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Review
Page: Ace56's Nirvana page
Reviewer: Robert Brooks
Date: July 19, 1999
Introduction
It's been a while since I've visited this site, not a lot has changed for it's interface. However I'm jumping to conclusions already that it has updated it's content quite a bit. Am I right? Let's find out.
Connectivity Test
Modem: US Robotics 56K Winmodem
Connected at 34.6k bps
"Welcome" pages is not part of the test.
Netscape Navigator downloaded the page completely in about 1:00+ seconds, while Internet Explorer downloaded the page completely in about 1:00+ seconds.
Explanation: There's a lot of reasons why the download time could be like this: browser cache, server speed, network speed, or whatever. Still, download times are usually higher with frames than without, because it has to load pages in the number of frames you have. Frames are like a whole different page. There's a lot of activity within the page: images, scrolling text, etc.
Interface
The page still keeps the frames. I do not know why the author keeps the frames, but, frames are easier to maintain than tables if you're not careful. The page looks okay, but the frames, for a lot of people, are not the best thing. There are three frames: one in the center, one towards to the left, and one up on the top. The basic color of the page is yellow and black, with the ocassional blue; which all blends in quite nicely. The page looks fantastic in my resolution, and probably will in just about any resolution above 600x400. It looks the same in most browsers.
My Suggestions: I've been trying to kill frames for the longest time, and although I know that frames can serve a purpose to some extent, they should rarely be used for something that is more useful. As a rule of thumb, don't use frames on the main page if you can. If you can't live without frames, either you seek professional help or you can make it more useful. You can use a frame in the way like some pages have it. But there are so many options.The Site's Content
It is a theory that the less variety of content a site has, the more original it actually is. Although that theory has not been proven yet, would this site help support that theory?
Multimedia - a) Tabs: has the first five albums, including rare songs. Nothing special here, just the regular ol' stuff. b) Pictures: There are about 60 thumbnails, all in different sizes in two pages. I strongly recommend having them them the same size for easier viewing. It does take a little while to load, however. c) Lyrics - Basically the same format as the tabs, expect this time it is lyrics. d) Sounds - members only. Sounds good. e) Movies - 32 files in all. From a good variety of sources, but there seems to be nothing new. f) MIDI - 39 files in all, mainly from the first 3 albums. g) TV Listings - Appeareances of Nirvana on tv that the webmaster saw. I recommend finding a site that will have things on tv that will show Nirvana.
Concert Info - a) Chronology v. 0.4 b) Bootleg Info: a direct link to The Trader's Guide To Nirvana, a comprehensive source for information about bootlegs, etc. c) Webmaster's bootlegs: view the webmaster's list of bootlegs at this section
Fun Stuff - Some of these sections don't require detail, namely: a chatroom, polls, win an award, and banner exchange. The only two sections that require some information is the games section: name that tune and a quiz; the other section is FAQs: Kurt's and Krist's equipment FAQs. Where's Dave's?
Links - You can view the variety of links in banner form or text. There is also the HTML code for the site's banner as well. The banner section has gotten so big that it was "forced to make another section."
Other - a) News - A little bit outdated, but news nonetheless. b) Kurt's Vigil: a section dedicated to the vigal held for Kurt two days after his death. c) Dictionary - A list of Nirvana's song and their meanings -- should be put in the multimedia section if it relates to songs. d) Kurt tribute e) Facts: a short-hand version of the Nirvana timeline. f) Movies Nirvana appeared in. g) Webrings the site is affiliated with. h) Album reviews: reviews of Nirvana's albums from www.spree.com
Conclusion
Ace56 has managed to keep it's site fresh somewhat, but it hasn't improved too dramatically, but I do see gradual changes somewhat. There's a lot of sections on this site, including some original ones. All it needs to do is to pursue those original sections that will make it different than other Nirvana sites. The inteface is fine, but a lot of people may be turned off by it. Overall, a fantastic site.
Visit: Ace56's Nirvana site
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