Planet Diaz

[MrDiaz]

Hello everyone, I have been working on this for a while now and I wanted to know your opinions. The website is for programming, I want to create a huge programming resource for the web. Include all programming languages, etc. stuffs like that. I know this takes time but I will do my best to try and accomplish this things. So please go and critice my site as much as you can, I dont mind. I just want to take out the best of me and my site to look good and useful.

Link: [a href=\"http://www.planetdiaz.com\" target=\"_blank\"]http://www.planetdiaz.com[/a]

[moberemk]

First up-and I know I say this a lot-integrate your forums into your layout. It really isn't that hard to do. And if you plan on going for a huge site, why not use the VBulletin you have on your Delphi site? It's much better for larger sites. Second, don't use tables-use CSS. Much cleaner, much faster, much easier. Third, add some padding-everything feels really scrunched together somethimes. On category pages, you also lose the header-what's up with that? The biggest thing, however, is the fact that you go from a very nice, very shiny header, to a dull, solid-color dominated main content page. Throw in a little more variety in your design.
Also, I found an article you might be interested in: [a href=\"http://www.sitepoint.com/article/community-building-primer\" target=\"_blank\"]http://www.sitepoint.com/article/community-building-primer[/a]

[MrDiaz]

I dont quite get what you mean with all that. Ok let me slice this so I can understand what you mean.
[!--quoteo(post=347247:date=Feb 18 2006, 09:14 PM:name=moberemk)--][div class=\'quotetop\']QUOTE(moberemk @ Feb 18 2006, 09:14 PM) [snapback]347247[/snapback][/div][div class=\'quotemain\'][!--quotec--]
And if you plan on going for a huge site, why not use the VBulletin you have on your Delphi site?[/quote]
- I am using IPB for Planet Diaz because I don't want to pay for another vBulletin licence just yet. I might switch to vBulletin once I get the revenue to do so eventually.

[!--quoteo(post=347247:date=Feb 18 2006, 09:14 PM:name=moberemk)--][div class=\'quotetop\']QUOTE(moberemk @ Feb 18 2006, 09:14 PM) [snapback]347247[/snapback][/div][div class=\'quotemain\'][!--quotec--]
Third, add some padding-everything feels really scrunched together somethimes.[/quote]
- What on the site is feeling like that? Please let me know so I can take care of it.

[!--quoteo(post=347247:date=Feb 18 2006, 09:14 PM:name=moberemk)--][div class=\'quotetop\']QUOTE(moberemk @ Feb 18 2006, 09:14 PM) [snapback]347247[/snapback][/div][div class=\'quotemain\'][!--quotec--]
On category pages, you also lose the header-what's up with that?[/quote]
- In what pages? I don't see what you mean.

[!--quoteo(post=347247:date=Feb 18 2006, 09:14 PM:name=moberemk)--][div class=\'quotetop\']QUOTE(moberemk @ Feb 18 2006, 09:14 PM) [snapback]347247[/snapback][/div][div class=\'quotemain\'][!--quotec--]
On category pages, you also lose the header-what's up with that?[/quote]
- In what pages? I don't see what you mean.

[!--quoteo(post=347247:date=Feb 18 2006, 09:14 PM:name=moberemk)--][div class=\'quotetop\']QUOTE(moberemk @ Feb 18 2006, 09:14 PM) [snapback]347247[/snapback][/div][div class=\'quotemain\'][!--quotec--]
The biggest thing, however, is the fact that you go from a very nice, very shiny header, to a dull, solid-color dominated main content page.[/quote]
- What?

Other than that thanks for the review, I really want to get the most out of it.

[moberemk]

Try disabling the header image on your site; it really makes it look a lot worse. Also, when you click on a link to view tutorials in a category, like in PHP for example, the header image dissapears. You commented on my add padding thing twice, and by that, I meant that you should probably take a closer look at your sideblock headings-they tend to run up right against the edges.
Now, another thing I noticed, is the fact that your footer is really, really blah right now. Round the edges at the very least!

[MrDiaz]

Ok fixed now, thanks I didn't notice. So you are trying to say that I should remove my header? What is it that you don't like about it?

[moberemk]

I'm not saying that at all; I rather like it, in fact. What I don't like is the way that you go from such a cool-looking, great header image, and then you scroll down a little to find a much more boring main content area.

[MrDiaz]

[!--quoteo(post=347413:date=Feb 19 2006, 12:07 PM:name=moberemk)--][div class=\'quotetop\']QUOTE(moberemk @ Feb 19 2006, 12:07 PM) [snapback]347413[/snapback][/div][div class=\'quotemain\'][!--quotec--]
I'm not saying that at all; I rather like it, in fact. What I don't like is the way that you go from such a cool-looking, great header image, and then you scroll down a little to find a much more boring main content area.
[/quote]

Ok so the dull thing is the little headers on the navigations menus? Or you mean the whole content area?

