Hi!
First, I have to quote a text written by Daerk.
Full Version: About the homesite
| QUOTE |
| Tolkien wrote in depth, very detailed in all his descriptions. His use of the english language was profound, and his structure of wording such to inspire many a generation to the literary world of authorism. Those of us enamored by Tolkien's works are obviously disposed to such literal verboseness, as long as it remains comprehensible in its alliterative conciseness. This means we are more likely to read and answer posts that have had obvious thought and structure placed behind them. |
Since English isnīt my mother language, I canīt promise any correct structure of wording, and therefor
I would like to beg the Devs/Teamsters to have understanding with my (and all non-english-speaking
persons on this forum) grammar and spelling. Hopefully you will answer our posts the same way you answer
posts that are correctly spelled etc. Now Iīm quite sure you arenīt making any judgements of spelling
when reading and answering different posts, but I just thought this had to be said
Now to the reason why Iīm writing this post, and that is conserning the homesite.
I want this mod to be known all over the world, just as you do. Therefor, I have some suggestions of how
to make this homesite more attractive to newcomers (and veterans as well). Especially for the tolkienites.
1. I would love to see some Middle-Earth related graphics on the site, in colour ofcourse. Maby the trees
of Valinor, a drawing of Hobbiton, I donīt know...Maby a job for the concept artist who have already shown
their amazing skills? I just think that the almost invisible Middle-Earth related graphics at the top of
the page is not enough to show newcommers what you really are up to. To re-create Middle-Earth.
2. I think at least 90% of your fans have played or seen Morrowind before. And as it is today, the
only way to come in contact with your site, is through Morrowind (Well, almost). At that point, I would love
to see some changes. Since you are doing this Mod as a tribute for tolkien, I think it is important to inform
even the tolkienites who havnīt heard about Morrowind before. Now I have played Morrowind, and thatīs how I
found out about this Mod, but let us say I hadnīt heard of Morrowind before, and one day someone told me that
a game was beeing made, in which you could freely travel around in Middle-Earth in a very realistic way, I
would have screamed of joy and checked it out immediately.
What I am saying, is that this mod has to be known for everyone, not only the persons who play
Morrowind. I am absolutely not demanding this, since I donīt have any proper idea how to do it, but I
thought it was good to bring it up here in case someone else had any suggestions.
3. Almost every week the Devs/Teamsters have to tell some noob to "Read the FAQ!!", and yes, it is always
good if they do. But I have to tell you, the FAQ were NOT easy to find for me the first time I looked for
them! First I checked all the pinned threads on the forum, then, supposing they were on the homesite, I
checked that as well, but I couldnt find them so I stopped the searching. Then after a couple of days I
checked the Mod info again, and saw the almost invisible "Frequently Asked Questions" headline.
I think either you should give the noobs the link to the FAQ, or make them more easy to find on the
homesite. The white headline "Daerk on" steals all the attention, but hey...I donīt know if you had
any problems finding the FAQ. It could just be me...
I have to say there is nothing wrong with the prensent homesite, but you can allways make it better, and
more attractive, right? So there you have my three suggestions.
-- Greenhand
I have to agree to some extent. The main webpage is kinda ugly and definately hard to navigate. Perhaps some retooling is in order.
Aw come on...I wouldn't exactly call it ugly. However I do believe that the home page should contain more information about the mod. Newcomers often explore the sight before they look on the forums. If the sight was very easy and informative, I believe we could a avoid a lot of questions that frustrate the Devs. I think that when you come to the homepage there should be lots of pictures and a big link that says click here to learn more...or something like that.
Your points have been noticed. I've made a small addition to the newspage to follow one of your suggestion - we'll see whether it helps, i.e. that more people will read the FAQ and Daerk on... thread carefully (or whether they also overlook that link ;P).
As far as an entire re-design of the site is concerned ... wait and see ;D
As far as an entire re-design of the site is concerned ... wait and see ;D
May be a good idea to publicise a job opening for webmaster and site designer...would save you devs having to work on the site instead of the mod?
And does that white text on black background hurt anyone elses eyes? Never understood why Daerk had to change the original site I made into those gash colours.
And does that white text on black background hurt anyone elses eyes? Never understood why Daerk had to change the original site I made into those gash colours.
