PixInsight Forum (historical)
PixInsight => General => Off-topic => Topic started by: Simon Hicks on 2009 October 01 12:46:18
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Hi all,
Carlos said we should start a new thread for homepage suggestions.....so its all his fault! :D
Please take the following as just my suggestions....which are in no way meant to be criticisms. I'm just trying to get the ideas flowing.
I think the first thing to try to work out is what message the website is trying to convey. I think its supposed to be about PixInsight. But its not clear....it seems to be about Pleiades and a Spanish software development company. It doesn't seem to mention astrophotography processing anywhere prominant. I can remember the very first time I came across this site....I thought it was some university based organisation project. It was only when I went back to it for about the third time that I realised there was something I could download and was aimed at me. The upfront talk of "Open-Architecture Image Processing Platform" and "Advanced Development Framework" frankly scared me off! :o
Don't get me wrong, the above is all very important and needs to be on the site....but its not the main message. So what is the main message?
I think the main message is something like "PixInsight - Cutting Edge Astronomical Image Processing Software". Then some major features / benefits....maybe just five. Then some words saying that this is more than just static software...its a dynamic collaboration between like minded astrophotographers (amateur and professional) who are pushing the bounds of astronomical image processing using the most powerful tools available, that new tools are being created continuously by an ever growing community and that if you download the software you can become part of this project (I hate the word 'project' but I can't think of a better one right now).
That might be all you need on the homepage. Then have links to other pages....Features / Benefits, The Core, How Can I Join In (PCL Framework), The Roadmap, Recent Developments (Recent Processes, New Scripts, etc), The WIKI, Pleiades Astrophoto, Downloads, etc.
The more I look at the site I think that most of the information is there, it just isn't clear on the Homepage. Its got too much cluttered info which detracts from the main message. If the homepage was revamped, and maybe the menu structure / order changed along the side, then this would help a lot.
That's my two pennies worth.
Cheers
Simon
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I like the way you think Simmon.
The web page looks nice and has some great stuff on it.
However, it does not read like PI is trying to sell software very hard.
I think PI needs to blow their own horn a bit harder
Max
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Hi Simon
I like the way you think ;)
As you say the current wording , puts people of because of the almost over techy word use and adds to the view
that only people who practice in the black arts can use PI. >:D
I do not to dumb down PI , but up front it wants to show tools / results ( yes pretty pics) and once inside Juan can get more techy
Regards Trainee wizard Harry
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The approach used by other software, by showing a typical program screenshot, obviously with a stunning photo in it, usually works. I'm thinking DSS or Neb2.
Fabio
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Fabio, the good thing about the DSS homepage is that in one sentence and four bullet points it tells you exactly what it is and who its aimed at. One more sentence tells you how to use it. Job done, message conveyed.....now I'm hooked!
And the concise punchy message gives room, like you say, for a nice graphic.
Max, I agree that it doesn't look like PI is being pushed too hard on the homepage. My guess is that this is partly historical and partly because Juan is far too modest about how good the software really is and what he has achieved. I wonder if it would be easier if 'we' (i.e. a bunch of users) came up with the real unashamedly marketing hype.....and then test it by seeing if Juan can deny it. :D If he can't deny it then its true and valid! (maybe)
I think the StarkLabs homepage does a good job of selling itself. Again a concise message at the top and a catchy one line description under the title that immediately tells you what you are looking at. The homepage is probably a bit cluttered after that.....the News Item could just be a 'Read More' button....but that's probably just personal taste.
Thanks for the response guys...after posting last night I was worried that the post might be taken the wrong way....maybe as moaning and interfering. I hope Juan does not take it that way because its really not meant that way.
Cheers
Simon
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I think that this thread is going really well :) thumbs up :D
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I think a couple of show case images displayed with a "before/after" shot (with the before using the STF so that base image can be seen), with a link that shows the individual steps used (no need to go into the full details). I would include a couple of "quick amateur" images as well. The "before" image would be right after integration. The steps used page would simply show the names of the processes used with the results of of each individual process. These would not be the processing examples or the tutorials, but simply "here is what PI can do with an image"
And since you are asking for some front page suggestions, I would like to toss out a suggestion for a wiki to augment the forum.
