Looking for Comments

[Gentleman of Fortune]

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

[Capt. Sterling]

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!

[Black Syren]

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.

[Red Bess]

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.

[King's Pyrate]

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!

[Capt. Sterling]

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?

[LadyBarbossa]

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

[CrazyCholeBlack]

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.

[Silkie McDonough]

Initial impression ...looks good. Will get back with more later.

[Gentleman of Fortune]

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

[Red Cat Jenny]

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.

[Silkie McDonough]

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!

[Gentleman of Fortune]

The second page is done...

http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/sailorskit.htm

GoF

[Capt. Sterling]

Can hardly wait for you to finish the rest...

[Abrams]

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!

[Kenneth]

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...

[PyratePhil]

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.

[Gentleman of Fortune]

Thanks!

Banner clicky thing... hmmm... good idea! Now to figure out the code

GoF

[Gentleman of Fortune]

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

[Silkie McDonough]

Tis shaping up nicely lad!

[Captain Jim]

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.

[Silkie McDonough]

I tell you I like the font Papyrus and you change it out. I think I am insulted.

[hurricane]

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

[Gentleman of Fortune]

Got another "mostly" done

http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/basic_kit.htm

GoF