Modemsite — Mon, 18 Feb 2002 20:50:31 +0000

Since I converted my site to all .ASP pages (IIS server) for other reasons, I've been thinking about doing something like this - it's pretty easy with ASP.

The page Yahoo (and Google) goes to - index.asp (although they may still link to the old .htm page which gets caught & re-directed), is modified so that before the script:

gets the HTTP_REFERRER variable;
checks to see if it contains the word "driver" as well as either "google" or "yahoo", and if it does, it re-directs to the _wels1.asp page with a querystring containing the query that was in the HTTP_REFERRER;

The _wels1.asp page finds the search query in the original referrer and pulls the search term part of it to display it in the "I see you searched for " part of the page.

So, the way I wrote this, you'll go to this page only if you came from Google or Yahoo (that could be changed), and only if your search query contains the letters 'driver'. You could search for other combo's and get the same page, but if the search doesn't have 'driver' in it, you don't get re-directed.....

Aloha!
Richard
(PS - I may not be very talented when it comes to doing layout/logo, etc. but I know how to program! See the bottom of my 'real' Home Page - I sell 2 scripts, and have a free how-to one to track server outages. 808hi.com )

disaster-master — Mon, 18 Feb 2002 20:38:53 +0000

That is neat but I am not sure I understand how you did that. Does that mean that if say someone searches for just "modems" and they click on your site that you will have the sentence, "I see you've entered the site by searching for: modems"?

Modemsite — Mon, 18 Feb 2002 20:26:09 +0000

I hope to have the re-design up by the end of the week.

In the meantime, anyone have any comments on this:

If you do a search at yahoo.com for "Modem Drivers", my site (modemsite.com) currently comes up #8.
Click on it, and instead of getting the page Yahoo 'took' you to, you get a 'custom' page -
Try it:
http://search.yahoo.com/bin/search?p=modem+drivers
then click on my listing, and tell me what you think of this (if appropriate).

Thanks much!
Richard

Karen Cardinal — Mon, 18 Feb 2002 00:45:05 +0000

I think we're coming along nicely.

This is my first experience at a collaborative design and layout. Usually I'm just handed the pictures and text and told "put something together for this".

I've been enjoying this new experience.

Just lucky you talked me out of all those tables I had.

Modemsite — Sun, 17 Feb 2002 23:32:31 +0000

Thanks for the encouraging words.

I've been busy on other things, and I know about the 2 line awkard deal and the wording - just haven't figured out exactly what words I want to use, and how many I "need". I appreciate the suggestion on Site Map, too.
Most of all, I've got to thank Karen Cardinal who did most of the work on this layout & logo.

As to the hover background color change - I'd like to know why the apparent concensus of designers here is against doing that. I know, personally, I would MUCH rather have it that way on ANY site I visit. The more a clickable link changes in appearance, the better for me. (Heck - I'm "Color impaired" - I can't tell you with great accuracy what any particular color might be.) And, it sure seems to me that the "average" casual user and new users would prefer things that way. Are designers saying 'don't do it' because they don't like what it 'does' to the look, or because usability/surveys indicate the population dislikes the hover background change? My audience wants usability the look isn't that important.

As for widening the banner at the top - again, I'm not sure but let's say I want to have 2 lines of links there, so there's 4 & 4 ? I'm not sure what the minimum width of the sample page is before scroll bars appears & I'd like to be able to display in 640x480 without a horiz. scroll bar....

Thanks again & Aloha from the Big Island!
Richard

disaster-master — Sun, 17 Feb 2002 14:01:16 +0000

Yes, I think that will be more better. Like busy said though, make the top part a tad wider so that the forum link goes on the same line. Maybe you could do link color change on mouseover.

fifeclub — Sun, 17 Feb 2002 01:48:15 +0000

It needs to be simple, intuitive, and uncluttered. Too much text makes it less likely that a visitor will find the text that's most important to them.

Your new site is MUCH better. Simple is good. Nice banner on top too.

Busy — Sat, 16 Feb 2002 22:03:46 +0000

heaps better
is the "site index" sould be rename to site map. and make it (the banner) a little wider so the forum link fits on the same line.
Also you should get rid of the mouseover background thing, (background color on hover) looks real cheesy,

the links, home and troubleshooting is kinda dark on that dark grey, maybe change your font colors. also keep your link words the same, you have troubleshoot and troubleshooting, could confuse people

Modemsite — Sat, 16 Feb 2002 19:46:15 +0000

Here's what I'm working on for the re-design:

modemsite.com/56k/_wavework.asp

( rework of modemsite.com/56k/wave.asp )

Would appreciate any comments.

Something you might like

Karen Cardinal — Tue, 12 Feb 2002 04:59:59 +0000

I have put something together for you that you might find useful.

I can't find your email to send you the link, but if you would like to email me at Karen@KarenCardinal.com and I will send you the link and information.

I think you might like it, but if not, you don't have to use it.

Have fun
Karen