LinuxMCE Forums
General => Users => Topic started by: tschak909 on April 29, 2009, 08:55:51 pm
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NOTE TO MODERATORS: I am posting this in users in an effort for everyone to read, because web people may not consider to check the developers section for stuff like this.
Okay fellas, Listen up.
LinuxMCE needs two Web Related tasks done, and we need people for them:
(1) Redesign of LinuxMCE.ORG
(2) Someone to maintain a newsroll for the site so that we have a nice stream of activity.
We are very flexible in terms of (1), and would love to see real working ideas for site layout, and page design.
Basically, in this community, we have one rule, He who does the work, has made the rules. We are asking for people to take the initiative, and try to improve the initial user experience when they come to the site.
I'd rather see more action, and less talk, as this is something that is critical, and we can take the approach of systematically improving things as time goes on, but we need people willing to do the work, and to just do it.
-Thom
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Thom,
I think a cms like joomla is what is required. It allows for multiple authorised users to easily upload articles/news items and once in place does not rely on a web designer to maintain. I am not a php programmer but I have installed and used it.
Can we add a third item to your list?
3. Graphic design of a new Linuxmce Logo
Open to everyone with the best design winning? Might be better on it's own thread/sticky!
I will look into a joomla implementation mock up so we can see what people think.
Barney
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Thom,
I think a cms like joomla is what is required. It allows for multiple authorised users to easily upload articles/news items and once in place does not rely on a web designer to maintain. I am not a php programmer but I have installed and used it.
I second that.Tryied Joomla myself and its amazing once the site is created. Users could be organized to write to each sections. That way the site could be daily updated, as work progresses. I am also no programmer but have a lot of IT knowledge and I just love hardware:)
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Guys,
may I quote Thom:
I'd rather see more action, and less talk, as this is something that is critical, and we can take the approach of systematically improving things as time goes on, but we need people willing to do the work, and to just do it.
It is not about talking about a tool. It is about doing it! Get it done, with whatever tool you like, show it, and be prepared to maintain it.
Nobody really cares if it is Joomla, Wordpress, Notepad or sed
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Guys,
It is not about talking about a tool. It is about doing it! Get it done, with whatever tool you like, show it, and be prepared to maintain it.
Nobody really cares if it is Joomla, Wordpress, Notepad or sed
I am going away for a weekend. When i am back, May 4th I can try to make a preview of Joomla. b4rney, I would love to assist You with it, You drop me a PM so we can arrange something. Hope to get it rolling in a few days. I will try to come up with a Categorization of website while i am on vacation. See You soon guys, hope on new LinuxMCE main site ;D ;)
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I will look into a joomla implementation mock up so we can see what people think.
Barney
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joomla is no option, I can offer typo3.
Btw, http://staging.linuxmce.org/ is the actual page in typo3. Some guy was also working on a new design, but no sign of life recently.
br, Hari
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Hari,
Just to clarify ...
We are very flexible in terms of (1), and would love to see real working ideas for site layout, and page design.
... but it must be typo3?
Regards
Barney
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Hari,
Just to clarify ...
We are very flexible in terms of (1), and would love to see real working ideas for site layout, and page design.
... but it must be typo3?
Regards
Barney
define must be, but our hoster (abaton.at) is typo3 expert, so I'd really prefer to use that one. And with the recent fun of our commercial integrators with joomla, you need to convince me :-)
But as tschak said, those who do decide.. :-)
br, Hari
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OK. Thanks for clearing that up Hari.
I'll look at typo3 too.
Barney
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Hi.
I Agree with Hari on this one.
It´s "really" just small differences between typo3 and joomla.
In my opinion it´s mostly about how you administer it and what modules that exist.
Both of them are pretty well developed and their strengths and weaknesses.
Look at www.cmsmatrix.org and compare the two.
Since we already have a staging site built upon typo3 why not
continue to develop it to finally replace our existing website.
I believe we also have some newer graphics. Have seen some examples.
Though I don´t know if can use them in any way.
