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I really need help ... on a website

SagaLore

SagaLore

Elite Member
About a year ago I bought the domain "antisource.com", which I was going to turn into a huge Antivirus and Security portal of information. It was going to be the parallel to Anandtech, only about viruses and network security hardware/software, security certifications and articles, etc. Well it's been a year now and I haven't gotten anywhere, it's been a stagnant project from the start.

I'm moving the site to a cheaper server at the moment so there isn't anything to show.

I would like some suggestions - an inspiration in the right direction. What I'm looking for is a color scheme, a design theme. I've spent the last couple of months coming up with new site layouts and colors - but they all look like crap. This is pretty frustrating since the last couple of years I've been able to put together sites with ease, but I'm putting this site on such high expectations I think I'm giving myself designer's block.
 
Just make something simple with tables. Use CSS and PHP to make the website easy and efficient to work with and update. Then just enter all your content, or start working on it if you haven't already. The layout is unimportant if you have nothing to fill it in with. Furthermore, the content is part of the layout. Once you actually have something going, then you can touch up on the visual aspect. Why make something pretty if there's no content to show?
 
I would. Or whatever you want. Just make sure to use styles so that it's easy to change later when you can experiment with different methods of presentation.
 
I know what you guys are saying, I keep telling myself that it will be easier once I have content to play around with. But my lack of site layout is killing my motivation to put content somewhere. 😱 The sad thing is, when I make sites for other people, and they have content, I can make their site look really good. But when I try to make a site for myself and I'm responsible for the content, it's dead in the water.
 
Well it's all settled then.

Make content.

And if you have trouble with that, don't envision it as a web site yet. Pound it out in Word, make it like a project with photos or whatever, like you're going to turn it in for a class or something.

Then figure out a way to integrate it web-style.
 
Originally posted by: xirtam
Well it's all settled then.

Make content.

And if you have trouble with that, don't envision it as a web site yet. Pound it out in Word, make it like a project with photos or whatever, like you're going to turn it in for a class or something.

Then figure out a way to integrate it web-style.
Click to expand...

Now... any suggestions for content? 😀

I managed a 6 month comparitive review of several antivirus packages where I work, it gave me a lot of insight into what you need to know to make a good decision to buy AV software. So that's definitely going to be a core of the site. What other types of content would you guys like to see on the site?
 
Originally posted by: SagaLore
Originally posted by: palad
Use a lot of flashing text and large .gif files. 😀
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How about I just enclose the body in [blink] ?
Click to expand...

That'll work too. Anything to grab people's attention. And forget about badwidth restrictions. Have a 50MB flash intro. If they're not on a T1 or faster, they don't need to be visiting your site. 🙂
 
Actually, one serious suggestion for content:

Work up a knowledge base of current downloadable virus fixes available from different vendors. Review them for ease of use, download size, how well they do the job, etc. That way, when a tech has determined which virus he has, he can refer to your site to find the best option for removing it.
 
Originally posted by: palad
Actually, one serious suggestion for content:

Work up a knowledge base of current downloadable virus fixes available from different vendors. Review them for ease of use, download size, how well they do the job, etc. That way, when a tech has determined which virus he has, he can refer to your site to find the best option for removing it.
Click to expand...

GREAT idea. 🙂 Symantec alone currently has 39 virus removal tools. That already gives me at least 39 pages of valid content. I'll cross-evaluate them with other vendor's cleaning tools and write a little review, and then reference them in the forum and give other people a chance to talk about how effective they were.

Palad gets a GOLD STAR for the day. 😀

edit: What would also be cool, is to sign up for all of the free virus notices, and comparitively review them.
 
Include all the latest conspiracy theories about how antivirus software developers are creating their market by procuring new flavors and variations of current viruses.
 
Originally posted by: xirtam
Include all the latest conspiracy theories about how antivirus software developers are creating their market by procuring new flavors and variations of current viruses.
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Done. I'll actually have a page called Conspiracy Theories. 😀 You do know that there has been one real instance of a Russian company doing this.
 
If you are stuck on the idea that you need a layout, go someplace like this.
You should be able to find something that catches your eye... 😉
 
Originally posted by: SagaLore
Originally posted by: xirtam
Include all the latest conspiracy theories about how antivirus software developers are creating their market by procuring new flavors and variations of current viruses.
Click to expand...

Done. I'll actually have a page called Conspiracy Theories. 😀 You do know that there has been one real instance of a Russian company doing this.
Click to expand...

I personally don't believe that all the fault rests on the Russians.
 
Originally posted by: xirtam
Originally posted by: SagaLore
Originally posted by: xirtam
Include all the latest conspiracy theories about how antivirus software developers are creating their market by procuring new flavors and variations of current viruses.
Click to expand...

Done. I'll actually have a page called Conspiracy Theories. 😀 You do know that there has been one real instance of a Russian company doing this.
Click to expand...

I personally don't believe that all the fault rests on the Russians.
Click to expand...

lol - that's not what I meant. The one documented incident I am aware of, happens to have involved a Russian company, that's all. 😛
 
Snopes has a page evaluating virus urban legends. Perhaps you could have a searchable quick-reference similar to it for people to get a fast yes or no on whether the virus warning they just received is true.
 
Originally posted by: palad
Snopes has a page evaluating virus urban legends. Perhaps you could have a searchable quick-reference similar to it for people to get a fast yes or no on whether the virus warning they just received is true.
Click to expand...

So basically a Hoax list? Sophos has a hoax-feed like that.

I was thinking, Dark green and black/white would be good colors for the site. I like dark green.
 
if it helps with the content, look up any data feeds you can use and just code them in, makes maintenance and content generation easier.
 
if you want a simple clean layout....you can't get any simpler then Steve Gibson's Research Corp

I think the layout is great......clean....and easy to read. If you stick to strict table definitions (closing all tags.....using only HTML 3.x) you won't have to worry about near as many x-browser issue either.

As far as content......obviously you're going to review the AV software out there, but make sure you include the corporate level too. I set up a customer of mine's network a few days before Nimda hit.....and for a number of reasons...some on my part.....they got killed by Nimda. Thanks to someone on a diff't board....I was lucky enough to be referred to Panda......and as far as corporate software goes.....it doesn't get any better, IMO. One computer to download the updates....and every logon to the domain gets you the latest update. Plus....end users can't disable/uninstall the virus software. If you do.....it's automatically set back up when you reinstall....I could go on and on.

The other aspect I'd have is a simple step by step anaylsis of good computer use habits which will virtually help you remain virus free. Example...never open a vbs, or .exe file in an attachment.......never use the Preview Pane in MS Outlook (not a major problem I know....but it does help you stay off some spammer lists...since they embed Rich Text w/ links to pull graphics, but also update tehir spam servers in the emails......

The reason the people got burned is that I sent them to a Nimda test site taht was supposed to test if you're vulnerable to Nimda....and the site itself was infected.

I think it's a great idea for a website.
 
Originally posted by: Tiles2Tech
It was going to be the parallel to Anandtech
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I'd say you have some awfully big shoes to fill. Best of luck to you.
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Yea I know. 😱 Might take awhile, but I have to start somewhere! I've seen the "history" of AnandTech's websites, and it didn't start out pretty...

Somebody yesterday linked to a Zogby poll and the design of their sub-pages gave me some inspiration. So I drew out a design and then made This Mock-up Page. It's a rather simple table layout, I think this should suffice.

calpha: Good idea. Kind of like a "virus safety for dummies" tutorial?
 
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