Gentleman of Fortune Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 I really need to update my pirate site as its grown unwieldy. I am trying to make the transition from a cobbled together HTML nightmare, to a smooth flowing easy to update site done in CSS. The end result is that the appearance and potentially flavor of the site is changing at the same time... I am not sure if its for good or ill, and would like some opinions. Here is the old http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/gofindex.htm and here is the NEW http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/ I would like to think that I have a tough enough skin to handle all comments, so please, if you have some time, take a look. (so far, the changes only affect the front page) Thanks, in advance gof Come aboard my pirate re-enacting site http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/ Where you will find lots of information on building your authentic Pirate Impression! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Sterling Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 I <i>really</i> need to update my pirate site as its grown unwieldy.I am trying to make the transition from a cobbled together HTML nightmare, to a smooth flowing easy to update site done in CSS. The end result is that the appearance and potentially flavor of the site is changing at the same time... I am not sure if its for good or ill, and would like some opinions. Here is the old http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/gofindex.htm and here is the NEW http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/ I would like to think that I have a tough enough skin to handle all comments, so please, if you have some time, take a look. (so far, the changes only affect the front page) Thanks, in advance gof Oh got my attention with that new opening page... very professional looking... will be back later after teaching to check out the rest... so far ...sharp! "I being shot through the left cheek, the bullet striking away great part of my upper jaw, and several teeth which dropt down the deck where I fell... I was forced to write what I would say to prevent the loss of blood, and because of the pain I suffered by speaking."~ Woodes Rogers Crewe of the Archangel http://jcsterlingcptarchang.wix.com/creweofthearchangel# http://creweofthearchangel.wordpress.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Syren Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 I agree tis very professional looking, very easy to navigate, I love the colors and the feel to the site. Draws you in. Very well done. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/Dara286/trident01-11.png If you got a dream chase it, cause a dream won't chase you back...(Cody Johnson Till you Can't) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Bess Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 I agree, very professional. It does appear a little "corporate", if you know what I mean, but not to the point it would discourage anyone from exploring. And it sounds like the new format makes it easier for you to manage, which means you will be able to keep your site up-to-date. I think you are moving in the right direction. Ladies in Scarlet: Piratical Art and Accessories Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King's Pyrate Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 I really need to update my pirate site as its grown unwieldy.I am trying to make the transition from a cobbled together HTML nightmare, to a smooth flowing easy to update site done in CSS. The end result is that the appearance and potentially flavor of the site is changing at the same time... I am not sure if its for good or ill, and would like some opinions. Here is the old http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/gofindex.htm and here is the NEW http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/ I would like to think that I have a tough enough skin to handle all comments, so please, if you have some time, take a look. (so far, the changes only affect the front page) Thanks, in advance gof I love it....very pleasing to the eye and easy to navigate......well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Sterling Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 Hmm you have one of my favorite waistcoats on the new page, love the fact that the tailor wasn't worried about running the print in the same direction like we do now adays ... where did you find a picture of it with the black background? "I being shot through the left cheek, the bullet striking away great part of my upper jaw, and several teeth which dropt down the deck where I fell... I was forced to write what I would say to prevent the loss of blood, and because of the pain I suffered by speaking."~ Woodes Rogers Crewe of the Archangel http://jcsterlingcptarchang.wix.com/creweofthearchangel# http://creweofthearchangel.wordpress.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyBarbossa Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 GoF... it looks well done an' put to'gether. :) My compliments to ye. All I can say is if ye fancy it... then it's good. We be th' toughest critics upon ourselves. As long as you have what vital info out there for all t' see... then you have a good site. Oh, an' btw, GoF.... I hate CSS as much as I hate HTML. :) ~Lady B Tempt Fate! an' toss 't all t' Hell!" "I'm completely innocent of whatever crime I've committed." The one, the only,... the infamous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCholeBlack Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 I like it. - more visuals is always good. I like the use of the images along the side for specific areas. Are you planning on having words along with those images so that the viewer knows what image corresponds with which section? - I like the blue, especailly how it gradates towards the top. Very oceanic. - I also like the top banner image. Is it a stock photo? It looks that way, very professional. The only thing that I might consider would be to either incorporate the "Gentleman of Fortune" into the banner or use a different, more stylized font on the "GoF" in that same placement on the page. Either way it would make the page/site title stand out more among the other text on the page. Think of the banner design as product placement (your information is your product). I'm looking forward to seeing how you integrate the new design into the other pages. "If part of the goods be plundered by a pirate the proprietor or shipmaster is not entitled to any contribution." An introduction to merchandize, Robert Hamilton, 1777Slightly Obsessed, an 18th Century reenacting blog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silkie McDonough Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 Initial impression ...looks good. Will get back with more later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gentleman of Fortune Posted September 20, 2007 Author Share Posted September 20, 2007 Thanks for the comments, keep em' coming! I know what you mean about the "corporate" look. It kind of bothered me at first, but the more I worked with it, it really grew on me. The blue had a soothing effect and, the shot of the top/crow's nest gives it a more dignified look. My concern is that most folks might not even realize that they are at a pirate re-enacting living history site... as most (but not all) pirate sites have kind of the same theme... black with lots of skulls or the vintage paper look. So we will see.... Thanks again. Greg aka GoF Come aboard my pirate re-enacting site http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/ Where you will find lots of information on building your authentic Pirate Impression! