Club web-sites--updated; upgrades

[hpfencing]

I am in the middle of updating our club web-site and would like to have idea about cool things you've seen on club web-sites so that I can make ours "cooler" and still profession looking.

Also examples of different web-sites would be cool so that I can look at and get ideas.

Maybe others will look into updating there club web-site when they see this thread.

[Ryne]

www.sallemauro.com

[CvilleFencer]

www.sallemauro.com

The colors made my head hurt...

I tend to think simple and functional is best. A common mistake is to try to add to much flash and bang. Fencing sites should say a few things clearly like coaches, program details and the schedule as well as other club specific information but a lot of times people get a little to lost in the whiz and zing when trying to do a website so that it looses some of its ease of use and functionality. Pleasing to the eye, simple to navigate and easy to find what you are looking for is what I would suggest. Save all the fancy stuff for entertainment type sites and keep the club site focused on the club.

[noodle]

from a web design standpoint, the mauro page makes my head hurt for many, many different reasons.

if i get around to updating our page, i'll consider linking it here. i haven't had the time in ages to do anything with it though

[jBirch]

How 'bout this one?

http://www.red-deer-fencing-club.ca

James.

[noodle]

not bad. simple, information is easily accessible. it gets a B. i can't give it an A because its not web standards compliant and makes no attempt to be.

[Maeve_Mari]

Hey! Tell me if you don't think the tall kid looks like he's into more than just posing for a team picture. Looks to me like that little group has conspired to take him away!

ha ha ho ho he he
http://wais2.springbranchisd.com/mos...mpionships.htm

[Rolls]

I think the Salle Mauro site looks pretty good. With that said, it does make some pretty big mistakes. It doesn't fit into 800x600; uses way to much flash, and the colors are a little harsh. Let's not forget also that it isn't very accessible (which makes it harder for search engines to find it.) It does have some nice features, sign up for a newsletter, lots of good content (on the fencers, updated news items, etc.)

I've decided whenever I get around to making my club's next site (anbd flyer's, name, logo, etc). I'm going to use blogger. You can get free (with limits) web hosting from them, or you can use it in conjuction with your existing site. Basically, it makes it real easy to update news and stuff. I'm using it on my blog (yes, another shameless plug).

When it comes down to it, what makes a website effective is content (mainly in the form of text). So, if you want to have a good club site. Start by writing a lot of text, keeping it updated, and focusing on quality. If manage that, you don't even need a design.

[Katman]

Here is a rogue Web site I designed after I got tired of my univeristy club never updating it's own Web site.

www.space-cowboy.net/rogue/

I am not very experinced with layout. Most if it is a parody of the offical site. It's somewhat of an inside joke so I don't expect it to be too accessible to the public.

What are 'web standards'?

[oso97]

Here's the website for my club. Http://www.cuttingedgefencing.com. Nothing fancy really, but good information I hope. Programs offered, upcoming tournaments, results, equipment information, coach's information, equipment, etc.

[Alain]

I'm pretty sure that a thread was posted on club sites. Anyway, the site for ours is - www.readingfencingclub.net - which we're still in the process of remodelling............

[fluidfencer]

I'm still struggling a bit about who is most likely to use our web site. I have assumed in the past that it is primarily for people looking for information on fencing in our city. Now that the Club has grown so much, there is more need for current information that coincides with our monthly newsletters.

Anyway, here it is. Very basic, kind of boring, but easy to follow.
http://www.fencingclub.org

Here's the website for my club. Http://www.cuttingedgefencing.com. Nothing fancy really, but good information I hope. Programs offered, upcoming tournaments, results, equipment information, coach's information, equipment, etc.

[hpfencing]

Oh I forgot to list the actual site that I am looking at re-modeling

http://www.hpfencing.com

I'm getting lots of ideas, thanks everyone! Let's see K.I.S.S., watch the colors, watch the text size, make it cool.

Primary it's been for people looking for information about the club but as we have grown it needs to be more for our fencers but I want to keep it ready for visitors to get an idea of what the club is about.

[jBirch]

not bad. simple, information is easily accessible. it gets a B. i can't give it an A because its not web standards compliant and makes no attempt to be.

What standards do you mean?

I haven't tested for Sec. 508 compliance (and I'm kinda lazy that way), but it works the same in all the browsers I've got kicking around here (Opera, IE, FF). Haven't tested for WiFi either but it's pretty much straight CSS/HTML (except for the gallery section).

C'mon man, I want my A!

[fencerontheline]

www.brooklynfencing.com
www.fencewestchester.com

[Red #40]

Just for the info of those out there redesigning or considering it "web standards" is a coding term that basically means smart code. It makes your site more accessable and easier to keep it updated. Plus it makes redesigns really easy because you can redo the whole site by changing only the style sheet.

For info check out www.w3c.org

it has a HTML Validator http://validator.w3.org/
and a CSS validator http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/

both of which are really handy.

That being said my site is totally not up to web standards, its old and was built in a hurry, someday I will update it if I ever have time.

[noodle]

What standards do you mean?

I haven't tested for Sec. 508 compliance (and I'm kinda lazy that way), but it works the same in all the browsers I've got kicking around here (Opera, IE, FF). Haven't tested for WiFi either but it's pretty much straight CSS/HTML (except for the gallery section).

C'mon man, I want my A!

dude, its tables based. tables are ok for tabular data, but you're supposed to use css to position things. it may pass a css validity test, but it won't pass the "professional web designer slaps you on the head for using tables for layout" test.

css was designed to make table formatting obsolete. tables won't display properly in different browsers.

[jBirch]

dude, its tables based. tables are ok for tabular data, but you're supposed to use css to position things. it may pass a css validity test, but it won't pass the "professional web designer slaps you on the head for using tables for layout" test.

*slaps himself on the head*

Really?

css was designed to make table formatting obsolete. tables won't display properly in different browsers.

Well yeah it was, but the anchoring scheme in CSS is SUCH a pain in the arse. Dunno any major website that uses CSS for positioning instead of tables. You are, however, correct: the spec says that CSS positioning is the proper way to do web layout.

Guess I'll take my B and go home.

*sniffle*

James.

[noodle]

*slaps himself on the head*

Really?



Well yeah it was, but the anchoring scheme in CSS is SUCH a pain in the arse. Dunno any major website that uses CSS for positioning instead of tables. You are, however, correct: the spec says that CSS positioning is the proper way to do web layout.

Guess I'll take my B and go home.

*sniffle*

James.

the best example right now of it is www.espn.com

most of the big companies' webpages are like big trash heaps. they just keep piling crap on them and they've been around forever. it would be expensive as hell and take forever to redesign something like amazon.com to be standards compliant, so they're going to put that off as long as possible.

[Alain]

the best example right now of it is www.espn.com

most of the big companies' webpages are like big trash heaps. they just keep piling crap on them and they've been around forever. it would be expensive as hell and take forever to redesign something like amazon.com to be standards compliant, so they're going to put that off as long as possible.

True. We're in the process of re-doing our website, and although I keep it up-to-date I don't really know what I'm doing! The expert fella in charge says CSS is the way to go but I'm not so sure, as other people have said. What're the pros/cons of tables and CSS? - anyone?!

Thanks

P.S. Birchey - nice one, well done for saying arse and not donkey