Well, I've just finished a major redo of my digital photography site. I'm in need of some beta testers with some sharp eyes to give the site a once over and tell me if something goes wrong.

So if you've got the time and inclination please take a look at Digitalphotoguides.com and let me know about your opinions and any bugs you come across.

PS: If you find a problem please state:
What the problem was/what happened.
The page you were on/going to.
Your Browser type (IE, Firefox, Safari etc.)

Thanks!

It looks pretty good so far. One thing that bothers me is that you link directly to the index.html file for "Home." Just link to "/" instead.

Are you using any kind of CMS or template system? If you want your site to grow it is pretty much a necessity.

One feature that I like to see is a field-based search engine which would allow me to narrow down a list of candidate cameras by placing requirements on various fields like cost, image resolution, and batteries.

Thanks for the feedback Geri. I changed the Home URL, don't know what I was thinking.

I'm not using a CMS at the moment. I just can't find one that fits my needs and allows me to edit manually if I need to. My coding/scripting skills are extremely limited so I'm doing pretty much everything manually. I'm busy learning PHP and MySQL though so hopefully sometime soon that will improve.

You might want to try a wiki-type system. You don't have to allow everyone to edit the content, and it would allow you to easily template-ize your site and edit it through the browser.

I'll definitely look into it. Thanks for the tip. Any specific recommendations?

I've only ever used mediawiki (the program developed for wikipedia), but I don't know how to restrict the editing like I suggested. It is probably possible, but it is a very complex system.

When reading the section on propriety or standard batteries, the second to last sentence has a line running though it from the ad box. I don't know if that is fixable or not. I am not the sharp beta tester eyes you are looking for, but I like your site a lot. Good job KJ. Thanks ;=)
(using IE)

Oh, i really like that site...i didnt read the content tho.

For the header, would it be better to erase some of the "eos" which is right behind the site title. The word on top of a few letters is kindof confusing...but as we all know my opinion is messed up sometimes/all the time.

PS: ty for the history brush lesson...er, it was on your site (never read it b4).

It looks fantastic! Now whenever someone asks a question in the Photography forum we can just link them to it...

Great looking site KJ. Unlike many other sites, its not overwhelmed with ads and the content is easy to read/follow. I think Sam is right, your site would be a good goto for photo q&a.

Umm... I like the layout, and it works well with Opera, at least, but I'm not too fond of the orange. I would have used a blue or green... but that's just personal preferance.

In no particular order ...

Go here.

1) Gramatical/spelling error under header "Review: Picasa – Organize, edit ..."
"Especially, if like me, you just dump ..." ... 'If you are like me and you just ...' would be more proper.

2) Gramatical/spelling error under header "Conclusion: ...", second paragraph, first sentence ...I am pretty sure you mean 'leery' and not 'weary.'

3) Suggestion. Under "Edit and Create" ... Second paragraph, first sentence ... alternative ...'As well, you can easily zoom, ... .'


Next page, go to digital_camera_guides.

i) Under ... "Digital Cameras" (first 'box,' not intro) ... "Buying a digital camera" ...
suggested alternative opening sentence ... 'Buying a digital camera can be one of the most steps towards getting started in digital photography.'

ii) Under ... "Digital Camera Accessories" ... "Digital Camera Battery Guide" ... everywhere else you have used lower case letters in the header introducing the topic or subject matter to follow.

This is an instance where you capitalized. For continuity ... the suggestion here is change to 'Digital camera battery guide'

iii) Under ... "Computer Storage and Accessories" ... "Image storage options"

Instead of the second sentence which you have here; "Discusses magnetic storage and optical storage and explores which is best for various purposes."

Alternative ... 'Discusses magnetic storage and optical storage, and which is best suited to those options available to you.' (Somewhat redundant in the use of the word 'various.')


On the page; photography_tips ... again, you have inter-mixed the use of capitalizing words in the subsequent headers, intermittently.

Just a continuity check, that's all. I do understand that in the instances of listing, for example, Photoshop ... capitalizing would be correct.

a) Under "Colour to monochrome: 4 methods to black and white" ... missing a punctuation mark at the end of the second sentence.

Pages load quickly (IE version 6.0). Easy to read text. Nice layout.

Upon resizing the pages ... I did notice one thing ... the search field was pushed way, way down. Is it possible to address this ... by repositioning it? Under the top banners, or more preferrably, included in and beside "Home," "Photography Tips," "Camera Guides" and "Software" ... would be my choice.

'K, I'm done ... for now. *cues evil laugh* <-- j/k :oP

Hope this helps.

Your site has always been easy to navigate. I like the colour scheme this go round ... can't quite put my finger on the 'why' ... however, it is reminiscent to me of a what a high-end site should look like when it comes to cameras. *shrugs*

EDIT: Well, it would appear I need to proof my own words more carefully. Done and done.

..holy smokes...u know you spend too much time on caedes when you write a book as a comment!

Merely trying to be helpful ... 'tis all. :oP

Thank you all for your excellent advice.

Mimi: Which version of IE and resolution are you running at? I've tried but I can't seem to replicate the problem.

Purmusic: Wow! I'm stunned. That was above and beyond the call of duty. I appreciate it. I'll make the corrections as soon as I'm finished with my current project.

Thanks again to all.

This page ( http://www.digitalphotoguides.com/battery.html ) is where I found it KJ. I am using IE 6 and resolution is 1024x768. The line runs through the sentence ' will have a spare when needed (especially if '. Hope this helps you. I am unable to copy it for you.The line does not duplicate on "copy/paste". It is at the bottom of the ad box that is on the right and the bottom line of the ad runs directly through that sentence. ;=)
sorry, too late for granny to try to link tonite :(

I blame your ISP, charter.net Mimi. ;o)

Ok, I just opened up that page and, at least for me ... as I am also running IE version 6.0 at the moment ... it is fine.

As a suggestion Mimi ... you could take a screen capture and send it to KJ, if both of you so desire.

Look for "Prt Scr" above the keys, "Insert" ... "Home" ... "Page Up" .. and so on. Once you have located this key ... ensure that you have your browser window selected ... full-size and at the point where you notice the error (use the scroll at the sides, your mouse wheel whatever.)

Then hit the "Prt Scr" key ... and without doing anything else that might involve the copy n paste functions ... open Paint ... go to Start Menu > Programs > Accessories > Paint.

Once the app opens ... from the pull down menus ... choose/select ... Edit > Paste ... then save the image using the save function from the File menu. You can send it as an attachment in an email at this point.

To make life easier for KJ ... when you do go to save the image ... make sure you save it as a jpg. file. The default is bitmap, which can be quite a bit larger and no fun for dialuppers.

An amazing site...I like it, simply and easy...some constructive comments to new cameras and equipment!...I had no bother negotiating the site!....well done, and I wish you the best of luck in your endeavor!...........

Started reading through your site; very nice!! Great info. there I can put to use! Came across a couple typos on your "Flawless Flesh Tutorial" page. Under "Step 1" below the picture, sentence starting with "Make sure", the word "you" should be "your", and "fro" should be "from". If I come across anything else I'll let you know. The site loads quick, it's easy to navigate, & your tutorials are easy to follow. Good job & I'm adding it to my favorites!

Thanks so much Les for all the excellent advice and tutorial :)...I have followed your suggestion & it is headed that way as I type ;=)