My FIRST website - Need your opinions!

[Zak]

Hey everyone, I know I haven't posted in a while. Been busy! But I have the basic foundation for my FIRST myspace resource site! I would love an opinion from everyone who is willing, as well as suggestions for improvement.

Also, if you are knowledgeable in PHP and MySQL scripting and databasing, and would like to work with me, please send a PM to discuss further.

Thanks! :walkman:

Click here to view the website! (http://www.zakkaplan.com/myspacedubs)

Or, if your too lazy or just can't... heres a picture: http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/7198/mywebsiteqf9.jpg

[Nora]

Looks good.. I love clean layouts :)

You have to watch out though because it resembles another Myspace resource site so it might seem like you're trying to clone it but other than that, it looks good. :)

[TaintedPearls]

nice clean look......what site does it look like nora? yea im nosy. lol

[Nora]

http://www.freecodesource.com/

[Zak]

I've already consulted with "Free Code Source", although I have forgotten his name. He is a 19 year old kid (just like me, except i'm 18) and he doesn't care if I have a similar layout. He is making enough money as it is :yes:

The reason I chose freecodesource.com as my initial design, because of many good reasons. And he is at the top of the chain :P

[Enigmacsg]

Try to be original next time. Create your own style. Sure it's great that a hot template from someone else captures your imagination, but try to make it much different than what he/she has.

[LayoutJunkie]

Nice design. I like the web 2.0 clean feel. =)

That's the second time I've seen that web 2.0 type leave like up in the left hand corner. Did you get it from somewhere? Share? I'd like to do something with it.

[Zak]

I understand where you are coming from enigmacsg, and I put plenty of hours into handpainting all the graphics. But, I am not too interested in originality. I would love to sit down and create all my own myspace layouts, and overall design for the website, but this is about making money to me - and I have a fulltime job, and go to college, so there's really no time for that. Developing a website is alot more than putting an idea into code. But I can assure you that if you "view source" of the two websites, and compare them with even an unexperienced eye in HTML/CSS that they are completely different in mark-up, as well as colors, and dimensions.

[Zak]

Layout junkie: I am not too sure I understand what you want me to share? If you could be a little more detailed with exactly what you need, I'd be more than willing to help you in any possible way I can. After all, I am asking the same from you all right?

[Enigmacsg]

That's cool. ;)

But the reason why I come off this way is because TONS of these resource sites look the same. And I personally feel that originality will get you more winners. You stand out more. Cause many rip off each others ideas, and at the same time do a very poor job on it lol

Good luck with your site!

[Zak]

enigmacsg: IMO, you are correct that originality is taking a downfall in myspace resource sites. That is probably due to several reasons (people aren't knowledgeable enough, restrictions of wordpress, and the free web templates available to the public). But the terminology "ripping" ideas doesn't float my boat. Before I even came upon www.freecodesource.com, many of the idea's such as the expandable javascript menu, and quick links, and advertisment positioning were well thought out in advance. And although a unique design may win over many people, I think you can say just the same for a well thought out website that may not look that great. Take www.craigslist.com for example. Anyway, Thanks for the good luck, and I wish to same to you. If perhaps you need any help with anything, feel free to message me. :)

[ituhitam]

I wonder what myspace resources look "different" :P

btw good luck!

[Zak]

Agreed :) and thanks for the good luck!

[Nora]

Glad you asked permission first :)

Keep in mind that most users won't know that, their first thought will be that the site is a freecodesource.com ripoff. I think users still prefer original designs because in this niche its all about standing out.. there are too many myspace resource sites already and I think the only way to drive returning traffic to your site is when it offers something different.

[LayoutJunkie]

Sorry Zak. I just wanted to know where you got the leaf/sappling or whatever it is called vector from your logo? I have seen it in a couple people graphics and I really like it for some reason. I'm just weird =)

[sarahxheart]

Wow, it looks awesome! Especially for your first site.

