It looks nice, but (sorry if this seems a bit harsh) I would recommend doing a complete recode or heavy modifications. As it stands the site is only usable for the sighted, and of those with sight, vision must be decent (to read text images). The homepage fails HTML/XHTML validation with 198 errors (but it does pass CSS validation, congrats!), and it uses tables for layout. Tables may work, but they are a very sub-optimal method for page layout; they make it near impossible for the disabled to use the page, and they are not too adaptable. Back in the day (like 90s to very early 2000s) tables and frames were pretty much the only options for layout; however, with the advent of CSS there are much better options. So, basically, to summarize the recommendations I have made plus a few new ones:
Recode
Stop using tables
Don’t use images for text
Switch to CSS-based layout
Make the page scale to browser size, without loosing correct styling/requiring the use of scrollbars
Make it validate
Make use of alt properties, don’t leave just them blank
P.S. To get an idea of the capabilities of CSS design, I would recommend looking at http://www.team228.org, the best FIRST team site I have seen, and CSS Zen Garden. For the stuff I was saying about scaling, look at my team’s site, this is the only thing Team 228’s site doesn’t do that well (it used to though, I have no idea why they changed it). For accessibility stuff look at the W3C’s Web Accessibility Initiative page.
b) Light text on a dark background works, but the other way around is easier to read.
2: This is self-explanatory.
3:
a) Make the page flow.
b) Cut down on the space that’s taken up at by the header at the top of every page.
4:
Validating or not is not really something I ever cared much about. I basically was of the mind set that I didn’t care if features I used had been depricated as long as the meaning was universally understood.
However, the HTML in the new page is terrible. Look at lines approximately 90-103. This should really bother anyone who knows HTML.
Also, why are you using javascript to do simple links?
I know I didn’t like criticism very much when I was doing the website, but you’ve kinda asked for it. I hope you’ll still speak to me when I get back to Wilsonville ;-).
I do think that the header is a bit large. Maybe putting “Error Code” on one line, and “Xero 1425” on the next.
I barely know any HTML, but that doesn’t look right. I don’t have any suggestions, but I know for a fact that it can be changed and removed.
Otherwise, you’re on the right track. By the way, I would suggest getting that forum setup as quickly as possible, even if you disable it from the Admin CP afterwards. Leaving it in that state with the install.php still on the server is a small, yet still possible, security risk.