Jamie Rees

[mark87]

Building a new template for Jamie Rees (weazel).

I'm pretty pleased with it and I think he is too, but one thing we can't decide upon is a font for the top navigation; it just doesn't seem to 'look right'.

http://www.markaylward.co.uk/jamie_rees/

Another thing is that the CSS does not validate due to display:inline-block. It's on the menu (which is based on the non-floating list on CSS Play (http://www.cssplay.co.uk/menus/centered2.html)), but apparently it does exist (http://www.w3.org/TR/CSS21/visuren.html#display-prop) and it's just because the validator hasn't been updated?

Any other opinions are much appreciated. :)

[JamieR]

We can't seem to choose between Verdana or Georgia..any suggestions would be apprectiated.

[slushy77]

Hey Mark,
cool website - did you try itallic text for the for the top navigation

[NancyJ]

I'm tempted to agree with italics - that 'welcome' in italic georgia looks really nice.
The site looks good, the only thing I would really change is the top-margin and line-height for your menu - I'd change the line-height to around 130-140% and the top-margin to 80-85px, it just looks to be slumping a little low (in FF 1.5)

[mark87]

I did in fact try italics, as I thought the same as you and thought it would fit really nicely with the headings, but it still didn't seem to look quite right! :confused:

Thanks for the help though, I guess we'll keep trying new things! :)

[Mike Darling]

Being a journalist perhaps this is me sticking to newspaper style but:

Indenting paragraphs are too.... rigid. Double spaces are not necessary. Why is only half of it in English?

would the navigation at the top be better with a thicker text? perhaps a different rollover colour. Although Black is good, it is just dark. maybe a baby white blue?

[Pennimus]

Being a journalist perhaps this is me sticking to newspaper style but...

I don't really agree with the comparison of newspapers and websites (another comment you made regarding making peoples heads the size of a dime seemed a bit odd, given the size of images ultimately being dependent on screen resolution) but in this case I agree; I've never liked indented paragraphs and the text is too widely spaced.

I don't have a problem with the top navigation. The few other things I would change though:

1. Left align the content of the navigation bar (center looks particularly odd on the search heading and even more so in the search input box).
2. Tart up the search results page :thumbsup:
3. You've got the barest amount of horizontal scrolling at 800x600, could be worth reviewing.

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

I like the curves. I remember seeing jamie's site before, and it wasn't too great. I think this a good improvement. Also inline-block does validate but only in CSS2.1 and above. It isn't in the specs for CSS 2.0
CSS validated at CSS2.1 (http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/validator?uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.markaylward.co.uk%2Fjamie_rees%2Fstyle.css&warning=1&profile=css21&usermedium=all)
You need to use the advanced options when you validate. Default is CSS2.0

[ubik]

I see that it was designed for 800x600 but I actually like the way it looks in 1024x768 better, with the margins at each side and the diagonal line texture is a nice effect. I like the footer and the way it fades into the outline of your main container, thats cool.

I would probably just change 1 thing.. the hover states of the menu links. Black and Blue don't share much contrast between them, but other than that.. It's a real nice site.

EDIT: I just noticed while browsing your code ;) that the design does not center align in IE. I believe you can put text-align:center; in the body for IE, then text-align:left; in the main container to reset?

[mark87]

Why is only half of it in English?

That's just dummy text (http://www.lipsum.com/).

Left align the content of the navigation bar (center looks particularly odd on the search heading and even more so in the search input box).

Jamie said he wanted it centred, and it's his site so... :)

Tart up the search results page.

Nothing to do with me. :P

You've got the barest amount of horizontal scrolling at 800x600, could be worth reviewing.

Yes I noticed this too when I tested at 800x600. I not quite sure why because the width is set to 778px with 2x 1px borders. I'm sure the scrollbar is no wider than 20px... any ideas?

I would probably just change 1 thing.. the hover states of the menu links. Black and Blue don't share much contrast between them, but other than that.. It's a real nice site.

Thanks, yup, I agree.

I believe you can put text-align:center; in the body for IE, then text-align:left; in the main container to reset?

It will align properly in IE6+. Yes I could use text-align:center for older versions.

Thanks for all the comments. :)

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

There is something weird going on with you navigation column. If you have FF, I recommend you get this extension https://addons.mozilla.org/extensions/moreinfo.php?id=60&application=firefox
Once you have installed it use the tool bar or the right click menu and find the outline option, select outline block level elements, you will see the extra stuff creating the horizontal scrollbar in 800x600

[brett7481]

Just had to say, that I think the page looks awesome. Good job.

[JamieR]

1. Left align the content of the navigation bar (center looks particularly odd on the search heading and even more so in the search input box).


Yeah I'll agree with you there, it does look a bit odd I guess and I'll have a think about it. Also, the indentation of paragraphs I'd like to loose so I'll tell Mark when he comes on MSNM.

I remember seeing jamie's site before, and it wasn't too great.

yup, my current one, last one etc....crap :)

[harbingerOTV]

I think it looks nice all-round. Besides some of the aforementioned items there are a couple of things that strike me.

The sidebar links. The "Airshow Reviews" is long. I know the border fades but visually it's still there. the Link goes past it. Looks a little off. Make sense?

Have you tried making the plane at top (focke wulf?) right wing overlap the container?

All in all though, Looks nice. A nice venture away from the grey version.

[mark87]

We've taken alot of your comments into account and the latest outcome can be seen at :-

http://www.markaylward.co.uk/jamie_rees/index.php

Aerospace, I have that plugin and did what you said, but I'm not quite sure what you mean about 'something weird' with the navigation column. Could you explain in more detail please?

[Konrad]

Nice website. The font needs some work. If I were you I would make it smaller and Verdana.

[mark87]

It is Verdana... and you change the size yourself in your browser. :) :thumbsup:

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

We've taken alot of your comments into account and the latest outcome can be seen at :-

http://www.markaylward.co.uk/jamie_rees/index.php

Aerospace, I have that plugin and did what you said, but I'm not quite sure what you mean about 'something weird' with the navigation column. Could you explain in more detail please?
Something on the right side is creating the horizontal scrollbar on 800x600. Look how the borders are about 2-3px out of your right side.