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Hi Cheyenne,
The Wiki idea is getting a lot of support on some of the other threads......e.g.
http://pixinsight.com/forum/index.php?topic=1452.0 (http://pixinsight.com/forum/index.php?topic=1452.0)
And it sounds like Juan is up for it.
I agree....its a great idea. 8)
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I have to agree as well Simon - in fact, for a LONG time I never really 'got into' PixInsight (pre 'core', LE only) because the website would NOT LOAD on my version of Internet Explorer >:(
That is pretty much unacceptable for a website - it really should be accessible on ALL types of browser. (I did eventually upgrade, simply because I just couldn't access the data that I knew was there, having seen it on my neighbour's PC. It seems that ALL of my recent PC upgrades are directly related to PI in one way or another !!)
However - how can Juan be expected to support a major revamp of the website as well as create all the stunning new developments we yearn for in PI itself ???
Is there scope for some of 'us' (by which I mean 'you', because my abilities stop at 'plain old' HTML :sad:) to support him?
Could those with the necessary experience help create a 'parallel website' that could be tested, by Juan and others, before it was released to the public?
The only problem I see is that resources are now being channeled in three directions: Software Development, the WebSite, and a possible Wiki. And, somehow, poor Juan has to oversee ALL of these (remember he has already cancelled Christmas this year, barely suceeding in convincing his family that Santa Claus got made redundant due to the Credit Crisis)
Cheers,
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Hi Niall,
Lucky for you that you have a fellow PI user and astronomer next door huh!
I agree....I want Juan to concentrate on PI development as well. I think there are others who have suggested that they have great experience with WIKI creation.....so maybe with Juan's overriding management maybe they could do that and ease the burden from him. Unfortunately I know nothing about WIKIs.....if only there was a website that you could look up information on such things....maybe some sort of WIKI would help? :D
But I think lots of us can have a stab at a webpage layout / look / feel etc and help out on that front. Even if it just got the ideas straight then it would be a big time saver for Juan. And as I've said on one of the other threads I think that 90% of the material already exists on the site, it just needs a complete revamp of the structure / layout etc and a real focus on a concise hardhitting message that pushes PI.
So I think your idea of a parallel development by the users is a good idea. I would suggest it would be easiest if we just created minisites on our own webspaces and put links to them on the forum for comments etc. I think that a good percentage of the people here have their own websites so I guess we can all do the basics....at least enough to test ideas and layouts....rough and ready drafts.
Juan can bin all the ideas if he wishes....but hopefully it will give him some inspiration for a full site revamp and save him a lot of time trying out different ideas. Its his call though.....so we need to hear his views on this.....hint, hint. ;)
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If anybody wants to upload a "mirror" site, for evaluation, you may send it to me (carlos dot milovic at pixinsight dot you know what). I may create a folder under the pteam domain for it.
PS: Niall... why don't you use Firefox? ;)
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Hi Carlos,
If you are offering to host all these for comparison then I'd like to have a go....I've already put my foot in my mouth by expressing an opinion....so the least I should do is follow through. :D
But I would really want others to have a go as well. So please fire through ideas.
By the way....I'm up to my eyeballs in work at the moment....so I won't be able to supply anything till maybe the weekend at the earliest.
Cheers
Simon
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Yes, I'm offering host ;) at pixinsight's server :D but, as I said, under the pteam domain, in a special folder.
We'll be waiting yours ;) (I'll sunk again writing code).
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Hi Simon (By the way im the guy next door to Niall , Alex ie Esraguin.)
The first time i went to the site, I was thinking it was way over my head stuff ,but soon a bit of digging here and there started to get me interested in some of the processes involved,so i like to tell as many people as i can about the software ,The Main Page needs more of an impact to hold peoples attention ie.Image before and after processing. Maybe one of Harry's Video's to get you going.
Alex
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Niall... why don't you use Firefox?