I find the blue on black for the links is blurry and hard to read.
I like the white on black a lot. It's easy to read.
I like the white on black a lot. It's easy to read.
I did like the original site colors. They seemed very morrowindish. They were easy on the eyes.
Greenhand, that's one of the best first posts I've ever seen! And I agree with you, the main page is boring in my humble opinion. Add to it that I also would like everyone to know about this mod, I *think* I've convinced on of my colleagues to buy Goty just because of this mod... We'll see...
Hey, have any of you ever been to Minastirith.com? I just stumbled on it a month ago, and it seems (for the most part) to be chock-full of some of the most literate Tolkien scholars from any forums (especially the Movie trilogy-bashing thread 
). I thought about making a thread about this mod on there, but becoming a member is pretty involved... I mean, it's summer. I don't really want to write three essays for ANYTHING, let alone some web forum... sheesh.
But, I bet making yourselves known to them would add a substantial number to the list of supporters of the mod, and probably get it a little more internet publicity among Tolkienites.
Plus, they'd probably really like it, they're all about some canonicity, although I don't know how many are avid gamers.
Hood
). I thought about making a thread about this mod on there, but becoming a member is pretty involved... I mean, it's summer. I don't really want to write three essays for ANYTHING, let alone some web forum... sheesh. But, I bet making yourselves known to them would add a substantial number to the list of supporters of the mod, and probably get it a little more internet publicity among Tolkienites.
Plus, they'd probably really like it, they're all about some canonicity, although I don't know how many are avid gamers.
Hood
Nice to hear that some changes is about to happen with the homesite.
However, I have one more suggestion which I forgot to post among the others.
I think since you are devloping a Middle-Earth mod, you would probably have been researching Middle-Earth a lot.
Is it possible for you to add some links to useful sites on your homesite?
For example, a couple of sites for them who want to learn more about Middle-Earth. Maby about the land,
people or languages... Or maby a couple of sites about scripting, world-building, texturing, how to draw
concept-art etc for them who want to learn and maby in the future, join the team.
What do you think?
However, I have one more suggestion which I forgot to post among the others.
I think since you are devloping a Middle-Earth mod, you would probably have been researching Middle-Earth a lot.
Is it possible for you to add some links to useful sites on your homesite?
For example, a couple of sites for them who want to learn more about Middle-Earth. Maby about the land,
people or languages... Or maby a couple of sites about scripting, world-building, texturing, how to draw
concept-art etc for them who want to learn and maby in the future, join the team.
What do you think?
May eru send more new people like you, 2 post, 2 good ideas 
I don't want to say the other new members have had bad ideas but he/she is a perfect example of... first read, then write. I know many people don't login before he had read all the pinned topics but there are a lot that not do that (sp?).
About the web site, It's good to have an active site because it makes te people to have more interest. A static page gives the sensation that it is old and the content isn't updated.
The problem with MeMod is that the forum is the "real" site, it's where all the things happen.
I want to apply for the webmaster job, but I don't have too many time to spend in it uU. it's a pity.
I don't want to say the other new members have had bad ideas but he/she is a perfect example of... first read, then write. I know many people don't login before he had read all the pinned topics but there are a lot that not do that (sp?).
About the web site, It's good to have an active site because it makes te people to have more interest. A static page gives the sensation that it is old and the content isn't updated.
The problem with MeMod is that the forum is the "real" site, it's where all the things happen.
I want to apply for the webmaster job, but I don't have too many time to spend in it uU. it's a pity.
Great ideas Greenhand... great..
double post! 
triple post 
i really dunno what caused this
i really dunno what caused this
Thx Greenhand, it's always a pleasure to read some constructive criticism as yours. Full of good ideas, that is. Nice
Don't forget to share any more ideas with us if you come across more of them!!
Don't forget to share any more ideas with us if you come across more of them!!
i really like the idea of an organic looking webpage.
What do you mean by organic DMKW?
well, greenhand, all I can say is, sometimes, someone comes along, makes a fisrt post, and all the nightmarish effort is worthwhile, for the sort of content you read.
your post was one of those.
and if english is'nt your first language, you're a lot better than many english speakers I can think of.
FAQs on the website. sounds like stupidity to not have 'em up there easier to find.
