The Dink Network

Well, I've been working on the next web site design for The Dink Network (G8) over the past few days, and here are a few of the tests (note: none of the links work and such):

http://www.dinknetwork.com/dinknetg8/home.html

http://www.dinknetwork.com/dinknetg8/home2.html

http://www.dinknetwork.com/dinknetg8/home3.html

http://www.dinknetwork.com/dinknetg8/home4.html

http://www.dinknetwork.com/dinknetg8/home5.html

Kudos to SuperWolfman for making the logo.

Also of note: the new design will most likely take effect on the board too... it just doesn't make any sense to have different designs for the board and site and such.

So, let me know which ones you like the most and least, thanks.

Uhh...This one looks better me thinks, as that cyan backround really ruins the effect. And also, could you state what the differences are? I can't really tell on some of them.

: Uhh...This one looks better me thinks, as that cyan backround really ruins the effect.  And also, could you state what the differences are? I can't really tell on some of them.

So you prefer G7 (the current)? Hrm.

Anyway, here are the differences:

1) Gradiant white -> blue background, purplish side bars

2) Gradiant black -> blue background, white background for main site, side bars light wood.

3) Dark blue background, light blue background for side bars and for news text area.

4) Light blue background, darkish blue for side bars.

5) Same as 4, except the news format is different, with a box around each entry and such.

: : Uhh...This one looks better me thinks, as that cyan backround really ruins the effect.  And also, could you state what the differences are? I can't really tell on some of them.

: So you prefer G7 (the current)?  Hrm.

: Anyway, here are the differences:

: 1) Gradiant white -> blue background, purplish side bars

: 2) Gradiant black -> blue background, white background for main site, side bars light wood.

: 3) Dark blue background, light blue background for side bars and for news text area.

: 4) Light blue background, darkish blue for side bars.

: 5) Same as 4, except the news format is different, with a box around each entry and such.

Sorry, but I'm gonna have to agree with Chrispy... I prefer Generation 7 to this. It's so... light... and... happy... Totally unfitting to the whole idea of the game... . It just looks weird to me.

But, if I *had* to pick one, I guess it would be 4, because it's got the prettiest sidebars, and the news isn't all wonky.

Buh, I don't like any of them. Maybe some minor changes to the current one, like lightening up the floor on the left. I really don't like duel side bars.

: Buh, I don't like any of them.  Maybe some minor changes to the current one, like lightening up the floor on the left.  I really don't like duel side bars.

I don't like them either, sorry redink.

: : Buh, I don't like any of them.  Maybe some minor changes to the current one, like lightening up the floor on the left.  I really don't like duel side bars.

: I don't like them either, sorry redink.  

grr, that last post was mine.

: : : Buh, I don't like any of them.  Maybe some minor changes to the current one, like lightening up the floor on the left.  I really don't like duel side bars.

: : I don't like them either, sorry redink.  

: grr, that last post was mine.

Way to go, I had no clue it was you. (Sarcasm. Yes.)

: : : : Buh, I don't like any of them.  Maybe some minor changes to the current one, like lightening up the floor on the left.  I really don't like duel side bars.

: : : I don't like them either, sorry redink.  

: : grr, that last post was mine.

: Way to go, I had no clue it was you. (Sarcasm. Yes.)

Ahh, yeah, whatever

I have to say I prefer the current color scheme as well. Like Allikitten said, those seem a bit too chipper. Also, no offense to Super Wolf Man but, while his logo is well made, I like our current logo better. I've always thought that giant pill bug was cool, not to mention an instant reminder of the game. I don't understand the pumpkin, it doesn't speak, "Dink" to me...

: Well, I've been working on the next web site design for The Dink Network (G8) over the past few days, and here are a few of the tests (note: none of the links work and such):

: http://www.dinknetwork.com/dinknetg8/home.html

: http://www.dinknetwork.com/dinknetg8/home2.html

: http://www.dinknetwork.com/dinknetg8/home3.html

: http://www.dinknetwork.com/dinknetg8/home4.html

: http://www.dinknetwork.com/dinknetg8/home5.html

: Kudos to SuperWolfman for making the logo.

