Looking for ideas and content

[Enverex]

When talking to one of the job agencies recently I realised that I didn't really have a site to show what my web-programming abilities were like or anything to use as an example as Atomic Cabbage was a bit random (and partially illegal depending on how you view abandonware) and was using far too much bandwidth and Dragon Den is... a little unorthadox and I'd rather not have job agencies thinking I'm a crazy person...

Anyway, I decided to make up a site in which I or friends can post guides onto, not complex guides, more stuff that's likely to be useful to your mum or computer illiterate friend but I'm having trouble thinking up content. I've spent roughly a day designing and programming the site and I'm kinda happy(ish) with it now. Still can't really decide on a decent background, I think I may go with a pattern of some sort as white seems too... plain, grey looks... bad for some reason and other colours tend to look yak. Anyway, second use for the site was where I can put my sort of "hire us(me)" page aswell, would look far better on a professional looking site than just a business card.

So yeah, thoughts on the site itself and what sort of guides I could add? (it's currently too hot here to even think about thinking).

Erm, yeah, and nearly forgot the site itself, heh, it's just at http://tf.atomnet.co.uk while it's under development. Hell, may not even move it from there.

There's only one guide on there at the moment which I was lucky to remember writing else I'd have nothing to test out the layout of the guides section, heh.

[Enverex]

Hmm, thought somebody would have noticed this post by now. No ideas?

[Shorty]

Keep it simple but to the point with the content. If its to help make your CV look good, then content on what you did when you built it.

1. Programatically getting PHP to render valid xHTML
2. Changing CSS on the fly
3. The basics of Gentoo
4. Cross browser code tweaks to fix rendering problems
...

That's a few ideas there :)

[Enverex]

It's rather 2 seperate entities, it's not a fake site for the benefit of the CV, it's just an example to use on it. A properly actual operating site is what I was aiming for (which can then be referenced in the CV as it would look better). The ideas you've listed are slightly more complicated than I was aiming for, it's supposed to be more simple things for people that aren't techy.

[profdlp]

...stuff that's likely to be useful to your mum or computer illiterate friend...
A few things which most novices would likely find useful:

1) A simple guide to preventing SVT-type stuff, like using Spybot & Ad-Aware, (including the immunize feature), and keeping your AntiVirus program running properly. We all know how many people are competely ignorant in this area.

2) Simple word processing tools. Many people never get beyond using the default settings. Even something as simple as dressing up your document by using different fonts, font sizes, font colors, etc would be a revelation to many beginners.

3) A basic system maintenance guide, including things like running HD checks, scanning for viruses, defragging, blowing out the dust bunnies, testing RAM, etc.

4) Present a collection of useful freeware programs, along with a simple explanation of how to use them and what they are good for. Everybody likes something that's both useful and free. I've had paying customers tell me that they feel they got more than their money's worth from a repair job just from all the neat free stuff I directed them to.

I'm sure I can think of more. Let me know if any of the ideas I've mentioned are headed in the direction you want to go with this. :)

[Enverex]

Thanks Prof, those are some good ideas for the content, I'll be sure to start writing things up when it's cooled down enough that my brain reforms from melted goo :/

Any comments on the layout/style etc? (Need to view it with Firefox, there are some issues which make the bars on the left look bad with IE, but I can't see anything wrong with the code so I'm assuming it's IE crapness).

[Enverex]

How's this? http://tf.atomnet.co.uk/?page=guidedisplay&id=3
It came out a little long (heh, wish I could type Essays back at University that fast) but I think it should be comprehensive enough for someone so that they wont end up getting lost. I'm tempted to add pictures but trying to figure out an easy way to do it with a backend (at the moment it's purely entering all that, including the thumb image on the right, into a simple backend to the database, i.e. via multiple fields and such, adding images to the body would mean uploading something that isn't uniform...).

Hmm, ponderence.

[GHoosdum]

I like the layout of the site. It is very easily navigable and useable. The default text size might be too small for grandma to read, but I was able to upsize it about nine times without violating your style sheet too badly.

I recommend adding a guide on how to perform non-intuitive but simple tasks in Excel. For instance, one of my coworkers is absolutely stumped when it's time to perform a text-to-columns.

[slipxaway]

If your looking for simple guides for non-tech people, I'd start with basic component installation guides. I.e. how to install memory, video cards, HD, etc... This is something that a non-tech person who wants to venture into the foray of PC Hardware may find useful.

[Enverex]

I was thinking about that but there's such a wide variety of every component involved that the guide would either have to be extremely specific and thus obscenely long, or rather vague. Middleground?

[GHoosdum]

I'd recommend specific installation instructional guides (basic steps) for the most commonly replaced/upgraded components: RAM, HDD, Video/expansion card. That keeps them to a relatively low number, but probably having the highest overall value.

[profdlp]

...the guide would either have to be extremely specific and thus obscenely long, or rather vague. Middleground?
I'd go for "vague", keeping in mind that many beginners think of their HD as the "memory". If you can show them how to find the right part and get them to put it (right-way-'round) in the right slot you will have accomplished something.

[Enverex]

I meant for say, RAM, due to the different number of cases, layouts, etc, but it wouldn't be too bad would it now that I rethink it. They just need to use a little common sense... *s*******

[Sledgehammer70]

you could use my Causal Gamer Guide :) to fill in some sapce.

[GHoosdum]

Technically the article is the property of Short-Media now that it's published - you'd best clear that with Brian/Dan.

[Enverex]

Technically the article is the property of Short-Media now that it's published - you'd best clear that with Brian/Dan.

Heh, that's why I don't submit anything I do.
Don't worry about it anyway, but I appreciate the offer.

[Sledgehammer70]

:) true SM does own my soul and anything it produces..

[GHoosdum]

:) true SM does own my soul and anything ot produces..

I think that statement gets you the award for most trusting forum member ever! ;)


Back on topic, Ben - I really like the way you've built your site, and I think it is shaping up to be a gem for your CV.