Web Design for Bands

[Neil]

I also give you:

MySpace.com - N*E*R*D - Virginia Beach, Virginia - Alternative / Hip Hop / Rock - www.myspace.com/nerdofficial

Yeah, a much better example. I remember the Jimmy Eat World MySpace page being better but it looks a bit worse now for some reason.

[Kaizen]

Not crazy at all. Plenty of people make money from that either by selling their design services in exactly that way or by developing software that aids the MySpace page design process (I'm sure you've all seen the "MySpace page designed by such and such software" stamped over various pages).

Yeah i was being sarcastic. Just seemed like common sense with a million and a half people telling you that everyone looks at myspace pages now.

[Kaizen]

or, if your into flash (which every web designer should be these days) you could do something a bit more like these, LoveMyFlash / Flash Layouts

[Neil]

or, if your into flash (which every web designer should be these days) you could do something a bit more like these, LoveMyFlash / Flash Layouts

There is nothing wrong with using a little bit of Flash here and there, but making your web site's whole layout based on Flash is very bad idea IMHO. Flash might be popular but you shouldn't assume people have the Flash plug-in installed nor should you force them to install it in order to access your web site. Some people can't use Flash in their environment (some workplaces restrict what you can install for example) and some devices don't support Flash at all (the iPhone being a good example).

[Shakermaker]

Another problem with just having a myspace/social network site is a lot of companies block these sites.

We can't get on any social networking sites at my work, so if I'm online and trying to get info on a band I've got to use there official site, if they've got one!

[Kaizen]

There is nothing wrong with using a little bit of Flash here and there, but making your web site's whole layout based on Flash is very bad idea IMHO. Flash might be popular but you shouldn't assume people have the Flash plug-in installed nor should you force them to install it in order to access your web site. Some people can't use Flash in their environment (some workplaces restrict what you can install for example) and some devices don't support Flash at all (the iPhone being a good example).

You make a fair point there. You can always make alternate sites with an autolink. Like, if the device doesnt have flash plug-in installed, it autolinks to and html version of the site without all the bells and whistles?

[Guest Savant]

There is nothing wrong with using a little bit of Flash here and there, but making your web site's whole layout based on Flash is very bad idea IMHO. Flash might be popular but you shouldn't assume people have the Flash plug-in installed nor should you force them to install it in order to access your web site. Some people can't use Flash in their environment (some workplaces restrict what you can install for example) and some devices don't support Flash at all (the iPhone being a good example).

Not to mention Flash taking ages to load where some Javascript can be just as impressive/functional and lightweight.

[Kaizen]

Not to mention Flash taking ages to load where some Javascript can be just as impressive/functional and lightweight.

Flash uses javascript anyway. (well... actionscript, but pretty much the same thing) The only reason it feels like its taking ages to load is because it shows a loading bar whereas normal websites just load picture by picture. It doesnt really take much longer at all. especially if its well coded. But then im a bit of a flash fanboy, so i guess im biased.