: Also of note: the new design will most likely take effect on the board too... it just doesn't make any sense to have different designs for the board and site and such.

: So, let me know which ones you like the most and least, thanks.

Woah, these are all of pretty crappy quality, how did you manage to do that? While this design rock the internet... keep this one for christ's sake

:I don't understand the pumpkin, it doesn't speak, "Dink" to me...

I totally agree, the pumpkin is being stupid

: : Well, I've been working on the next web site design for The Dink Network (G8) over the past few days, and here are a few of the tests (note: none of the links work and such):

: : http://www.dinknetwork.com/dinknetg8/home.html

: : http://www.dinknetwork.com/dinknetg8/home2.html

: : http://www.dinknetwork.com/dinknetg8/home3.html

: : http://www.dinknetwork.com/dinknetg8/home4.html

: : http://www.dinknetwork.com/dinknetg8/home5.html

: : Kudos to SuperWolfman for making the logo.

: : Also of note: the new design will most likely take effect on the board too... it just doesn't make any sense to have different designs for the board and site and such.

: : So, let me know which ones you like the most and least, thanks.

: Woah, these are all of pretty crappy quality, how did you manage to do that? While this design rock the internet... keep this one for christ's sake

Yes, I have to agree with the others. The current one is far better. Please keep this one!

Sorry for all the work you put in it...

The only thing I like is that you don't have to scroll to see all of the text on the left sidebar.

: Well, I've been working on the next web site design for The Dink Network (G8) over the past few days, and here are a few of the tests (note: none of the links work and such):

: http://www.dinknetwork.com/dinknetg8/home.html

: http://www.dinknetwork.com/dinknetg8/home2.html

: http://www.dinknetwork.com/dinknetg8/home3.html

: http://www.dinknetwork.com/dinknetg8/home4.html

: http://www.dinknetwork.com/dinknetg8/home5.html

: Kudos to SuperWolfman for making the logo.

: Also of note: the new design will most likely take effect on the board too... it just doesn't make any sense to have different designs for the board and site and such.

: So, let me know which ones you like the most and least, thanks.

ok, has anyone tried looking at this site and at teh new one in 1280X1024 res, with a maximised browser?? it looks really crappy. on this one, teh light blue is waaaay too string, and in that one, the cayan...no go...

First, thanks for all of the feedback. I was a bit surprised at the general feeling of negativity... but it was refreshing that you didn't see me as an evil dictator who takes criticisms way too seriously.

In that vain, Chrispy, allikitten, enigma, PureEvil, Tal, kindanue, Christiaan, bin, and Tullisti are banned for life

Just kidding, of course.

Anyway, here are my responses to a few of the issues people addressed. It might come off in as mean spirited, but it isn't intended to be so. I really do appreciate your truthfullness.

1) I thought the background was a pastel blue, not cyan. Ah well. Cyan is too... bright.

2) Light and happy? It's been in the dark ages for years, and I decided to bring it out into the light. I'm unsure how 'this doesn't fit the game', as the dark blue didn't seem to either. Dink isn't exactly a 'dark' game.

3) G8 probably won't have much in common with G7, and the side bars are dark in 7 to make the text readable.

4) Dual side bars: one idea of mine was to just have them on the front page... because in all honesty, you don't need to see the Latest Files, Latest Reviews, and Poll on every single page of the site. But then I have the problem of where to put the Messenger interface... hrm.

5) Current logo: we have no logo. Really, the Giant Pillbug was just ripped off rtsoft.com and stuck there to provide a transition from the wood panel to the Dink world. The Giant Pill will most likely not return for G8.

6) Pumpkin: its October, Halloween is approaching, hence the pumpkin. That logo isn't permanent. Silly people.

