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Buddy World is go?
About Truespace Archives
These pages are a copy of the official truespace forums prior to their removal somewhere around 2011.
They are retained here for archive purposes only.
Buddy World is go? // Roundtable
Post by splinters // Apr 29, 2008, 3:57am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Ok, I have Dreamweaver now...:o
Can't seem to find a way of getting the 'growing icon' effect. I can do an image rolleover effect but I can't seem to place this over the background image. If I use a behaviour on a Hotspot (which seems perfect) it replaces the background image (the planet) with the new image-I just want it to hover on top. I am using a PNG with transparency to get the 'floating' icon.
In principle it all seems to work. I just get either a huge image replacing the main image or a rollover image which seems to align itself at the bottom of the page rather than letting me move it over the hotspot on the map.
Does this make sense? Bear with me, I have only had Dreamweaver for an hour or so...:o |
Post by v3rd3 // Apr 29, 2008, 8:18am
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v3rd3
Total Posts: 388
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I don't think it is Dreamweaver per se. If the main image is not specified as the page background then giving the icon focus can make it the foreground object obscuring (in this case hiding) the larger image.
Either email me the html and graphics files or post a link here for the page you are working on and I will have a look.
The issue you are having can be solved a number of ways.
If I were using my preferred approach to this type of presentation I would create a spacefield background and then create each element of the page as a gif or png with transparency. Using CSS to position each element then would allow me to either use CSS to load a larger iconic image or to apply scaling to the icon.
Applying a CSS box model to format the page would also better enable dynamic positioning to address the many screen resolutions that would see your page.
I do not use Dreamweaver so I cannot comment on the CSS support within or whether it is convenient to use. Other tools I have used (NetObjects Fusion, Sitespinner) have ways of working with CSS but I find them ... err....kloodgy.
I will cut this off before this becomes too long and I start my traditional ranting about standards etc.
Send me your code and I will give you some ideas. |
Post by jayr // Apr 29, 2008, 9:59am
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jayr
Total Posts: 1074
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Splinters, do you have photoshop? version 6 or above?
If you do you can do what you want in Image ready. It makes websites
that are giant image maps but you could do what you're planning in about 5 mins with it. |
Post by splinters // Apr 29, 2008, 11:18am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Cheers guys, appreciate the help. Just finishing some coursework marking tonight then I will give you the necessary code/page etc. |
Post by prodigy // Apr 29, 2008, 11:37am
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prodigy
Total Posts: 3029
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Paul, i still with the idea you need a more visual element than just plain Html.
Flash imo is the solution, adding sound, animated icons, animated backgrounds etc.. like an interactive book..
You made alot of good friends here, just let them help you. ;) |
Post by splinters // Apr 29, 2008, 11:58am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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I am happy for the help Prodigy and want this site to be 'all singing and dancing'. However, I must also take a route I am comfortable with so I can make changes myself if need be.
I just tried the adobe Imageready suggestion and got the results...in about 5 mins...;)
Just need to set up the rest of that page now.
I really do appreciate the offers and, once I get the basic content sorted, I will take you up on your offer....:D
Cheers. |
Post by prodigy // Apr 29, 2008, 12:01pm
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prodigy
Total Posts: 3029
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Sounds good :)
Go Buddy World Go! |
Post by jayr // Apr 29, 2008, 12:18pm
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jayr
Total Posts: 1074
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I just tried the adobe Imageready suggestion and got the results...in about 5 mins...;)
Cheers.
Image ready is great for some things but you have to be organized, something i find helps with any web program. Watch your layers when you make rollovers, you can make extra work for yourself if you're sloppy with them.
PS: the sites made in image ready aren't searchable in google or other search engines because they're just pictures really, thts one reason i stopped using it to do whole websites in. You could just use it for your into/ nav page and then normal html pages after |
Post by splinters // Apr 30, 2008, 2:35am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Oh dear then..not sure that is such a good idea for me. I definitely want stuff to showup in google searches...but then again, this page you see will only be available after you 'log in' as a paid member once I get it up and running. |
Post by Jack Edwards // Apr 30, 2008, 3:11am
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Jack Edwards
Total Posts: 4062
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You can still add keywords and text descriptions of the images that the search engines will be able to pick up even though they don't show for the user to see on your page.
