CDM_galaxy

sample index page

For this design, I tried to keep the content and organization as similar to the existing page as possible, while changing the color scheme to remind me more of the night sky. I also aimed to limit the XHTML code to logical semantics, placing all style information in the stylesheet. This allows the page to be viewed and navigated easily in non-graphical browsers, such as text browsers and screen readers, and also allows future style changes to be made without editing the HTML at all. My page successfully validates as XHTML 1.0 Strict and CSS 2.1. Furthermore, the page adjusts well to user-selected font sizes. I have tested the design in a number of different browsers, and the results are available at http://cdmuhlb.student.umd.edu/public/observatory/screenshots/ .

SY_SolarSystem

sample index page

SY_AstroTerp

sample index page

CDM_nebula

sample index page

For this design, I've tried not to crowd too much content onto the entry page, and instead have it look open and attractive. The color scheme resembles some of ESA's websites (not really intentionally, that's just what color the image of the "Mountains of Creation" happened to be). I've removed some of the content that was on the original page, but it can easily be added back either on the right or at the bottom. I would suggest not placing the Clear Sky Clock on the home page, because it takes extra time to load, and a home page should load the fastest of any page on a site.
This page is slightly wider than the original, but I think most people's browsers at their default font setting should have no problem displaying it. It also adjusts nicely to different font settings, and if extra-extra-large fonts make the page too wide, it nicely moves some content below other elements, so the page is still very usable and attractive. This version is also slightly more IE-friendly, and every element renders correctly in every browser I've tried it on (Firefox, Konqueror, Opera, Safari, Internet Explorer, Lynx - see http://cdmuhlb.student.umd.edu/public/observatory/screenshots/ ). Once again, the markup is purely semantic and not stylistic, and validates as XHTML 1.0 Strict.

SY_Ultra_MD

sample index page

This one comes with some comments. First, notice how the main area and the quick info area have scroll bars? Well, the same thing will happen in the announcement area if the amount written exceeds the allotted space. Second, the navigation area will hold sub-menus as well (I tried to give an example of how this could be done by making up a HOME area sub-menu, but it will look better with more links added). Third, the design is image heavy, but since the graphics are completely independent of the user's location on the website (anything location dependent is done with text), the user will only have to load the graphics once. After the graphics are in the user's cache, loading for every other section of the website should be very quick.

CJ_astro

sample index page

On behalf of my group I'm submitting our vision of UMD's new observatory home page titled "Saturn."
We wanted the Observatory to have a sleek, modern looking home page that would attract more viewers. Our inspiration was an image of Saturn we found on NASA's image gallery. Having Saturn break out of the header box a little gives the page a more fluid look instead of just boxes of text. We also thought that bringing a warm color into the page would make it feel more inviting. As far as the layout of the text goes we like the side bar indicating important dates. We do feel that the web site would benefit from further organization. For example there are multiple pages with access to images. It would help organize the web page if the gallery link gave you access to all image links with headers descriding [sic] each set for example one set indicated as images taken by telescopes at your facility, one set perhaps showing a tour of equipment available at the observatory, another for images from events, and maybe another linking to NASA images or your image of the day. Also, for long pages of text with a good deal of information it might be helpful to have links at the top of that page that highlight each topic so viewers can quickly be taken to their topic of interest. This would also assist users with an motor disabilities.

MJ_website

sample index page

On Sunday night, I happened to wander by the UMD Observatory website, and I saw that you needed a new one. I've thrown one together, but I'll admit that I'm a little out of practice with web design. (It's been 2ish years since I made my last one) I've included a .zip file as an attachment which contains the page I've created. The entire site should validate as XHTML 1.0 Strict with the W3C validator. There are some 'warnings' on the stylesheet, but I really don't think they'll be a problem. Unfortunately, I do know there are at least four flaws with the site:
1) The menus don't display properly in Microsoft Internet Explorer. They're perfectly fine in Mozilla Firefox, and I'm not yet sure why they display differently. The menus are still quite functional in both browsers, but they don't look quite as clean in IE. I'm working on a solution, but no guarantees.
2) The image at the bottom of the page doesn't seem to want to line all of its elements up properly, and I didn't have time to fiddle with it.
3) The banner image could use a border around each letter to distinguish them from the background image, but I didn't have time.
4) I just realized that I forgot to include a link to the 'Operations' and 'UM Astronomy Resources' pages. I intended to add them, but I forgot until I started writing this email. They're not too difficult to add, and a different location may not be a bad idea anyway.
As far as suggestions go, I really just have one. As a matter of practice, it's considered bad form to include links in the side-navigation bars which link to other subdivisions of the site. The reason for this is that your side-navigation bar changes to contain different items when you click on the link, which can be generally bad for navigation, especially for new visitors. Instead, by forcing the visitor to click on one of the main navigation items to find what they're looking for, you get them to see more of your site at the expense of slowing them down very slightly. And of course, this also makes it more convenient in general, because then visitors know when the side-navigation bar will change, rather than having it change seemingly at random. The menu system I've included in my site design could also help to eliminate some of the inconvenience created by this suggestion