Open Thource - For Open Source Thoughts

Hi all,

I generally don't put my sites up for critique as my friends circle is usually pretty blunt when they see something they don't like but Open Thource is my 'baby' and I want it to become strong. I also find myself here on Webforumz more and more and would love to hear what you all think of it.

The underlying architecture is a Simple Machines forum but because I am more than comfortable with PHP, much of it is custom additions.

In the layout I have hoped to accomplish something that doesn't intimidate the average user but also has enough 'easter eggs' for someone who looks hard enough.

The main 'got ya' is the actual philosphy I am trying to create in that every idea has a seed and the person with that seed can't always grow it by themselves.

I have much work to do on my 'baby' yet because I have been pondering this site ever since delving into web development.

It has an underlying web 2.0 feel by encouraging members to create content and also use content created by other members.

I won't waffle on too much but I will say this, I truly hope it is more than just me that can see value in the idea.

Thanks for your feedback (please don't be shy negative feedback is gold)

Rakulie.

I really love it, I feel like I would be afraid to join it though because I could see myself getting really hooked and spending far too much time on it.

I wonder if enough people will "get it" for it to properly take off, I really hope it does take off and I sincerely hope you won't find yourself getting frustrated by people using it as a general chat forum because I can see how much of you you have put into it.

On a practical level, I think you need more of an explanation on the homepage, more pointers, help getting started etc.

I might have more to say later, but I need to go read my kids a bedtime story right now!

LOL - this wouldn't be a bad thing for me

That's actually a really great idea. LOL I am so captivated with the the idea that people will come and share their ideas I don't give a large enough explanation how they might come up with or identify thme.

I may actually do up some tutorial-like pages and put together a links page with inspirational material -- thanks (will edit original post once done)

I think the design of your site is well thought up although have you seen the loading time(too many images!)!! That is definatly a minus point along with TABLES! This site would look the same if not better using CSS - http://www.webforumz.com/css-forum/3...how-to-use.htm. One more thing - What the hell happened to the navigation? It doesnt look right!

Good luck -
Marc

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Marc
Staff Manager - Want to be a Moderator? PM me.

i like the site, looks brilliant (and I will be joining!)
the top nav looks a bit odd or might just be my browser (FF)
not too fussed on this:
http://www.openthource.com/Themes/Op...images/bg1.jpg

besides that well done, i can see this catching on.

p.s. the title reminds me of me trying to say "open source" with my brace

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Web Design and Development Blog

Alex Perry
Technical Administrator.

Hi Mark,

I completely agree with most points raised here. I know the total file size is quite large due to the images and although I can't say I will be removing many of them I will be aiming to optomise them as they currently are quite large.

As for the tables, I won't be moving to all DIVs immediately but I am aiming to make as much of it CSS as possible simply due to how much easier it is and also how much less HTML there is as a result. As I mentioned the grass roots of the PHP is an SMF forum which unfortunately relies heavily on tables and in my haste to fit my vision I started using them as well.

I can't say I have any idea what you last point addresses is your would be so kind as to explain. What part of the navagition do you refer to?

__

Thanks for your kind words Alex and I will look forward to seeing you as a member.

The top navigation has been bugging me lately as well because it doesn't fit the room feel and I have to say it was added in my haste to get some floating javascript boxes on the site LOL.

Now I know that it bugs the both of us I will look to change it.

Cheers for the feedback all.

Glad you are going to address the load time. That certainly is a drawback at this time.

The idea behind the site is fascinating. It's amazing to me when people can dream up something "new".

Totally loving the white area with posts with the sticky notes and push pins.
Very cute.

I'd like to suggest a couple of things in regards to the design. The teal green textured background is quite dated. The font for Open Thource is difficult to read. I get that you want a hip/current/trendy fresh look, but I think there are other fonts that might give the same impression without being messy looking.
The login box on the left should be aligned with the right box on the right. At this time the log in box is a bit higher on the page.

We working the tabs at the top-perhaps a tan from your paper would match better.

I'm not really seeing the point in the whole footer area. The sofa, table, carpeting fake plants... I'd ditch it. I think it takes the look down a notch or two.

On an SEO note you will want to take Vanessa's suggestion for adding text. Right now you are so heavy in images there isn't much for Search Engines to feed on.

Hope that helps. I can see this is truly your baby! Good luck with it!

Have to disagree with this, I really like all that. It's a nice surprise when you scroll down and expect to just see a plain footer, and then you realize that the whole page is a room, so it's like people are sitting around discussing their ideas, and pinning thoughts up on to the board on the wall. I think it's fun.

I might yet join...

I am refering to the navigation on the left hand side of the screen.

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Marc
Staff Manager - Want to be a Moderator? PM me.

Thank you everyone for the detail and time you have put into looking at this site and @alexgeek thanks for joining - hope to see your thoughts soon.

Everything I've read is valuable and I have decided based on you feedback to address the following - asap

• The Open Thource written on the wall in the background I will probably remove completely and think of a new header.
• The tabs that I have at the top I will either remove or aim for a better colour scheme.
• I will be looking at the background texture used (the teal) and try to find something that matches my carpet

When you talk about the font used, do you mean for the header image or for the content on the site itself?

Thanks again all - got some work to do LOL

Rakuli

Just the header. The font for the site text looks great.

Okay everyone,

Open Thource has evolved to its current incantation

What I have addressed in this update.

I have removed horrible green wallpaper and classroom carpet replacing it with a wood finished room (complete with a window) and a marble floor.

I have reduced the number of images on the site and also the size of each image. I have reduced the use of PNG files thus reducing overall file size. There are only a few background textures and 'forum' images.

The menu -- which Marc so kindly pointed out was not quite right -- has been removed and replaced with a menu using CSS hover effects (as I should have used in the first place )

I have cleaned up my CSS and there are no propriety tags any longer and no errors through w3.

The use of tables for layout has been abolished -- there are still quite a few tables throughout the site which i am working to removed but these are primarily for their intended use (tabular display of data).

I have removed the unnecessary javascript and 'un-roomworthy' floating things a the top of the page to be replaced shortly with more poignant, user friendly info.

The floor with the couch remains -- I ilke this feature -- but the images have been optimised and load last. I intend to optimise the images further

I haven't got the accessibility quite up to scratch but this is next along with adding content and 'kickers' as suggested by Vanessa.

The attached images are a before and after (the site is live if you wanted to look).

Would appreciate your further feedback.

Cheers,

Rakuli.

Attached Images

	new.jpg (52.3 KB, 21 views)
	old.jpg (45.3 KB, 21 views)