Carlos,
For the same reason I don't / can't use Linux - my brain runs in a purely 32-bit mode, and can therefore only address 3.2ish EB of memory - of which 2.9EB is taken up with PI. There is simply no more space for further upgrades - so I am stuck with IE. However, when I retire (several years away, alas) I plan to delete all the rubbish I have learned and instigate a full reformat of all grey matter. That is the only way I can see of being able to 'learn something new' :P
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[complete off topic message] :) Firefox requires almost no learning curve, if you come from IE. In fact, IE has been implementing some key features firefox had a long time ago (for example, the use of tabs). Give it a try ;)
(something similar may be said about Thunderbird and Outlook).
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http://pteam.pixinsight.com/betasite/simon/
Simon sent to me a first quick try. Comments welcome ;)
(I'll wait a pair of sites more)
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Hi Simon,
Already looking good. I have some suggestions regarding some of the wording - but that is all pedantic stuff really. I did notice that there was no mention of PJSR, and I also felt that the idea of PI 'Core' either has to be better presented, or at least has to be better explained (not necessarily a Home Page requirement, of course).
Sheesh, 24 hours already, and we are starting to move forward. Talk about 'dynamic' !!
Well done.
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Jeezoh! Just spotted the grammatical mistake...."a powerful development engine which is freely available"....I think that should read "a powerful development engine that is freely available". Having said that, I'm sure there are more errors than that. :D
A few quick words....firstly, I know the picture is out of date....I just wanted some sort of impressive screenshot on the homepage....so that can be updated with something much more impressive. Has anyone got any candidates? Something with lots of windows open, lots of processes going on and a really nice image being manipulated.
I think the main thing at this stage is to get the overall look and feel right. Is the layout roughly right? Is the order and the content of the lefthand column correct? Is the wording and the layout of the main text correct? Does it get the message across in a punchy way? Is the 'one liner' below the main PixInsight signage OK? Please be as critical and frank as you like.
And please submit your own PI websites. Its only by trying out different ideas that we will get to an optimised format. After all, mine is really just a tweak of the present PI site......there must be some more radical ideas out there. If you can submit a whole site then please email it to Carlos.....or if you just want to change some words then I can run off different versions of the site above.
Come on guys....lets get some feedback.
Cheers
Simon
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Hi Niall,
This is where I sound really dumb.....but what does PJSR stand for? I've got a feeling its got something to do with all that scripty stuff that is way above my head.
Regarding the Core being better presented.....can you suggest some wording that would do that. Remember that the homepage needs to be direct and punchy and get the main message across very quickly.
Maybe it would be better presenting it in terms of 'Well, what do you get with PI.....(1) You get the PI Core....this is a feature rich environment and graphical user interface where you can immediately use all of the ready built processes, etc, etc.....(2) You get the PCL where you can create your own powerful scripts and processes unleashing the full creative power of PI. You can share code with a growing community and join in collaborative developments....etc."
But if we did something along the lines of the above, then I get the feeling that it should be on the second page (i.e. a new page that isn't listed on the lefthand colum yet)....probably titled "What is PI?", and then we would have another homepage which is probably more along the lines of the one I submitted....with more of a generic title....probably just PixInsight with the one line tag "Cutting Edge Astronomical Image Processing Software" or something better.
Maybe I'll have a go at that tonight.
Cheers
Simon
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Hi Simon,
I have spent a few hours building on your excellent suggestions, and this was my result - sorry, no PSM icon set for this effort ;)
What is PixInsight?
PixInsight is the world's most advanced image processing software package designed specifically for the demanding requirements of astrophotography.
PixInsight is produced by an enthusiastic international research and development team with expertise in astronomy, photography, image analysis, mathematics and software engineering. PixInsight brings a huge wealth of astronomical image processing power to the amateur or professional astrophotographer, and has already been a significant factor in astroimagers achieving APOD fame.
PixInsight is specifically written to be multi-platform capable, running on Linux, Windows and Macintosh operating systems on both 32-bit and 64-bit, hyper-threaded, multiprocessor architectures – with the option of even allowing PI to monopolise the FULL bandwidth capabilities of your machine.
