Help Poppa Beta the New Website

[Astrofreq]

2. It would be nice if it loaded faster, but once it has loaded the first time it is quick.

Agreed. the instrument page is taking painfully long to load. I typed all of this and still nothing. Now it's showing up.

Ernie Ball® Music Man® John Petrucci JP6 Baritone BFR Guitar
Baritone is spelled wrong in the url

Also, shouldn't my name be listed in the Artist section? I didn't see it there. D

 

[pjc812]

hawt, i like it.

my computer is slow anyway so it takes a long time even for this site to load.

lookin good papa.

 

[the24thfret]

Poppa,
A few things, not sure if they've been covered:

-In the instruments section, with so many varieties and only pictures, it's hard to tell what model you're choosing... for example, the JP6, JP7, BFR 6, BFR7, Baritone... they all look similar. The BFR logo distinguishes them somewhat but the baritone isn't evident especially... maybe write "6" "7" and "Baritone" for them??

- Same as above but for the 4 string, 5 string and 6 string BONGOs... would be nice to just see "4" "5" and "6" instead of trying to count strings...

- For the BFR JP7, in the description it talks about the 6 string BFR...

- Under body color (for JP6, not sure if for others), Red Pearlburst brings up a BFR picture of Ruby Burst, I think... this is misleading because the finish of a RPB looks nothing like a BFR!!!

I'll see if I can find any more.

 

[Headstock]

On the instruments page, the basses should be moved to the bottom (bottom end, low end, deep end) .
I don't like having to scroll to see all the guitars Muwahahahaha!

Tool tips on header and each menu item say Head Navigation - not sure this is intentional
Would love to see a link for a quick faq for caring for your guitar/ setup tips etc... the musicman faq.

Fricking awesome photos and great improvement.

 

[skisquash]

BP...Thanks again for the sneak peak! Some input...

- The main instrument page images never loaded. Is the image source down? Speed is king otherwise you may lose the eyeball
- Forum & Dealer links opened a new window. You more likely want to keep the user within the session.
- Great if you could add links to the other artists for more images. Add a section by instrument that cross links back to artists
- 404 on News and Process
- Add images/color to title frame box

 

[INMT]

Ahh...finally a site that has easy to use menus.
How lucky are we that the company owner lets us beta test his new site...man that's better than whippin' cupcakes.

I found if I hit the reload the main page ( at anytime) it loads up all the pics no problem. I tried it on my PC and Mac. Seems to like Firefox a little better.
My only "gripe" is the pic of the SMY2D DE-Purple burst looks nothing like any of the pics I have seen thus far. Almost looks like Bahama Blue Burst.

 

[Big Poppa]

Its Beta And On A Mini Server>>>>

 

[DrKev]

First, I'm running FF 2.0.0.12 under WinXP SP2, on a fast broadband connection, 1024x768.


1) The front page with the large images - the images are just too big. The whole page does not even fit vertically in my normal browser window and I'm running a small-buttoned FireFox skin that gives me a little extra space. With that header and menu on top, images should be no larger than 950 pixels wide and 500 pixels high please.

2) Can't click on those big front page images and go somewhere? There is always a balance between giving people things to click on and making the site too hard to navigate, but people like things to do and explore. Here, the first thing people see is big beautiful image that they can't do anything with.

3) I love the idea of "The Process" - as new content that wasn't in the old site, it's exactly what you need, IMHO. Fabulous idea and really gives a great sheen to the image of the brand. However, I don't like the large main photo which is a) too big (see point 1 above), and b) makes it necessary to scroll down for the thumbnails and then back up again - that's just a pain in the ass. Smaller image please, with perhaps a click-through to a full size image?

4) I'm not sure about the plain black on white thing. Look around your office or home and see how many people choose computer wallpapers or workspaces with a large block of a very bright colour. There is a reason for that - it's too harsh and tires the eye too quickly. The instrument photos have a white background, fair enough, but that's not a reason to make the entire page like that. Too much white and too much black.

4) From the instrument pages, I clicked on the link at right for the "Diagrams and Specifications" and, to my surprise, got to download a ZIP file containing a one page PDF? The ZIP file is completely unnecessary. Link directly to the PDF please or give us the schemtaic as an image (in a fully templated page, like any other image, of course).

