For this time, we will now examine a few sites that use either XHTML or CSS in their design, and examine how well their structure is planned out in relation as to what they wish to accomplish.
The Ancient Gaming Noob (http://tagn.wordpress.com/)
Still one of my favorite sites, it is also seems to be built with an XHTML framework. His blog is formatted in a fashion that is pleasing to the eye, with adequate spacing and lists created with CSS in order to present his past blog postings in an easy-to-find archive on the right of the page.
The Daily Victim (http://archive.gamespy.com/DailyVictim/hov.asp)
Though no longer updated, The Daily Victim is a hilarious tribute to online gaming dementia that's well worth the time to peruse through the IMMENSE archive. However, despite its hilarity, it comes with an unfortunate flaw in its design: the way that the archive itself was made, you are unable to browse through an entire listing of the articles - you must go through them manually. Considering the sheer volume of work done on this site, that is a tall order for any reader to do.
- Enyal
Monday, May 11, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Typograhy Critique #1
Today we shall discuss the typography of two of my favorite sites:
Blogger: the typespacing and content boxes are well-oriented in their design, and the colors are aesthetically pleasing - giving neutral colors that don't overpower the other elements present within the page.
WoWwiki: Now this is an interesting one to critique - due to the content being edited and added upon by a good number of people, there have been two extremes that I have witnessed so far:
Archivists - A term I have given to those who exhaustively research their sources, and comprehensively design and edit the pages that they bring into being. They seem almost possessed by a need to ensure that their information and design is satisfactory for others that use that database. They also use good sense when choosing the pictures to be used in their article.
Granfalloon - The definition for this word originates from Kurt Vonnegut's novel, "Cat's Cradle"; what it means is "a proud and meaningless association of human beings". It is an oddly apt way for describing the vandals that have the common purpose of destroying and altering well-written articles and essay, usually turning them into a mockery directed at the subject matter of the wiki. No care is taken when they design their barbs - they usually leave misaligned text and paragraphs spliced into the original article, and disappear from whence they came. Although these individuals probably have no relation to one another, it is the common act they perpetrate that brands them as such in my sight.
- Enyal
Blogger: the typespacing and content boxes are well-oriented in their design, and the colors are aesthetically pleasing - giving neutral colors that don't overpower the other elements present within the page.
WoWwiki: Now this is an interesting one to critique - due to the content being edited and added upon by a good number of people, there have been two extremes that I have witnessed so far:
Archivists - A term I have given to those who exhaustively research their sources, and comprehensively design and edit the pages that they bring into being. They seem almost possessed by a need to ensure that their information and design is satisfactory for others that use that database. They also use good sense when choosing the pictures to be used in their article.
Granfalloon - The definition for this word originates from Kurt Vonnegut's novel, "Cat's Cradle"; what it means is "a proud and meaningless association of human beings". It is an oddly apt way for describing the vandals that have the common purpose of destroying and altering well-written articles and essay, usually turning them into a mockery directed at the subject matter of the wiki. No care is taken when they design their barbs - they usually leave misaligned text and paragraphs spliced into the original article, and disappear from whence they came. Although these individuals probably have no relation to one another, it is the common act they perpetrate that brands them as such in my sight.
- Enyal
Saturday, May 9, 2009
NightmareWeaver?
In the course of my studies, I have been asked this question: what was the thing which most annoyed and/or frustrated me about Dreamweaver?
In all honesty, there wasn't much for me to get truly annoyed or angry; the processes are truly streamlined and easy to use, and the only thing to become truly annoyed or disgusted about is wither a) you went this long without using it, or b) it took a while to learn the functions, and realize that it was only as hard as you made it.
- Enyal
In all honesty, there wasn't much for me to get truly annoyed or angry; the processes are truly streamlined and easy to use, and the only thing to become truly annoyed or disgusted about is wither a) you went this long without using it, or b) it took a while to learn the functions, and realize that it was only as hard as you made it.
- Enyal
Friday, May 8, 2009
Dreamweaver Refelections #1
Dreamweaver, as long as I've known it, has proven to be a tool that simplifies the process of creating and updating webpages; for me, it has meant the difference between hammering out lines of code for hours, as opposed to putting it together quickly and neatly in Dreamweaver and building it successfully on the first try.
Now, I breeze through the design process - what was once a mountain is now turned into a molehill, an immense obstacle now small and easy to overcome. Productivity is on the rise, and I can honestly say I'm all the better for it.
