New gbpvr webpage

[McBainUK]

My own opinion is that the images should represent gb-pvr as it is "out of the box" and not include 3rd party plugins and skins. This is sub's project after all, and showing custom images may lead to confusion as to what is to be expected.

I agree.

[Hairy]

I've been tinkering away on this. Researching IE6 compatibility, it became clear I should redo the graphics (I had no idea IE6 didn't support transparency in png images - that's the whole body of the site :eek.

Here's the main changes :

• Re-did the graphics from scratch. Only gif and jpeg images are used. You lose some of the subtleties offered by png, but you gain on file size and browser compatibility. I also tweaked the colours so things should be a little brighter.
  
• All the graphics have been heavily optimized for the web and should mean faster page loading times. The overall root folder has been decreased from 666KB to 355KB and the page load was reduced from roughly 290KB to about 120KB.
  
• Tweaked the layout to be a little more compact, for smaller vertical resolution displays.
  
• Fixed several display quirks in IE6/7
  
• Finally got the fade effect working on transitions between tabs in Internet Explorer
  
• Finished off the content. (I'll throw it out there one more time for any critique on the content)
  

Direct download here [278KB]:
http://rapidshare.com/files/338253226/gb...-01-10.zip

[Fatman_do]

Nice..Brilliant work as always Hairy.

[Hairy]

cheers man,

I do think I have to examine why the hell I keep choosing these projects that involve me messing around with code though

[McBainUK]

What level of maintenance is required, for example when a new release of GB-PVR is out or a killer feature that just must be mention on the main page?

Finished off the content. (I'll throw it out there one more time for any critique on the content)

I think "gbpvr requires a very significant investment of time and energy" should read "The development and support of gbpvr requires a very significant investment of time and energy". As when I skimmed read it (as people do on the web) I thought it was going to say somthing about noobs and PVRs/HTPCs.

Also, using IE6 hovering the mouse over the download button causes all the other contents to disappear!

[Hairy]

What level of maintenance is required, for example when a new release of GB-PVR is out or a killer feature that just must be mention on the main page?

That's a good point, I was working off the assumption that this was a zero maintenance page. As for any new release, sub would just need to alter the download link to the forum post and update the file info for the tooltip (that slides up when you hover over the download button - I tried to make both of these easy to find in the HTML). I don't really have a handle on the finer aspects of web site building - script degrading gracefully, zooming and text sizing and stuff like that. I think you can add an argument that would lock the content to a specific size, so if new content was added it would load a little scroll bar at the side of the tab. But as I said, I was working off the zero maintenance idea.

I think "gbpvr requires a very significant investment of time and energy" should read "The development and support of gbpvr requires a very significant investment of time and energy". As when I skimmed read it (as people do on the web) I thought it was going to say somthing about noobs and PVRs/HTPCs.

Good stuff, I think the text could do with a couple of people just fine tuning it all right

Also, using IE6 hovering the mouse over the download button causes all the other contents to disappear!

That's not good. Do all the elements load at first (like the content in the tabs and the screen shots) and then disappear completely when you hover over the download button? As I've said before, it'll probably take a more experienced mind than mine to sort some of the quirks out. I've tried to squish as many IE6 bugs as I could working on this version, but all I've got is IE8 compatibility mode to test on...oh and IE6 is a real dog - I had no idea

[McBainUK]

They load at first but then disappear when you hover over. They do come back mind.

An option would be to check for the browser type and then load a gracefully-degraded version of the website (for example changing the download popup to a simple link).

[Hairy]

They do come back mind.

Oh! that's okay then

I'm gonna see if I can get a setup working with IE6 to test (it's not supported on vista+ as far as I can see). But that's no guarantee I'll have the first clue how to fix it

Shakes fist at IE6 Damn you!!!

[McBainUK]

Some editorial suggestions. Use as you wish.

"television programs" and "set reminders for programs"-> "programmes"?
"adverts" -> "commercials" is more internationality known
"supports dvd and blu-ray disc playback. " does it!?
"Like the Hauppauge MediaMVP and Popcorn Hour" -> "Such as the Hauppauge...."
"gbpvr has a community of helpful, friendly and active members" -> "gbpvr has a active community of helpful, friendly and knowledgeable members"
"that help expand the gbpvr experience." -> "that help expand and enhance the gbpvr experience"

Also, can the release date download popup be localized?

[McBainUK]

I'm gonna see if I can get a setup working with IE6 to test (it's not supported on vista+ as far as I can see).

Some ideas here: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/18306...e-with-ie6 and ere: http://woorkup.com/2009/10/18/cross-brow...o-you-use/