As a courtesy I want to make clear...
90+ Irishman
Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 7,868
Hey Brothers and Sisters, so I'm just about finished up with the first round and draft of my website... and wow has it grown far beyond what I ever expected it to be. I ended up buying my own domain and got a "work" email and site up right now and have expanded the site to incorporate many elements that I never really imagined that I could do.... more on that to come later 
However, I was in need of a few shots of some of the sticks that our brothers and sisters have so generously posted on here. I want to make absolutely CRYSTAL CLEAR, that I did NOT try to pass of said photographs as my own and that I DID credit the individuals with their pics. If ANYONE wishes for me to remove a photo of a cigar that they have taken please let me know ASAP so that I do NOT offend anyone or step on their toes!! It is worth noting that these are JUST pictures of cigars that I am talking about on my site and that is the ONLY reason that I used the pictures at all, simply because it is a cigar that I am talking about but do NOT have in my humidor and therefore cannot take a picture of myself. Thanks all and a final draft of the site to come shortly!!!!!
However, I was in need of a few shots of some of the sticks that our brothers and sisters have so generously posted on here. I want to make absolutely CRYSTAL CLEAR, that I did NOT try to pass of said photographs as my own and that I DID credit the individuals with their pics. If ANYONE wishes for me to remove a photo of a cigar that they have taken please let me know ASAP so that I do NOT offend anyone or step on their toes!! It is worth noting that these are JUST pictures of cigars that I am talking about on my site and that is the ONLY reason that I used the pictures at all, simply because it is a cigar that I am talking about but do NOT have in my humidor and therefore cannot take a picture of myself. Thanks all and a final draft of the site to come shortly!!!!!
Comments
http:irishmancigars.com
That is the new website all!!!
Might work better to have a navigation bar on the left, a news feed in the center and other info far right. Its a tried and true design layout.
EDIT: You might want to have godaddy hide your name address etc. You are going to get alot of spam at your published email address.
first of all I am still very much a shaved-tail Louiie when it comes to web design or anything regarding web development, so bear with me while I work out the kinks.
Secondly, there are a number of pages that are still under construction; the Cigar News page currently has nothing on it since I want it to be as up to date as possible. The first thing I am thinking of putting on it is actually about the moronic FDA trying to *** with the premium cigar market, so any input on what I should include and links that I should have present is appreciated and welcomed!! I will have a link to the CRA and possibly one to TAA as well but I'm still working out the logistics of it. Any other important cigar related news that ANY of you are privy to I would really appreciate a PM detailing the news in question. I will ALWAYS credit my sources for pictures, information, and references so do not worry about that!
Thirdly, I have so FAR only put up three links to BOTL's blogs or sites, if you would like yours hot-linked into my site PLEASE just ask as I am HAPPY to do so for any reason!!!! Also, I have put up some updates on recent cigar releases that are of interest to me and have a very detailed listing of most releases from 2011. I currently only have up releases from Drew Estate since they are one of my favored manufacturers and cigars that I truly enjoy. However some Viaje, Illusione, Tatuaje, Padron, and My Father will be added hopefully by tonight!! It is a long and arduous process for me to add the info, origins, story and relevant information about each release so it may be slow going at first, but I will update the list regularly!! If you have any suggestions on sticks that you wish me to feature I strongly encourage EVERONE to PM me and detail what you want me to feature and why!
please please please spread the word about my site everywhere that you can, it would help a ton!! I'm creating a Facebook page and twitter account for my site tonight and that should help as well, but every little bit of exposure will help me guys! If you have a relationship with any cigar company and feel comfortable pointing them towards my site I would be eternally grateful! Just give me a heads up about who and what they are and what they are looking for or at so that I may be able to put something relevant to that cigar company up I would truly be grateful!! Thank you all!!! Here's to 2012 being the year the The Irishman takes the tobacco industry by storm!!!!
I'd stay away from using bold red font on a black background.......but that's just me....in fact I'd not use a black background at all.
For Facebook Fans: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Irishman-Cigars
And Finally for Twitter Fans: Follow me on Twitter @IrishmanCigars
The 'loading" issue is one you need to fix. I THINK the problem is that your background image is not optimized (as in, the file size reduced as much as possible) - it is a background image afterall, and does not need to be that perfect - it should be around 75k tops, I'm betting it's bigger.
Also, the nav links on the left side still are hard to read on the home page, because they rest in the black background, with the defauilt llink color.
There are different ways to address this
1) change the link font color
2) make your page into three sections (table) and have the left side be your nav bar, with a plain, light background, etc.
3) Make your nav links "buttons".....small cigars for instance!.....and when you hover over them, the cigar lights!....that would be slick.
Good work, and keep your head down and keep on grinding......it will be a year or two before you're "happy" with the site................and it will continue to evolve after that.
so im not the only one with the loading problem.
"42702494.png"
See how big it is - if it's over 75K - use photoshop, or whatever, and reduce the file size
pm me if you need help
King, thank you for the input I'll PM you with questions and see if you know and are willing to help me figure out WTH is going on. Thank you!!
Keep up the good work, looking forward to more!
Here's what I would do as a short term solution.....change your background to white...no image.
I'm not familiar with your web editor, but all you need to do is replace the background image you have now, with a bg color tag, and use "FFFFF" - which is white.
Then in the coming weeks maybe you can find/make a background that is lighter and easier on the eyes....(I would still consider not having a background image if it were up to me......)
The most important thing initially is to let people EASILY enjoy your content......you can work on making it pretty and high tech in the future........just my $.02........now get back to work!
I THINK your link color data is here.
You are using a wysiwyg editor I'm assuming....correct?...(you are not dabbling in raw code)
Somewhere in your editor you will be able to change the link color.
But note - if you have a white, or other lite background, your link color will be fine