Personally I can help with administration but not with graphics since I know almost
nothing about how to create decent looking pictures and layouts.
Only my view on this question.
/niz23
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Thanks for the info niz23. That comparison site is awesome. Looks like Typo3 is every bit as flexible and modular as any other cms so I'll install it and play around.
Do any mods/developers object to a new thread asking for a new lmce logo for the new look site? I'm sure we've got some decent graphics designers amongst our members. Failing that, niz23 mentioned some newer graphics. Anyone got more info?
Barney
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Thanks for the info niz23. That comparison site is awesome. Looks like Typo3 is every bit as flexible and modular as any other cms so I'll install it and play around.
Do any mods/developers object to a new thread asking for a new lmce logo for the new look site? I'm sure we've got some decent graphics designers amongst our members. Failing that, niz23 mentioned some newer graphics. Anyone got more info?
Barney
I'm not opposed to getting some ideas on a new logo...
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oddly enough, I think our logo is the ONE piece of graphic art that translates well.
Did you look at the Logo page on the wiki?
-Thom
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Maybe a blend of old and new? With a tag line?
Just gimped a logo blending the one in the wiki. Just for fun!
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Maybe a blend of old and new? With a tag line?
Just gimped a logo blending the one in the wiki. Just for fun!
The issue with this logo would be LinuxMCE is much more than a media center (we've actually tried to steer away from being called a media center).
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Yeah, I know. Just wanted to show an example of a possible redesign layout that could be descriptive too.
It needs a much better, concise, punchy tagline. Suggestions welcome. Like I said ... just playing.
Barney
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the current logo is recognisable, and yours doesn't transport well to multiple mediums.
Think simple. Think Apple.
-Thom
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Yeah, I know. Just wanted to show an example of a possible redesign layout that could be descriptive too.
It needs a much better, concise, punchy tagline. Suggestions welcome. Like I said ... just playing.
Barney
thanks for assisting Barney... Looking forward to the next example.
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Back to the drawing board ;)
Maybe we should leave the logo issue for now. It won't impact the layout too much even if it changes. I guess I'm putting the cart before the horse anyway.
I'm installing typo3 locally. I'll take a look ASAP.
Barney
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barney,
I liked your Logo (I liked the existing one as well), My wife hates the flickr screen saver so now I have your logo as my screen saver - wife friendly!!
Techstyle
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Maybe a blend of old and new? With a tag line?
Just gimped a logo blending the one in the wiki. Just for fun!
*AAARGHHHH*
LinuxMCE is NOT a media center.
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Hi,
I have built several dynamic websites; such as <a href="http://www.nafof.org.uk">NaFoF</a> for various organisations. I have looked at Mambo, Joomla, Drupal, Dot Net Nuke, PHPNuke etc... many many CMSs
My top two are Joomla and Drupal...
Joomla is great if you want to provide a very limited set of features to a set of users and if what you want is accomodated by the core product of modules; however those modules are designed to complete a simple task and not very configurable.
Drupal is a different type of CMS which is just incredibly powerful and configurable. It takes a little longer to learn, but CCK, Calendar, Views are modules which are just ridiculously flexible and configurable if your needs change it is usually straight forward to accomplish.
For the needs of the LinuxMCE community I highly recommend Drupal. It takes a little longer to learn, but it is worth learning.
I am happy to help out or even building the site (and of course completing a handover to the ongoing web-admins).
Richard
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*AAARGHHHH*
LinuxMCE is NOT a media center.
Yes it is, the MCE bit is kind of a give-a-way. BUT ... LinuxMCE is not JUST a media center.
That was the most obvious tag-line but I don't like it either. I think it makes sense to have some sort of tag line so people can see at a glance what to expect. If we want to 'catch' people and expand our user base we need to appeal to peoples mainstream expectations. THEN we surprise the hell out of them.
It's hard to be succinct and descriptive with a system this advanced but I think we need to start somewhere. Most people I know who found lmce were looking for a media center.
Just my 2 cents.
@ techstyle
Cool. Glad to do my bit for improving divorce statistics!!!