5) The main instruments page has WAY to much stuff on it and does nothing to encourage people to explore what they are looking for. I would suggest a three way split - Guitars, Bass, and BFR/LE. Perhaps with groups shots of a few representative instruments in each category. Then you can have THREE lovely big galleries of stuff to explore. At very least, the BFRs and LEs are should have their own page/pages.

6) I really don't like the grungy/splatter logo font thing. I do like it at the beginning of the whole process slideshow thing but after a while it's just gives too much of an unfinished vibe and I don't like on the rest of the site (e.g. with the photos examples of different colours and finishes).

7) Don't be afraid of some more colour - just one more even, perhaps a colored mouse over on ALL the menu and links and don't go for black on the grungy logo/font thingy?

8) The font used for the specifications on the pages for the instruments looks terrible, IMO. It's not clear enough or sharp enough and that huge swathe of white page just kills my eyes!

9) The little "distant firework" sound when you mouse over the thumbnails on "The Process" page? I just find it annoying, but maybe that's just being a little picky.

10) I'm a little scared by the reliance on flash content. A slow server somewhere along the line, no matter where, and if people have to wait too long you'll not just lose return web visitors, you'll lose customers you haven't had yet. ANY bad impression is a losing impression. How do content sensitive search engines (like Google) deal with all that flash? How often will the site updates be and is all that flash a problem if it's done in house?

I think that's about it. Others have mentioned the little text and image details (LOTS of clean up required before this goes public) and the lefty silhouette issue should be thought through too. But, all that said, and I apologise for writing a novel here, I STILL LOVE IT! I think you are going in a great direction and the over all concept and visual styling is strong.

It's very good. But it can still be great.

Now, after an hour and a half here, I'm gonna go and have an illicit cigarette in a dark room. My eyes are screwed by all the white!

Love yis all.

 

[mbgreene]

With respect to some other copy issues

On the history page -

"1986 Silhouette guitar designed unveiled" is awkward

The signature guitar introductions are referenced as Steve Morse signature model guitar, Edward Van Halen signature model guitar Albert Lee signature guitar, Luke guitar and Benji Madden Signature Model, respectively. You may want to consider consistency.

There is no reference to the introduction of the original John Petrucci Model

 

[GWDavis28]

There is no Benji Madden model on the instrument page. Also, I would think that his picture would be on the Artist page.

Glenn B)

 

[GWDavis28]

In the Media Gallery shouldn't the YouTube link take you to the EBMM videos, if so, it doesn't.

Glenn |B)

 

[DT1607]

guys, ofcourse its going to be slow right now.....

 

[Norrin Radd]

I can't get the "Instruments" link where the models come up to load at all in Safari - I just get the spinning circles infinitely. However, they load up just fine in Firefox (could just be some setting of mine - I don't know for sure).

I love the new site! Awesome - clean - easy - beautiful!!!

 

[Vito Porkleone]

Poppa, I dig it. Crisp and clean, and great photos. "The Process" section is very cool!

 

[poj]

Add EBMM wallpaper section in the new website too, please.

 

[Big Poppa]

dr kev is the first to get whacked...I didnt ask for your art direction WHat a pompous and arrogant thread go back and read the rules. I will password this in the mornning if the entitlemen t doesnt simmer downat you can critique this so heavily and not read the instructions. What did I ask for in the beginning.

Guess what...not everyone will like it tuff luc k

Drt Kev I really cannot believe that you didnt read my original thread but can make yourself my art director

the site is slow it is getting crashed on a temp server....get over it how many times do I have to explain

 

[roburado]

Another possible color sample issue

BP, I think that when I went to the AL page, the Pacific Blue Burst was actually Translucent Blue, but I could be wrong.

 

[roburado]

Viewing the site from home seems to have really improved my experience.

Looking at Trans Blue, I think that's Pacific Blue Burst, but I could be wrong.

So far, it's great, BP. Loving it.

 

[roburado]

In the history section, "Wilkenson" should read "Wilkinson."

Also, in history section, no mention of the 20th Anniversary Silhouette. No mention of the start of JP's association with EBMM. Just plugging some of my favorites for inclusion.

 

[mcvinyl]

Two thumbs up from me, a great improvement.

Pics took a while to load but that's expected with that amount.

Simon