Most Graphics are in the forums (Rynos, have you updated the Screenshot links thread with KFM's recent bits?), BUt I see more reason to get more work into the website with a little effort.
Better advertising among non-morrowind players. Certainly needs to be addressed in time.
There's barely a point you've made I'd not wholeheartedly agree with, Greenhand.
Suzerain
your post was one of those.
and if english is'nt your first language, you're a lot better than many english speakers I can think of.
FAQs on the website. sounds like stupidity to not have 'em up there easier to find.
Most Graphics are in the forums (Rynos, have you updated the Screenshot links thread with KFM's recent bits?), BUt I see more reason to get more work into the website with a little effort.
Better advertising among non-morrowind players. Certainly needs to be addressed in time.
There's barely a point you've made I'd not wholeheartedly agree with, Greenhand.
Suzerain
Wow, Itīs nice to hear that you agree with me. I hadnīt counted on that support. Thank you.
About the Minas Tirith site, thatīs exactly the kind of sites I meant. Many members (Tolkien fans for sure),
who havenīt got a clue about MEmod. Hopefully, we can inform them in some way. The question is
just How...
Maby one of the senior Devs can contact the leader of the Minas Tirith site (or other Tolkien sites)
and ask them to send out some sort of information to its members. Maby via email or via the forum...
But what do I know? This could just be a lot of work.
About the Minas Tirith site, thatīs exactly the kind of sites I meant. Many members (Tolkien fans for sure),
who havenīt got a clue about MEmod. Hopefully, we can inform them in some way. The question is
just How...
Maby one of the senior Devs can contact the leader of the Minas Tirith site (or other Tolkien sites)
and ask them to send out some sort of information to its members. Maby via email or via the forum...
But what do I know?
This could just be a lot of work.
| QUOTE (dave_man @ Jul 15 2004, 12:33 PM) |
| What do you mean by organic DMKW? |
sorta like what was mentioned above with the page made up of landscapes...maybe a tree going up the left side with all the links carved into it. dunno hard to explain. some flash stuff would be cool to
I gotcha. That would be pretty freakin cool. It would also take some time to create and implement. Methinks a staff member dedicated to the website may be a good idea.
Flash = bandwidth. It looks pretty nice, but I personally would prefer a plain, flash-free website .
.
I like metal looking more than organic
The soul of the blacksmith resides inside of me XD
mmm, I think this post can be spam, who knows
The soul of the blacksmith resides inside of me XD
mmm, I think this post can be spam, who knows
Yes, we need a new homepage but I don't think we need more fame. People who have never heard of Morrowind aren't going to play MEMod and I think a lot of gamers know this mod because there was an article in our local pc magazine.
| QUOTE (Illuvarin @ Jul 24 2004, 03:49 PM) |
| but I don't think we need more fame. People who have never heard of Morrowind aren't going to play MEMod |
we do need more fame..i bet that more than half of the morrowind players dont know what memod is...
and memod is not only for morrowind fans but for the fans of middle-earth...
i think most of them who has a good enough computer would buy morrowind because of memod...
Fame? Well, probably many of the countless Tolkien and Middle Earth sites on the internet have already noticed you by now, and they have already made articles about the Me-Mod effort on their own pages, and started threads about it on their own forums... but, if you want to make sure, why don't you just E-Mail the major Tolkien sites on the net, tell them about your effort, and ask them to insert a link to Me-Mod in their links page?
| QUOTE |
| why don't you just E-Mail the major Tolkien sites on the net, tell them about your effort, and ask them to insert a link to Me-Mod in their links page? |
look at me..
am i a senior dev?
no..
am i a PR guy?
no..
You could do it anyway... Or me... or...
*leaves*
*leaves*
i think it's a pity that some are talking about the design of the homepage
even if this isn't exactly what greenhand meant.
he got some great ideas and now it's time to put those into reality
I heard a lot of agreement until now but no consequences or actions
(only about the fame-issue)
i would like it if there would be more: "yep cool idea, i'll do it"
or something similar.
or do you have to discuss this in the team?
or haven't you got that much time?
please read this post as if it were a good idea because
maybe i express myself to harsh or something (wasn't ment so).
even if this isn't exactly what greenhand meant.
he got some great ideas and now it's time to put those into reality
I heard a lot of agreement until now but no consequences or actions
(only about the fame-issue)
i would like it if there would be more: "yep cool idea, i'll do it"
or something similar.
or do you have to discuss this in the team?
or haven't you got that much time?
please read this post as if it were a good idea because
maybe i express myself to harsh or something (wasn't ment so).