In addition to that, Blogger has also made the biggest difference in broadcasting and communicating ideas to others. Before I used it, I had trouble communicating my ideas clearly; now, I can easily and vividly show people the why and how of my ideas and techniques.
-Enyal
Now, I breeze through the design process - what was once a mountain is now turned into a molehill, an immense obstacle now small and easy to overcome. Productivity is on the rise, and I can honestly say I'm all the better for it.
In addition to that, Blogger has also made the biggest difference in broadcasting and communicating ideas to others. Before I used it, I had trouble communicating my ideas clearly; now, I can easily and vividly show people the why and how of my ideas and techniques.
-Enyal
Monday, February 16, 2009
In Memoriam
Hello, All;
On the day of the 6th of February, a voice finally went silent - one whose current lack of presence is even more deafening than whenshe could be in the house.
She was a literal member of the family when we found her, adopted her, and proceeded to give her the best 20 years of her life that she could ever have. Those 20 years were special to me, for I was blessed by spending that much time with her.
She was always open, always had time to hear our troubles, and always was willing to offer comfort to us; she was never too busy or pushed us away when she was up and about.
I still find traces of her even now, and memories still surface as a result: her favorite foods, her old toys, her favorite places to sleep... It was always a comfort to see her around the house, willing to help in her own special way.
Sadly, time overcomes all things, and is not merciful in its tireless march.
She was put to sleep on the 6th, freeing her of her aches and pains.
She was the best feline friend anyone could ask for.
- Enyal
On the day of the 6th of February, a voice finally went silent - one whose current lack of presence is even more deafening than whenshe could be in the house.
She was a literal member of the family when we found her, adopted her, and proceeded to give her the best 20 years of her life that she could ever have. Those 20 years were special to me, for I was blessed by spending that much time with her.
She was always open, always had time to hear our troubles, and always was willing to offer comfort to us; she was never too busy or pushed us away when she was up and about.
I still find traces of her even now, and memories still surface as a result: her favorite foods, her old toys, her favorite places to sleep... It was always a comfort to see her around the house, willing to help in her own special way.
Sadly, time overcomes all things, and is not merciful in its tireless march.
She was put to sleep on the 6th, freeing her of her aches and pains.
She was the best feline friend anyone could ask for.
- Enyal
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Weaving Dreams (of the Internet)...
Hello All!
Recently, I got my hands on Dreamweaver Creative Suite 3; I must say, I've been pretty impressed. So, I just thought I would set down some of my thoughts concerning it.
On the good side, the things that can be accomplished with Dreamweaver are myriad in possibilities. I find that the program is quite flexible in accomplishing what you desire.
It is also surprising the level of work that can be done in a shorter amount of time using this process.
On the other hand, all this great stuff does not come as easily as one would suppose; one must first devote a good chunk of time to studying the user's manual in order to truly unlock the programs potential. The same goes for the CIOS course as well; you'll only get so much as you put into it.
- Enyal
Recently, I got my hands on Dreamweaver Creative Suite 3; I must say, I've been pretty impressed. So, I just thought I would set down some of my thoughts concerning it.
On the good side, the things that can be accomplished with Dreamweaver are myriad in possibilities. I find that the program is quite flexible in accomplishing what you desire.
It is also surprising the level of work that can be done in a shorter amount of time using this process.
On the other hand, all this great stuff does not come as easily as one would suppose; one must first devote a good chunk of time to studying the user's manual in order to truly unlock the programs potential. The same goes for the CIOS course as well; you'll only get so much as you put into it.
- Enyal
Saturday, September 6, 2008
A Re-introduction...
Hello All!
Enyal here, and ready for yet another semester of computer studies! I've been using this little corner of cyberspace since 2007 in order to record my experiences in learning about computer software, hardware, and blogs. Currently, I'm a student at UAF who's just finishing up an English degree; eventually, I'll be adding an IT degree to supplement that. In the end, I intend to use both degrees in order to seek a career in web design.
-Enyal
Enyal here, and ready for yet another semester of computer studies! I've been using this little corner of cyberspace since 2007 in order to record my experiences in learning about computer software, hardware, and blogs. Currently, I'm a student at UAF who's just finishing up an English degree; eventually, I'll be adding an IT degree to supplement that. In the end, I intend to use both degrees in order to seek a career in web design.
-Enyal
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