ruby

Hi Rick thanks for posting on the forum. I note the replies have been mixed. As you stated the idea is not "new" it's the feedback on design issues that is important. It is difficult to come up with anything that is totally "new" ideas come from building on experiences and taking opportunities. There is nothing wrong with borrowing or even stealing ideas from examples, isn't that what this site is about? To dismiss something because it has been "done before" does not engourage progress, implies laziness on the part of the expressor, is pessimistic and defeatist. Thank goodness everyone is not the same. Ruby

Thank you for all your comments to my original question. The feedback I have received has given me so much to think about, I am already on a steep learning curve, I obviously have more to learn. Keep your comments coming, I want to learn as much as I can. Ruby

Thank you all for your replies, it does make you look at your site in a different way. Font - I worked for an educational charity for over 6 years, learning disability. We were frequently inspected by OFSTED (Office for Standards in Education) and before this, the LSC (Learning + Skills Council). At one of our sister colleges during an OFSTED inspection they commented on the use of font and marked the College down for not using arial. From then on all the colleges in the charity used arial, minimum size 12. I suppose if an inspector had a preference for this font then his/her preference affected the way we produced all our documents and the College Website! On the positive side I believe it is vital that everyone is aware of disability and how sites can be made better in terms of accessibility for people with a disability. Q1) Is verdana a better alternative to arial and is this within the recognised standards for disability? Q2) Is there too much text, I think there is but I want to get my message across and demonstrate that I know what I'm talking about? Q3) "any good" I know is subjective, but isn't that what we do when we go shopping for example look at the goods or images (even the ones out of a cheesey 90's pamphlet), I appreciated this because originally I thought the pictures looked professional, now I realise they look dated. I would appreciate it if any one could give me links to sites they consider to be "good" so that I can see what types of images I should be using. Many thanks for all your comments, please keep them coming. Ruby

Ober, thank you for your reply, I will get Rick to play around with the text choices you suggested. I'm sure he will be busy over the next couple of days looking at the other points you raised. If any one has any comments they wish to make please don't keep it to yourself, all feedback is good feedback. Many thanks Ruby.

I know what you mean about typography being being uninspired but what would you suggest as an alternative? I like arial because it is a recognised standard for people with a variety of disabilities, I have been led to believe it is the accepted font. I fully understand your comment on "beating up designers" I realise that some people would do this as a means of getting designers to change their sites without having to pay for it, as we are both still learning it appeared to be a valid method of getting feedback I apologise if I have caused you or any other phpfreaks any concerns. I have not had much trafic going to my site and obviously this is frustrating for both me and the designer. I don't understand SEO's and can't afford this as an option, do you or any of the phpfreaks have any suggestions? Many thanks Ruby  :)

I have checked with Creative Cogs and they said it's ok for me to ask for a critique on this site as both companies are working together. I know nothing about websites, they use me for proofing in terms of grammar, spelling, sales, finance and procedures and I used them to create my site, we have an ongoing arrangement. If it's a problem I can ask them to submit the request directly. Thank you. :-[ Ruby

Hello all you phpfreaks, I am new to this site and know very little about websites, code or PHP. I would be interested in any comments that anyone would like to make regarding my website, the more the merrier. www.documenttower.co.uk It's always better to have another persepctive on things as it is easy to miss obvious mistakes and overlook possible areas that could be improved. Your feedback can only help to make my site better, thank you in advance of your comments. Ruby :)