Spatula 0 #1 December 16, 2004 www.miragesys.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
katzurki 0 #2 December 16, 2004 all I can say is: About time! Very decent-looking site, not that excuse for design Mirage had had previously off to explore some more. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #3 December 16, 2004 Are the still for sale? (it was them that was for sale a couple month ago, right? Appoligies if I got my manufacturers confused.. my search found nothing)Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davedlg 0 #4 December 16, 2004 Very nice website, very well designed and consistant. I like it! It's definatly easier to find what I am looking for compared to the old one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
larsrulz 0 #5 December 16, 2004 QuoteAre the still for sale? (it was them that was for sale a couple month ago, right? Appoligies if I got my manufacturers confused.. my search found nothing) I had also heard that they were up for sale...was worried as I'm in the process of ordering a new mirage. Definitely a nice site! I got a strong urge to fly, but I got no where to fly to. -PF Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #6 December 16, 2004 Except that if you try to view the HTML only it errors out no matter what choice you select. Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #7 December 16, 2004 What is it with manufacturers thinking Flash websites are a good idea?!?!? There's nothing more annoying... . _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blazetailman 0 #8 December 16, 2004 Flash is not bad. Its great technology when used right. Flash in the hands of a web designer who does not know what they are doing is bad.www.canopyflightcenter.com www.skydivesac.com www.guanofreefly.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #9 December 16, 2004 Something is screwed up... no matter where I browse on their site it takes me to: http://www.miragesys.com/Common/Error.aspx I have the latest flash and everything else Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #10 December 16, 2004 QuoteSomething is screwed up... no matter where I browse on their site it takes me to: http://www.miragesys.com/Common/Error.aspx I have the latest flash and everything else I wonder if they paid their bill to the web guy... Built in 'feature' that the site blows up if the check doesn't clear... (note: humor me here...)----- ~~~Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wee 0 #11 December 17, 2004 QuoteWhat is it with manufacturers thinking Flash websites are a good idea?!?!? There's nothing more annoying... . _Ami agree!!!! and its not even the company, it's the webmaster surely. flash itsnt bad when kept to a minimum but there are so many pages out there flash based ---thats it! i just get sick of the cute little animations "LOADI NG.......LOADING........." click! If the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob.dino 1 #12 December 17, 2004 True, but it does not a website make. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thelem 0 #13 December 17, 2004 Sorry, but what is so good about this website? Problems: 1) The have an enter page that forces you to click a button to say why you are there. This is pointless because: i) Flash can be detected automatically, much more reliably than asking the visitor ii) It asks you why you are there, yet automatically selects one of the choices. Therefore, wether or not this is the most popular reason for going to the site, it will be the reason that is recorded most often. iii) When some people see this screen they will leave the site, losing visitors. 2) The site uses sound, and doesn't even have an obvious mute button. If I am viewing the site on my work computer, or if I am listening to music in the background, then I do not want to hear sound just because I have browsed to a website. At the very least there should be an obvious way to stop it. 3) The site requires cookes (although it does have a funny error, see http://www.miragesys.com/Home/ShopperHome.aspx), although there is no massive need 4) The buttons on the site look like countless that I have seen in website templates (for example, in simple webdesign programs such as frontpage, on free web hosting services such as geocities and also in ones that you can generate in 5 minutes on various websites). They do not look like buttons designed by a professional website design company. 5) There is no way back to the home page of the website - only to the entrance page 6) On most pages there is a section below the logo that does nothing but waste 10% of the screen. On some pages this is used as an aditional menu, but why is it shown on other pages? 7) Clicking on the buttons on the left does nothing and these are not shown in the 'breadcrumb' menu. This makes the site harder to use for 'normal' users, impossible to browse using a keyboard (at least in mozilla) and I'm sure a lot less accessible to blind users. (Certainly in the UK, and I think in america too, there is legistation saying that websites must be designed with blind users in mind). Anyone disagree? