[pondlife]

Hi All,
I'm new here so I thought I'd say Hi!
I've been creating websites for friends and relatives for a couple of years now and it's obviously something that I enjoy but I've discovered that I'm probably better at the backend side of it rather than the graphic front end stuff.
I'm currently spending most of my time developing www.AddAnImage.com which started out as an experiment in using phpThumb but has grown to be something bigger. Development hasn't really been that well thought out and it's just grown by adding extra functionality here and there but it seems to work for now - I'm not sure how scalable it's going to be in the future.
One thing that I'm actutely aware of is it's current look and feel. It really needs an overhall - I'm trying to badger a friend into designing me a template as he has a really good eye for what looks good and what doesn't.
Anyway, I'd appreciate any constructive feedback as to the way my site works and feels - also any ideas as to what to add next (it needs a search facility and more work on how to present the 'highest rated' pictures but I'm searching for the motivation to get started on that... perhaps this w/e...)
Many thanks,
p.

[2Dfruit]

a validation code for adding comments? Is that necessary

[pondlife]

Hi 2DFruit,

I thought that people would abuse the facility, by spamming the site, if I didn't - but I'm thinking now that it would probably be better to limiting the amount of posts by validating against the IP address. What do you think?

Is the validation code that much of a pain?

Many thanks,

pondlife.

[Limbo]

Originally Posted by 2Dfruit

a validation code for adding comments? Is that necessary

Take it off - see if you get spammed - if you do you'll know it works. Personally any site that proactively defends it's users against spammers is worth a look.

It's a realtively good idea - but there is a serious lack of focus. I think you could deliver less info/links to better effect. The bigger stock photo homepages might be good for inspiration - they take the cream and show it off - not all new posts should make your hoimepage imo.

+ I'd rethink yout logo and colors - but as you say your not a designer.

<added>

Oh and welcome

[pondlife]

Hi Limbo,

Thanks for the feedback! I think you're right about the front page but I'd like to keep the content dynamic (less work for me) which is why I decided that the more interesting categories should be shown. The celebrities seem to be the highest search results on Googles Zeitgeist press centre page so I thought they'd be the best way of bringing people to the site.. then I thought funnies would be next placed. The final 'others' is there because of the philosophy that I'd like anyone to have an image on the front page to maintain fairness...

New design is in progress - I'm aware that the site looks 'open source' - hopefully have something soon - what this space!

I've recently found out that I've got 40 subdomains to use so I've created Funny.AddAnImage.com which will hopefully take people to the area that they're interested in more easily... only a redirect at the moment because I don't know a better way of doing it...

Cheers, pondlife.