[eddieboy665]

Hi guys just joined,

Finished the construction of my site now and was looking for some constructive criticism -

things4free.info

I haven't been designing for very long but I am loving it.
I am at university studying maths with computer science. One of the modules I just received a first in was web programming so I thought I try and extend the skills productively.

I think web design is a possible career path for me after uni so I want to try out all the useful technologies now.

Included in the site:
HTML
CSS
Javascript
PHP (no SQL as haven't paid for a database but have used it before)
AJAX
Flash

Currently I know there are a few things that need to be sorted - mainly I need to try and enable a back button and bookmarks with AJAX, so if anyone can shed any light that would be great. Also my javascript method to preload images down the sides doesn't work for some reason.

Thanks in advance,
Ed

Also if anyone wants to sign up to the scheme the website talks about thanks a lot! You are helping me towards my free laptop.

[pgo]

You do realize that you've made a horribly inaccessible site, right? JavaScript for navigation!?

I don't see one place where JavaScript was needed at all.

<!-- NEVER USE IE!!! Only in a table so in IE there is not the 1px gap -->

Oi.

[bgw]

First off, I wouldn't recommend using javascript to preload images, there are ways to do it with CSS, so I would I'd suggest looking into that. Also, don't use javascript to enable back buttons/bookmarks. Web browsers already do these things, so there is no need.

On that note, don't use javascript for navigation either, what if someone visits your site with javascript off? In your case, you've no content, with the user stuck in your template (as well as losing your rollover effects).

As a first site, practicing and using as much technologies you can, you've done not too bad a job. Keep at it, and look into using javascript to enhance, not as primary functions.

[eddieboy665]

Well thanks pgo for welcoming me to the forums with your 'constructive criticism' - really quite a nice thing to say to someone who has just built their first website. So I'll move on to the well put, useful comment (which yes, does say roughly the same thing but in a polite and helpful manner).

Thanks for the reply bgw, I had thought I might use flash in the end for the image rollovers but may look into to the CSS because I am intrigued.

On to the javascript as navigation; It was my understanding that if using AJAX then it is accepted that if javascript was disabled your site would become useless. Take google maps as the example ( I heard; the first site ever to use AJAX in full ), I disabled Javascript in my browser and it said 'Your browser does not support Google Maps' hence making it useless.

Admittedly AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) is not a necessary technology to use for the site but I used it to gain experience with the code.

Is there another way of implementing AJAX if javascript were disabled?

Anyway thanks in advance and hope it makes sense!
Ed

[joey]

If you think what pgo said wasn't very nice or constructive, you haven't been here long enough

[JP]

I think it looks like something off one of those pop-up or banner adverts. Im not a fan to be honest.

[kiteflyer]

it's not my cup of tea but that said don't listen to the snobs. it isn't easy in the beginning. my advise is too look at endless websites, see what's out there, develop your own style and go with that. in the beginnig it really is trying a lot of stuff out to see what you can do. and sometimes that means you end up with a site that could use some more work.
But just becauase you can use something like AJAX or Javascript doesn't mean you have too. if it makes sense for the site. Hoorah! if it doesn't then well I'd leave it out.
as I said your site isn't my cup of tea. I am a minamilist. the less is more philosophy. and there are those who would argue with me. I don't care. it's my thing.
For a first site good effort.