Choose the AGS Website of the future!

Esseb · Sat 20/03/2004 08:41:27

I prefer the blue section dividers in v5 to v6, but it does feel slightly obtrusive and what's up with the dark gray text on dark blue?

I have to ask why the about section of the site is so prominently placed (for the third time in this thread it seems) rather than put in it's own about section. AGS is not a major corporation. If the news stuff was in the middle instead there would be more room for the games bar with the current design idea.

Darth Mandarb · Sat 20/03/2004 10:42:19

Esseb - The dark grey on dark blue is because (for current versions) I altered the CSS file, so the old ones will look a little off (as they use the same file).

What does everybody else think about making the news items the main page? I guess it doesn't have to be the about page. That's just how the current site is so I used the same text...

But it's not a bad idea to have the news on the first page, thus providing more room on the side bar for the games stuff.

~ d

Pumaman · Sat 20/03/2004 11:00:21

Personally, I think that the About section should be the default page on a website - if I arrive at a new website, the first thing I want to know is what it is / what it does.

Also, the AGS News page isn't updated very often (basically only when a new version is released) - so it's not like websites where news is added every couple of days. Therefore, I don't think the News should really be that prominent.

Layabout · Sat 20/03/2004 11:07:10

The huge space between the main section (the middle) and the bottom of the page really irritates me. it in fact really pisses me off!

Esseb · Sat 20/03/2004 19:12:22

Quote from: Pumaman on Sat 20/03/2004 11:00:21Therefore, I don't think the News should really be that prominent.

Fair enough. What irked me the most is how the news box seems to mess up the site design, but I don't have any other suggestions.

Edit:

* Esseb finally notices "A Friend Indeed" is the most popular game in the news box.

strazer · Sat 20/03/2004 19:57:42

My thoughts exactly, CJ.

Rincewind · Sat 20/03/2004 20:10:16

I think it looks really good in template 7, although I agree with Layabout - The gap under the "about"-section get on my nerves as well. Having all three sections equally long would be nicer, methinks.

RickJ · Sat 20/03/2004 21:49:18

If it's intended that the content of the new website be dynamic (i.e. there is seperation between content and layout) then it's premature to be complaining about uneven column lengths, IMHO. I believe there are number of different ways of dealing with this depending upon which (if any) CMS or portal software is used for implementation. I don't think this has been discussed so far, if it has I appologize for not having read the thread carefully enough.

Darth Mandarb · Sun 21/03/2004 09:55:51

The differences in column lengths is easy to fix. Though some browsers won't display it correctly, some will. But like RickJ said, it's not worth worrying about just yet as this is just the template.

My guess is that eventually the content (middle section) will be FAR longer than the side boxes. Which will then look okay I think.

So ...

Are we all thinking Template 7?

If so, Pumaman, do you want me to PM you with a link to the template?
(meaning one that isn't a .cfm file)

hoorah!

~ d

Pumaman · Sun 21/03/2004 12:35:27

Sounds good, if you would Darth

Crichton · Wed 24/03/2004 05:03:41

Hey, Darth, the page is turning out to be really nice, and I have a couple of suggestions.

First of all, I don't think that the main "About/Home" page will grow that much that the main coloumn will outgrow the side ones, and I agree that it IS annoying that there's that big gap. But I have a simple suggestion for you -- put up a couple of a few screenshots of "working in AGS", such as its GUI window with some background picture in it, and so on. In fact, as a webdesigner/developer myself, I would've personally put it there regardless of whether I needed to fill the gap or not. I think it's very appropriate for a product such as an adventure game engine to see what environment one will be working at. That should also fill the gap nicely ;-)

Oh, and I don't see anything wrong with having the News section at the front, even if it's updated slowly, since after the first visit, the "About" thing would get old for me, just like many splash screens do on some pages out there. On the other hand, the "Home/About" page with some GUI/IDE screenshots WOULD look nicer/cleaner and possibly more inviting for the newcomers, so I don't really mind that either.

Anyway, my main suggestion is for filling the gap.

Can't wait to see the updated site come up on the main page! :-)

Crichton · Wed 24/03/2004 05:10:26

Just wanted to add this site as an example of GUI screenshots along with info:

http://www.alias.com/eng/products-services/maya/maya_unlimited/index.shtml

The screenshots don't have to be huge but it'd be nice to see the background editor window, GUI editor window, sprite editor, and so on. Perhaps with a text accompanying them with addition info. Just IMO, of course.

auhsor · Wed 24/03/2004 05:30:58

Quote from: Crichton on Wed 24/03/2004 05:03:41
put up a couple of a few screenshots of "working in AGS", such as its GUI window with some background picture in it, and so on.