Naturally, PI works seamlessly with virtually all image file types – covering a wide range of 8, 16, 32 and 64 bit images, using either integer or floating-point image formats. The software runs in a user friendly, multiple-workspace environment with an intuitive, flexible, and custom-designed graphical user interface.
All of that, and more
Most importantly, PixInsight is a dynamic collaboration between like-minded astrophotographers who are constantly pushing the boundaries of astronomical image processing using the most powerful image processing toolset available.
New algorithms and processes are being created continuously by a rapidly growing community. Users are encouraged to use either the sophisticated PixInsight Class Library (PCL) or the unique PixInsight Java Script Runtime engine (PJSR) – two freely available, powerful, integrated development environments for those who wish to write their own algorithms.
By allowing users to become a part of the PixInsight vision in this way, and by rapidly responding to both bug reports and user requests, the PI team ensures that the software can never stagnate.
Come on board and ride the wave – it will cost you nothing to find out just how powerful PixInsight really is. Download PixInsight today.
Get your 90-Day Free Trial License NOW
Experience the full, unrestricted, power of PixInsight for yourself. With as sophisticated a package as PixInsight we feel that a 90-day free trial should be adequate for most users to determine its suitability for their needs. All PixInsight licences allow individuals to download unlimited versions, to suit their personal (non-commercial) processing needs.
Join our Forum - Join the team!
We also have a thriving discussion forum that encourages questions from users at all levels - and all users are welcome to post answers as well. Monitored virtually worldwide, feedback is usually rapid. And the same goes for detected bugs in the software where, in the past, revised releases have even been made available within hours!!
You don't need to own the software to join the forum - we'll be delighted to meet you there, and will try to answer any questions or concerns that you might have.
Remember, with PixInsight you are never 'just another user', you are always 'one of the team'.
And, yes, I am suggesting that the free trial period be extended to 90 days, let's just forget about 'LE', or any 'cut-down' version if PI itself. Let's just give the new user the full package. Everything. And let's just trust in PI to sell itself.
I have total faith in Juan listening to any new user who tried to justify their case for an 'extension' (heck, I even had one myself - unintentionally - and felt so guilty I bought the full license straight away !!). So, why not just extend the trial period anyway - there are not that many other software packages out there giving a NINETY day trial period - with NO RESTRICTIONS (in fact, are there any at all?). And this approach might just let new users realise that they are not being considered purely as 'customers'.
Over to you guys . . . .
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Hi Niall,
WOW! That's really cool. When I saw it at first I thought 'too many words!'. However, on reading it, it gets all the main points across really quickly. You've got a good marketing touch and turn of phrase. The big titles break it down nicely into four small chunks....which gives us the nice punchy message. The trick will be to get all this and some sexy graphics on a homepage without it looking cluttered.....but maybe that is doable....lets try!
And even I know what PJSR stands for now!!!
By the way, I like the 90 day trial idea. Its radical....but so is PI....and prospective users do need time to get their heads around the PI way of doing things. And 90 days sounds like forever....so I'm sure it would get more people to give it a go and stick with it long enough to get hooked. And once you've downloaded that demo version its like money in the bank (as long as its not Icelandic) as long as you have time to get past the initial frustration. But as you say...that's Juan's call.
A few really minor suggestions to take out some potential negatives;
Change "rapidly responding to both bug reports and user requests" to "rapidly responding to both user requests and development opportunities" or something similar.
Change "ensures that the software can never stagnate" to "ensures that the software is constantly developing" or something similar.
I like it. I'll try to create a new version of the previous website layout...but with these words....and we can see what it looks like.
Cheers
Simon
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....and change "monopolise the FULL bandwidth capabilities of your machine" to "utilise the FULL bandwidth capabilities of your machine" 8)
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Hi Simon,
Thanks for the positive vote! I have had some experience, having written several 100-page plus technical manuals in my time, and Georg seems to think I might be Terry Pratchett Mk II ??? - I just wrote what I felt 'I' would expect a user to want to see.
But, you may be right - perhaps too many words for the 'front' page. I'd need to see the layout - with your 'punchy picture'.
