I value all members opinions on what the website looks like. I have been looking at the website and I've been wondering whether or not it would be a good idea to have all the menus down one side, preferably the left-hand side. There isn't a lot of space in between the two sets of menus and sometimes when people post large photos, they tend to overlap the right-hand menu.

I'll be interested to know your opinions on the matter and am in interested what you think about having all the menus down the left-hand side would look okay.

I think it would be fine with all Menus to the left. Whats the harm? It can always be changed back if it doesn't work out. The only other option is to limit the photos to something like 450 Pixels wide and that hurts the photos because they must be small. I would rather see the Menu's left and the Photo limit raised to 600 Pixels.

(Those filter photos I posted were 450 pixels if I remember correctly, so 450 would have to be it if we don't want the "overlap".
Photos are meant to be seen (my opinion) so lets go larger rather then smaller.

I would also consider shortening up the blurb on the home page (way shorter) and instead of having all your personal information there, consider making a "bio" page that you can place a link to on the home page. On your Bio, you can place your photo and make it like a letter using most of what you have on the home page now. Keep the home page short and sweet (I think at least 1/2 less then current) and do not mix more then 2 (Two) font sizes and types ever. Two is generally considered the maximum for any professional writing. I hope you view these as all being constructive as they are ceretainly intended as such. It's a great site (thank's to you) and any improvements only make it better.

How abourt a "blog" area too where we can document our own fish and tanks (no one else posts in our blog) like a diary of sorts to keep a record for public viewing? (did I express this correctly?)

JJ

Also, you needn't list all the right hand articles seperately. Why not just list the Headers instead.

Helpful Articles
Members Articles
Videos
Members Blogs

Then wwhen you click the header, the sub menu opens up to reveal all enclosed.

The Left hand side Menus are more main menus and should be left alone, but the right side can be moved over and consolidated further, saving space. You can leave the Poll shown but move it left too. Maybe keep the Poll on top left... (SMell something bburning?? I am trying to think again...)

Joliet Jake wrote:


When you say click the header, what are you referring to? If we take helpful articles for example, that is a module that contains all the links.

Yes, I probably do something about the homepage, I been thinking about it a little lately anyway.

Helpful Articles is a header and as you put it, a module that contains all the links within.

Instead of listing all the links, simply make the header an active link that then takes you to a seperate page where all the Helpful Articles are then listed by title. Clicking on one furhter takes you to the article itself.

That way, on the menu column, only the active link title would need to appear.

Just a quick question for you. What happened to the Member submitted articles (Leveling the Aquarium?)

I see it's a work in progress. Looks good! I like the changes thus far. Video section looks good too!

Bloody server went down I think.

That little bit of extra space makes the forum that much better I think

Oscarfishlover wrote:


Yea, you were off line for a bit and a Jooba (spelling) page came up for a little while.

It looks much better with the changes so far, much more eye appeal, more professional looking. Can we not keep the "who's on line" on all pages? I noticed thats only viewable on the home page now.

PS, I would consider re-adding the Guest Wall under the main menu left. Otherwise the activity will drop way off on that.

I kept glancing for the who is on line and it wasn't there so I'm glad I've put it back

When you are putting a website together it is really handy to have someone to bounce ideas off and get input. After all, what I think looks good might not look good to everybody else

On second thought, I am glad you didn't consolidate the "Helpful Articles" like I first suggested. That is too important and first time guests and members need to know those resources and articles are there. It's "good stuff" so to speak and the left side is looking good. Condensing the Videos did work nicely though.

That is the main reason why I decided to leave the helpful articles on all pages. Like you said, when people arrive at any page, they can see them.