Lib Dem Euro Election Website
May. 26th, 2009 07:17 pm![[personal profile]](http://s.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
miss_s_bVery occasionally I might appear to be a bit partisan about my politics. People think that when I link to things like the Tory Atlas of the World, or pick on Labour posters on Liberal Conspiracy, that I wouldn't pick on my own side like that. Well, that's where you are wrong, people, that's where you are wrong.
I got an email today from a wonk at Cowley Street asking me, as a Lib Dem blogger, to have a look at the party's Euro website and big it up on my blog. I looked at the party's Euro website. And then I took a red pen to it. This is the result:
((click to embiggen))
At the end of the day we can't hope to beat the big two unless we are substantially better than them at shit like this. And yes, I know that they have armies of overpaid mercenaries and we have but a few overstretched volunteers, but I thought one volunteer was worth ten hired men?
E-, Lib Dem site designers. See me after class.
((And yes, I'm still thinking about that other post. My bath was very nice, though, and I finished my book in it - Witches Abroad, again, since you ask))
This blog is proudly sponsored by
I got an email today from a wonk at Cowley Street asking me, as a Lib Dem blogger, to have a look at the party's Euro website and big it up on my blog. I looked at the party's Euro website. And then I took a red pen to it. This is the result:
((click to embiggen))
At the end of the day we can't hope to beat the big two unless we are substantially better than them at shit like this. And yes, I know that they have armies of overpaid mercenaries and we have but a few overstretched volunteers, but I thought one volunteer was worth ten hired men?
E-, Lib Dem site designers. See me after class.
((And yes, I'm still thinking about that other post. My bath was very nice, though, and I finished my book in it - Witches Abroad, again, since you ask))
This blog is proudly sponsored by
* is endearingly Amateurish like all Lib Dems *
O:-)
Jeez can't you tell that website has been made to look pretty without thinking about the actual function.
Lib Dems have no idea what makes a good website design.
Could I post my own thoughts and you link to it?
Have you a link to the actual website?
You know the saying "Put your money where your mouth is..." I'd like to show that I could do better.
Andrew (onehourahead.com/blog)
More ominously for Nick, nor does Sheffield.
Of course, it goes without saying that the party would welcome with open arms anyone who wants to get stuck in and work on the next site, perhaps the one for the General Election? We've more than enough people prepared to say how others could have done the work better, but not so many prepared to help do the actual work!
All the best,
Rob Fenwick
Mark
But I'll also happily admit to being sceptical about comments along the lines of 'white space is wasted' because blank space (used well) isn't wasted, it makes things better.
Look at the Google homepage for example. Someone could condemn it for being a wasteful design disaster as it has all that unused whitespace, but I don't think that many people would agree with them :-)
Design following function is why all the bitching about my colourscheme annoys me - its primary function is to provide ME with a feedreader in a scheme that doesn't hurt my eyes.
My criticism of the current site can be found here: http://staceyuk.dreamwidth.org/621953.h
My blog is here:
I've lost count of the number of times I have heard this, and Mat and I ALWAYS offer, but nobody ever gets back to us when it's time for site design. Perhaps because Cowley Street is not in easy walking distance for us?
I can't speak for Mark, but if this blog is an example of the design you espouse then no, I wouldn't take up that offer either I'm afraid, sorry - I don't mean anything nasty by that, but if you have a portfolio of work somewhere I'm sure Mark would be happy to look at it. I saw a comment below from someone offering a mock-up, and it'll be really good to see that. Seriously. We need more good web designers.
Rob
The colourscheme is designed so that I don't hurt my eyes when looking at the blogs I want to read. Low contrast, not bright white or yellow: I don't get a headache. Most of the layout etc. is Dreamwidth's, not mine.
Unfortunately (for me) I don't have anything fresh to show you that I have had a hand in the design of at the moment. Hey ho. Hopefully in a couple of months. If I get my arse in gear. This whole working full time plus being a party activist plus being a mum thing doesn't half eat into my web design time.
I can upload a live version of the site. The only thing that wouldn't work is the map as I don't have the requisite javascript file.
Regards, Stacey
I would appreciate some feedback if you have the time.
Mark
I can upload a live version of the site. The only thing that wouldn't work is the map as I don't have the requisite javascript file.
Regards, Stacey
I would appreciate some feedback if you have the time.
Mine was more immediate, via twitter, a coupla weeks ago (http://www.alexfoster.me.uk/2009/05/13/tweets-on-2009-05-13/):
But I actually like the map - about the only bit I did like. Wavey lines. Bleurgh. Too much white, indeed. Isn't another party all about the blue?
The tiny dark-grey text on black is trying on 30year-old eyes, too.
The comments box that I am typing in has a purple fill and black text, though... You're not using IE, are you?
AH! You mean the login options? I don't see those because I am always logged in. Hmm. Should be able to sort that out fairly easily. But not right now because I hear a small person calling. BBL.
Now, hopefully, fixed.
Of course, if you used an OpenID to login to the site permanently you a) wouldn't have this problem and b) would have an identifying link.
And you have an OpenID, and you definitely should be able to code a delegate for your own site. I know this because I managed it, and if I can you definitely can.
Does she tell mummy what to type, or does mummy decide?
And she SHOULD accept openID. I'll check her settings when I get home from work.
And then when I type a community name it gets a tardis, a feed gets a dalek, an LJ username gets the little LJ pencil, and an unknown gets a riddler-esque question mark.
I guess this proves that all websites need to be thoroughly road tested. Preferably BEFORE they go live!
Did you suggest that have a development site so that people they want to look at a site can look at it before it is live?
And I hope they will pay you for your work!!!
It wasn't really work. It took less than five minutes. And, you know, PAYMENT? From the Lib Dems? You got that the wrong way round; I give THEM money.