You can do the Unnoficial MeMod Site
And I have friends who have not played morrowind but they want to play MeMod ^^.
And I have friends who have not played morrowind but they want to play MeMod ^^.
Well the first thing I would do for redesigning the website, is too get rid of them horrible frames and re-structure the website in tables. Then go for a organic style where the website looks seemless rather then structured by red lines and such. Also a nice bold rollover gif animated menu system would be nice, making the navigation more obvious too users.
| QUOTE (ImmortalSnafu @ Jul 15 2004, 08:53 PM) |
| Flash = bandwidth. |
Ture, but Flash = Awesome.
full flash websites are more for presentation rather then a development website, as with a development website things need too changed quickly and updated quickly and not everybody has a copy of flash, so if the webmaster becomes ill or otherwise unable to access the internet, the rest of the team members can't update the website as they may not have a copy or enough knowledge of flash too make the changes,
Although a small amount of flash could be used for the menu system and some surrounding animations.
Although a small amount of flash could be used for the menu system and some surrounding animations.
| QUOTE (Slaiv @ Jul 27 2004, 04:19 PM) | ||
Ture, but Flash = Awesome. |
I'm not completely agree with immortal.
If you do the navigation through flash, you can load all the data and then you'll avoid the continuos load of data of the HTML navigation.
The Site could still do with a lot more pictures.
non-hardcore gamers look at the site, see 3 pictures of a sword and 4 of a building, and dont know what's happening here.
You dont have to release a picture of the argonat just yet, but a street with people and stuff in it would give me and a lot of people a lot more to look forward to and attract even more players.
non-hardcore gamers look at the site, see 3 pictures of a sword and 4 of a building, and dont know what's happening here.
You dont have to release a picture of the argonat just yet, but a street with people and stuff in it would give me and a lot of people a lot more to look forward to and attract even more players.
a desing like the middle earth online home page would be great. maybe with some concept arts
I'll have to agree with the crow.
I went to MEO's website, and because of it's design and appearance I was intrigued to further investigate the game. I looked through their website some more checking out the "Game Information" area. They have a nice setup for all the races, world, features etc. The other thing I noticed that was nice, was on the homepage they had screenshots which said "features" or the name of some part of the site, which were linked to that area.
Now if MEMod could have a website with a top navigation bar like that, which had about three main topics to rollover and have a drop down menu come down with more specific things on it, such as "FAQ", "Mod Info" etc. I, liking the idea of MEO's screenshots linked to places, think that MEMod could have some concept art scaled down into a not to obtrusive box, fixed up in PhotoShop with some text saying where it's linked to, and maybe some other effects (bevel etc.). One other thing, MEMod's website should have a nice logo! For example:
is a nice logo, saying the name of the game, yet keeping it fairly simple and matching the sites layout nicely. Or maybe you guys could go for a bigger banner type thing accross the top of the page, with some concept art in it...Whatever, it's all up to you guys, those are just my thoughts on things.
I went to MEO's website, and because of it's design and appearance I was intrigued to further investigate the game. I looked through their website some more checking out the "Game Information" area. They have a nice setup for all the races, world, features etc. The other thing I noticed that was nice, was on the homepage they had screenshots which said "features" or the name of some part of the site, which were linked to that area.
Now if MEMod could have a website with a top navigation bar like that, which had about three main topics to rollover and have a drop down menu come down with more specific things on it, such as "FAQ", "Mod Info" etc. I, liking the idea of MEO's screenshots linked to places, think that MEMod could have some concept art scaled down into a not to obtrusive box, fixed up in PhotoShop with some text saying where it's linked to, and maybe some other effects (bevel etc.). One other thing, MEMod's website should have a nice logo! For example:
is a nice logo, saying the name of the game, yet keeping it fairly simple and matching the sites layout nicely. Or maybe you guys could go for a bigger banner type thing accross the top of the page, with some concept art in it...Whatever, it's all up to you guys, those are just my thoughts on things.
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