I am a firm believer that a website page, especially the front page, should sit on a 'standard' full screen, with no need for scrolling. So, does that mean we can aim for 1024 x 768 ? Are most 'modern' monitors at least this big nowadays? (When I last put a commercial website together, 10 years ago now ::) I used to confine myself to 800 x 600 - perhaps we can 'modernise' somewhat!)
What was the effective resolution of the image you sent to Carlos?
I haven't yet looked at the heirarchical 'Table of Contents' - if I get time, I'll make that my next task (heck, I might even be out in the observatory later, if the damn wind would have the common decency to at least blow the Moon away !!)
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bug reports
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stagnate
I was trying to convey the fact that ALL software -usually- has bugs. But, with PI, the chances are that they will be exterminated pretty fast
And I was trying not to use 'develop' too often, hence 'stagnate'
But, hey, this isn't just 'my' contribution. As Sir Terrence de la Wogan would say, "Let's run it up the flagpole, and see who salutes it"
Cheers,
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....and change "monopolise the FULL bandwidth capabilities of your machine" to "utilise the FULL bandwidth capabilities of your machine"
Agreed, 'utilise' is better
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I just wrote what I felt 'I' would expect a user to want to see.
That's why I think its great if the users can have a stab at this.
What was the effective resolution of the image you sent to Carlos?
It wasn't an image, it was an html file....i.e. a little mini website with just one page. If I put the actual hyperlinks into the menu items then you would be able to click on them and go to the other pages.....but lets get the home page right first!
But, you may be right - perhaps too many words for the 'front' page. I'd need to see the layout - with your 'punchy picture'.
I've done a new version with your words and some extra graphics. I've emailed it to Carlos....so maybe you will see it tomorrow. It does require a bit of a scroll....but not too much. See what you think.
Cheers
Simon
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http://pteam.pixinsight.com/betasite/simon2/
I keeped the first one untouched, for reference/comparison.
:)
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Hi all,
Well, (obviously O:)) I think Beta2 is a step forward.
I was wondering whether a small navigation system could be added to the 'neutral grey' header - to allow jumping between the Beta versions (very cheap and cheerful, functionality only, no detraction from the remainder of the image)?
I actually DO like the fundamental page structure, and the colour scheme. I don't think that should be compromised - after all, is is now part of the 'brand image' of PI, and so should remain 'recognisable'.
So, I feel that contributors should confine themselves to page content, rather than a radical redesign of the whole site layout.
I wanted to suggest that 'Cutting Edge' on the page header would be better 'hyphenated', becoming "Cutting-Edge"
I really liked the selection of images - they really 'pop'. I did wonder whether some 8pt text descriptors next to them might help tell the story?
I am viewing the page on a 28" monitor, at 1920x1200, and the scroll down was minimal. In any case the screen downloaded nice and fast, and I am only on a 1MB ADSL - so that is a plus point as well. I then changed to 1440x900 and 1680x1050 - again, good enough (but I do like my 1920x1200 ;))
My other 'critical test' of a well-designed website is not how it looks 'on-screen', but how it looks 'on-paper'. OK, perhaps not many folk will print out the Home Page, but folks will definitely print out any written tutorials - and if they don't fit on a standard sheet of A4, then that is a 'poor design' by my books. The old LE tutorials were very poor in this respect. I have just done a 'Print Preview' on the Home Page and it sits nicely enough on two sheets of A4 in Portrait mode, using 10mm margins all round, and auto-shrunk to 75%. So that is OK. But the 'Menu' sidebar had lost its integrity - I suspect the font size is too large for the resulting column width. (I am using IE7 set to Medium Text Size, others may wish to double check this on alternative browsers).
This may all sound pedantic, but it is worth just nailing down the fundamental 'size' of the pages before you set about coding dozens of them (been there, got the T-shirt somewhere :yell:)
Now (and this shows how long it has been since I last fired up FrontPage, not even loaded on this machine !!), is it possible to fully-justify the text to both the left and right margins of the table? If so, does it look 'better'?
Right, tomorrow I will need to dig out some sort of HTML editor (what are you using Simon?)
