One of our class projects is to come up with alternative ideas for the design of SPAUG's home page. Click this text to jump to links to sites I'd like you to see.

I've had some strong ideas on this subject for some time. Changes I'd like to see include:

1. More-inviting appearance. I think that the color combination used (yellow, black, white, red) is an assault on the senses. Various combinations of these colors are often used to warn of danger or emergency situations. Visiting SPAUG's site shouldn't evoke those feelings.

2. Better use of space. Making the main column width non-adjustable takes away control over display that I'd like to have. Plus, having the right-hand "wallpaper" column seems to me to be a waste of screen space that I'd rather devote to the middle column. Having such a narrow middle column requires more scrolling than I want to have to do and reduces the amount of information that can be presented on any one screen. I'm aware that many other sites, including both major San Francisco Newspapers, use a similar format, and I'm not happy with it there, either.

3. Provide a choice of information presentation. Visitors want different information than members. We could provides arrangements appropriate for each.

4. Provide a members-only area.

Here are links to sites I'd like you to see.

Redding computer club

I like the friendly and distinctive appearance of their page.

 

Orange County computer club

I like the organization and appearance of their page. Also, check out their FTP'd newsletter.

 

Las Vegas computer club

I like the amount of information presented, although I wish they'd fill the whole screen with it.

 

Cajun Computer club

A site similar to SPAUG's, but with a nicer color combination and better use of screen space.

 

San Francisco Regional Mensa

Cool colors (that is, calming blue). Members-only area. I'd like more info on first page. Click the graph in the lower-right corner.

 

Lorain County (OH) Users Group

Nice colors. 250 members. $25 dues. Check out all those officers!

 

PC User Group of the Redwoods

A lot of information on a simple front page.

 

User groups of Northern California

Links to our neighbor PC, Mac and other UGs. On this page itself, I think the dark blue seems a bit overpowering and doesn't contrast enough with the red and black lettering on top of it.