Review my site http://civicsir.info please

It doesn't matter if you do all the error checking in the world, or if you have the most beautiful graphics, if your site or application design isn't usable, it's not going to do well. Get input and advice on usability and user interface issues here.

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no9t9
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Review my site http://civicsir.info please

Post by no9t9 »

I am new to website creation and I would like to get some constructive feedback on my site. colors? load times? layout?

http://civicsir.info

Also, if I would like to know how it looks on other browsers. So far I have tested it myself using firefox and ie.

thanks
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John Cartwright
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Post by John Cartwright »

I don't know about other people but I feel overwhelmed with ads....

I feel like I'm cheated on when I see Ads By Goooooogle...
but I feel like I'm trying to be sold instead of informed when I see it twice..

On a positive note, it is a good start. I would work on cleaning up your tables with better colors, spacing, alignment, and borders.


but you do have some good content. My rating: 6/10
no9t9
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Post by no9t9 »

just so I know, what browser are you using? the alignment atleast shouldn't be off.

Otherwise, i know it is a little crammed but I was also trying to fit it in an 800x600 window. I might get rid of the entire right side but i am still thinking about it.

I put those ads there to pay for my hosting. I am poor... :(
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John Cartwright
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Post by John Cartwright »

I'm on IE..

also I would like to say I was confused for a sec by your naviation, because of the links under it. You should make the links a lot more obvious..
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Weirdan
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Post by Weirdan »

Feedback sent by e-mail (security related)
no9t9
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Post by no9t9 »

Phenom Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 8:33 pm Post subject:

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I'm on IE..

also I would like to say I was confused for a sec by your naviation, because of the links under it. You should make the links a lot more obvious..
The alignment is off on IE? I don't see it. Also, what would you suggest to make it more obvious? Shoudl I just get rid of the links under the nav bar?
Weirdan Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 8:50 pm Post subject:

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Feedback sent by e-mail (security related)
I actually knew about that already but I didn't really think it posed much of a threat. Unless they could upload a file and run it using that. In any case, i kind of fixed it.
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John Cartwright
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Post by John Cartwright »

I was refering to centering the data in your tables to make it look less crowded so it wouldnt be touching the border
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Weirdan
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Post by Weirdan »

no9t9 wrote: I actually knew about that already but I didn't really think it posed much of a threat.
That did pose much of a threat as php is able to include remote files (have you ever tried to include("http://google.com/") :) )
no9t9 wrote:Unless they could upload a file...
...or place it anywhere on the Web ;)
no9t9 wrote: ... i kind of fixed it.
You haven't. Checking for strstr($load, 'php') is not an option.
no9t9
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Post by no9t9 »

Weirdan wrote:
no9t9 wrote: I actually knew about that already but I didn't really think it posed much of a threat.
That did pose much of a threat as php is able to include remote files (have you ever tried to include("http://google.com/") :) )
no9t9 wrote:Unless they could upload a file...
...or place it anywhere on the Web ;)
no9t9 wrote: ... i kind of fixed it.
You haven't. Checking for strstr($load, 'php') is not an option.
I think I got the problem licked now. But, this is my first website and I just learned PHP about 1 week ago... so, there may be some stuff i dont know...
no9t9
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Post by no9t9 »

I think someone has been trying to hack my site. They tried to execute a shell command using an uploaded php file.

I hope ur just testing the security of my site and not trying to mess things up.
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Weirdan
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Post by Weirdan »

no9t9 wrote: I think I got the problem licked now. But, this is my first website and I just learned PHP about 1 week ago... so, there may be some stuff i dont know...
Much better now. But you need to take a closer look at pictures.php. And turn off display_errors, it disclose sensitive information such as where is your site phisically located on server's hdd.
no9t9
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Post by no9t9 »

i saw the logs and already fixed it. thanks.

i was getting worried and was about to block the ip.

edit: also i realize, the ip can be changed easily by a hacker...
rehfeld
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Post by rehfeld »

personally, i dont like the background lines

the top sites links are way to small, and even more difficult to read because of the background

the top bar is also difficult to read, too small.

try chging to a font thats not so narrow, im guessing your using arial. try verdana

the site looks good, i just think it needs some tweaking to make the text more readable. not just the font, but maybe also choosing colors which contrast better.

other than that nice job
josh
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Post by josh »

Too many ads.. excellent for a "noob" though :-)

Instead of the free counter service you have why not make a php counter?
no9t9
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Post by no9t9 »

Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2004 6:09 pm Post by: rehfeld

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personally, i dont like the background lines

the top sites links are way to small, and even more difficult to read because of the background

the top bar is also difficult to read, too small.
you don't like the background lines? I made it so you can just barely see them. On the few computers i've tried my site on, some i can't even see the lines.

I know some of the fonts are small, the top sites, I dont really care about people seeing them or not. But, the menu bar should be readable.

Just so I know, what res and monitor size do you have?
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2004 6:18 pm Post by: jshpro2

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Too many ads.. excellent for a "noob" though

Instead of the free counter service you have why not make a php counter?
Well, I know the ads bother some people but I'm a poor guy and it basically pays for my hosting... :)

As for a php counter, I actually did make one and it is running but the free statcounter provides much more information (system, browser, visit length, etc.) no way I'm gonna progarm that myself when there is so many free ones out there. They actually don't require a link back, i just put it there cause they are nice enough to provide free service. But.... since i'm getting complaints... that is gone now.
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