7) Pretty Crappy Quality: I'm not sure if I follow you... IMO G7 just feels... unprofessional. G8.05 at least feels half-way professional. I agree that 8.01-8.03 suck though.

8) 1280x1024: view the site at a normal resolution, silly hoo-man.

So... I guess I'll try out some more ideas and such.

My personal feelings: I like G8.05 the best. If you're all criticising home.html and such, and haven't viewed home5... please do so. But I have a feeling you've viewed them all, dang.

Anyway, on to my feedback: I do feel G8.05 is a bit dull, and a bit non-Dink... but overall better than G7. Not as Dinky, but simply [i]better[/b] somehow. Obviously, I'm a minority with this opinion.

So... I'll try out some more things and post up some more examples in a few days. I'll probably still use the same basic layout though... expect a similar header area and dual side bars and such.

This isn't the first time I've made a horrid design... I think the preliminary G6 or G5 didn't have any Dink graphics, AT ALL. It was basically a blue header and side bar, and a white background. And nobody gave me any feedback at all when I put it up as a test... but then I decided to scrap it on my own and start anew.

: 8) 1280x1024: view the site at a normal resolution, silly hoo-man.

Hey, once you've tried that resolution you don't wanna go back to something smaller.. I also use 1280x1024, and grr! It is NORMAL! Wee bit better than 1024x768, and 800x600 makes me puke.. 640x480... uhh, don't even wanna imagine somebody is using that anymore.

: : 8) 1280x1024: view the site at a normal resolution, silly hoo-man.

: Hey, once you've tried that resolution you don't wanna go back to something smaller.. I also use 1280x1024, and grr! It is NORMAL! Wee bit better than 1024x768, and 800x600 makes me puke.. 640x480... uhh, don't even wanna imagine somebody is using that anymore.

I'm using 1024x768 and that's just right

In that vain, Chrispy, allikitten, enigma, PureEvil, Tal, kindanue, Christiaan, bin, and Tullisti are banned for life

YES!! I've been looking for an excuse to get out of this washed up burg

But seriously redink1, TDN is your brain child. You're the web master. You're the one who puts in all the time and effort to keep it up and running, and improving. I want you to know that I, for one, appreciate that and I'll support whatever you decide to do. After all, I think most of us come here for the community itself, and not because we prefer one color scheme over another

: :I don't understand the pumpkin, it doesn't speak, "Dink" to me...

: I totally agree, the pumpkin is being stupid

Now, now, it's not stupid, it's just not... Dink. I think the pillbug does an admirable job of proclaiming "I AM THE DINK NETWORK" to the world.

But it is a very nice pumpkin, Wolfie.

i actually like the layout, but i have a few complaints. mostly the header with all the grass and such totally conflicts with the feel of the page. it just looks wrong. the current events and files and such on the right are great... but the dates take away readability which is bad. it would possibly be better to make the date under the file and smaller, or something. the news for 5 might be nice, buts its hard to imagine with only one. i like the black in 2 for some reason. the page needs more contrast. but i do like it. it needs work, but i think it is okay and could become something rather nice.

The News Thing is just a test of the layout... of course the final version would have like the 10-15 or how-ever many news items we currently have, not just 1.

: http://www.dinknetwork.com/dinknetg8/home2.html

IMO, this ones the best by far..

: : http://www.dinknetwork.com/dinknetg8/home2.html

: IMO, this ones the best by far..

number 3 looks "cleaner". with a few tweaks, like having the good, old floor tiles on the side bars, and taking the content from the right 8.05 bar, this will look GOOD.

and don't forget about the logo and top bar, like somebody said... Hmmmm... "Account", "Board" and "Store"/"Story" should be in the main navigation menu, i think, and "Chat" should be... somewhere. maybe to the right, like "Dink Directory" and such.

Hmmmm... "Eternal Prophecy"?

An alternative would be to steal the design from the Morrowind Summit. ROFL