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Need your opinion please

Regarding the nav bar, what we did for our site was write a little custom CGI that generates the graphics depending on where people are on the site:

http://www.ambrosiasw.com/cgi-bin/custom/n....pl?tab=3&bar=2

We then #include the CGI on static pages, and call the CGI from web board-generated pages to create the nav bar for each page. This makes it easy to change and integrate.

While I wouldn't suggest exactly what we did for this site, the principles behind it might be worth looking at. It divides things into main categories (the tabs at the top) and sub-categories (the sections at the bottom). This makes for structured organization of the site contents.

It also clearly shows where the person is at any time, via the hilited main section (tab) and the hilited sub-section.

It lets people see what other options are available to them on any page, making them aware of resources we offer that they might not see otherwise.

This nav bar is put at the top of every forum page we have, but not at the top of every thread page. It could be there too, but we decided it'd just take up too much space if it were on every thread.

The other thing I don't like about our nav bar is that you can't go directly to other sub-sections. In other words, if you're browsing Games, you have to click on "News" and then click on one of the sub-sections that News offers to get to something other than the main news page. This is a simplicity vs. functionality tradeoff.

Anyway, good luck.
 
moki said:
Perhaps I'm wrong, but I'm guessing that few people here ever hit the main page, so that the nav bar is there isn't particularly doing a whole lot.
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I think the home page is to generate something eye-appealing so a browser would want to go to the forums to find out more, not for us who link directly to the forums. Also, I could be wrong, but perhaps there is more features and content coming to CP which will be directly available from the home page.

Emo
 
I'm all over #2.

We've already talked, but I figure I'd voice my opinion again... I think the gray background on the left just seems out of place. I don't know what color would be right, but I don't think that shade of gray is it.

But then again, it's YOUR site, not mine. ;)

Dave
 
I prefer the new simply because there is less stuff around the border and "pass this baby" girl is larger.
 
I vote number two, but minimize the google presence. It just seems to take a bit away from the rest of the site.

My big question is: Do we get spellcheck yet???????? :D

Looks good Rod!
 
I'm a newbie, so I don't know if I have a vote, but I like #2 better as well, and the suggestion to have the links in a header for all the pages, or however Moki said it, I'm not weblingual. :D :D
 
JoeInvest said:
My big question is: Do we get spellcheck yet???????? :D
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For what it's worth, many web browsers do have spellcheckers built into them...

safari_spellcheck.jpg
 
moki said:
Were I pressed to choose, I'd pick #2 as well, but I think they both could use some work.

However, since I can't even remember the last time I want to the home page as opposed to directly to the forums, I suppose it doesn't really matter. :)

If you really do want specific feedback, what I don't like about #2 is:

-- The color scheme on the CigarPass logo is a little odd. Black, reddish/brown, and blue text

-- Under the "original and official" logo, the words "Cigar Pass Web site" are not easily readable due to the gradient used in them

-- The "cigar pass" "community" "cigar links" and "forum stats" are too cartoonish, and done in a typeface that doesn't mesh with any of the others in use

-- Centered text looks nice, but is generally harder to read then left-justified (for the links on the left)

-- Given that I think most people use the forums more than anything else, perhaps the links at the left should be drop-down menus that appear compactly below the main logo on every page, including the forums. This probably would make a lot more people aware of the other links/resources that CigarPass provides beyond the forums. Nav bars serve two purposes: to let people easily know where they are, and let them easily navigate to other places on the site. If they aren't persistent on every page, they are less useful, IMHO.

-- Someone seems to like "text on a path", looking at the various graphics on page #2; it could work if there was some consistency in how it was utilized

-- Drop shadows are used inconsistently; they are present on some things, lacking on others... and seem to be a bit too prominent below some of the smaller text graphics

Overall, I think perhaps it could just benefit from more consistency in terms of color schemes, fonts, layout, and design for the graphics. I also think a site-wide nav bar that appeared on the forums would also benefit you, because it would make people aware of all of the resources the site has to offer.

Perhaps I'm wrong, but I'm guessing that few people here ever hit the main page, so that the nav bar is there isn't particularly doing a whole lot.
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You're a real pain in the ass. You realize this, don't you?

Looks good to me Rod.
 
I like the new look Rod! :thumbs:


I liked the OLD look too Rod, as a matter of fact I have liked all the looks :thumbs:

This is a great place :p :thumbs:
 
Tony Bones said:
You're a real pain in the ass. You realize this, don't you?

Looks good to me Rod.
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Hey, when a guy asks for input, I assume he means it -- so I try to give constructive and specific suggestions.

Now I realize that you're focused on learning to drop to your knees and suck the chrome off of the corporate bumper, but c'mon man. That doesn't help make for a positive change, it just gives you an aching jaw. ;)
 
moki said:
Tony Bones said:
You're a real pain in the ass. You realize this, don't you?

Looks good to me Rod.
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Hey, when a guy asks for input, I assume he means it -- so I try to give constructive and specific suggestions.

Now I realize that you're focused on learning to drop to your knees and suck the chrome off of the corporate bumper, but c'mon man. That doesn't help make for a positive change, it just gives you an aching jaw. ;)
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Oh, just busting your nuts you big wanker. I still think you're a big pain in the ass too.
 
I liked the pain the ass's comment. I'll try and incorporate some of it into the site.
 
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