New site conecpt

GoldNetX · 10-25-2005

Decided to work on a new layout in my spare time, so I got an idea inspired by the new Vista Aero theme. I've spent some tiem putting together a concept. Tell me what you think about it.

http://www.gusmayo.com/completed/demo_uno.jpg

Essentially it will function similarly to a desktop, opening windows (one at a time), that will have file lists (as shown). The files will launch a viewer that has the option to display a full size image. Hopefully this all works out, but so far that is the plan.

edit: Also, the current background is not going to be the final one. Personally I think it is too busy to work as a background.

edit 2: Attached a new version. A brighter less clutter background. (Quality is Jpg:8)

**Man1c M0g** · 10-25-2005

Looks good! I like the idea of a desktop - it gives you a lot of room in which to expand, and is an interface familiar to all, which will definately improve usability issues. Keep us posted as you develop this webby!

*MoodsR4Cattle* · 10-25-2005

I agree with your busy background and like your new simpler one and layout.

You've created the demo at 1024 px wide, will it expand/contract with the size of the viewers browser? If not, you might consider making it 15-20 px less to accommodate the vertical scroll bar so your viewers don't get the horizontal one as well. Don't forget ... 50% of the population still use 800 x 600 monitors.

Just my .02¢

GoldNetX · 10-25-2005

Yeah, I am hoping to be able to get it to resize with browsers. If for some reason this does not work I might have to either make multiple versions or just size it down.

But I think I can get it to size. Shouldn't be too hard.

*MoodsR4Cattle* · 10-25-2005

Really like the 'pill bottle' image in your demo too.

Hope you'll post your next update!

GoldNetX · 10-26-2005

Ok, I have a little preview of what I've got finished. Worked on it quite a bit today in between classes. This is how it came out:

http://www.gusmayo.com/desktop

It is still a bit buggy, but it is usable and I have a couple pieces up as a demo. Nothing on the blog yet, and no active outside links.

Features:

-- Built totally in Javascript, CSS, and the AJAX libraries.
-- Draggable windows with transparencies. (Put them almost anywhere)
-- Toggle windows
-- Only one window open at a time (multiple start to lag when dragging)
-- Viewer to show works that are selected in the art section

Currently there are no indicators on the Icons, so here are what they are:

text (blog)
art works
sites (links)
find (contact)

Still a lot to add, but this is hopefully the base system.

kits · 10-26-2005

3 words:
clean, simple, fantastic

very impressed with not only the design but the over all concept. Should be quiet the site when it is all finished. keep up the good work.

GoldNetX · 10-26-2005

Another update. A newer version is up from last time. A few tweaks, added graphics, and I filled out the art section quite a bit more.

Same place:

http://www.gusmayo.com/desktop

**Man1c M0g** · 10-26-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldNetX

Ok, I have a little preview of what I've got finished. Worked on it quite a bit today in between classes. This is how it came out:

http://www.gusmayo.com/desktop

It is still a bit buggy, but it is usable and I have a couple pieces up as a demo. Nothing on the blog yet, and no active outside links.

Features:

-- Built totally in Javascript, CSS, and the AJAX libraries.
-- Draggable windows with transparencies. (Put them almost anywhere)
-- Toggle windows
-- Only one window open at a time (multiple start to lag when dragging)
-- Viewer to show works that are selected in the art section

Currently there are no indicators on the Icons, so here are what they are:

text (blog)
art works
sites (links)
find (contact)

Still a lot to add, but this is hopefully the base system.

Looks very very nice! But it doesn't render too well with the Opera and Firefox browsers. Its only a cosmetic thing though - I bet it'd be easy to correct...

GoldNetX · 10-26-2005

Yeah, right now I am using just standard AJAX functions, and the images are not very optimized. So hopefully when I make those adjustments it will smooth out some stuff.

*MoodsR4Cattle* · 10-26-2005

Lookin' good! Neat features.

Will really be a unique site!

sanchin · 10-26-2005

Cool design! It's very clear and I think everybody is used to it...I found some bugs - when I click on an image it appears under the window with files, and another one - when I click on an icon in the "desktop", when it highlights, the first letter of the name dissapears...it just get covered with the highlight I think

GoldNetX · 10-26-2005

Thanks for the compliments. About the bugs, that first one I just solved, but I'll have to look into the second one you mentioned. Haven't seen it yet. If you don't mind, what browser are you using to view it in?

sanchin · 10-26-2005

I use SlimBrowser - it's an addon to IE, kind of a plug-in etc. Everything treats it like IE

GoldNetX · 10-27-2005

I looked into that bug, it's jsut a problem with the IE rendering not displaying .png transparency. I'll find some work aroudn for it.

Other than that I updated it quite a bit:

+ Reduced graphical lag when dragging windows
+ Removed bug that caused the drag windows to glitch the first time they were grabbed
+ Removed extra transparency when dragging (improves performance)
+ Allows multiple windows to be open at once
+ Updated animations and such
+ Added new art files to show the veiwer

Still to work on:

- *Fixed*
- Fix bug that will occur if a window is attempted to be closed while it is still opening

Optional:

= Not sure if I am going to do this. Looking for some opinions. Should I have the viewer window only be visible when the art window is open, or should I try some other functionality to make the viewer window be sort of minimized?

edit: Fixed the z-indexing. Dragging a window should bring it to the front.

http://www.gusmayo.com/desktop