sponsors could probably stand to sit still. I'm pretty indifferent on the Flash intro. One comment on it, though, is that there is a FIRST logo officially made for dark backgrounds, and I would use that instead of the light-backed logo.

There's a lot of content under the intro which, if this is an initial landing page, is probably not the place for it.

The link to becoming a sponsor probably should go, since it leads directly to your HTML page, and not to the page including navigation (more on the frames later), which potentially could lose visitors. Page opens up with no way to navigate, naturally I'm going to close the tab/window.

The counter can probably stay if you really want it, but signing up for Google Analytics (http://www.google.com/analytics/) is a much more accurate and in-depth tool to use, and is free. But to each their own.

Awesome background, dude. Not too overpowering, not too obstructive. I like it.

If at all possible or desired, place a timed redirect on the splash page, so that a few seconds after your intro, it goes to the next page.


Main Site:
Delete the frames. Elaboration down the road.

If you are keeping the scrolling marquee at the top of the main body, please insert the code to pause on mouseover. That way, if I'm to click on the link in the scrolling text, I won't get frustrated trying to chase it and give up.

Mentors page, as Mr. Sisk pointed out, needs either a solid background or (my personal choice) lighter text. Maybe meet each other half-way. Some light text and a semi-transparent dark background. Also, fill out the content so that it takes up more space on the page. Either that, or pictures of the mentors in another <div> so that you have a more interesting page. Another note on this part, I thought that when I clicked "Mentors" that I would see a list of the actual mentors, maybe a short bio, and not a blog-style listing. Not necessarily a bad thing (if you decide to make a blog/news section) but it misleads the viewer. Same goes with the "Students" button. Name your navigational buttons appropriately.

"TR-x 145", there's a team picture that's 2427.39KB LARGE!!! EGADS!!!!! Even on a cable connection with 15Mbps/down, it took me a good ten seconds to finish loading the page. There are plenty of free tools and websites that can scale that down, please take advantage of that.
So about the blog-thing I talked about earlier, I didn't know it was on this page. Again, change the text colors and background color/image. Read that? I do not want. (lolcats reference)


iFrames is not iCool:
Definitely shy away from using those frames. At the very least, make it two frames: Navigation on the left, and main content on the right, sponsors on the Sponsors page. But I highly recommend just removing them altogether, leaving them in 1999 where they belong.

Otherwise, it looks like you've got what you need to make the site interesting as far as text and words. You just need to fix the code up so that it's presentable.


You can tell I had nothing better to do tonight, even though I'm actually putting off working on a team video. So don't take this as me flat-out dogging your site, but as a small project to waste time.

[cdennisxlx2]

Originally Posted by synth3tk

iFrames is not iCool:
Definitely shy away from using those frames.

Technically they arnt iframes, lol

And if done right the use of iframes [in combination with div tags and css, or even tables if they don't know css] can look and flow great. It might be something to look into for this site

Im also going to agree with Richard and David and i don't think that i need to pick it apart anymore then it has been. I do, however, want to congratulate you on at least having a web presents tho. There are way too many teams with out one.

[mikecombes]

Originally Posted by rsisk

Wow... that's different.

Love the background picture, don't like all the animation on the home page. I have to scroll down before I find a link to the content which takes me to the next "home" page and then...

Wow...that's different ;>

Three scrolling frames with Navigation in one scrolling frame, a Sponsor list in another scrolling frame and links to other schools in another scrolling frame. I would ditch the frames, move the navigation to the side of the frame with the list of schools, have the sponsors frame on another page. The link to "TRX 145 in the news" is broken.

Maybe open the links to the other schools in a new browser window rather than loading them into the current frame.

The Link to Proctor and Gamble will not let you use the back button to return. Definitely a candidate for opening in another browser window.

On the Mentors Page, listing the Mentors in Black text on a dark background makes me think you are trying to hide something ;> I cannot read the names.

Overall, content looks OK, but the organization and layout could use some work as described above.

