The importance of Webpages! My take on Layout website standards

[Anonymous]

Here's a tip for those that don't want to venture into the world of HTML:

Get yourself a digital camera (if you don't already have one) and take lot's of pictures. Take them from the start of your build and at every opportunity. Every project you do, take pictures of it, start, finish and everywhere in between.
Take pictures of your failures and your achievements, of your cat asleep on the tracks and the mainline blocked with snow. Do it now (well, soon anyway).

One day you will decide to make a web site. That day is when you will be glad of those pictures.

www.waldovia.co.uk

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by scottychaos

I still use the ancient Netscape Composer to build my pages..
when I first went on-line back in 1996, Netscape 4.7 was the browser of choice, and I started using composer to make webpages..
("composer" is the webpage builder portion of the netscape 4.7 package)
I no longer use Netscape as my browser, but I still use composer!
it can still be downloaded for free..
I also do some manual HTML editing to do things that composer cant do for me, but overall composer is pretty usefull..

here are my pages:
http://gold.mylargescale.com/Scottychaos/

and I was just taking about webpage design on MLS just this morning!
background colors specifically..
http://www.mylargescale.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=30607&whichpage=2

Scot

Hey Scotty,

Sure looks like you like d-a-r-k ........ b-a-c-k-g-r-o-u-n-d-s [}:)][:D]

Spiffy set-up, but a bit hard on my old eyes, thank God you used gray font-colour! BTW I find that lime-green you use in the schematic clashes with the rest of the design, at least to my eyes.

[scottychaos]

HJ,
yeah I know..im trying to wean myself off of those dark backgrounds! [;)]
im working on it!
but I still like them! [}:)]

where did you see the lime green?
I think the only page Im using green is this one:

http://gold.mylargescale.com/scottychaos/Ruby/RubyAngel.html

is that the green you meant?
thanks,
scot

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by scottychaos

....................................................

where did you see the lime green?
I think the only page Im using green is this one:

http://gold.mylargescale.com/scottychaos/Ruby/RubyAngel.html

is that the green you meant?
thanks,
scot

Hi Scot,

No, on this page (bottom), in the drawing as the high lighter.
http://gold.mylargescale.com/Scottychaos/MBsteam/

WOW!

[scottychaos]

[

QUOTE:

Hi Scot,

No, on this page (bottom), in the drawing as the high lighter.
http://gold.mylargescale.com/Scottychaos/MBsteam/

WOW!

oh! that green!
I made those drawings (with the green) weeks before the webpage was built..
they were intended only to post into the MLS forum, then, when I made the webpage, I just incorporated them as they were..
it never occured to me that the green clashed! ;)
maybe I will swich the green to red..
good catch! thanks!
Scot

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by scottychaos
oh! that green!
I made those drawings (with the green) weeks before the webpage was built..
they were intended only to post into the MLS forum, then, when I made the webpage, I just incorporated them as they were..
it never occured to me that the green clashed! ;)
maybe I will swich the green to red..

I noticed one drawing is a jpg file and the other a gif. Red (especially a large area) will be very blotchy in a jpg picture, more so when compressed.
Best to have them both in gif format.

[Anonymous]

Interesting discussion on webpages -

I use my own server space for a lot of my data, but also have two sites hosted by trainweb
http://users.chariot.net.au/~nldoncas/nicspages/nicsmain.htm

That one will get you to most of my web pages, but a short cut to my G scale site (don't expect too much, like the rain fall here in Adelaide - theres very little) is;

http://www.trainweb.org/nicsgscalerail/

I use Claris Home Page (yes, like my MTS, I am a computer orphan running much loved, ever reliable, virus resistant Mac OS) to develop my site. Its old, simple, and can do most of what I need - it will also work on Windoze systems for those who are not fighting various trojans, worns, viruses and the Blue Screen of Death (I like my work WIndoze Machine - I spend about a quarter of my working day waiting for it to finish crashing).

As I am also a consultant in Human Factors, I have tried to follow the principles of Neilsons Heuristics for the web. He admits some of his stuff is getting a little dated, but a lot of what he has said is still true, mainly because many are still not code-literate, or are still relying on Morse-Code speed dialup, or run machines that still need a top-up of steaming coal every now and then.

Have a look at:
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9605a.html

Hope you find something of use there.

My favourite Principle (for work, the web and Life) - KISS - no not keep it simple stupid, keep it stunningly simple!

I always welcome feedback on whats on my web!

[Anonymous]

Originally posted by Capt Carrales

In my Large Scale tenure, I have found that the webpage has provided me with as much fun as the construction.

Here is my take on Layout website standards, I'm going to cite examples and ask that you not be offended that I not include everyone:

1) Lots of photos- We should all invest in even an inexpensive digital camera for quick updates. Pictures do say thousands of words. I get a thrill of visiting your webpages and seeing your progress. In these poor and early days of my layout, I get a warm feeling living vicariously through your websites. Specially, the Aussie and British ones (lets not forget Canada). Marty C's major contributions to my lexicon of knowledge via his website continues to be my standard for domestic (US) Large scale.

2) Duality of Purpose- Every webpage should focus on two main purposes 1) Construction and Operation. The Construction focuses on the betterment of the hobby. The passing of knowledge and methods to new and old alike. Phil does and outstanding job at this. I've seen a few British pages that do an excellent job of this. Operation includes the fictional backstory (outlandish if need be or based on a prototype line). This includes an authentic fell. You have to believe that it is real and portray that feeling to the web-sters who visit.

3) Balance- I try to balance my webpage between these points.

4) Backstory- If it takes a year to solidify your backstory, or if you get new equipment and have to modify the story...so be it. I like to think that the layout exists in the "aeternal now." You can participate in Orwellianism and rewrite history at the drop of a hat. The backstory is like a "living document." Unless you have completed your railroad, this may have to happen.

5) Regular updates- Your website might have fans. I know that I make regular trips to some of your websites and am at the edge of my seat en re updates

6) Style- This is the most personal of these indicators. It is based on knowledge of computer skills et al. There are many so-called free servers (like the tripod page I use) that allow a good amount of freedom...save for the blasted internal advertizements and popup that I will now appologize for. My page opens to a front page that is based on a real railroad page I once visited, then it branches off from there.

I have made a few webpages for some on the forum, I try to keep these premises in my own page.

Rene, feel free to branch an article of of this is you wish. I think some of the insights into web stuff the people at Garden Railways can provide will improve the hobby.
[/quote

Again, let us revisit this issue for the benefit of those who are new...

Major Carrales

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