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Grunger's Corner

Last updated: December 10, 1998 @ 5:21 PM EST
Reviewed on: July 23rd, 1998 @ 5:11 PM EST

Update

Not really a lot has changed as far as graphics are concerned.  The main page is still the same, only a few variations, though.   For example, the table has changed a little bit.  This review will not be so thorough, I hope to run through things but not miss the important stuff -- again I remind you this page has not changed much since the recent October review.

You can buy 2 tapes for $7.00 (U.S. currency), or 3 for $10.00, this offer is valid until January 1, 1999.  As always, the bootleg section is growing.  There is a games section, also.  Here you will find a gibberish game, which is really neat to play.  In addition, you have a total of three slider puzzles. Other games include a word search, a [tough] quiz, musical add-on to games like Doom. Grunger's Designs have not changed all that much.  The most that you would have to pay for would be only $30.00.  Which is not really that bad considering that some folks make a living out of it.  There is a slight text problem in the section 1967-1994, most of the text does not work unless you highlight it. Basically what you have there is stuff related to Kurt's suicide/death.  Including: note picture/text, Courtney's speech, picture of Kurt lying in the greenhouse, and Kurt's obituary.

All the sections in the picture gallery remain the same, however, there are a total of more than 352 pictures that have been added.  The sound gallery has changed a bit, too.  Now it has 352 clips.  The individual sections are: bootleg samples, MIDI's, early demo versions, real audio clips, wav. clips, interviews and talking, and tools.  Just a reminder, all songs are 30-40 seconds in length.  But it is worth the look.   Also something that I found interesting was a page called Kurt's hair.   I am not sure if I mentioned it before...but what it has is information and pictures about Kurt's hair and how it's style has changed from time to time.

The page has done an excellent job with updating.  Nothing major, but that is to be expected.  As long as it is updating that's the good thing.  Furthermore, none of the quality of this page has been lost.   This will probably be the last review for Grunger's Corner for 1998.   I believe I have reviewed it 4 to 6 times.  This site looks like it will do an impressive job for the Top Reviewed Sites of 1998. :)

Update

This is probably one of the few sites that's review gets updated at least once a month. Considering how much this page has changed since I first reviewed it, it has become quite successful. Has the graphics changed at all since the last update? A little. If you remember from the last review or two there was a box at the top of the screen, or an image map, a source as to where you want to go. Now Grunger has added yet another image map. A small one on the left side, you click on one that leads you to the main page, the other one to the 'Updates.' There's also a poll that asks you what you think about Geffen and it's attacks on sound files.

Click on image to inlarge screenshot

Another significant difference is the fact that when you move your cursor over the top image map, the words get blurry. It looks cool, but I would rather have it "glow." One of the growing additions to Grungers Corner is the bootlegs. He has plenty on the way, and a few of them. If your just getting started out you might want to go to this page, he only sells them for $4.50 (U.S). Some things have changed for Grunger's Designs, however. The quality of their work remains the same, however there is a little money involved. Here's a complete listing of the services and the prices for them:

@ Grunger's Corner

As for the 1967-94 section, a dedication to Kurt. Ben does a fine job at it. He has the note scanned and typed up, the Cournty speech (.AU) and Krist's speech also. The picture of Kurt's body is not found. I was really surprised to see what Ben did with the multimedia. First, in the video section, there are over 42 files on his server. If that wasn't enough, he literally has the whole 'Live! Tonight! Sold Out!' movie, separated by songs. Most of the videos are in QuickTime so you can view them much easier. In all of the sections, each picture is in small form (not thumbnail) for quicker download time. It also have a LTSO section, two actually. Here is a complete run-down for the sections:

• Miscellaneous - 9 pictures
• Animations - 14 animations
• Tour Posters - 8 pictures
• Kurt Pictures - 75 pictures (html code @ page #5 was "not showing.")
• Krist Pictures - 6 pictures. I wish there were at least twenty pictures.
• Dave Pictures - 9 pictures
• 'Live! Tonight! Sold Out!' - 38 pictures
• Band Pictures - 40 pictures

Most of the pictures in this section are pretty good quality and some are rare. In the Miscellaneous section, I just wanted to point your attention to the section that has "every song" listed -- which would be cool to have lyrics links available. The magazine articles (some have the covers) is still an interesting section. The text for Kurdt Kobain was not found. Then you also have a comprehensive FAQ section containing the most FAQs I've seen on a page. You also have a section to voice your opinion on whether Kurt killed himself or was murdered. Just a few things from that section. Then you have webrings that Grunger's Corner is part of and then a WWWBoard to post your messages on.

