Website Redesign

[Em]

Well, if anyone remembers, I posted my website design on here a little while ago. I received some comments, and I've reworked it a bit. Feedback or comments would be great :]

For example: is it more or less appealing ? is the contrast stronger/weaker, are you confused when you look at the page, or is the purpose of the page instantly clear? Generally any comments would be helpful

New Verison
http://skywide.net/

Original
replaced with new version


Err also, i have a bit of a technical question if anyone wants to field an answer. Each post is contained in 3 divs, which hold the images (top/content/bottom) The divs load the info from an ID, but this creates errors when I validate the code. Any suggestions about how I could get around this ? I can't really think of an alternative to using div ID=""

[Tolnaftate2004]

Instead of using id="" to identify something in CSS, use class="". In the css declaration, classes begin with '.' rather than '#'.

And I personally like the original better...

[Stephen]

I sort of prefer the original, but don't give up at that - there's a few simple improvements you could make to your new design.

Consider the noise you've made in your banner; what does that actually add to the layout? Nothing in my opinion - I feel it's somewhat distracting. To maintain the nice blue atmosphere I'd go with another shade.

I like the "SKYWIDE" and such, however I'd use a different font on your tabs. I can't give you much of a suggestion here, though... it's more of a gut thing.

Also, you're really cutting away on your visual real estate (which is fine, if the text is too long you won't be able to read it easily) with that "Blake Hilscher..." blurb. Might consider moving it to a horizontal area rather than a vertical.

As far as the design goes, I really don't feel you've change the design - rather... you've rearranged the elements.

Are you using a CSS file, or are you...*checks for himself* Yea, you're defining to the "content-top" twice; once in the actual page and once again CSS file...
Er. No, actually - you're not. I don't know why you're getting this error, sorry.

[Em]

Thanks for the really helpful comments Stephen and Tolnaftate, I've updated it the design.
http://skywide.net/uploads/

Also, I don't believe Class allows you to define width/height/background image ? (Not sure)

My concern with the header is that the colors are too strong and utterly steal the focus from the content. Thoughts ?

I plan on having other things in the right column that will render it more useful.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by Em

Thanks for the really helpful comments Stephen and Tolnaftate, I've updated it the design.
http://skywide.net/uploads/

Also, I don't believe Class allows you to define width/height/background image ? (Not sure)

My concern with the header is that the colors are to strong and utterly steal the focus from the content. Thoughts ?

I really hate that gray box in which "design" sits. It reminds me specifically of highlighting stuff in Windows.

[Em]

Alright I fixed the css error. You were right, classes was the solution.
I changed the Design highlight, I think it looks better.
Also, check out the design page ?

Moved new version over to www.skywide.net

[WanDaMan]

Some websites have different skins, might I suggest you do something interactive with the banner - maybe a selector of colours for the skin? Although Blue isn't my favorite color, I like it! Nice job

[Tolnaftate2004]

Class works the same as id, it's just that id is supposed to be unique so that JavaScript and other things that manipulate the HTML objects have a unique reference name to that object...