Here you go, I'm giving my website a makeover to try and make it a bit more accessible. Pop over there to take a look and let me know what you think. No IT comments about the terrible code or whatever, because I haven't got a clue.
16 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Only one or two things really - the colours are a little harsh - perhaps something a little more easy on the eye?
I was going to say the same, get a domain. Also I bet there is some fan out there that would create a professional homepage for you for free if you asked.
And have you thought about adding that Friend Connect comment "Wall gadget"?
Paul & XiXiDu, I've already been that route and I've yet to see the advantage in having my own domain name. It's not as if it's difficult to track me down on the Internet.
Incidentally, nealasher.com is one designed by a fan. Yup, very nice but it's his site and not mine. I don't really want to be chasing after someone who has their own living to earn every time I want something done.
Oh, and Macmillan have bought one too (might be nealasher.co.uk) which they'll presumably get round to doing something with.
Everyone will have their own personal preference for this sort of thing, but a few suggestions might be:
Make the "Neal Asher Space" banner look more like your name from the books (i.e. font same as book covers so that visitors instantly associate the site with the author - it is, after all, the first site that comes up on a google search of your name). The Orbus pic makes for a brilliant background btw. It's a big file though (as vr says), and only a fraction of it is visible so maybe crop it down so that the page loads faster.
Each page seems different from the next: maybe go for a more consistent background color/font/layout and use the same for all pages. I agree with Mark on some of the colour choices.
On the books page, order the standalones and shorts sections as for the novels (i.e newest on the right). Maybe add the year of release centered below each book?
Shadow of the Scorpion page seems empty.
How about a "Best of the Blog" page? With links to posts that received the most comments for example.
Add a link back to this blog on the contact page.
I agree with Paul that a domain would be nice - they only cost about a fiver a year and it's a doddle to set up.
Fine background image...! But I think is a bit "heavy" ...takes a little to download. I think is a fine site...has interesting info (and the cover of ORBUS ...woaaa...! can't wait for it to be released) - But, you should put some design on it...to make it more attractive and maybe optimize the organization of the info and make it more friendly... ...maybe a menu bar at the left side... Have a look at: http://members.tripod.com/~voxish/index.html (very simple but effective) or http://www.martiniere.com/home.htm (a little more complex but not too much...just enough to make it visually interesting)
Excellent suggestions, Afront. I've redone the banner and it's a lot better. As for the consistency on the other pages, that's something I've yet to get round to
16 comments:
Only one or two things really - the colours are a little harsh - perhaps something a little more easy on the eye?
when the pic finally loaded in the blue foreground, and obliterated it, i said "aah" outloud. nice.
Can see as I'm at work and it's blocked. You on a virgin freebie.
Don't be so tight and go and buy a domain.
asher.co.uk and theskinner.co.uk are taken. So is nealasher.co.uk (but you might get them for cybersquatting).
thepolity.co.uk is free (for now).
I was going to say the same, get a domain. Also I bet there is some fan out there that would create a professional homepage for you for free if you asked.
And have you thought about adding that Friend Connect comment "Wall gadget"?
Paul & XiXiDu, I've already been that route and I've yet to see the advantage in having my own domain name. It's not as if it's difficult to track me down on the Internet.
Incidentally, nealasher.com is one designed by a fan. Yup, very nice but it's his site and not mine. I don't really want to be chasing after someone who has their own living to earn every time I want something done.
Oh, and Macmillan have bought one too (might be nealasher.co.uk) which they'll presumably get round to doing something with.
XiXiDu, I might try that wall gadget thingy you mention if gadgets ever reappears on my layout.
Everyone will have their own personal preference for this sort of thing, but a few suggestions might be:
Make the "Neal Asher Space" banner look more like your name from the books (i.e. font same as book covers so that visitors instantly associate the site with the author - it is, after all, the first site that comes up on a google search of your name). The Orbus pic makes for a brilliant background btw. It's a big file though (as vr says), and only a fraction of it is visible so maybe crop it down so that the page loads faster.
Each page seems different from the next: maybe go for a more consistent background color/font/layout and use the same for all pages. I agree with Mark on some of the colour choices.
On the books page, order the standalones and shorts sections as for the novels (i.e newest on the right). Maybe add the year of release centered below each book?
Shadow of the Scorpion page seems empty.
How about a "Best of the Blog" page? With links to posts that received the most comments for example.
Add a link back to this blog on the contact page.
I agree with Paul that a domain would be nice - they only cost about a fiver a year and it's a doddle to set up.
Do you own nealasher.com? It looks half-finished but the site says © Neal Asher 2008 on it.
I didn't realize you'd written a story called Strood. I used to live in Strood when I was a lad. Must seek this one out now... ;
Let me know if you want any help with web stuff as I kinda work in that area.
Nope, managed to look in gadgets and I don't know what you mean.
Fine background image...!
But I think is a bit "heavy" ...takes a little to download.
I think is a fine site...has interesting info (and the cover of ORBUS ...woaaa...! can't wait for it to be released) - But, you should put some design on it...to make it more attractive and maybe optimize the organization of the info and make it more friendly...
...maybe a menu bar at the left side...
Have a look at:
http://members.tripod.com/~voxish/index.html (very simple but effective)
or
http://www.martiniere.com/home.htm
(a little more complex but not too much...just enough to make it visually interesting)
Excellent suggestions, Afront. I've redone the banner and it's a lot better. As for the consistency on the other pages, that's something I've yet to get round to
new logo is even more modern, less 'sci fi 91'. great! loaded a lot faster, (baby cookies?). some dead links --are frustrating.
I've found two dead links and corrected them. Incidentally, Vaude, the logo is lifted straight off the Orbus book cover.
I agree that the new logo is much better than the old one.
Small thing: Maybe put the counter at the end of the page.
Hit counter moved.
Shit, every time I look at the site it's changed.
I like the flow, it's nice and easy to find out the information you're looking for; not what some mindless spod wants you to look at.
Maybe you should link to amozon and get a percentage of the traffic or something.
Good work I'd say.
I see your followers are growing in numbers, almost daily!
Under Social Gadgets...
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