Conclusion

Well, what can I say?  The page is still doing a great job bringing back people. Why? The formula is simple but the work is hard, put it this way: Multimedia + Conents + Nice graphics + Originaility = Good site. Does this page have this formula? Yes. I hope that it doesn't get too much pride over it's sucess and fall...like *cough* Smiley's page *cough*

Update

• Games - Added a new game called the 'Gibberish Game.' In addition, to that, the slider puzzles were fixed. There are also Add-on music or games like 'Doom' and 'War Craft.'
• Pictures - Added 100 more pictures, in total 300 pictures. Created new sections including on with 'Live! Tonight! Sold Out!' pictures.

As for other things such as graphics, it has remained the same. It has fixed some of the files. More over, it has fixed the tabs which seemed to be a problem, you will find that in the review below. The 1st Aniversary of Grunger's Corner is coming soon. Congratulations!

It's been a while since I have updated the review to Grunger's Corner. What has this page been up to during that time period? Most noticeably, a new domain name: www.gruners-corner.com. Secondly, the format and graphics on the page. Let's have a further look:

The main page is nothing special, that is, if you are looking for the content (which is on the top frame, which is invisible). It has News and Updates, the number of hits and a 'Song of the Month.' Which can be downloaded into a wav. file.

Awards: the awards the page has won and the award you can win for your own page. Those are basically the two options you have when you go to the 'Awards' section. Grunger's Corner has it's own Nirvana/Metallica banner exchange. You will find information about joining the exchange, a FAQ, HTML code for it and credits as well. Next you will find a chat room where you enter your name and you are in the chat -- very simple chat room.

Games! But not those child-hood games such as 'Duck, duck, goose.' More over, Nirvana games which consists of slider puzzles (three of them, the first one is broken); word search; quiz; and a computer game, however the 'file was not found on this server.' The Quiz is very hard, so take your time on that.

As for the Guestbook, you'll be able to sign, view (in addition to the old one). Have a page but you want it to 'look like those other guys'? Well look no further than 'Grunger's Designs.' Here they will help you with HTML, build you banners and logos, and also tips. It is very helpful if you do not understand and have full knowledge of HTML. Several pages that I have reviewed have had this help, and it certainly makes their pages look good.

1967-1994, a section about Kurt Cobain. He gives you 'his thoughts' on an issue. Furthermore, he provides you with pictures and sound files: pictures of the note, his body, and sound files of Courtney reading it, and a little more. As for the links, you will find a way you can add his banner to your page, and a way to add yours to his. I found that there are a few broken links for the banners, including broken banners. However to my knowledge this page has moved, and therefore not everything is perfect.

The mailing list area will automatically take you to the main page, where it has mailing list information. The Miscellaneous section really contains articles from around the Internet -- a good collection nonetheless, and if you have the time to read them, I promise you that you will be glad you did so.

Multimedia...twenty-one video files, three files (Windows 95 startup/shutdown screens, onyx and Incesticide fonts). The next section is called 'Texts.' First, the FAQs, a large collection. To name a few: Concert Chronology, bootleg discography, and a Dave Grohl Drum FAQ. Let me repeat myself: a Dave Grohl FAQ. Now I just have to wait for the Krist FAQ. Anyway, these are just a few out of what seems to be a great collection. You will find guitar tabs for all the albums and rare songs (except Hormoaning). I found the tabs hard to read due to the dark red-text and the black background. The lyrics (same selection as the tabs), are a little better on the part on how readable the text is. As for the articles section, (or Nirvana & magazines), you will find a few covers of the magazine and the articles, sometimes it has it where you have to click on it to view the article. Good selection of articles but not the most I have seen before. Nonetheless there is one I have not seen.

Am I seeing double? Obviously not. The 'Misc.' section is repeated twice. First, on the top frame, secondly, in the 'Text' section. Next in the Text section are poems donated by fans...a great collection and it defiantly shows how different people feel. The topic is mostly on Kurt's death and the influence they had on them. Speaking of opinions, you'll find people's opinions on 'The Debate,' in the section 'Murder or Not?'  Finally, in the Text section, you will see website reviews of other Nirvana pages. Graded A to F, sort of like in school. ;) Not much here but it is growing.

You'll find almost any Nirvana webring you can think of in the 'Webrings' section. It has so much it has a second page for them. Next is a WP3 board where you can post your opinions on any given topic, for those of you whom are tired of alt.music.nirvana.

Conclusion

It's growing. The page is basically good in the 'Text' section and the 'Misc.' section as well. I found Grunger's Designs to be a helpful addition to any website, and very few pages out there offer help for free. I found some missing files and links (including broken banners). The grammar needs some work but that is not the most important thing in the world.

All in all, I think this page great and I hope it works on what it needs to. It has improved superbly on the graphics.