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blazetailman 0 #14 December 17, 2004 There are a number of things wrong and you guys are finding them. Mirage is not to blame. ITs the designer that sold them on it. It is a lot harder for me to make a living when some one gets their hands on the software and underbids a project and dosn't have enough knowledge to buld a good site along with what the client needs. Mirage's site is just one of many. and is a big improvement over ther last site. Also, if the site is really new give the designer a little time to clean up the bugs. Even though it should have been uploaded and tested prior to the launch. here are a few sites I helped develope and build that are all flash and seamless use of it. They load fast and are engaging and functional for the clients. At least I think, and they have been happy which is very important. http://www.scpworld.com http://www.pegear.com/ http://www.phat-mama.com/ http://www.ihookstudios.com/ And the guano link below....www.canopyflightcenter.com www.skydivesac.com www.guanofreefly.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blazetailman 0 #15 December 17, 2004 You make fun, If I think the client is sktechy I can build a failsafe into the flash movie that calls out to a file that will load in the flash, from where ever the file is hosted. Never had to use it yet.www.canopyflightcenter.com www.skydivesac.com www.guanofreefly.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #16 December 17, 2004 QuoteYou make fun, If I think the client is sktechy I can build a failsafe into the flash movie that calls out to a file that will load in the flash, from where ever the file is hosted. Never had to use it yet. Unfortunately, I've had to use it a few times so it was kind of poking fun/being serious. Not with flash though. Just build a 'bomb' in the app with an reference to an error code that generates when the app hits a certain date.----- ~~~Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nate_1979 9 #17 December 17, 2004 The website still needs some work... But overall I kinda like most of it, or it's definately a good starting point.. And as pointed out, it is MUCH better than what they had, the old site was one of the biggest waist of bandwidth i've ever looked at.. FGF #??? I miss the sky... There are 10 types of people in the world... those who understand binary and those who don't. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grega 0 #18 December 17, 2004 Hmm and why do i still see the old page??? how do you open new one. on address www.miragesys.com i see the old page "George just lucky i guess!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smiles 0 #19 December 17, 2004 I am not in position to criticize website design.... also...unsure if I am viewing new site or old. Does appear to be a template (buttons...) also, not professional "business like design." The Mirage Systems title (homepage) is not the Mirage logo font (re: as shown on products page Mirage G4) Horizontal bar with empty slots looks to me like it could be used for buttons rather than empty slots... SMiles Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smiles 0 #20 December 17, 2004 Quotehere are a few sites I helped develope and build that are all flash and seamless use of it. They load fast and are engaging and functional for the clients. At least I think, and they have been happy which is very important. I am very impressed with examples you listed links to, talk about professional use of flash. Wish I had the knowledge it takes to design sites like those. Also wish I could view source!!....so much to learn. I have enjoyed my Flash4 software but really haven't improved skills in website design. One thing that really bothers me is the sans, serif, typewriter fonts and how they can view online-- so blurry compared to text in html. Wonder if ungrouping and grouping makes them any clearer?? hmmm.....should I upgrade to FlashMX for Xmas and start taking tutorials...........?? dream on! oh ya! guano site rawks as does your studio gallery!! Sample of my attempt: http://www.vancouver-skydiving.bc.ca/ (embarrassing after checking your links!) or my xmas card: http://www.vancouver-skydiving.bc.ca/xmas2004.html example site of the day from Macromedia: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/nationaltreasure/enhanced.html SMiles Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #21 December 17, 2004 QuoteMirage is not to blame. I disagree. You said it yourself: Quotesomeone gets their hands on the software and underbids a project and dosn't have enough knowledge to buld a good site along with what the client needs. A company who farms out their corporate identity to the lowest bidder gets exactly what they paid for. As for the sites you mentioned, when I tried the first one all I got was a small green icon and text that says "click here to download plugin". Nothing wrong on my end either, I use Firefox 1.0, the most standard compliant browser there is! _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blazetailman 0 #22 December 17, 2004 Yes you are right. They should demand to have the errors fixed. I have had people say they were not at all happy with the work that was done and not get their money back. They feel burned. Please don't get this mixed up with the the current situation. Give the designers and Mirage a little time. Is the flash plugin installed on Firefox? I haven't heard any other errors for the Guano Site.www.canopyflightcenter.com www.skydivesac.com www.guanofreefly.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #23 December 17, 2004 Quote Is the flash plugin installed on Firefox? No. That's the point. I'm being facetious. Aerodyne also got their website fixed after a similar set of problems when it first went live. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