Well the problem is the .css file got messed up and some is in black and some is in white. Were trying to fix the error but most of the pages are in white but we have to go in manually and change it to white font, but some spots like the trx145 page if i remember right is not allowing us to do anything so we got some fixing to do. the frames are not going to be there for long because were making a different home page once we get it all fixed and right.

[rsisk]

When you get the new site up, be sure to post it and we will do our best to give you constructive criticism.

[synth3tk]

Originally Posted by cdennisxlx2

Technically they arnt iframes, lol

I know, I know. I was just trying to make a cool header for that section. I guess if done correctly, they can be very useful and elegant, I think it's just how they implemented it.

Anyway, I agree with you, in that a lot of teams don't even have a site, so two thumbs up for any team that has one or starting one.

[DarkFlame145]

Originally Posted by mikecombes

The Tr-x website has been changed a lot during the past couple of days and we want to know how it looks. Feel free to give comments below this because we shall look at it regularly. And also it is not fully going to stay like it is because its still in beta stage. We would like to have your comments.

http://www.trx145.net/index.htm

For our beta template, check it out at http://trx145.net/beta/index.htm

Mike, I love that you and Kyle are working so hard on the site, but you guys are trying to add too much "flair". KISS, Keep I Sweet and Simple. The information is there, but it's hard to find it. Also deleteing the meeting minutes and Mentor notes from last year would be nice and use them again this year. They where VERY helpful since we had only had the whole team present on Saturdays. If you guys just keep it simple, clean, and efficient it will be a very nice site. Also looking at award winning team sites for inspiration would help. I know 48 (Chief Delphi) has won the website awards many times and have links to them up top on CD. Again with the suggestions that the others and I have given you, I know you and Kyle can make a nice and clean website. Good luck to the whole team, say hi for me to everyone. I hope to see you guys in Atlanta, I know you guys can do it.


Oh one more thing MARCO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mikecombes]

Originally Posted by DarkFlame145

Mike, I love that you and Kyle are working so hard on the site, but you guys are trying to add too much "flair". KISS, Keep I Sweet and Simple. The information is there, but it's hard to find it. Also deleteing the meeting minutes and Mentor notes from last year would be nice and use them again this year. They where VERY helpful since we had only had the whole team present on Saturdays. If you guys just keep it simple, clean, and efficient it will be a very nice site. Also looking at award winning team sites for inspiration would help. I know 48 (Chief Delphi) has won the website awards many times and have links to them up top on CD. Again with the suggestions that the others and I have given you, I know you and Kyle can make a nice and clean website. Good luck to the whole team, say hi for me to everyone. I hope to see you guys in Atlanta, I know you guys can do it.


Oh one more thing MARCO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well once we get it all the way done it will mass updated were too lazy to do a little by little and mess it up again. So JUST WAIT!!!!!

[mikecombes]

Originally Posted by mikecombes

Well once we get it all the way done it will mass updated were too lazy to do a little by little and mess it up again. So JUST WAIT!!!!!

Well now the website is been fixed for now the frames are gone. REMEMBER ITS A BETA TEST!!!! how does it look now????

[rsisk]

I hereby grant you the award for most improved web site ;>

[DarkFlame145]

Originally Posted by mikecombes

Well now the website is been fixed for now the frames are gone. REMEMBER ITS A BETA TEST!!!! how does it look now????

much better, still needs a lot of work, but your getting there. With the team history (About Our Team) some pics of the past robots that have not been disassembled.

[NGRose]

i like the site except for the fact that it wants me to download the pictures. i like how u changed the template. all the pages load fine. the buttons are all working. every once in a while a few of the buttons will disappear. i like the background pictures. so as long as u fix the pictures (either with some sort of slide show or album, or just a simple browser) and the buttons, i think u have made a huge improvement to the website.

[R.C.]

Nice Site, every site is FIRST robotics site is unique in its own way. David put out some really nice suggestions. He could help you out if you need it, make sure to hit up.

Really Cool intro and site.

[Tom Line]

You need to make your title smaller, and perhaps use a graphic for it.

An excellent, free, and very easy web-based generator is cooltext.com

Don't overdo it though. In fact, I see they have one that fits your sight exactly called "Nova" style. Give it a try!