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Cat Jenny Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 GoF..Huzzah! Very nice indeed! The text and images are quite clear, its extremely well organized and what a wealth of simply organized information. Fabulous. The look of the main page is fine. Plus your pics are well sized and of decent quality. It's obvious you put some time into this. Very nice! Concerned about the look of the main page? If you want to "Pirate it up a bit" consider keeping it as is, and framing the main table with a scrollwork or picture frame type frame. Something with an 1800's piratey feel but no so wide that it detracts from the page. Within the frame itself you could incorporate the words Pirate Reenactment or such. Yes I would stay away from too many campy pirate images. Alternately you could make a very faded background image instead if the blue on the main page..perhaps an antique map or piles of old coin etc. But I like the main frame itself. I wouldn't change that. Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants won't help.... Her reputation was her livelihood. I'm a pirate, love. By nature and by choice! My inner voice sometimes has an accent! My wont? A delicious rip in time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silkie McDonough Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 GoF, Well done. I agree with all that has been said. Much better than my barely exsistant "home page" on mySpace! lol The home page is particularly well thought out. Why is the A in Ahoy red and underlined? Does it have something to do with the red frames that appear when one rolls over the photos below? I do have some suggestions that you do not need but may like. As to words and the photos in the margin. The words do not have to be seen all the time, they could appear with a roll over. I would like the blue on the home page and the maps on the subsequent pages to somehow tie together. Perhaps the map could be used as a pale white or blue watermark on the first page and the blue could be used a bit on the others, not just in the text. Maybe a margin down the side with the page links there. A set page width, the eye can trace back to the beginning of the next line of text more easily if the text is set at 5 to 6 inches wide. Having the text adjust to the page width is not always best. I know it is a work in progress so some of these things you may have thought of: -Font consistency ...but you knew that. -Home Port in the same location on each page makes it easy to find. Awww heck, if you want design advice just PM me when you are ready for it. I may no longer be a paid designer but the knowhow still there. ....and we are glad you are "back on track" Greg. ps ...i like the font Papyrus also! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gentleman of Fortune Posted September 24, 2007 Author Share Posted September 24, 2007 The second page is done... http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/sailorskit.htm GoF Come aboard my pirate re-enacting site http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/ Where you will find lots of information on building your authentic Pirate Impression! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Sterling Posted September 24, 2007 Share Posted September 24, 2007 Can hardly wait for you to finish the rest... "I being shot through the left cheek, the bullet striking away great part of my upper jaw, and several teeth which dropt down the deck where I fell... I was forced to write what I would say to prevent the loss of blood, and because of the pain I suffered by speaking."~ Woodes Rogers Crewe of the Archangel http://jcsterlingcptarchang.wix.com/creweofthearchangel# http://creweofthearchangel.wordpress.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abrams Posted September 24, 2007 Share Posted September 24, 2007 The second page is done...http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/sailorskit.htm GoF I must admit, when first seeing the new look, I was skeptical. However, after getting used to it (and seeing the Sailors Kit page), I must say... it is a complete improvement! Keep it up! I've got the heart of a pirate, just not the garb... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenneth Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 It threw me off at first, I thought I was at the wrong place, but I like it now that I've been back a few times.. Yes I like it... "Without caffine, I'd have no personality at all" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PyratePhil Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 Very nicely done - nice clean code. One thought - you might want to incorporate a link to the home page on the top banner. I realize you have the "Home Port" link, but a lot of folks are getting used to clicking on the top banner to return Home. Also, have you considered incorporating a by-line somewhere near "Gentlemen of Fortune"? If you're concerned about people not recognizing it as a reenactor's site, maybe something along the lines of "Pirate Reenacting and History"? (I'm sure you'll have the words to use more so than I). Again, very well done. ...Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum... ~ Vegetius Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gentleman of Fortune Posted September 25, 2007 Author Share Posted September 25, 2007 Thanks! Banner clicky thing... hmmm... good idea! Now to figure out the code GoF Come aboard my pirate re-enacting site http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/ Where you will find lots of information on building your authentic Pirate Impression! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gentleman of Fortune Posted September 26, 2007 Author Share Posted September 26, 2007 I struggled with the banner clickey thing... and I got stuck in a tar-baby. That will have to wait..... Got another one done (or started, as they are all works in progress!) http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/groups.htm greg Come aboard my pirate re-enacting site http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/ Where you will find lots of information on building your authentic Pirate Impression! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silkie McDonough Posted September 26, 2007 Share Posted September 26, 2007 Tis shaping up nicely lad! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Jim Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 I waited to post until I got a "feel" for it. Verdict: It looks more professional, more like a museum presentation than a fan- or enthusiast-based web site. I think that it will be taken more seriously as a result, by those who are looking for such things. I like it. My occupational hazard bein' my occupation's just not around... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silkie McDonough Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 I tell you I like the font Papyrus and you change it out. I think I am insulted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hurricane Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 That's the trick with fonts. Unless the viewer has the same font installed on their machine, they can't see the more ornamental fonts unless they're presented as artwork. And many people (myself included) have the settings so that I use different fonts regardless of what the CSS calls for. So it's always a toughy designing a site for the masses, particularly when using stylesheets. I think it's coming along fabulously by the way! -- Hurricane -- Hurricane ______________________________________________________________________ http://piratesofthecoast.com/images/pyracy-logo1.jpg Captain of The Pyrates of the Coast Author of "Memoirs of a Buccaneer: 30 Year Before the Mast" (Published in Fall 2011) Scurrilous Rogue Stirrer of Pots Fomenter of Mutiny Bon Vivant & Roustabout Part-time Carnival Barker Certified Ex-Wife Collector Experienced Drinking Companion "I was screwed. I readied my confession and the sobbing pleas not to tell my wife. But as I turned, no one was in the bed. The room was empty. The naked girl was gone, like magic." "Memoirs of a Buccaneer: 30 Years Before the Mast" - Amazon.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gentleman of Fortune Posted October 2, 2007 Author Share Posted October 2, 2007 Got another "mostly" done http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/basic_kit.htm GoF Come aboard my pirate re-enacting site http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/ Where you will find lots of information on building your authentic Pirate Impression! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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