[moberemk]

Whole content area.

[MrDiaz]

What do you recommend me to add/remove?

[moberemk]

Add more variety-instead of so much solid color, try throwing in a gradient or two. Be careful though-there's a fine line between adding variety and suffocating your users with color.
Also, if you have multiple users posting tutorials, maybe you could float a box to the side that gives a little information, maybe even links back to their personal site/forum page. Giving users the ability to find out more about the author is always a good idea, as it makes their life easier if they want to contact them for a question or something.

[MrDiaz]

Thanks for the review, it was very helpful for me. I am workin on adding some new stuffs to it. If you want to help with articles you know what to do ;)

If I'd ask you what rating would you give to my site on a scale from 1 - 10 what would be your answer? I ask because I want to know how well Im doing.

Again thanks! If I do something new I'll let you know. :)

[MrDiaz]

I added some new stuffs to the site. How does it look now?

[moberemk]

For one thing, your buttons look disabled-don't use grey borders and text unless you want to show that the button doesn't work! For another thing, you still need to integrate the site and the forums. They are two completely separate designs-not good planning.

[MrDiaz]

[!--quoteo(post=351680:date=Mar 4 2006, 03:55 PM:name=moberemk)--][div class=\'quotetop\']QUOTE(moberemk @ Mar 4 2006, 03:55 PM) [snapback]351680[/snapback][/div][div class=\'quotemain\'][!--quotec--]
For one thing, your buttons look disabled-don't use grey borders and text unless you want to show that the button doesn't work! For another thing, you still need to integrate the site and the forums. They are two completely separate designs-not good planning.
[/quote]


Well I do like the buttons like that :P It looks smooth, I dont pretend to change that just yet and about the forums. Why do I need to integrate it within the site?

[moberemk]

So that the two don't look like two completely separate entities. Also, so that people don't need to register, then register again-that's just annoying.

[redbullmarky]

i've been following this since you first posted it, and have watched it change quite alot. i haven't really commented because moberemk has really hit the nail on the head about most things he's stated and you've actioned them very well.

all in all, the layout, presentation and usability of the site is up-front pretty nice, clean, easy to use and pretty darn good.

my ONLY gripe is a really nit-picking thing - the 'links' that sit just under your main banner. well, i thought they were links cos they look a bit like links but they're not. also, 2 of the 6 items shown here are not anywhere to be seen in your 'real' navigation on the left hand side. i'd say do one of the following:
1) lose the part i'm on about totally
2) extend the part i'm on about to cover more of your subject matter and less of what's not anywhere to be seen
3) make sure your nav has Pascal and .NET in it.
4) actually turn them into proper links

i like what you've got so far though for definite

Cheers
Mark

[MrDiaz]

I made a few changes to Planet Diaz. A new table on the center, several fixes for Internet Explorer and also fixed resolutions problems. As well as many new tutorials added. So what you think? Still the same or looking much better?

[moberemk]

You've added some interesting touches to be sure. I wouldn't say that it looks a lot better, but it does look better then before. Which is odd, because I don't see too many new things.

[MrDiaz]

Well new things are only visible if you take a look around the site not only one page. New things like Syntax Highlighter for all the languages on the site. Rating system, comments, and fixed a few bugs on Internet Explorer.

Well anyways, I'm glad to know the site looks at least a little bit better now than before. I just need to keep working to make it even better.

So my friend, if I ask you what score would you give Planet Diaz based on a scale from 1-10. What would be your answer? I won't be offended if you give me like a 5 (or less) I just need to know how well the site is doing. Thanks! :)

[ober]

I'd give it an 8.5. Looks pretty solid to me and the look of it is great.

[steviewdr]

I like it too.

Just a few gripes ->

296kB - so be careful of them images - but they do make the website :)
Theres a lot of stuff on the main page - but thats the nature of such a website.
Could you have it - so that on your header image where it says: java | pascal | html | css that these are clickable, and return pages with individual code for java | pascal | html etc.? - Just an idea.

But looks good - Blue is a nice colour to work with.

Id give it 9.25/10 - in the category of a community & tools etc. (which is totally different from a personal page etc)
-steve

[MrDiaz]

Thanks both for your high ratings :)

Yes Steve, I was considering creating an image map for the header. You are not the only one who gets confused. About the image size, I am going to make them .gif instead of .png, that might reduce considerably the load time.

[moberemk]

Your column titles are fixed-width, right? How about you make the background images have a rounded end to them? Also, put a little space between your side blocks and the header.

[MrDiaz]

I don't think I understand what you meant by that. What background images are you referring too?

[moberemk]

The images behind the titles of the little blocks on the side. Speaking of which, you should make those blocks have borders around them. It would help separate them from the content.