@ richard
Go for it. I think the point of this thread is to get people actually doing stuff. If you can do a demo it might end up being used. Although, as hari has pointed out the current webhost is a typo3 specialist. Although that doesn't mean everything else is out of the question. I'd be happy to see several ideas (I haven't had a chance to look at typo3 yet).
Barney
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Hi There,
Thanks for the encouragement... to just get stuck in.
However, I am not inclined to spend the time on a demo, when I dont know what the requirements of the solution are. If a demo has any chance of captivating the audience it is when it is targeted at solving the problems that the decision makers have. Anyway, demos tend to live and die on how it looks and the look and feel is personal preference and changable.
Who what where when why and how springs to mind
Are each of these requirements Musts, Shoulds, Coulds or Wants.
I am happy to do, but first I need to understand the problem, design a solution (hand in hand with picking a style) and finally implement and test.
So how exactly would you like to do this? Who are the project leaders, who are the decision makers, what are the problems that the decision makers are trying to resolve?
Thanks
Richard
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Here, i'll scribble some basics:
Website Type: Introductory website, with newsroll.
Front Page:
* Introductory copy
* Newsroll, this consolidates news items, important development milestones.
Links:
* Features
* Screenshots
* Community Wiki (points to Wiki)
* For Developers (points to a landing page for developers, we need to write this)
* Download
Simple, to the point.
The Features section, I feel is important to put into the CMS, because this represents an accessible point of information about user oriented features of the project, this needs to be as polished as it can be, using a down to earth approach to the copy. The aim here, is less copy, more pictures, examples.
* Introduction
* How can LinuxMCE handle my:
* Media
* Lighting
* Climate
* Security
* Telecom
Link to download page should be present and visible, with an easy way to flow to the next section.
An important aspect to point out here, is that these aspects are integrated, this must be stressed, and if you can provide hyperlinks into other sections of the introduction or to the wiki page as part of the copy, this should be done.
Emphasize this is a WHOLE house solution. You may want to look at the ORIGINAL Flash presentation at PlutoHome:
http://www.plutohome.com/
Also, a page containing a link to the demo video, for now.. This may be replaced in the future, but a nice intro page that could house the demo video in an uncluttered way embedding from Google Video would be nice.
-Thom
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Thanks for that Thom.
Here's more screensavers without the offensive tagline. Then again maybe smarthome is a trademark.
;)
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I would like to submit a demo for the new website design.
When does the demo have to be submitted by?
The demo – a Jpeg or a working (although slim) site?
I mainly work with Joomla and specialise in company Intranet sites and thought it was about time I expanded my experience to something more external. This seems the prefect project to get my teeth in to.
Jason
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Hello Jason,
Welcome to LinuxMCE! There isn't a specified time frame outside of soon, lol... We're looking to get ideas from all and the site should include the ideas tschak mentioned above... Again, welcome to LinuxMCE and we're looking forward to seeing what you got.
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Hi.
I Agree with Hari on this one.
It´s "really" just small differences between typo3 and joomla.
In my opinion it´s mostly about how you administer it and what modules that exist.
Both of them are pretty well developed and their strengths and weaknesses.
Look at www.cmsmatrix.org and compare the two.
Since we already have a staging site built upon typo3 why not
continue to develop it to finally replace our existing website.
I believe we also have some newer graphics. Have seen some examples.
Though I don´t know if can use them in any way.
Personally I can help with administration but not with graphics since I know almost
nothing about how to create decent looking pictures and layouts.
Only my view on this question.
/niz23
We're the 'Commercial Integrators' Hari is referring too... and yes we did have some problems with our main web site getting hacked. But the problem was mainly to do with us hosting the Web site on a 'shared' server where we did not have full admin rights/controls. This is being fixed now...
So I would not be against Joomla at all on the basis of its security;
As Thom says though the key thing is that the people who are going to re-design/manage/update the site choose a tool that they are happy with and one that allows them to bring other designers/maintainers in over time and easily 'train' them in how to work with the new site.
