I noticed that since I only had the blog link included in the menu of the main page it looked odd as I jumped from page to page, so I added the blog link to the menu on every page. Maybe it’s a small thing that no one else will notice but it sure stuck out to me.
Dr. Simon’s advanced links was very helpful for my future web design activities. I bookmarked quite a few as I will need to spend some time exploring the sites in detail and trying the programs.
I sent the link for my web project to a few of my library colleages to see if they find any issues. Already I have infor on spelling errors. Next time I’ll find an editor with spell checking. It is great when you have friends with backgrounds different than your own as they will look at your work in a different way that you do.
Originally I wanted to use rollover buttons in my menu but did not know how. Creating the buttons was easy as I have done that before several times for other projects. I have found that printing the screen once you get the button right is a good way to have all the size/color/font info hany for the other buttons. Otherwise you can go insane.
I adding three audio files to my site using and embedded “widget” so the file has it’s own player. Only problem is that the visitor can play all three at once which can sound very odd. These are my own songs so I gave myself permission to use them.
I want to work more in these areas if I can manage the time. I will keep the class materials for future reference and try to keep working on my websites to improve them.
I’m writing this during a break at the blended session. I’ve seen lots of great design examples so far. It is amazing how creative we all are if we just would give it a try.
I spend three hours trying to add a RSS news feed to my home page. I tried lots of types but few worked well enough even to consider. I don’t know if I’ll mess with this further but I do want something dynamic on the main page.
The text chapters on Google Adsense and Amazon Associates was a big help to me. I have used eBay/Paypal before and it was not difficult. Both Google and Amazon are good ways to help fund a site and if the content is valuable it will drive more folks to your site.
Ones I liked;
15 Examples of Excellent Web Typography - This was good in that there was something specific and limited in scope.
Microsoft Typography - Nice clean site. Even though it MS, you ot to keep on top of what they are up to. the Web imbedded fontstool looked interesting.
ABC Typography - Who would not like this site. I got lost in the descriptions of the historical type faces.
A List Apart: Typography - Nice blog format. I found the CSS Ten Year report interesting.
TypoGraphic - I love time lines, they are a great visual concept tool. I also liked how the menus were done at the bottom of each page.
Digital Magazine - Another clean site. Reading it made me think of how the Web and CSS are taking font creation from a printing industry trade secret to a populist art form.
Noupe.com: CSS Tutorials - Seeing this again made me think that even though MicroSoft is the leader in browser installations they are also they leader in web design bugs. I’m liking MS less every day.
DesignSnips - Different focus here in they mention snips of various sites that they like. Shows how there is so much variety on the Internet and so many ways of looking at the pages.
Ones I did not like;
NONE!
Neutral;
I Love Typography - Obviously a great resource of fonts and news but the layout I found “busy”.
Typographica - Would not open.
Turns out I think my flash drive is going buggy. I can get to Dr. Simon’s page without the error if the flash drive is not installed. Time to get another one.
In adding a link to Dr. Simon’s website I noticed an error box pops up. Seems to happen no matter what direction you are comming from. I snagged a picture of it and forwarded it in an email in case it is something with the USF side.