of my modified mikel.org design. Similar, but simpler, with lots more white space. Also, I think it has a better visual identity overall, particularly using the m-in-a-circle that I have used in different ways for 10 years now in personal websites.
Any comments to share?
Michael says
To do:
-I have to look at how I can set a max width for the middle text section and not have it crap out in many browsers. Boris was right that fully fluid isn’t necessarily the best when people might browse in full screen mode with a huge monitor. At the same time, fully fixed isn’t acceptable as well.
-convert all font usage to something elastic (ems a la Owen Briggs, likely) so that most browsers will be able to resize text from the browser interface (ie not through alt stylesheets) but will default to something nice and usable.
-Do what I can to fix the most egregious errors in WIN IE 5.x. It’s OK now, should be better.
-still have to add search stuff to the interface and rationalize the sidebar’s organization.
-Figure out a common Win font similar to Lucida Grande and not Verdana. (check Kottke).
-make a comments version as well as pop-up versions in which to put photos etc.
-import permalink class stuff.
blork says
Why is fully fixed unacceptable?
Otherwise, it looks nice. Very clean. I’m waiting to see how you incorporate your permalink and comments links. Also, if I were you I’d add a tad more margin above your date header.
Michael says
Thanks Ed. Do you mean you’d like to see a little more whitespace between a newer comment and the previous day’s date?
I don’t like fully fixed because it is too inflexible in terms of playing nicely with different readers’ systems. There is a “sweet spot” that is good enough for most people, but I’m not sure if “most” = 80% or 99%.
Bill says
For your test site, a lipsum generator: http://www.lipsum.com/
Bill says
Lorem ipsum generator, I meant. Lipsum sounds like bad cholesterol.
Michael says
Cool Bill, thanks.
Michael says
I think I hate the light gray. I think I need to go with white. Simple and clean.
aj says
Nice. Very clean. I like the linespacing, and (viewing this in Safari, of course) nice character spacing with Lucida.
I think you can afford to go with a fixed layout. For someone who usually works at 1024px or wider, my browser usually is auto-maxed, so a fluid layout means hyper-wide line lengths which makes web sites look very Netscape 3.0 ish.
If you don’t like grey for the header, ditch it! As they say on What Not To Wear, experiment with colour! There are good neutrals other than grey: Something related to the pencil yellow or link orange might work, toned back far enough not to impart color fatigue on the viewer.
Check out visibone.com – they have great online tools for seeing how groups of different colours work together for web design, and to help build harmonies from different colour wheels, etc.
ah, easier to see than describe it. here’s the rest of my comments in a PDF.
aj says
That URL again:
http://westexpressway.typepad.com/westexpressway/files/mikel_version.pdf
Patrick says
In terms of color selection, I like these tools:
http://www.pixy.cz/apps/barvy/index-en.html
http://slayeroffice.com/tools/color_palette/
http://www.ficml.org/jemimap/style/color/wheel.html
Michael says
I think I’m going to stay with the dark gray (#666) and the darker orange, I’m just going to mostly ditch the light gray like in the title graphic. It’s too blah. I’ve subbed in plain white and it actually works OK.
Thanks for all the comments. This is a fun way to do things.
aj says
Ooh. Nice tools, Patrick.
And yeah, this is fun :) Certainly helps me avoid doing real work…