New idea for intro and home page. Need some feedback.

[misanthropy26]

Hey guys. Just thought I'd run this by you. It has a preloader (the best one I've done so far), an intro, and a home page. If you could give me some feedback and maybe some advice on what to use for button sounds and ambient sound for the main page I would greatly appreciate it. Here's the link:

http://www.geocities.com/stat1stick/stat1stick.html

Thanks a whole lot for checking it out and I look forward to hearing from you.

And yes... I used SWiSHmax.

[dalan66]

Just viewed your site. I like the use of the static and the small block out arrow you use to get into the site. You may take note that because the image of the arrow is a dropout, the middle of your arrow did not seem clickable, only the black part of your button was clickable, this may throw a few people off a bit. You may just want to use a black arrow and no dropout for the image so the arrow can be clearly seen for what it is...your entry button.

Your mousovers work just fine, but once clicked do not take you to the desired pages. IF the pages are completed, load them up and link them so that members can check the links and content and load times for you.

As far as button sounds, and ambient noise. I would use some static and a mixture of 'radio tuning sounds' as the ambient noise for the site...and as far as the buttons go, I would use any clear well defined click or chime you can find as it has to pierce the sound of the static. Or, use the static as the background ambient noise, and the channel tuning sounds for the buttons. I know that I have reviewed some of those sounds here on flash kit. Just go to the sound fx area of this site and take a look, I am sure you will find what you are looking for.

[misanthropy26]

Well, the pages aren't ready yet. I was just wondering what you thought of the main page and the intro.

Speaking of the intro... Did you wait for it to play through or did you just click the skip button? If you just clicked the skip button, you missed the main piece of the intro. Hmmmm... Maybe I should get rid of the skip button.

How was the preloader? Was it cheesy or not cool enough?

The static sound you heard in the intro was created by me. So was the guitar. I'm trying to create some new static sounds so that the main page sound isn't identical to the intro. Also, I like what you said about the radio frequencies... I think I know just what to do.

I also thought of adding some kind of reference to the tv static from the into into the main page. Would that be too much? I think the main page looks kind of boring but I don't know what to do to spice it up. I don't want to use colors or any kind of still picture. I want to add some kind of simple animation that is on the page but not really...

I just had the idea to use the same static I used in the intro and use it on the main page. But, instead of it being the full sprite, I'll cover it up with a black rectangle with an opaque level of 75%. How would that be?

I'm open to any suggestions...

[dalan66]

You preloader was not cheesy. Preloaders do not always have to be WOW WIZBANG stuff. I think your preloader was just fine, and I watched the static on the first page for a while before I clicked on the entry arrow. If there is an animation or sequence that you want viewed before people enter the site, put the entry arrow (or whatever you are using as an entry button) on your timeline after the the sequence you want viewed has played.

Your other ideas seem to be on target with what you are currently doing, so give them a try. When you are ready, remember to let us know and we will try to help as we can.

P.S. with reference to the other static you mentioned, there are other things that televisions or display monitors do other than have static and play programs. There are a multitude of test patterns, and countdown bars and cirlces that may influence your site.

Just a thought.

[misanthropy26]

Okay. I just updated the page. I modified the preloader a bit but I think its more effective that way. I have added sound in the main page as well as mouseover sounds for the main buttons. The sound "play" and "stop" buttons are functional. One page is up and its the Parental Avisory page. More pages on the way!

Here's the link in case you're too lazy to scroll up:

http://www.geocities.com/stat1stick/stat1stick.html

Enjoy.