Besides, it's likely that only your "about the artist", products description, and order pages that would only need to be searchable anyway. |
Post by v3rd3 // Apr 30, 2008, 4:22am
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v3rd3
Total Posts: 388
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If I understand Imageready correctly it still has to generate HTML code to which you can add the information you want to grab the attention of "the bots". There are meta tags that you can add the searchable terms. To qualify for most engines the text in the meta tags has to be somewhere on the page itself. Adding text alt tags should suffice. You can also use a page "footer" appearing below, or well below the image based navigation.
When you're ready show us 'da goodies and we can go from there. |
Post by splinters // Apr 30, 2008, 7:10am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Here is the map with all the icons enlarged. I made a HTML page where all the icons grow when you pass over. I will post the page 'live' later for testing.
I am going to go with the Imageready methid for now to see how it works. If if is only on this page then that is OK. As for searching; you should not be able to get to this page anyway without being a subscriber.
I can add all the links etc. to the intro and sample pages...:D
v3rdv; what exactly would you need to see here to assist in the HTML side of things? |
Post by frootee // Apr 30, 2008, 8:07am
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frootee
Total Posts: 2667
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Now that's a cool website Paul! I hope it turns into a hit!
Froo |
Post by v3rd3 // Apr 30, 2008, 10:37am
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v3rd3
Total Posts: 388
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If you would like me to work on changing behaviours etc I would like to have the html files that you would like me to work on as well as any style sheets and any graphics elements within.
If for example you have 3 page styles (home, content and contact me) I only need a sample of each type.
If all you need with is help with search engine optimization then I only need to look at the html. |
Post by jayr // Apr 30, 2008, 10:45am
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jayr
Total Posts: 1074
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As far as making this page searchable goes you can enter the info you want in the html code in the <meta ...../> section |
Post by jamesmc // Apr 30, 2008, 11:06am
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jamesmc
Total Posts: 2566
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I keep clicking on the picture and nothing happens. :) |
Post by splinters // Apr 30, 2008, 11:14am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Now that's a cool website Paul! I hope it turns into a hit!
Froo
Not much chance of that until I get it up and running Froo...:o |
Post by splinters // Apr 30, 2008, 11:15am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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I keep clicking on the picture and nothing happens. :)
Try clicking here instead then James:
http://www.buddyworld.co.uk
:D |
Post by splinters // Apr 30, 2008, 11:18am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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If you would like me to work on changing behaviours etc I would like to have the html files that you would like me to work on as well as any style sheets and any graphics elements within.
If for example you have 3 page styles (home, content and contact me) I only need a sample of each type.
If all you need with is help with search engine optimization then I only need to look at the html.
I am seriously starting to think that I need to employ a programmer if I want to make this happen in the next 10 years...:rolleyes:
I will map out what I need mate then get it back to you. I appreciate all your help guys...:D |
Post by jamesmc // Apr 30, 2008, 11:19am
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jamesmc
Total Posts: 2566
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Try clicking here instead then James:
http://www.buddyworld.co.uk
:D
I know, I was just bumping your thread for you. :D
Looks great btw. |
Post by Finis // Apr 30, 2008, 3:53pm
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Finis
Total Posts: 386
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Congratulations on the launch of the Buddy World site Splinters!
I think you have made the right decision. Publishing in print may still be an option sometime but this website has increased your enthusiasm and creativity.
I hope Buddy World brings you success financially, as an artist, and as a teacher. |
Post by Finis // Apr 30, 2008, 4:06pm
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Finis
Total Posts: 386
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Only the front page and any promotional or free sample pages should be visible to the search engines. I was going to give examples of the tags read by the search 'bots but V3RD3 has that help covered.
