[Explore] Fixed Width WIP

[Kage2020]

As indicated in the thread asking whether people wanted to go for a fixed width site or not, here's the first draft test page:



I've uploaded this image rather than a test page because I'm restructuring the webpage and how it works.  While it made sense previously, there was a bit of silliness that crept in with the various test pages that I thought that I would take the time to remove while I was thinking about it.

Remember, guys 'n' gals, the first production of the Explore site is meant to be very low key, using simple (ish) HTML, CSS, and a smattering of JavaScript.  Things like Flash, AJAX, etc., are not a part of this first run, and can be judiciously added at a later date.

Things that obviously needed to be added, other than the proper menus, includes the "right hand eagle" at the top right of the page, and some kind of border on the right.  Indeed, it cries out for that right-hand border, though a simple line looks somewhat boring.

Anyway, let me know what you think...

Kage

[Malika]

Well, I think it looks ok like that, maybe the gridded background with the stars could replace the two black bars? (don't aim that bolter at me if I'm making a completely idiotic remark here) But that is something that could be fixed at a later date...as in no reason to move the deadline back for another month or anything like that!

[Kage2020]

But that is exactly the kind of comment that was talked about on the other thread and, therefore, relevant.  It is a lot of black space (it's not two black bars, but rather the space in your browser that isn't take up by the 922px-wide page -- this is about right for a 1024x768px resolution, which is the "average" at the moment, but hardly the "nerd' average.)

Perhaps the subtle background is required asap, even if as you say it's not going to hold up publication.

Thanks for being the first to reply, Malika.  I know that we all have our little projects that we like to spend time on and, if there are no replies, tend not to reply elsewhere.  In this case, though, the project is only going to move forward with the publication of the Explore site.  Thus, arrogantly enough, my personal project happens to be one that we - as a collaborative project - have to work with so that we can then concentrate on the other things.

Yes, I'm that selfish.

Getting to the background, but perhaps some form of very subtle version of the grid that lines up with the one in the header would be a very good way of doing things.  On the face of things it would definitely give the site an impression of three dimensionality, especially if coupled with a drop shadow around the "wrapper."

Kage

[horizon]

Heh, I am still average...

Joking aside. I think the page looks good. And with a grid the 'sidebars' would work as well. 3D is a definite cool idea in my opinion.

[Kage2020]

I know that I could create a grid, but to be fair all of my artistic endeavours are horrendously lame when compared to others.  Could someone...

...By that I mean you, Malika ...

(Subtle, ain't I! )

...Get one of the artists to check out that test image and see if they can produce something that would look good, yet subtle with the page (much darker green? the image only needs to be small since it will be repeating in both the x- and y-axes, but it should work well when repeated)?  I'll work on the expandable drop shadow and I'll put it up as soon as I have some form of image to go up there.

Kage

[Malika]

I'll try to round up some of the artists we had around back in the day, if I can reach them. By the way...who did the original graphics for the site?

[Kage2020]

CELS and Magelord, basically, both of whom are incommunicado at the moment.  Well, less CELS, but I also don't like to bother him for this (even though it would take him very little time!).

If push comes to shove I'll do it myself, but it just won't look as good!

I wonder if there are an resident/active artists who wouldn't mind throwing something together?

Kage

[Malika]

Resident artists are currently as good as non-existent...it's not like the old days when we had a more of them showing up on a regular basis....ah the good old second forum! 

But erm...this might sound completely stupid, but...doesn't CELS or Magelord still have the original file with that grid? If so...wouldn't it then be a relatively simple job of copy/paste? Or am I completely missing the point here? 

[Kage2020]

I can understand that, but look at the ugliness when you make me - the non-artist - do things that actually require artistic talent:



It's all your fault, Malika.

Kage

[horizon]

An artist that pops to my mind is Christian Schwager. Who does paint for work (eg commission base) but he also does freelance stuff (the Q'orl ships for BFG (Warp Rift 11), the Comet from Warp Rift 18). Someone could try and ask him but I doubt it is done fast enough to go along with the website.

[Malika]

I've put some requests on other forums. I'll try to send PM's/emails to some of the artists who might be capable of helping us out here!

[Kage2020]

I've found the big flaw to creating the fixed width site -- I'm going to have to rework all the "map" pages, all of which are a bit too big for the page.  It shouldn't take too long to do, but it's finicky to do.  Hopefully we've got people working away to create the .htm pages so that we can get the page working...

Kage