Lets not have a protracted discussion... about this CMS or that CMS...just get stuck in DO ;-)
All the best
Andrew
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I can recommend Drupal. It's excellent.
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Don't care. SOMEBODY JUST START HACKING ON SOMETHING! :P
-THOM!!!!
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Better yet, everybody start hacking on something... he who gets there first wins!
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I'm sorry my knowledge isn't enough to contribute more to this great project, and i know logo is not No.1 priority but at least i tried. :(
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Maybe a blend of old and new? With a tag line?
Just gimped a logo blending the one in the wiki. Just for fun!
Looks great. I am a newbie, however I have developed several Joomla sites. I can set one up and show your users how to maintain it. You can cut and paste from any other kind of site to update it. It has built in modules for download links, documentation, etc. and would have the professional look that you need.
This is the only way I know how to help. I have downloaded the MCE software, but I am working to get it set up with the correct hardware. It is a struggle for anyone new.
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Damn it, would SOMEBODY JUST TAKE THE LEAD?!
How much more plain do I need to make it?
-Thom
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Hey everybody--I'm a new user and just wanted to throw it out there that all the work and the website look awesome! I cant wait to build my first LMCE box and while I'm sure you can all find room to improve (and with this type of project, the people in charge always can find room) as a complete newbie I cant find much to complain about. The wiki is helpful, pretty well filled out, and user friendly and the forums are great!
Thanks!
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Starting on the Front Page mockup...
Then we can go from there, because that should set the basis as far as organization of the site.
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A rough idea is online.
http://www.dvr-karten.de (http://www.dvr-karten.de)
(dont care about the domain :-))
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A rough idea is online.
http://www.dvr-karten.de (http://www.dvr-karten.de)
(dont care about the domain :-))
Nice!
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murcel,
A rough idea is online.
http://www.dvr-karten.de (http://www.dvr-karten.de)
(dont care about the domain :-))
Nice looking. Great work!
I like the layout.
One thing though. The big yellow bar. Perhaps another color?
/niz23
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Sure, was just a fast draft.
maybe we have something liek "coporate design" :-) maybe the orange from linuxmce?
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I think we have it.
Let's get even this first draft deployed ASAP, and we'll keep tweaking it as time goes on.
Thank you so much for your hard work!
-Thom
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very nice!! Ack on quick deployment!
br, Hari
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A rough idea is online.
http://www.dvr-karten.de (http://www.dvr-karten.de)
(dont care about the domain :-))
Nice!
Very good work, i must say , but why does the download link back to the wiki page?
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A rough idea is online.
http://www.dvr-karten.de (http://www.dvr-karten.de)
(dont care about the domain :-))
Nice work :-)
Andrew
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I say something and i know i could be eaten alive =)
While we are planning to redesign the website and so on. Can we thinks to change name, it's called LinuxMCE when is much much more than a MediaCenter, and i think this is very misleading, especially for who doesn't know it.
Murcel i could help you if you want, i develop this in joomla www.linuxmce-it.com, i have not so much experience with joomla but enaugh to help.
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I can maintain a newsroll if you still need it.
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Murcel i could help you if you want, i develop this in joomla www.linuxmce-it.com, i have not so much experience with joomla but enaugh to help.
thanks massabuntu.
you are on the list, if there is a need for help.
Let me first finish the final design and putting some content on it. Later on, it could be possible, that we need people who maintain the stuff.
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latest alpha :-)
http://staging.linuxmce.org (http://staging.linuxmce.org)
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Yes, i like it!
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latest alpha :-)
http://staging.linuxmce.org (http://staging.linuxmce.org)
Looks really nice!
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latest alpha :-)
http://staging.linuxmce.org (http://staging.linuxmce.org)
Wow really looks nice.
Which CMS did you use? Or did you code this all yourself?
/edit
Took a peek at the source code, and say it is joomla
Does anybody know if there is also a plugin for Drupal which does the slide things with pictures?