Cheers,
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BTW, I think that Juan uses KompoZer, for linux.
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One comment... the "Join the Forum, Join the Team" looks like an out right job posting. Maybe a much better wording would be "Join the Forum, Join the Community"
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Hi Cheyenne,
Point taken - community DOES sound better
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Yes....community sounds better! Done.
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Here's the two links together so you can flick between them...
http://pteam.pixinsight.com/betasite/simon/ (http://pteam.pixinsight.com/betasite/simon/)
http://pteam.pixinsight.com/betasite/simon2/ (http://pteam.pixinsight.com/betasite/simon2/)
I wanted to suggest that 'Cutting Edge' on the page header would be better 'hyphenated', becoming "Cutting-Edge"
Good point...will do.
I suspect the font size is too large for the resulting column width
I think I know what you mean....it starts wrapping the text. I think I need to hard fix that column width to fix that. I'll look at smaller fonts as well.
is it possible to fully-justify the text to both the left and right margins of the table
Yup...next version.
HTML editor (what are you using Simon?)
I'm using Dreamweaver MX which dates from about 2002. Its quite an out of date package but its fine for simple pages. Don't ask me to do animations or anything fancy like that. It won't even handle drop down menus! BUT the actual PI website will be done with something much more up to date and flash. I see our job as just getting the look, feel and content sorted for consideration by the PI team. If they like what they see then someone in the PI team will need to translate the whole thing into whatever package they use...which hopefully won't be too long a job if they have all the content in front of them to be copied and pasted. I'd be more than happy to do it, but they would need to supply me with the latest software and a big manual on how to use it. :D
Version 3 on its way...
Cheers
Simon
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Here are all the sites:
http://pteam.pixinsight.com/betasite/simon/
http://pteam.pixinsight.com/betasite/simon2/
http://pteam.pixinsight.com/betasite/simon3/
(use the tabs or new windows to quickly change between them)
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New algorithms and processes are being created continuously by a rapidly growing community. Users are encouraged to use either the sophisticated PixInsight Class Library (PCL) or the unique PixInsight Java Script Runtime engine (PJSR) – two freely available, powerful, integrated development environments for those who wish to write their own algorithms.
Try this instead
PixInsight provides two integrated development environments for those who wish to write their own algorithms.
o The PixInsight Class Library (PCL) allows users to write modules using ISO C++. Modules using PCL can be directly integrated into PixInsight. PCL is freely available, mutlti-platform (Windows, Mac OS X and Linux) and supports both 32 and 64 development.
o The PixInsight Java Script Runtime (PJSR), a unique innovative scripting engine built in to PixInsight. PJSR is a quick and easy facility to extend the power of PixInsight.
The rapidly growing PixInsight community has been sharing new ideas and building new algorithms and processes using these two powerful and sophisticated features.
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I think that this 'detailed' description would be better placed 'next level down' - the wording is fine, ready for expansion when more screen space is available on lower level pages.
Open to suggestions.
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Me likes much better ^-^ :)
I would focus more on adding in some key features on the intro page.
It should start to answer the question how is the program going to improve my image processing.
I think achitecture, platforms, program, bits , image file formats need to take a back seat to this concept.
Max
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I guess my comment was, focus on the features and what they provide first, then bring in the "community" factor.
So I guess what I would suggest is the following "formula"
PixInsight has this neat nifty feature
o it allows you to do this really cool thing
o and there are a whole bunch of people out there doing this that you can talk to as well to help you along the way.
Make links to secondary pages for: "neat nifty feature" that goes into the gory details for the feature, and the "really cool thing" that points to an example example
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Hi
I am no good at this designing thing, but the front page seems to busy for my liking :-[
Its like the screenshot at the bottom , a newbie would say "what the hell is going on there looks far to complicated for me "
Also I know its only a mock up , but it does not want to be full of professional images, It want to show real world images so they now what it might do for them :cheesy:
I am sorry if I sound negative , ignore me if you like ::)
Harry
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Hi Harry,
No - I don't think you are wrong. I am beginning to think that it IS too busy. I am happy with the information that I pieced together, building on Simon's excellent foundation, but I think that the information now needs to be trimmed back. A lot.
