I am designing and developing a site for a "client".

http://headsup.jhu.edu:8080/

I'd like comments and criticisms on the design, layout, navigation, etc.
as well as coding (CSS and HTML -- I doubt you will be able to comment on
the PHP back-end because you can't see that part). I have *NOT* yet run
the thing through a validator (CSS or HTML) and I probably never will. (I
have my own reasons to not use validators).

I have tested it in Mozilla 1.x and MSIE 6 and I know it should look
pretty close to the same in both.  It may look sucky in in IE 5, however,
and I know it will not look right in any browser that does not support CSS
positioning (4.x and earlier browsers).  Assume that the target audience
will be using MSIE6. (And please -- no diatribe on making assumptions and
target audiences and all that.)

I am not strictly speaking a "designer" but more of a "programmer".  So
please let me know what you think, you "designers".  Pull no punches; I'm
thick skinned. (Not that I figured anyone would.)

Thanks!

--
Jeffrey D. Silverman | jeffreyPANTS@jhu.edu **
Website | http://www.newtnotes.com

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Quoth the raven Jeffrey Silverman:

> I am designing and developing a site for a "client".

We all say that...

> http://headsup.jhu.edu:8080/
>
> I'd like comments and criticisms on the design, layout, navigation, etc.
> as well as coding (CSS and HTML --  ...

What's this stuff above the DOCTYPE?

<br />
<b>Warning</b>:  Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in
<b>/home/headsup/public_html_dev/include/php/wse_website_functions.inc</b>
on line <b>111</b><br />

> I doubt you will be able to comment on
> the PHP back-end because you can't see that part). I have *NOT* yet run
> the thing through a validator (CSS or HTML) and I probably never will. (I
> have my own reasons to not use validators).

Ok... but don't complain if others do. <g> You might want to rethink,
though, as the front page generates 171 errors, only a few are
connected with the above "warning" thingy.

> I have tested it in Mozilla 1.x and MSIE 6 and I know ...

From Moz 1.7, I think the site looks good. Coding is pretty well
done, although I see some <b>'s in there I would replace with
<strong>'s. The font in the table of Important Dates is a bit small.
If they weren't Important... A couple of the lists on other pages were
a bit too small as well. Otherwise, nice.

--
-bts
-This space intentionally left blank.

On Wed, 01 Sep 2004 20:08:52 +0000, Chris Beall wrote:

> Suggestion: Surely Johns Hopkins has a Human Factors department. Why not
> have them review the site? You might learn something and so might they.

Hah!

Thanks for the insightful review. "Hah" to the "Surely Johns Hopkins has a
Human Factors department".  Things where I work do not work the way normal
people would expect.  The shortest path to an end result is never a
straight line, at this place. (Don't get me wrong -- I like my job,
workplace, coworkers, etc.)

But I think there is an "accessibility" or "usability" person or two
employed by our library.  That's probably as close as it gets to a "Human
Factors department" (something I've actually never heard of - unless it is
sometimes called something else?)

In any case, great review.  Some items I had considered already and am
working on improving.  Some are due to "client preference" and will thus
be hard to change (such as .doc files). And others I hadn't considered but
will now consider further.

Thanks for the help!

--
Jeffrey Silverman
jeffreyPANTS@jhu.edu
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On Wed, 01 Sep 2004 19:04:44 +0000, Beauregard T. Shagnasty wrote:

> Your css is good, too. I see only one error:  cursor: hand; I'd recommend
> changing the body font-size from 1em to 100% because of the IE bug that
> screws up rendering when visitor changes size.

I've found that putting both cursor:hand and cursor:pointer in a
stylesheet will work in IE 5, 5.5, 6, and also the mozilla
(gecko-based) and opera browsers.

--
Jeffrey Silverman
jeffreyPANTS@jhu.edu
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Jeffrey Silverman wrote:
> On Wed, 01 Sep 2004 19:04:44 +0000, Beauregard T. Shagnasty wrote:
> 
>
> I've found that putting both cursor:hand and cursor:pointer in a
> stylesheet will work in IE 5, 5.5, 6, and also the mozilla
> (gecko-based) and opera browsers.

It's in the CSS3 UI draft (and isn't likely to be removed afaik)

http://www.w3.org/TR/2004/CR-css3-ui-20040511/#cursor

--
Ben M.

Jeffrey Silverman <jeffreyPANTS@jhu.edu> wrote:

> I'm sorry, but

... BUT ...

> a) dizziness is in the eye of the beholder

The technical term for "dizzy" is that "Your asymetrical design and
choice of colors create disorientation.".

> b) "dizzy" is not exactly a constructive criticism

Stop making me dizzy? :)

> and
> c) I implied that it would not validate in the OP. And also that I was
> not concerned with that aspect.

Since this is alt.HTML.CRITIQUE, you get that for free. Maybe you should
post in one of the design groups, since coding is not one of your
interests.

(... not to make you look completely retarded, but, if you hate coding,
this probably is not a good place to post looking for comments ...)

The Doormouse

--
The Doormouse cannot be reached by e-mail without her permission.

Jeffrey Silverman <jeffreyPANTS@jhu.edu> wrote:
> In any case, great review.

You like to "review the reviewers". How sad.

You should be grateful for all the help that you get, not just the help
that you like.

The Doormouse

--
The Doormouse cannot be reached by e-mail without her permission.

Quoth the raven Ben Measures:

> Jeffrey Silverman wrote:
> 
>
> It's in the CSS3 UI draft (and isn't likely to be removed afaik)
>
> http://www.w3.org/TR/2004/CR-css3-ui-20040511/#cursor

I don't see hand listed at your link. <?>

The jigsaw validator said that hand was not valid...

--
-bts
-This space intentionally left blank.

"lime" <nuthin@here.com> wrote:

> As a "programmer", you should be proud of the design you have created.
>
> From a "designer"

He said that he doesn't care if the page validates.
There is no pride in his code.

Plus, despite his claim of a "thick skin", the least criticism wound him
up.

I am not impressed.

The Doormouse

--
The Doormouse cannot be reached by e-mail without her permission.

On Thu, 02 Sep 2004 01:37:14 +0000, The Doormouse wrote:

> Since this is alt.HTML.CRITIQUE, you get that for free. Maybe you should
> post in one of the design groups, since coding is not one of your
> interests.
>
> (... not to make you look completely retarded, but, if you hate coding,
> this probably is not a good place to post looking for comments ...)
>
> The Doormouse

Wow.  What did the doormouse eat to make her so persnickety?

And where did I say I hate coding?

Explain, please.  Everyone else gave me pretty, useful, constructive
critiques.  And, incidentally, you are the only one who complained of
dizziness.

Your comments don't even make sense.

--
Jeffrey Silverman
jeffreyPANTS@jhu.edu
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