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I see is official online. Look very nice like i said. 2 things to improve IMHO:
1) The forum just doesn't fit well, probably it's because the wrapper.
2) The Logo on the home page is too much near (almost above) the text.
For the rest, great work!
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I agree it looks VERY slick.
I only have one ore two small-ish comments...
1) Some of the links are broken (contibute, etc)
2) It isn't clear what I'm creating an account for. My existing (wiki and forum) accounts didn't work. I created a new one, but when I log in I get a blank page.
3) The wiki isn't easy to find and, when I did find it (from developer->documentation) the link is broken
All teething troubles, I'm sure ;)
Personally, I think it looks very professional, but the Forum and the Wiki should not be wrapped, just linked to (unless they can be made to look part of the new site, rather than wrapped in it.)
Good work though!
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The new design looks cool! I found only one problem there. The news aren't in the proper order, i.e. new ones are not on the top
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Personally, I think it looks very professional, but the Forum and the Wiki should not be wrapped, just linked to (unless they can be made to look part of the new site, rather than wrapped in it.)
Good work though!
Agreed! And a more prominent link for the Wiki would probably help since that is where people are supposed to look first for answers to their questions.
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there will be a support section soon, containing all the important stuf like wiki and irc links and and and .....stay tuned
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Murcel,
In an effort to raise some money for the community I have set up some Amazon links that will pay 5-7% to the community. I put them up on a blank page so people can start using them imediately:
http://www.techstyleuk.co.uk/lmce_ass.htm (http://www.techstyleuk.co.uk/lmce_ass.htm)
They should go up on the website though, here is the code:
Amazon.com
<SCRIPT charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822/US/li045-20/8002/ae838bed-0090-416e-aee0-4e34fccb66af"> </SCRIPT> <NOSCRIPT><A HREF="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fli045-20%2F8002%2Fae838bed-0090-416e-aee0-4e34fccb66af&Operation=NoScript">Amazon.com Widgets</A></NOSCRIPT>
Amazon.co.uk
<SCRIPT charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://ws.amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=GB&ID=V20070822/GB/li08-21/8002/915fdcf6-e59e-48cb-8d27-a59d657af909"> </SCRIPT> <NOSCRIPT><A HREF="http://ws.amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=GB&ID=V20070822%2FGB%2Fli08-21%2F8002%2F915fdcf6-e59e-48cb-8d27-a59d657af909&Operation=NoScript">Amazon.co.uk Widgets</A></NOSCRIPT>
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the video section is now online
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Just wanted to say great job for all those who have helped with the new site. Looks Awsome...
Mike
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Agreed, looks great!
3 small items to note:
1. linuxmce.org -
a. SVN portion is blank
b. Login verification: I didn't receive the confirmation email (this is either due to the smtp settings on the web server, quarentine/junk mail on my hotmail, or typo on my part)
2. LinuxMCE forums -
a. Graphic is missing on upper left on the forums (This is either my web browser (**Confirmed to be functional in firefox**, issues in IE and Opera, thanks Techstyle and Domodude), or the graphic is just not there, what i see is attached)
If I have access to correct any of these items please let me know!
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Murdock,
I get the same thing with regard to the Logo on the Forum, I am using Microsoft Internet Exploder. I haven't checked it in Firefox
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Hi!
I'd like to contribute to update the website some as I've noticed some minor errors (nothing mayor, mainly some syntax errors). How can I help out with this? I did the account and login but I don't seem to be able to do much. I realize it's not a wiki (or THE wiki), but still, I'd like to help where I can. I don't have a whole lot of time, but when I'm here and see something, would like to be able to make it better.
Please let me know...
Thanks,
R
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Murcel,
great work, i really like the new site. One minor thing I'm missing in a prominent place on the front page is at least a short teaser for the news sections.
br,
/chriss
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The topic of this thread is "Website Help Needed"...So, here's someone who's willing to help as much as my time permits...but I haven't received any response yet. How can I edit some the pages? Don't worry, I'm not planning to change the very nice look and feel or anything major like that.
You can PM me if appropriate...
Thanks,
R