CricketMX.com

I have been tasked with redesigning my units website. I have just started and I need some help in a couple of areas. First, visit this site http://usmc2100.apg.army.mil/ and look at what I have to deal with.

Second. The bursting bomb image needs to be fixed. I am not good with graphics so anyone with Photoshop skills wants to help clean that pic up please do so. I will appreciate it greatly. The image looks like it was resized without regard to look. I have no idea where the origional image is.

Third. The part of the site that says "ORDNANCE MAINTENANCE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE". I would like that to be a nice image insted of <h1> text. I was thinking of something plain, not to flashy, flanked by Eagle Globe and Anchors (The Marine Corps Emblem)

Fourth. I am having layout difficulty. There is some mandatory javascripts that must be run. I am trying to set it up in a more efficient manner (IMHO) but I am having trouble getting it to do what I want. I set up a table with 2 rows and 2 colums. The second row spans the two colums. I am trying to fit the navagation bar in the bottom row but it refuses. I know nothing about javascripts so this may be where I am having the trouble. http://www.grinchynet.net/index1.html is what it looks like at the moment. if it looks right when you view it that means I fixed it. Here is the current code: The code isn't clean right now and I will fix that once the layout works. If you have any ideas please let me know.

I have a ton of regulations to uphold to so the site won't be all that attractive but I will make it look a lot better than what it does now.

Thanks in advance for the help.

1st. In my opinion the image is buggered. I tried cleaning it up a bit but it's really no better (See below). Ask whoever set you the task for a better image or a pinted version to scan.

2nd. I'm not your man for the job... try to get hold of nutz cos he's great with graphics tools - he may even be able to clean up the bomb for you.

3rd. I'm also not sure where javascript is concerned but you can still fiddle with the table a bit. Some browsers assume a row height if it has been specified in one cell.... lose it. Let the cells auto size. Also on that point, you might consider changing from absolute pixel values to width percentages so your first column could be <td width = "25%"> or something like that. That will stop the table from looking too tiny on monitors set at higher resolution.

4th: You aren't using Frontpage or Dreamweaver to make this page are you? Because that problem that you linked to on your site does appear to be a typical Dreamweaver / Frontpage problem.

Try after:

<td width="198" height="80"><img src="images/marinesega1.jpg" width="198" height="80"></td>

Adding:

<br />

Or as many <br>'s as you think is necessary. <br> will create a new line, same as pressing your enter button when writing a post

Considering who will mostly view this site, the screen resolutions at a maximum will be 1024x768 so the absolute table sizes will work. I'll play around with using percentages.

The javascript is really pissing me off. No matter where I put the script, it always puts it in the position it currently is in. Something is weird with it.

I'll try to get a better image to work with.

I really dislike trying to unbugger someone elses work, especially when they used FrontPage to build it. I also dislike having regulations to follow. It makes it difficult to be really creative.

What are the regulations you need to follow (if you can post them?), you may be able to simply start from the ground up, and still abide by the regulations.

Battye beat me to it. I was thinking it would be easier to just start over. The page doesn't look like it should be too complicated.

I am starting from scratch.
I am using Dreamweaver. I'll try the <br> and see if that works.
The regs are pretty straight forward. I have to use a predefined CSS, the logo, the banner and the java navigation script. I need to read into the regs a bit more to see what isn't allowed. I'm pretty sure I can rewrite the navigation bar as long as I utilize the same links. I'm trying to work on it now but all I have to work with is FP and I really dislike FP. But I was just authorized to install my "purchased" version of Dreamweaver on my machine so that helps.

I guess I could code it by hand and see how that goes but I have a feeling that I will run into the same problem. I only utilize Dreamweaver for an initial layout and then most of the editing is done by hand.

grinch2171 wrote:The javascript is really pissing me off. No matter where I put the script, it always puts it in the position it currently is in. Something is weird with it.

The problem probably lies here: as the size and positioning of the output is probably embedded in the script. Take a look in there if you can.

I figured out how this javascript works.

HM_Loader.js calls upon an array called HM_Array.js. In the array is where you set your position values. The problem with this is you have to use values in pixels. At the moment I have the menu positioned where I want it, the problem is if I change screen resolutions it messes the whole thing up. So I am going to have to rewrite the menu so I can position it wherever I want without worry of screen resolution sizes. Pain in the ass I tell ya. Oh well, I learned a ***** load of info by researching this. Thanks to those who offered suggestions.

Well, I am quite proud of myself. I rebuilt the origional navigation bar, it still needs some work but it is almost complete. But what I am really proud of is my other navigation bar. Only a few of the links actually work but the appearance of it is what I am proud of it. The links will take a little to complete. If you want to take a gander at it you can at http://www.grinchynet.net The index page isn't done yet but I did find a better pictur to use. Please offer your suggestions and comments about my nav bar.

Looking good, Grinch.
Umm... I thought grinchynet was no more???

Just the tracker is no more. I own the domain name. However, I see the tracker coming alive again in the near future.

FINALLY!!! I am done with this friggin project. You all can take a gander at the 99.9% complete site (still waiting on some info for 3 pages). Some of the stuff you cannot access unless you are on a military network (.mil users). Someone deemed it sensitive but I do not, oh well. Please throw your critiques at me. Hopefully, I will present it to the commanding officer tomorrow for his review and then make the changes he wants.The site will remain at my domain until the final approval.

http://www.grinchynet.net

Excellent work grinch. It's a really professional looking job. Congratulations.

Have you got any feedback from management yet Grinch?
I thought you did a fine job
I hope you've been given a promotion!