[M Paul]

This web site is my first effort, and it is meant to be used in the non-institutional church movement. I have it in a temporary folder, but I think I'm ok going online now. Any comments would be appreciated, by way of assessment or suggestions for improvement.
Thank you.

http://www.loveofchrist.info/housechurch

Paul

[seen.to]

Is it April 1st today?

[superstoffe]

geeezus!

[emil]

mmm, errrr, good effort since
it is not done with tables, other
than that, mmmm, errrr. Like the
other guys said...
Oh, why does everything open in
a new window? By the time I realised
I already had like 6-7 windows open.
That's not good.

[M Paul]

Originally Posted by emilpaun

mmm, errrr, good effort since
it is not done with tables, other
than that, mmmm, errrr. Like the
other guys said...
Oh, why does everything open in
a new window? By the time I realised
I already had like 6-7 windows open.
That's not good.

Thank you for the review. I know what you mean about the mmmm, errrr. That's ok.

I must confess, that everything opens in the same window, because I don't know how to do it any other way. I couldn't find that part in my books. I'm using Sams and O'Reilly, and I'm a slow learner.

Thanks again,
Paul

[emil]

it's a good thing that you do not use tables,
which is what most debutants do, don't worry,
you're doing good.
Maybe re-think the design, also you might want
to add some images, or go with a lighter scheme
of colors.

To stop popping windows, just delete the targets
on your links.

Turn this

<li><a href="church/introduction.html" target="introduction">Introduction</a>

into

<li><a href="church/introduction.html">Introduction</a></li>

I don't know that book, but you don't need
any, really. There are plenty of resources on the web.

This one
http://css.maxdesign.com.au/
is very instructive, I think.

Just google anything you don't know, or browse these
forums.


Cheers

[M Paul]

Emilpaun,

Thanks for all the advice. I really appreciate whatever help I can get, and you've give me some good pointers.

Thanks again.

Paul

BTW, I took the site out of the temporary folder. It's now at http://www.loveofchrist.info
If anyone else would like to offer suggestions or comments, I would appreciate the help. (That is in reference to technique, not site subject matter or content).

[Brown]

good work. very much approached in the right way. fix the targets on all your home page links as mentioned above.

out of interest, what software do you use to generate your html?

[M Paul]

Originally Posted by Brown

good work. very much approached in the right way. fix the targets on all your home page links as mentioned above.
out of interest, what software do you use to generate your html?

I use HomeSite. I love this software. It's like the best software I've ever used--it makes everything so easy. I tried DreamWeaver--yuk--what do peope see in it??

I've been thinking about fixing these targets some more. The thing is, I know when I do research on the web, I have a habit of clicking the "x" in the top right corner to close an article page, and then I completely lose the site, and many times I can't find it again. I'm thinking about people who are not that practiced in web viewing. By using a target, should the viewer actually close the page using the "x," the homepage remains, and the site is saved. I think this is a big issue, making certain the site doesn't get lost, before it is bookmarked or noted.

The system suggested to me would be best for the practiced viewer, which the reviewers in this forum are. However, how necessary do you believe this revision on targets is?? How much inconvenience does having multiple windows open create?? Wouldn't most people click to an article page, and on completing a review, click the "x" to close, and then open another article from the home page?? In that case, the system I have wouldn't be too bad at all, and like I said, it has an advantage. What is your opinion on that angle??

Thanks again,
Paul

[pgo]

A lot of people rave about HomeSite. It's rather old, so I'm not too familiar with it.

While the appeal of your site isn't the greatest, you have my respect for some good coding work. My one recommendation after looking at it quickly is to use an external stylesheet instead of putting your CSS between <style> </style> - it'll save you lots of time/space.

[M Paul]

Originally Posted by pgo

While the appeal of your site isn't the greatest,... My one recommendation after looking at it quickly is to use an external stylesheet instead of putting your CSS between <style> </style> - it'll save you lots of time/space.

Thanks for the input!!!

You really put your thumb on the most difficult issue of the site--appeal--that is from appearance. The problem is, this site forms a part of the non-institutional church movement--I have to avoid looking too traditional, without looking like a radical departure from tradition.

And, I couldn't count all the church sites I've seen, that have great appeal and appearance, and that say essentiallly __nothing__. I have to place the emphasis on message over appearance (that is a lot of the problem, from the view of the movement I'm in, with the institutional church, focusing on appearances over substance)--but then, the question is, do I sacrifice too much in under emphasizing appearance?? Yes, there is the rub.

Then, I have this other problem. Even though a white background is supposed to be the best for readability of articles, according to professionals, personally I always hate reading articles on the computer when the background is white. And, there is just some kind of weird rule in life, that if that is my preference, then odds favor it will be so with people who agree with my positions.

Thus, I chose old lace as the background color of the articles, as what I thought has the easiest readibility, after constant testing with many colors. Then, to create a carry over, I put old lace as the main color of the home page, and then I had to choose the other colors based on what contrasted.

Hmm--it's not so easy--wanting appeal but not wanting appearance to overshadow message. I suppose I could use a graphic font for the banner; maybe a more complex background there also, gradient or textured, and an enhanced graphic. What do you think??

Thanks for suggesting an external style sheet on the home page also. I'll start experimenting with that.

Paul

[pgo]

Welcome. Your external stylesheet should be called between the <head> and </head> of every page. Like so...

<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" title="master" media="screen" href="styles/master.css" />

That way, you write the one "master.css" file and link it to every HTML page instead of re-loading the CSS with every new page. The user will download it just once.

Off-topic: I might not be a Christian, but it's nice to see a Christian site that seems to actually think about faith and theology as opposed to blustery proselytizing.