If you need advertisements to bring customers to your site the "sponsored result" ads you see on searches are effective at a reasonable cost. You can target them toward your market by choosing what search words or phrases they appear for. I used Google Adwords for a while and it works well. I'm considering adding or switching to the Yahoo (Overture) advertisement system when I reopen my business. |
Post by splinters // May 1, 2008, 11:06pm
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Right guys, thanks to your help I got this working. I first tried the Imageready method and it works fine but makes an image folder of some 2.5mb which slows down the page when loading. However, the main map does load first so you are only waiting for the 'growing' bits.
The Dreamweaver method of using AP worked great. I simply had two PNG files; one small called thumb and a larger one called Main. The only problem was it flickered like mad probably because one area was within the other. I separated the areas and it worked fine.
So if anyone knows how to correct the flicker then feel free to let me know.
In the meantime, can you try the www.buddyworld.co.uk link and let me know how long it takes to load and your thoughts?
There are all new graphics in there so it should look better too.
Cheers guys, I have got so much further thanks to your help. And Jayr, I tried the slice method but I found the larger graphic limited to the size of the hospot; like it was over inflated in a small space.
Much more to do...:D |
Post by jayr // May 1, 2008, 11:22pm
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jayr
Total Posts: 1074
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The new rollovers look great, which method id you use in the end? is this the dreamweaver/ AP one?
Imageready can be great, i remember doing a site in 2 days with it, but if your not sure how it works it can be a pain! |
Post by splinters // May 2, 2008, 12:38am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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The new rollovers look great, which method did you use in the end? is this the dreamweaver/ AP one?
Imageready can be great, i remember doing a site in 2 days with it, but if your not sure how it works it can be a pain!
It was your imageready method Jayr...:D
it is just the file size that concerns me but so far no one has reported any real delay in loading. The dreamweaver/AP one was much smaller but flickered real bad. Someone said this is an IE issue...??
I quite like the finished result. |
Post by MadMouse // May 2, 2008, 9:05am
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MadMouse
Total Posts: 1069
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Looks great Paul. The rollovers work very nicely and loaded quickly on a 2meg connection. What about adding a matching sound effect to each rollover when you mouse over it?
Steve |
Post by jayr // May 2, 2008, 9:16am
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jayr
Total Posts: 1074
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The way to get the slice to work together is like this:
there is a squiggle next to the rollover state (see image below)
you click on that and drag to what ever slice you want that rollover to effect (a line follows your mouse when you click the squiggle as long as you keep the button down).
in the example below, rolling over the pond slice would effect the creepy castle slice as well.
you just have to tell imageready all the slice the effect is going to cover by clicking and dragging the squiggle to each one.
The Squiggle:
http://www.lothissen.co.uk/imagereadyb.jpg
http://www.lothissen.co.uk/imageready.jpg |
Post by splinters // May 2, 2008, 9:24am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Cheers Jayr, I will give it a try later, For now I am looking at web hosting, making the locations and generally getting a headache wondering how to tackle something so big with so little time...:D |
Post by jayr // May 2, 2008, 9:33am
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jayr
Total Posts: 1074
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i know the feeling! been trying to get a couple of webpages together for a bit, if you don't mind sending me the files for the map and rollovers i'd be happy to set it up for you, probably take no more than an hour or two |
Post by Saul // May 2, 2008, 1:48pm
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Saul
Total Posts: 32
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...getting a headache wondering how to tackle something so big with so little time...:D
'....and deals with the sad subject of death.' CHONKY PONKY
Incompetent teachers have been much in the news here in UK lately, couldn't you direct your energies at mature audience rather than defenceless children?
Edit: After consultation with various children, i think they can take care of themselves.....they dont think it is any good, they would rather read a good book!
Of course you could strap them to your knee and force them to watch a plasma screen - clockwork orange stylie - while you read the surtitles but then thats some kind of abuse, init? |
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