[Zak]

layoutjunkie: A vector image is an image that can be scaled to ANY size without loosing resolution or its crispness (using mathematical equations). This is not a vector :P But, the image was handpainted in Photoshop CS3 and saved as a progressive JPG. I have also seen similar images, but can assure you that everything is 100% genuine.

[blogger]

I just got finished talking with the owner from FreeCodeSource.com and he says he has never given you permission to steal his design.

Just be original, and don't steal other people's work - its as simple as that.

*Personally, I suggest you take it down before problems occur.

[natashababie]

I like the layout. And I might be wrong in how i feel but I think we all rip off someone some how. We see something we like and we try to recreate it in a different way but in the end it's all someone else's. Just my opinion.

[blogger]

I like the layout. And I might be wrong in how i feel but I think we all rip off someone some how. We see something we like and we try to recreate it in a different way but in the end it's all someone else's. Just my opinion.

Understood, but if you compare the design Zak just presented to the freecodesource.com you will see the only difference is the logo.

Originality is what surrounds these websites. If you go to a site that looks exactly like another, what is going to make you want to stay?

[jvuonger]

What's the significance of your logo?

[ilovegrafix]

Kewl; I like it.

[Nora]

I just got finished talking with the owner from FreeCodeSource.com and he says he has never given you permission to steal his design.

Just be original, and don't steal other people's work - its as simple as that.

*Personally, I suggest you take it down before problems occur.
I don't know the situation because I don't know who owns Freecodesource but if you don't have their permission, take it offline!
You shouldn't be getting credit for stealing someone else's work..

[natashababie]

Understood, but if you compare the design Zak just presented to the freecodesource.com you will see the only difference is the logo.

Originality is what surrounds these websites. If you go to a site that looks exactly like another, what is going to make you want to stay?

Ok true. I get what you are saying.

[Zak]

Would like to apologize to everyone. I will be taking the design down soon. I've just talked with FCS, and here is how the conversation ended:

Free Code Source (2:24:51 PM): i wish you the best of luck with your website, im looking forward to seeing your updated design
Zak the skater (2:25:04 PM): :)
Zak the skater (2:25:11 PM): great man
Zak the skater (2:25:19 PM): hope everything went well in PA
Zak the skater (2:25:25 PM): i'll let you know when i get teh new design up
Free Code Source (2:25:38 PM): sounds good
Zak the skater (2:25:49 PM): talk to you soon-- bye for now
Free Code Source (2:25:56 PM): cya zak

So once again, I will not be using the design, and apologize for everything! I will let you all see the new and improved design as soon as it's finished. Take care!!

[blogger]

Would like to apologize to everyone. I will be taking the design down soon. I've just talked with FCS, and here is how the conversation ended:

Free Code Source (2:24:51 PM): i wish you the best of luck with your website, im looking forward to seeing your updated design
Zak the skater (2:25:04 PM): :)
Zak the skater (2:25:11 PM): great man
Zak the skater (2:25:19 PM): hope everything went well in PA
Zak the skater (2:25:25 PM): i'll let you know when i get teh new design up
Free Code Source (2:25:38 PM): sounds good
Zak the skater (2:25:49 PM): talk to you soon-- bye for now
Free Code Source (2:25:56 PM): cya zak

So once again, I will not be using the design, and apologize for everything! I will let you all see the new and improved design as soon as it's finished. Take care!!

Yeah, glad to see you two figured things out and ended on a positive note.

If you know the owners of FreeCodeSource, they're real cool people and easy to work with from past experience.

[Zak]

Definitely. FCS has cool people. Not too much I can say about the people at Whateverlife.com though! Haha let me stop there before I get in trouble :P

Thanks blogger for helping clear this up! Admins, i think you can close this thread now.

[pimpyourdino]

Lol the people at whateverlife are all really nice great people.

[Christinax]

Definitely. FCS has cool people. Not too much I can say about the people at Whateverlife.com though! Haha let me stop there before I get in trouble :P

Thanks blogger for helping clear this up! Admins, i think you can close this thread now.

Do tell? :clown:

[Zak]

I'd better not, but you can message me on AIM. zaktheskater

[Christinax]

i only have yim > christinakiss