The reason this site has been kept simple and fast loading has to do with a few of my (Chelle's) "pet peeves".

• Years ago it was a joy to surf the Net and explore the great info, and often spectacular graphics. Then came the Netscape "blink", an easy to implement monster that annoyingly made text blink. It was vastly overused by every novice that could figure out how to get a page online. And along with it they added HUGE byte graphics that took forever to load - right on their Main page!
• Then along came midi files for music. Those were enjoyable when the designer was bright enough to add them as a choice. But many just added it as embedded background music. Upon arriving at their site you are blasted with (often bad quality) music that you're unable to turn off. How rude and annoying! Because of the copyright issues I've stopped using pre-recorded midi files altogether. I DEEPLY respect the need for copyright. The thievery that does go on is akin to stealing you're neighbor's food from his mouth. I'm not interested in using the same copyright-free files every 10th site has, and I don't have the time or inclination to record original digital music. I simply enjoy listening to the music of my choice on CD as I surf.
• Now we have sites that are loaded down with banners and other ads that look like cheap TV commercials and load slowly. I wonder if those folks realize how many people just leave their site without ever seeing what is there because of the long load time. I think advertising can be done well without bombarding the viewer. I've put up with enough of that on television for years, I won't waste my time online with it.
• Guestbooks full of comments of a disgusting nature by juveniles (and that does not apply to an age group, but rather a mentality) are another of the goodies I can do without.
• And why in the world are people putting "counters" on their web sites? Counters can easily be manipulated, they slow load time, and what is the point? I think it would be far more interesting to have their bank account balance or something useful posted, but then lots of lying would probably go on about that too. :) If you want to know what your site generates in traffic, get Stats. If you want to impress people, create a good site.
• And why do people use backgrounds that make it impossible to read the text? I've yet to figure out the thinking behind that. I've noticed many of them look like old linoleum. Maybe it's a nostalgia thang, but I just can't work up a yearning for the sight of old linoleum.

      Evidentally I'm not the only one who is tired of banner ads and slow loading pages. Alta Vista has recently come out with a new search site, Raging.com, that opts for a fast load and simple design.

      In conclusion, I really do enjoy good music, pretty graphics and scans of photos. I just like to enjoy them where the site owner has the good sense to respect my time and preferences. Give me a Main page that has a decent load time where I can choose my options and the graphics used relate directly to the site. Give me a choice in my music, a choice in which pages I view (knowing some choices will lead to higher graphic content), and doesn't waste my time with useless ads or things that have zilch to do with the site. As you can see, I DO believe in advertising, but it can be done in a way that allows the viewer to choose the ads that interest them.

Site Directory

Home | Site Design with Hosting | Site Design | Advertising | About Us