As you can see, we have been messing with the look of the BullBoard. The goal is to try and reduce some of the clutter and make it easier for you to navigate.
This is just the beginning. Over the next few days and weeks we will be doing more to improve the look and function of Letterville. New databases are in the works and we are consulting with people on ways to improve what we do now.
There is a new chat that we are trying out. It's still our same old mIRC chat, but it is hosted on another server instead of DalNet. That's not all! New Letterheads can join us very easily by using the green "Chat" icon at the left of the page. Experienced users may prefer to use their familiar mIRC program.
As always, we welcome your input and help in building Letterville. Many are surprised to learn how limited my web design skills are. If you have web design and/or programming skills, we need to hear from you.
Our next project is to get the Letterville Auction up and running again. We are in the process of modifying the program to better suit our needs. Everyone will need to re-register, but please don't register until we give you the go ahead.
Me too Greg... but being Blonde I'm not surprised anymore when I end up in weird places.
Steve~ I was just thinking, today in fact, that you had the makings of something big here with this website. With a few minor adjustments and additions, you have a full fledged "Web Community" like TalkCity or MSN Communities. Except this community is geared towards a limited market, which is a selling feature for the site! Those "Big City" sites are too broad and have way too many honest card caring weirdo's. We have an ample supply of resident weirdo's here , that supply all the comic relief we can stand and they don't have a degree in creepiness. (another "selling" feature about this site, ...and anyone taking the weirdo thing personal~ it's a "funnyness compliment", ok?)
Suggestions? I'm sure you'll not be in short supply of those with this creative bunch! We all seem to have a grip on this design-thing, but an added bonus for you is that a lot of us can also build web pages... why not have a competition for web page features (not BB postings, but actual pages) and designs for this site? They can submit their ideas in html format to you for judging. (It takes time off of your demanding schedule, let's us participate in building our "web-home", and gives you visual references to base real opinions on -vs, how well we can describe what we see.) They have already got a suggestion box going with the SignPage. You can do a ton of things with this site... did ya save all the Letterville suggestions? Think pages to visit, links to sites within your site's frame, monthly features, boost up the "how to's", there's endless possibilites~
So what'd'ya say about the competition? It might get some of us outta the BB and into some other interesting corners of this site...
The 'creative combustion' side of the Moon
------------------ The Moon aka: Stefenie Harris Moonlight Designs Pollock Pines, CA learnin' somethin' new every day!
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
I like the new look. Can't wait to see what's in store.
------------------ Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 ICQ: 21604027 sherwood@up.net
scrollbars everywhere, I was at 1024 x 7?? res and had 3 scrolls ...at 800x600 can't see the "whole" logo at once. I won't critique too much because I know it's in begining stage but IMO as a whole it just looks messy and crowded ... it doesn't tie together very well ... yet?
------------------ Designing... it's like an itch in the brain... an itch you can't scratch, that if you can figure out how to scratch it, it just itchs more
The only imput I would like to give is for you to give us a box to minimize it (the purple area) so we may have access to our full screen.Thank you for asking.
Stevo....The new look is definatly friendlier. I like where we're going. Like the way I said "we?" I'm a part of this community and really feel that way. Thanks for the continuing effort to keep this place a leading edge for those that want to make great signs with great people.
------------------ The SignShop Mendocino, California "Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"
Oh, for the faith of a spider! He begins his web without any thread.
Posted by Gregg Harbison (Member # 1226) on :
Steve and Barb, Thanks for your continuing efforts to give us as much as you think we actually deserve! You two have made my life so much more pleasant by hosting the Letterville site to begin with, and now...you want me to enjoy it that much more! You folks raelly know how to spoil a guy! Congrats on the New Look and I'm sure with all the input you'll receive from those who know their way around the technical on-line stuff, our little village will continue to be the envy of the Sign related web pages.
------------------ Gregg Harbison Signs 'n Stripes 615 West St. McComb, MS 39648
Posted by Dennis Veenema (Member # 833) on :
I like Alan's suggestion of the minimize option on the purple bar....possible?
------------------ Dennis Veenema The Sign Shop Dresden, Ont. & GigaBytes Plus "Where the plus is the service!"
Posted by Bill Biggs (Member # 18) on :
Funny, I just started using netscape 6 today I thought it was netscape LOL I like the new look, but I may have to change resolution on this little 15 inch monitor, I had to get rid of all my tool bars to find the green chat button. These old eyes need 800 by 600 at least, that is what I am set on this netscape 6 is really been symplified a lot too, but on this old pc it is a bit slow. Looks like we all need to get leaner and meaner this next year, why not start today. Thanks Steve for all you and Barb's Work and support. Bill
------------------ Bill & Barbara Biggs Art's Sign Service, Inc. Clute, Texas, USA Home of The Great Texas Mosquito Festival Proud Third year Supporter of the Letterheads Website MailTo:twobeesusa@netscape.net
Posted by Bill Biggs (Member # 18) on :
I just posted a reply and it didn't sho up, nor did it take me back to the topic like it usually does, Bill Lets see if this one works. OK this one worked, and lo and behold there is my other post now LOL. Guess I started using netscape 6 one day too early. Thanks, I shave my head, but that blond hair keeps creeping back out. Bill
------------------ Bill & Barbara Biggs Art's Sign Service, Inc. Clute, Texas, USA Home of The Great Texas Mosquito Festival Proud Third year Supporter of the Letterheads Website MailTo:twobeesusa@netscape.net
[This message has been edited by Bill Biggs (edited January 22, 2001).]