Nice, and punchy. Maybe some clever before/after transition image of a well known object - not too stunning, rather something more 'achievable'.
Combined with key facts, each leading a visitor to want to know more, with a nice navigation system to get them where they need to be, to where they will find the information that they are after.
Does someone want to have a go? I'll stand aside for a while, and let others mix things up a bit - that way we keep things 'dynamic'. How about some of us who DON'T have English as a first language - maybe things are better developed in your language, and then translated to English - I don't know.
Maybe Juan will come on line and just tell us all to leave his poor site alone ;D
Cheers,
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Hi Niall
I like that word "Achievalble" :D
People want something that they can achieve! , Forgive me but most users will not be programing and doing fancy scripts and would not be of prime concern to 95% of users , ( please I am not decrying the great work that people do and is important to Pixinsight)
Show what a average user can Achieve ( Nice word ) tempt them in , get them addicted then we can go for the throat >:D ( Ie page 2)
Harry
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Hi all,
I've just posted version 4 to Carlos....so it should be up soon.
I tried to accommodate all the comments above by going back to the idea of a "Welcome to PixInsight" as the homepage, and a more detailed texty "What is PixInsight" page as the second page. This has the result of uncluttering the homepage, but keeping all the texty description....and would even allow us to put Cheyenne's descriptive text in (which I liked).
Note that in the lefthand menu column you can now click on the "Home" and "What is PixInsight" items to flick back and forth.
On the homepage I stuck the screenshot at the bottom of the page. I thought it would be great if this was actually a smoothly changing slide show of a mixture of APODs and screenshots (with more 'normal' images by us mere mortals! :D). But I can't do that...so you will have to imagine it.
I haven't really worked on the 'grab-your-attention' text on the homepage....my brain hurts!...I just wanted to get a feel for the new layout. It looks like it should just be a few main message points....nothing more.
Carlos....is there a way for people to download my HTML files so they can play with them in their own editors and resubmit ideas that way?
Cheerrs
Simon
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I still think that a couple of show-off images, including a couple images done with "amateur" setups would be nice. You could click on the image and it would have the steps from integration to finish spelled out. No need to go into great detail, these would not be tutorials, but would show what PI can do. For example:
<initial image all dark>
apply STF
<image that shows gradient, etc>
apply DBE
<next image>
color calibrate
<color calibrated image>
apply histogram
....
You could probably even do this with a set of mouse roll-over images.
The point would be to just show someone quickly what you can do with an image from start to finish without even explaining the details.
Anyway ... just my 2 cents worth...
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Hi Cheyenne,
I think its a great idea....but which page would you put it on? It doesn't sound like a homepage item.....but could it go on the "What is PixInsight" page maybe under the heading "See what PI can do for you"?
Cheers
Simon
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Uploaded the fourth version:
http://pteam.pixinsight.com/betasite/simon4/
A way to download the page is to use the "Save page as" command from your browser.
I have also uploaded your rar file here (renamed, I'm not a fan of spaces in filenames):
http://pteam.pixinsight.com/betasite/simon4/pisite4.rar
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Hi Cheyenne,
I think its a great idea....but which page would you put it on? It doesn't sound like a homepage item.....but could it go on the "What is PixInsight" page maybe under the heading "See what PI can do for you"?
Cheers
Simon
I don't know... having some show case thumb-nail images right on the home page that if you clicked on them would bring up the "how we did this" page for that image. The one example home page that had the stack of images along the right side would be a good start.
The idea, I think, is to not overwhelm someone looking PI, but to show off what can be done and give a feel for some of the work flows without getting into all the details. I know that there are a gizzilion different work flows, and even that could be demonstrated by using different types of images.
This concept could be expanded to be a full tutorial, just make the "process" steps themselves links to pages that have the details, but keep the "upper pages" clean and simple.
Anyway -- just suggestions.. :)
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I like the "Featured Image" section in the current homepage. I think that something like that, perhaps combined with a small gallery would help to show the power of Pixinsight.