waynew Posted October 4, 2008 Share Posted October 4, 2008 I've been working on a personal project lately. I started using PHP back in February, but only really got into it properly at the start of June. Had been programming in Java before. Now, I'm not looking for testers, or a critique (I know that there are other boards for that). What I am asking (seeing as the most experienced seem to congregate here) is if you guys could give me some ideas for more features? Or adapt the features that I already have and point them in a new direction. It's a social network, mainly themed towards Irish people, but I've decided that I probably wont be marketing it that way. Its on a test server at the moment, and its far from ready for release. Could some of you guys sign up and give it a go? (No I'm not cheaply looking for users, the database will be empty when it goes live on the real server). Anyway, I couldn't think of anyone better to ask than you guys. I'm currently the only user on it (uploaded a few minutes ago). http://mytestserver.net78.net (Bit slow but thats because its on a test server. Could be quicker for those in the US. I have a feeling it could just be my connection.) Thanks guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynew Posted October 4, 2008 Author Share Posted October 4, 2008 Em, I'm not looking for a critique? I'm looking for ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynew Posted October 7, 2008 Author Share Posted October 7, 2008 Ok maybe I am looking for a critique on the look. Anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrg_alpha Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 - At first glance, what immediately strikes me is that you have your content nice and centered, yet your top menu is to the left.. I would consider shifting your menu over so that it is flush with the left hand side of your centered content. Otherwise, it feels kind of strange and misaligned. - your site doesn't validate. - Home, features and contact are the same in content? - Since it is supposed to be a social website, I would recommend some social bookmarking. Other than that, it's hard to critique, as there isn't much to work off of. It is clean and simple. I like that. Just needs some more refinements / non repetitive pages IMO. Good start thought. Cheers, NRG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynew Posted October 7, 2008 Author Share Posted October 7, 2008 - At first glance, what immediately strikes me is that you have your content nice and centered, yet your top menu is to the left.. I would consider shifting your menu over so that it is flush with the left hand side of your centered content. Otherwise, it feels kind of strange and misaligned. - your site doesn't validate. - Home, features and contact are the same in content? - Since it is supposed to be a social website, I would recommend some social bookmarking. Other than that, it's hard to critique, as there isn't much to work off of. It is clean and simple. I like that. Just needs some more refinements / non repetitive pages IMO. Good start thought. Cheers, NRG Thanks NRG for those pointers. I should have noted something here. The reason why contact etc are the same is because my htaccess is sending all 404s back to the homepage. I haven't really had the time to deal with the static pages, as they will all be dealt with once the functionality is all finished and polished up. I am going to have to look into validating my website. That's something I'll have a look at in the near future. I'm looking into the social bookmarking as we speak. Oh and the navigation sadly has to be like that. Reason being that when a user logs in they are given a much larger different navigation bar. But I will actually put more thought into that. Also note that more content will be added to the right side of the page, underneath the login. And trust me when I say that I know that it needs refinements. A whole lot of spit and polish will have to be done in order for this to get anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrg_alpha Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 Oh and the navigation sadly has to be like that. Reason being that when a user logs in they are given a much larger different navigation bar. But I will actually put more thought into that. Also note that more content will be added to the right side of the page, underneath the login. This whole header / login system seems to pose some unique issues in it's own right. I would personally consider a menu system that is not only flush left with the content, but also integrate the user login system into the top of the page (perhaps flush right with the content). This could sit above your menu in height..This would do a few things: - an integrated login system higher than the menu would allow for menu expansion without the fear of getting to close to the login system had it been inline with the menu. - it would allow the users to log in from any page (assuming the entire top section of the site is an include or require from a single file that is shared site wide). As it stands.. users can only log in at the home page. - the homepage login panel can be thus removed and make room for other options.. ei: additional content or widen your main content to occupy the entire width of your site (not screen edge to edge, but the current total width that your site's content shows). - When your user logs in, replace the current menu with the new tweaked menu (which still sits flush left with the content) and change the login fields to a logout link kind of thing. A good example of a top built in login field system can be seen in one of my favorite art forums. Notice how the site logo and login system sit above the menu... and notice how these elements are flush with the content borders... makes for a nice and clean aligned design. Just some points to consider... Cheers, NRG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynew Posted October 7, 2008 Author Share Posted October 7, 2008 Thanks NRG. Points all taken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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