Index Image...what do you think?

[hothousegraphix]

What do you think about this image used as the index/splash page image
for the site link below:

Link

Image to be centered both vertically and horizontally.

[nightwish]

It looks great, gos well with the main image you have in your menu, and by the way, congratulations on the site, I loves the style and motion used in the menu buttons.

[Bungeetounge]

I like the image, and the site as a whole. It's really fast. Nice transitions.

[hothousegraphix]

Thanks for the responses,


I've not been sure whether or not I like that image. Just want to get some unbiased opinions.

Again, thanks.

[nightwish]

In fact its not that I like the imate, in fact I dont know what it is, what I liked was the color, it goes well with the menu you have.

[hothousegraphix]

I know this is s much simpler approach to the index image, but I think I prefer this (first image) to the previous image I posted: I think simpler is better in this case.



Updated image from previous post.



Any opinions?

[padrotte]

i'd vote for the second one

[SSC Cosmic]

The secong image conveys these feelings, I think:
strength
technical prowess
state of the art
depth

The first image conveys:
thinness/flatness
squareness
ugly/no beauty


I vote the second one. Actually I prefer the original orange one, for the warmth. Just mho.

Can I ask a couple of questions about your splash screen strategy? Most people have no idea what ver. their flash player is, why not just detect or assume it's 5/>5?

Why offer two views? Is your fullscreen without frame? If not, why not launch it with a toolless popup at the size you want for everybody? It's not like you've stripped them of control that way. Just me thinking out loud, and there aren't that many discussions on the topic so I thought I'd get your feelings on it.

HOTHOUSEGRAPHIX is a kikass company name btw.

[hothousegraphix]

SSC Cosmic - thanks for your thoughts.

I'm not at all sure about my splash screen strategy.
Several thoughts:

• My esthetic opinion about what looks best for the site would be just what you suggested; launching a tooless popup; though, going fullscreen and have the site sit dead center on a white BG.
• I'm sensitive to the whole pop up issue
• Also have a realization that the audience I'm shooting for wants no frills functionality.

The last point would actually support the thought to simply eliminate the splash screen altogether, simply including the FLASH detection function within the actual movie, shooting back the preverbal " FLASH REQUIRED...NO FLASH PLAYER DETECTED...PLEASE DOWNLOAD" message if necessary.

I've attempted to build a site that doesn't require preloaders for the lowest common denominator (56k users). I think I've pretty much succeeded (still have to add audio though, so ...we'll see). Building in the kind of functionality I think is important; eliminating what ultimately keeps ppl away...waiting.

So why then add a splash screen (one extra step for the user) if my goal has been to eliminate wait time???

I'm probably over thinking this whole splash screen issue. The original esthetic goal was to produce an minimalist image that will, like the site itself, sit dead center in the window/screen.

I guess you can say I my splash screen strategy at this point is at best conflicted.

I appriciate your thoughs, they are well founded. Probably just what I needed to hear/read.

BTW, thanks for the comp on the CO. name!

[hothousegraphix]

Just to be diplomatic about this, anyone else have an opinion about the two images above; keeping in mind that each would be displayed dead center in the browser window with a white BG - an important aspect of the intended design that doesn't come across when viewing in this post.

[j_hunter182]

id go for the second one.
i like the added colour.
the first one looks sorta like mine
you dont wanna spoil whats ahead by having a too flashy enter page, just look at 2a's new one. it does the job without spoiling anything. i think the second one is just enough.
cheers
jh

[nightwish]

My vote goes for the second one, it looks much better, it has more presence nad its way more interesting.

And in fact, mine also looks like the first one he he

[hothousegraphix]

Now I'm thinking I wont even use a splash screen. Thinking I'll simply
place a open window function (tooless pop-up) on my index page that then opens the site in the pop-up. Then, have the preverbial "Thanks for visiting" message on the index page which becomes visible when the user closes the pop-up containing the site. I think I'll use the second image for the "Thanks for visiting" message.

To address the situation of a visitor who does not have FLASH installed, also on the index page I'll perform a JavaScript function which tests for the plug-in; if it returns "TRUE" (FLASH installed),
the window open function will exicute; otherwise (FLASH not installed), the user will be sent to a page prompting them to download FLASH player (again, I'll incorporate the second image on this page).

How does this sound for a splash screen strategy?

Opinions?

[SSC Cosmic]

I'm struggling with the same issue. Now if someone has no player at all, they'll get prompted for an install without you having to detect for it, I believe the function is built into most browsers. I actually found one of these no-player machines at my sister-in-law's, and it launched a Windows looking prompt to install the plug-in.
Maybe the best angle is to detect for the version needed to view your site. For instance, you need 6 to view the one I'm finishing now, so I'll be detecting for 6 or >.
Also, I think we have to consider pop-up killers, and have a launch button, one of these "If window doesn't automagically open, press HERE" things.
That's where my thoughts are, at least this week.

[hothousegraphix]

Originally stated by SSC Cosmic
Also, I think we have to consider pop-up killers, and have a launch button, one of these "If window doesn't automagically open, press HERE" things.

Not a bad Idea, hadn't considered that at all!

[hothousegraphix]

After giving this issue (pop-up blockers message - "If window doesn't automatically open, press HERE" ) some more thought, I think it might be better to approach a bit differently. My reasoning is this; to get a message such as - "If window doesn't automatically open, press HERE" - may leave the visitor with the impression that there is something wrong with the site itself. A negative though that's created and coincides with their visit to the site. Something we probably should avoid.

I think that maybe the answer is to still have the index page open the pop-up for those who can receive, but, have the index page set up as the a normal splash page w/ FLASH detection built in and the launch button available. This way, if the pop-up doesn't open automatically, the launch button is then available right there. The user is no worse for where and doesn't even know that this situation has occurred.

[SSC Cosmic]

That sounds about perfect. I thought of 24-7's lana landis site for this topic. He has a splash that only says "enter", with an swf in the middle of it. I wonder what he's doing for detection in that swf? Plain vanilla "detect flash 6" setting on export? I'll pm him later if he doesn't happen to pop in with an answer.

[hothousegraphix]

Made a few changes:

http://www.hothousegraphix.com/Clien...GV3/index.html


Also, if the users machine does not have FLASH installed, they'll be sent to the following:

http://www.hothousegraphix.com/Clien...Detection.html


Actually, this page is benign, the test happens the second the user types in the URL (from the index page).
The detection message is simply informing the user of the results.

Thank a look!

[SSC Cosmic]

It took me straight to your site, perfect!
The no-player page is good too, that blue font takes the viewer's eye right to it.

[hothousegraphix]

Thanks.

Took a bit of thinking through...but I think it works.

Even worked in that other splash image I was concidering.
I think it works there (no player page) because of its sterile look.

Funny how things work out.