Posted by Stephen Deveau (Member # 1305) on :
Very nice look Steve! I like to see what you have up your sleeve for the future. The new logo design on the left is great! How about a small cap under Letterville.. maybe "Town Hall" "Community Centre". Only a thought.. Yours to run and a pleasure to visit here!
Raven/2001
------------------ Raven/2000 Airbrushed by Raven Lower sackville N.S. deveausdiscovery@sprint.ca
Posted by Bill Biggs (Member # 18) on :
Steve, I changed my header to get rid of buttons, but I still don't get the green button on my page or a scroll button to get there with. Not that I need it but some may. Below is what my screen looks like. Bill
I saw it Bill. Had to remove your image because it was so huge.
Steve
------------------ Bill & Barbara Biggs Art's Sign Service, Inc. Clute, Texas, USA Home of The Great Texas Mosquito Festival Proud Third year Supporter of the Letterheads Website MailTo:twobeesusa@netscape.net
[This message has been edited by Steve Shortreed (edited January 23, 2001).]
Posted by Steve Shortreed (Member # 436) on :
Looks like you need a scroll bar on the left frame Bill. I'll see what I can do. Told ya I wasn't a whiz at this stuff.
I've been sitting here for hours with my trusty copy of "HTML For Dummies." I think I have some of the probs you reported fixed.
It's a real challenge to get a web page looking good at all resolutions in both IE and Netscape. If you are running at a screen resolution less than 800 x 600, I may not be able to eliminate all the vertical scrollbars.
As for the new navigation frame to the left, I may decide to make it possible to push out of the way. I think I have to add an ugly frame border to do that so I am a bit reluctant.
Our stats indicate that most of you come directly to the BB. In a typical month, just over 3,000 will use the front page while a whooping 85,000 plus come directly to the BB.
That indicates to us that many may be missing important features such as future live meets and past meet coverage. As you know, promoting live Letterhead & PinHead Meets is one of our most important jobs. Love to see a few more visiting the Resident's link as well.
No scrolling here and I think it looks great!! We talked one time about people designing logos for each of the sites in our new town. Did you have many submitted Steve? What do you still need designs for? This could be another fun contest.
Suelynn
------------------ "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot
Suelynn Sedor Sedor Signs Carnduff, Sk Canada
Posted by Bill Biggs (Member # 18) on :
That did the trick Steve, Thanks, Looks good. Bill
------------------ Bill & Barbara Biggs Art's Sign Service, Inc. Clute, Texas, USA Home of The Great Texas Mosquito Festival Proud Third year Supporter of the Letterheads Website MailTo:twobeesusa@netscape.net
Posted by Mayo Pardo (Member # 138) on :
If the bulk of the traffic comes here to the bullboard, why try and change their habits and get them to go to other pages?
Your web stats indicate everyone likes this page or the numbers wouldn't stay so high. You can make gradual changes here and watch the stats to see if the changes result in more visitors or less visitors. Test only one change at a time or you will not know what works or doesn't work.
You could make links or frames or layers (for the pages you want to promote more) on the pages that are getting the most traffic.
------------------ EmpYŽ is also known as Mayo Pardo. Seen wandering through Australia, currently in Elgin IL. 847 931-4171
For $20 worth of Free Postage, click here FREE POSTAGE
Posted by Brian Stoddard (Member # 39) on :
I think it looks great as well and I like the idea of having the links available here since once in a while I pop over to the main page to see if anything is new. One thing you might try and have probably already thought about is to put a drop down typr of nav window on the BB page. Or even a flash site (I know easier said than done) like this one (I really like the nav bar) http://www.lego.com/flash/default.asp Just a positive critique but things look great and you are doing a great job. I have big dreams for my web site which is pathetic right now so I know how much time it takes to do right... keep it up!
------------------ Brian Stoddard Expressions Signs A few puddles east of Seattle
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
Lookin' good. Steve!
------------------ Wayne Webb Webb Sign Studio creators of "woodesigns" "autograph your work with excellence" webbsignstudio@digitalexp.com
Posted by Steve Purcell (Member # 1140) on :
Screen real estate is a valuable commodity, and the purple bar is taking up almost 20% of mine.
If I need to check out the other pages, I know where to find them.
Please allow me a means of eliminating the extra frame.
Thanks.
Your new logo looks great.
------------------ Purcell Woodcarving & Signmaking spurcell99@mediaone.net Cape Cod, MA
Posted by Sarah Clark (Member # 413) on :
It doesnt mess up anything on my monitor. if the bar is taking up too much of your screen right click on the forum part and pick open frame in new window. Bookmark it.
, that supply all the comic relief we can stand and they don't have a degree in creepiness. (another "selling" feature about this site, ...and anyone taking the weirdo thing personal~ it's a "funnyness compliment", ok?)
