I hate templates

by 7 replies
8
You can simply ignore this if you like, or if you disagree, but I feel the need to rant a little.

<soapbox>

I've been working for the last couple of days with a template that I downloaded from Hostgator. It looks nice, but it has one problem that I see over and over again in templates: it was apparently created with PhotoShop, then sliced up.

Here's the issue: In this particular case, the page has a patterned gradient gray background. The content field is white, and there are a couple of white-bordered boxes (top & left) on the outside of that field. The one on the left is for site navigation, and the one on top has tiny icons to link to the home page, email, etc.

Here's the first problem: I don't really want the box on the top. If it was created with HTML, no problem. But it's not. It's an image. I could delete it, but it takes the top border of the content field with it. Remove the icons (which, ironically, ARE included via code), and I'm left with an empty box at the top of my pages. It looks stupid. As if it's supposed to have something in it...

2nd (potentially worse) problem: The navigation box to the left is set up similarly, but in this case, I want to add additional nav links. Can't do it without breaking the design.

Why must people always look for the shortcut? PS is great for designing a website, but it is NOT a website CREATION tool, unless you are designing inflexible structures. If you're handy with it, great! Design beautiful sites... Then let a web developer make it happen.

</soapbox>

Tim
#website design #hate #templates
  • You get what you pay for. So many template services fail to provide semantic, valid XHTML and CSS markup.

    And even if they do, people usually come along, edit the templates and stick great big images or fonts in and then wonder why they don't work
    • [1] reply
    • Very true. Serves me right, I guess, for trying to get something done quickly. It's frustrating, though, because this particular one could have been done pretty easily with CSS or (God forbid!) tables.
  • Thank you for the information. Of course another problem with
    photoshop is the file size and the time it takes to load. I am
    really glad you mentioned this because after the thread about
    HG templates here about a week ago, I was thinking that might
    come in handy.

    And even though 2 things about HG do not work well for me, I
    was considering going with them just for the templates which
    would solve a couple of problems for me. So it is really nice to
    hear this info. Brace yourself for one of my rare formal thank
    yous.

    Communication is so valuable. A person can't even get a rant
    off without it benefiting someone.

    thanks again and best wishes, lloyd
  • I spent my afternoon beating some templates into shape for a client site. Then deciding that I hate templates with a passion (it wasn't cooperating).it's really a hard job.
    "Communication is so valuable. A person can't even get a rant
    off without it benefiting someone." That's actually great!
    Thank you so much!
    • [1] reply
    • Hi Lloyd,
      Glad I can contribute to the confusion!
      As far as file sizes being an issue with PS, they really shouldn't be. Images can be optimized to a tremendous extent without losing visual quality. Of course, that's something the designer has to remember to do...

      re: the formal thank you: I am honored!

      Tim

      Agreed.
  • [DELETED]
  • There is nothing wrong with using tables in a lay out, particularly if you're using a CMS.

    Like every thing, provided it is done properly.
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