I think that is a really good idea. People seem to not like the blank space, so why not fill it up with picures that show AGS 'in action'. Just dont make them all that big, or 56k'ers will complain.

TerranRich · Wed 24/03/2004 05:34:00

I agree, maybe even show off some of the newest features with every final release, perhaps? For example, with the new 2.61-whatever version

have the animation preview feature shown, I don't know what else.

Felipe · Thu 25/03/2004 04:57:45

Quote from: Darth Mandarb on Sun 21/03/2004 09:55:51
Are we all thinking Template 7?

Yeah, I like 7.

Just... what about the bars I mentioned - the onesabove and below the banner?

I think they 'fit' the site layout perfectly....
I really liked them :

Is it just me?
I mean, does everybody else dislikes them?

-Felipe-

Darth Mandarb · Thu 25/03/2004 10:56:47

I've already forward the template file(s) on to CJ, so if he wants to add the 'bars' back in there it's really quite a simple thing to do!

As far as the AGS screenshots of AGS, that's something easy as well.

~ d

Layabout · Thu 25/03/2004 16:26:15

pumaman is teh penisgh!!!

Pumaman · Fri 26/03/2004 20:10:08

Thanks for all your hard work Darth, it's looking really good

I made a few adjustments and uploaded a new version of the template here:
http://www.agsforums.com/template.html

The hyperlinks are all hooked up (but they point to the old-style pages currently).

Because the website is static html, I've removed the bits that would have required dynamic generation (number of forum members, game of the month). Once the site is all sorted and working, I'll decide on whether to switch the main page to php and add back these things.

One thing I am curious about - how does it look at large resolutions such as 1280x1024 and 1600x1200? Does the middle pane stretch too far, and could we cap the width of the page at say 1024 pixels somehow?

Darth Mandarb · Fri 26/03/2004 20:32:38

Quote from: Pumaman on Fri 26/03/2004 20:10:08
One thing I am curious about - how does it look at large resolutions such as 1280x1024 and 1600x1200? Does the middle pane stretch too far, and could we cap the width of the page at say 1024 pixels somehow?

I run at 1280x1024 and it looks good to me. Not too stretched out.

I upped my resolution to 1600x1200, and it does look a little stretched. I don't know of a way to 'cap' the width of the tables ... a way to say, "If native res is greater than 1024, do this table width" (I also now have a headache for looking at 1600x1200 ... ahhh!!)

Hmmm ... anybody know? I'm sure it's possible.

~ d

Crichton · Fri 26/03/2004 22:25:21

Ok, here's some feedback. Although I run my computer at 1280x960 on a 19inch flat-screen monitor, I browse most websites in a window (and maximize if needed), which is roughly equal to a maximized 1024x768 resolution, and the site looks pretty good. There's no longer a gap with the added info. However, if I maximize the window at 1280x960 or do the same at 1600x1200, the middle table does stretch too much, to the point where the site no longer has that "neat" look about it. So, here are a couple of options -- either use a fixed width such as at http://www.2advanced.com (fixed for 1024x768 maximized) or live with the fact that it looks good maximized up to 1024x768 and hope that most people browse in windows at resolutions higher than that.

Now, as for fixed width, you'd have to decide what your minimum-resolution target audience is. Personally, if I were to fix-width it, I'd go for a minimum of 1024x768 maximized-window res. Because I'm quite comfortable with 1024x768 even on old 15inch-monitor laptops. But there are people that won't go above 800x600 on 15inch monitors, so it's up to you if you want to cater to them. Of course, there may be some people with 13-14 inch ancient monitors too but at this point I'd think it's their own problem because you can't possibly cater to the dinosaurs and still make the site look good.

Oh, and if you decide to fix-width similar to GameSpot.com, know that they fixed it for 800x600, which works ok but you'd have to reduce your font size to make it comfortable for everyone. So, you have to weigh what you think is the best combo/solution and go with that.

I'd also like to recommend the "We're on..." banners to be place under "Latest Release" window, either one after the other or one below the other. IMO, they would look better there but it's up to you. It's only a suggestion not a complaint. The "Lifetime archievment" award banner also looks a bit pixelated. Is it in a smaller frame than its real size? It would look better if the award was a smaller banner too.

Anyway, that is all for now. I can't wait until you update the site as the main and fully functional webpage. Even if you do have to fix it here and there. No offense but my eyes hurt looking at the old site