I like the idea of showing dynamic forum content on the home page, but I don't like the look of the bullet points. Also, unless the date and time information is really exciting to someone, you might consider showing more from the post. As it is, the date is longer than the title. Perhaps you could ditch the date and show a blurb. I'd say increase the font size on the title link and use a small size for the blurb. I realize the green is a pool table top... and if you are going to go with that theme, maybe do something similar with areas of your web site. You can use names like "behind the 8 ball", "the corner pocket", "scratched", "sewered", "the jump shot" or whatever. Just some ideas, I don't know, maybe that is corny. Personally, your home page doesn't fill me with the confidence to sign up for your newsletter or your forums. Also, perhaps it is just me, but I'd rather have the navigation on the left... with two content columns on the right, as a user (not a big deal). More importantly, as a user, I find it hard to divide the content areas and navigation areas... there aren't really any visual cues except whitespace. Just some thoughts... hope that is helpful and doesn't come across harsh.
Grokodile, Not harsh, thats exactly what I was looking for. the forum display item, yes, im going to remove date and time shortly, and add in a short blurb from the post instead....good suggestion. -Any suggestions for this? (I sort of agree with you, but not really sure where to go from here) I thought of this - nav on the right - and its actually for SEO purposes. I know that its not conventional, but wanted to give it a shot. as for content and nav separation - can you be more specific as to exactly whcih parts you are refering to? Thanks again for your detailed response.
I think you could keep your columns green and your central area white or a tamer colour. I always avoid using colour in the central area because everyone has different tastes. So choose a colour that doenst bug anyone for your main area. I like the green personally. But we in this business must satisfy a whole range of tastes right? Hope i'ev helped.
I like your site but I agree I find the green makes it hard to read the blue links on the site and the forum page. If you want to keep the green maybe you could go with an off-white with a tint of green and darker green contrast. Personally I will not stay on a site if the colors bother my eyes or make me feel uncomfortable, not easy to navigate or does not tell me right away what the site is about. Other than that I like the design of the site. Hey maybe you can check out this site I found It helps you blend colors. Just pick the 2 colors you want to blend. www[.]meyerweb[.]com/eric/tools/color-blend Linds_e
Doesn't validate I'm afraid. Like the site though. Perhaps keep the banner green and change the background to white? Just a preference - definately need a bit more contrast. Test it at accessibility101.org.uk.
wow lots of color comments - something needs to change. was it just that the green was too bright? check out the homepage now: a little darker...is this any betteR? http://www.billiardsforum.info/ (page not fully changed, just tinkered with color for testing)
First impressions very nice. Not so sure on the green, it makes me feel a little ill especially with the black writing and makes it difficult to read, also it's a slightly differnt green depending on the page - could just be me though cos I have a little trouble viewing certain colours! The billiard balls bottom right does not match background colour and has a border on some pages but I'd just be being picky. Reckon links page is very important for this site and needs to be more prominent rather then right at the bottom. All in all great site especially as I like to play (quite good too )
the site looks good. A suggestion is that you can give more detail with the forum topics. Infact, they should be added there to add fresh content to the page since they will be updated automatically. This will help in keeping the page fresh, so it will help with SEO also.
okay - green is going very soon TEN out of fourteen comments is more than enough.... I'll post back for comments when I get that all cleaned up. Of course, my images SHOULD have had a transparent background, then color changes would have been easy...but NO...I was stupid there! Won't make that mistake again. -I plan to do this with the forum topic display on the homepage. Is that where you meant?
dude!! as quick as you can.. Make it a less harsh colour.. the top bar green looks good but not for the sits body. I kept waiting for the background to load thinking there was a tile or something. make it a light shade of grey ? #CCCCCC or #666666 .. it will go with the top grey bar aswell.. or even white? Nice, clean site..
okay - did a mock-up with some new colors. please look at/comment only on the header. (title, tabs, and grey bar) http://www.billiardsforum.info/index1.asp
I think you should put an 8 ball image to the left of the site name. http://images.google.com/images?q=%228+ball%22&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images
It looks good and seems to have just about everything someone interested in learning about billiards would need to know.