Website feedback/suggestions?

[jfoxx]

This originally started as a project to learn how to develop dynamic web pages, but now I think the idea can be turned into something pretty fun for everyone. At the most basic level, it's a collection of super powers that can be submitted by anyone. You can add a description of the ability and some pros and cons. For example, Invisibility - The ability to make yourself transparent, or Telekinesis, Weather Control, etc. Then, after a moderator (which is just me at the moment) reviews the ability, the ability shows up on the site.

It's pretty basic at the moment--you can add powers, browse, and there's a section called "would you rather" where you can compare abilities. There are also ads to help keep the site alive--just ignore them. I was about to abandon it and start another project, but I figured what the hell, might as well ask you guys what you thought.

Let me know what you guys think!

The Ability Tree (http://www.theabilitytree.com/)

For those of you who are curious about trying the same thing or just want the technical aspects, to put this all together, I learned Python (the language it's written in) and Django, a free web framework with support for some pretty common databases. It took me about a month to throw it all together. Which is not bad for playing with this on your spare time. ;) If you'd like links to resources, let me know and i'd be happy to get you pointed in the right direction.

[MartinRedmond]

Does the quiz ever ends? :/

[jfoxx]

Does the quiz ever ends? :/

Nope, it goes for as long as you want. There's a list on the left of the most desired abilities, so choosing one over the other raises or lowers its place on the ladder.

actually, I was thinking of putting the stats for the ability you last picked somewhere.

[jfoxx]

Thanks for that, I guess it doesn't give you any feedback when you choose something. I just added the percentage of times the ability you chose was chosen to the upper left corner of the page.

[suttercain]

Hi Jfoxx,

First off I want to say I like the concept.

If I may I'd like to add some constructive criticism for the site. I think the navigation at the top should be converted to nice CSS which differentiates the colors. Right now you have blue on blue which is pretty hard to see, and the font size is pretty small (i am guessing 12px). Try some rollover CSS navigation, like how you have for the two div content boxes below them. Also, you're using a table to confide the width to 800pixels. You should really convert that table to CSS.... it's good practice.

When I first went to the site it looks like a 'health information' site. I would really try and spuce it up to be more reflective of Super human/heros abilities.

You using a SQL database to store the information I take it?

This is the last site I built:
http://www.supermandatabase.com

I currently am employed as a Programmer II and just build web applications all day so if you need any help let me know.

[jfoxx]

suttercain, thanks for the great feedback. you rock.

I think the navigation at the top should be converted to nice CSS which differentiates the colors. Right now you have blue on blue which is pretty hard to see, and the font size is pretty small (i am guessing 12px). Try some rollover CSS navigation, like how you have for the two div content boxes below them.

thanks, yeah, it is pretty plain. I've been putting off making tabs, but it IS pretty sore on the eyes right now so it needs to be done.

Also, you're using a table to confide the width to 800pixels. You should really convert that table to CSS.... it's good practice.

you're totally right. I hate tables, but using a table to wrap the content area was the only way I could figure out how to get the left column to stretch to be the same height as the right column. do you know another way to do it using divs? tables are so dirty!

I would really try and spuce it up to be more reflective of Super human/heros abilities.

right on.

You using a SQL database to store the information I take it?

yes, I'm using a mysql db at the moment. not sure how scalable it'll be, but it's free and the drivers are built into django's framework.

by the way, let me just say right now that your site totally rocks. it's very clean, the interface is nice, and it looks like you have a good deal of traffic coming through. great job.

it looks like you used PHP to write your site. you write it from scratch?

thanks again for the feedback.

[suttercain]

you're totally right. I hate tables, but using a table to wrap the content area was the only way I could figure out how to get the left column to stretch to be the same height as the right column. do you know another way to do it using divs? tables are so dirty!


Yeah, check out this site:
http://www.code-sucks.com/css%20layouts/fixed-width-css-layouts/

It has a lot of css layouts you can take and alter to suit your needs. I think number 6 would be perfect if you want to keep the same layout for your site.

Also, I noticed the tabs you added on your site, perfect!



it looks like you used PHP to write your site. you write it from scratch?


Yup, I used 100% PHP, MySQL and some JavaScript with jQuery. I stole the design from CNN.com.