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MacKiDo
rev-6
-- until October 5, 1997
Remember, evolution not revolution! This site redesign looks almost identical to the last. I changed the buttons to a higher contrasting black, and decided to play with JavaScript. The buttons highlight as you go over them (if you have JavaScript enabled).
I was reminded, once again, that Microsoft sucks! They implemented their JScript different from Netscape's JavaScript, as a way to guarantee that JavaScript is "not quite the same" on all platforms. This makes JavaScript far less useful than if MS had obeyed the rules, and makes it easier to MS to sell people on their completely proprietary visions like VBScript (the argument being, it isn't going to work cross platform anyway, so why not just use their own proprietary garbage). I just see MS actions as being annoying bastards that are reducing compatibility and cluttering up the net. Even MS doesn't agree with itself -- the Mac Version of Explorers JavaScript works like Netscape -- it is only the Windows version of Explorer that sucks. MS is the most hated company in the world for reasons.
My whole reason for adding JavaScript was to give users "live feedback". So as they went over buttons the status bar told them what that button would do, and the button itself would highlight to give them additional feedback.
The other big change was not very visible. I added cross links through-out the site, and more references.
Other people have been very inspiring all through this web site process, both readers that have been encouraging (with only a few nastygrams), and other webmasters who are helpful and give my site (or articles) plugs on their site.
My hit count has blown past my revised first year goal of 100,000 hits. I set the next goal at 250,000 (25 times my original) and I easily achieved it too. Before the redesign to MacKiDo7, I had gotten 299,000 (and it was only October). So I revised my target to 500,000 (50 times my original) -- which I barely achieved.
Lessons
- Change should come slowly. Add
features that are not too intrusive and don't scare
people.
- Link to yourself (and others).
The big advantage of HTML and the web is that readers can
get related information -- use THAT! Find related links
on other sites -- do that research for the reader. Also
use related articles within your own site (if you have
them). Help the user.
- Only add features that will add
value to your users. Technology for technology sake will
bite you in the ass!
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