Opinions Wanted: do 2 columns or 3 look best for this site layout?

jps0 · #1 19-Aug-2003, 14:13

I have a small site that I have converted from html to strict xhtml/css/php. I have worked up two separate designs, one that is 2 columns and one that is 3 columns. Please give 'em a look and let me know what you think works best in terms of usability, design appeal, etc. Other comments, tips, suggestions are gladly welcome.

copperdog.org

copperdog.org

Thanks in advance for your time and opinions!

jrobbio · #2 19-Aug-2003, 14:45

I've just lost this post twice for various reasons so I'm going to keep it shorter this time :-x

Welcome to GIDForums and congratulations on being the thousandth topic poster.

At first view I'd have to say that the three layer layout is much more appealing to the eyes because it is nicely balanced and centred. As for the two layer layout, this is heavily off-balance to the left because of the way your CSS is setup in fixed values rather than percentages. I do like 2 column designs, but when there is so much unused space outside of the frame of the site I find it uncomfortable.

In terms of usability my first step would be to change the links to be much more visible. I didn't know there were links in the middle until I accidentally mouseover'd them and a flash of white appeared. Anything but the same colour as the text or background would be great.

I like the way you've shown the orientation of the site. but maybe an extra breadcrumb for the pages below humor and tech.

Phew please post now

Rob

jps0 · #3 19-Aug-2003, 18:34

jrobbio
First off - nice Avatar!

As for my site - great feedback and thank you for making me think. I am pretty sure I can handle the links - I have a modified theme version in works as I type this (c'mon don't lemme lose it now!). I could easily center the 2 column version if that is what I settle on - maybe I should move it now while people are looking at it for feedback - hold on.......there that should do it

As for the pages below in the nav bar - it is a good idea - I will think about it.

Thanks again!

JdS · #4 19-Aug-2003, 18:34

Hello jps0,

Nice... I like the 3 column one. I hope you will be adding some background images to soften up the design next. All these CSS, table-less, sites start to look the same after a while.

Yeah... I was also wondering what the 1000th thread / topic was going to be about

jps0 · #5 19-Aug-2003, 18:57

I have updatd the 3 col design: www.copperdog.org
What do you think now?

1000th thread- whoohoo (didn't even see that I did that!)

JdS
Thanks for the comments. Not sure if I will do the graphic thing - by nature I am a bit of a minimalist. Biggest thing I will do is tweak the layout/colors to make my site more recognizable.

BobbyDouglas · #6 19-Aug-2003, 21:10

Nice job.

I would also suggest the 3 columns. However, your page will be more effective if you make the side columns the same length as the middle one. Also, great job on the rollover effect with the navigation. One thing I suggest is you change the color of the 'leftcol' so whenever you are on the page, lets say the home page, the backgound is already changed.

Also, I just noticed that your hyperlinks start out as the same color as your main text, then change to white on the rollover. You cant tell they are links until you rollover them. And the white color is so bad on the light brown/tan background.

I think that would improve the layout a lot. Goodluck.

jps0 · #7 19-Aug-2003, 21:52

BobbyDouglas
Thanks for the suggestions. As for making the side columns the same length as the main col - that will be difficult. All three are dynamic and there will likely not ever be much more content in the side columns than what is currently there.

Nonetheless, I am continually tweaking this looking for just the right feel. The points you raised give me some ideas - thanks again.

jrobbio · #8 20-Aug-2003, 08:06

<-Brightens up room with avatar

Not sure how this will validate, but maybe having the sidebars follow you with the scrolling as well as having the option to lock it like http://www.texturizer.net/firebird has will improve usability no end.

You can use very small PNG's to improve the background by embedding them in the CSS
e.g. some from my site

CSS Code:

/* header */
body h1{
	margin : 0;
	padding: 0;
	background-color : #000033;
	background-image : url(logobg.png);
	background-position : bottom;
	background-repeat : repeat-x;
	color : #F2FCFF;
}
/* main */
body #main{
	background-color : #FDFEFF;
	color : #000033;
	border-color : #DEEFFE #000 #000066 #000;
	border-style : solid;
	border-width : 2px 0 1px 0;
	float: left;
	background-image : url(mainbg.png);
	background-position : top;
	background-repeat : repeat-x;
	width: 100%;
}

See http://www.topfunwebsites.com/mainbg.png and
http://www.topfunwebsites.com/logobg.png to see how small these graphics are.

Rob

JdS · #9 20-Aug-2003, 08:17

Yep, this is EXACTLY what I mean, you can use graphics intelligently, by making them small and repeating them (horizontally or vertically) with CSS. Sometimes, you get lucky, and one well placed background image can give your entire design beautiful depth...

jps0 · #10 20-Aug-2003, 08:19

jrobbio
O.K. - it took me a minute to figure out what you meant by lock and unlock menus but that is kick-***. Now I just need to figure out how to do it.

As for the menu .pngs I am not totally sure how they enhance things - well, I think I know what you mean. A selected item is 'shadowed' while selected so that one knows where they are on the site. Not sure how I feel about it at the moment - let me mull it over for a bit.

JdS
We posted simultaneously it looks like. Now I understand what you meant and like I said above - I will look into it...

Great suggestions and thanks again!

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