Thanks to all -- the last aviation theme suite is finally DONE

Definitely. No offense, Jay, but your hotel's web site looks like a
refugee from 1995. I won't pretend to tell you your own business, and I
could well be wrong, but I'd wager that an upgrade to a more modern look
from a good web designer would pay for itself in rapid fashion.

What's funny about this is that I *constantly* receive compliments about my
website BECAUSE of its simple, no-nonsense, easy to navigate "old-fashioned"
design. (I suppose those who think it's dated just keep quiet!)

I go to many hotel (and other) websites that drive me CRAZY with all their
whiz-bang java scripts running, slowing the sites to a molasses-slow pace.
If it were possible to add those cool features without making the sites run
so slow, I'd do it.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
Ercoupe N94856
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

In article KfwDl.52837$DP1.44552@attbi_s22,
"Jay Honeck" wrote:

Definitely. No offense, Jay, but your hotel's web site looks like a
refugee from 1995. I won't pretend to tell you your own business, and I
could well be wrong, but I'd wager that an upgrade to a more modern look
from a good web designer would pay for itself in rapid fashion.

What's funny about this is that I *constantly* receive compliments about my
website BECAUSE of its simple, no-nonsense, easy to navigate "old-fashioned"
design. (I suppose those who think it's dated just keep quiet!)

I go to many hotel (and other) websites that drive me CRAZY with all their
whiz-bang java scripts running, slowing the sites to a molasses-slow pace.
If it were possible to add those cool features without making the sites run
so slow, I'd do it.

Don't get me wrong. I don't think you should have one of these fancy
dynamic sites. Certainly, I appreciate the simplicity. But you can
update the *look* of your site while still keeping the *simplicity* of
it. You have a distracting and (again, no offense intended) somewhat
ugly background on your pages. Your graphics aren't antialiased and as
such appear quite grainy. Your menu on the side is small and not very
easy on the eyes. Overall, the look is just a bit cheap and ugly. I
definitely think that you should keep things simple as you say, but
getting some better graphic design would help a lot.

Again, I don't want you to take this the wrong way. I don't mean to
overly criticize, just offer my view of things. I've never been there,
but it certainly sounds like a nice place. I believe that if you just
make the web site look a bit more modern, more people will be convinced
to give it a try.

--
Mike Ash
Radio Free Earth
Broadcasting from our climate-controlled studios deep inside the Moon

"Mike Ash" wrote in message
...

Don't get me wrong. I don't think you should have one of these fancy
dynamic sites. Certainly, I appreciate the simplicity. But you can
update the *look* of your site while still keeping the *simplicity* of
it. You have a distracting and (again, no offense intended) somewhat
ugly background on your pages. Your graphics aren't antialiased and as
such appear quite grainy. Your menu on the side is small and not very
easy on the eyes. Overall, the look is just a bit cheap and ugly. I
definitely think that you should keep things simple as you say, but
getting some better graphic design would help a lot.

Again, I don't want you to take this the wrong way. I don't mean to
overly criticize, just offer my view of things. I've never been there,
but it certainly sounds like a nice place. I believe that if you just
make the web site look a bit more modern, more people will be convinced
to give it a try.

--
Mike Ash
Radio Free Earth
Broadcasting from our climate-controlled studios deep inside the Moon

Given that Jay's site actually works and is reasonably easy to navigate, I
have to agree with Jay.

There are plenty of sites that look great, but require a very fast
connection to view, and many more that simply won't allow you to print the
same things that you see. Overall, the Internet seems to be degenerating
rapidly and Jay's site, while not perfect, almost seems like blessed relief.

Peter

In article ,
"Peter Dohm" wrote:

"Mike Ash" wrote in message

.com...

Don't get me wrong. I don't think you should have one of these fancy
dynamic sites. Certainly, I appreciate the simplicity. But you can
update the *look* of your site while still keeping the *simplicity* of
it. You have a distracting and (again, no offense intended) somewhat
ugly background on your pages. Your graphics aren't antialiased and as
such appear quite grainy. Your menu on the side is small and not very
easy on the eyes. Overall, the look is just a bit cheap and ugly. I
definitely think that you should keep things simple as you say, but
getting some better graphic design would help a lot.

Again, I don't want you to take this the wrong way. I don't mean to
overly criticize, just offer my view of things. I've never been there,
but it certainly sounds like a nice place. I believe that if you just
make the web site look a bit more modern, more people will be convinced
to give it a try.

Given that Jay's site actually works and is reasonably easy to navigate, I
have to agree with Jay.

There are plenty of sites that look great, but require a very fast
connection to view, and many more that simply won't allow you to print the
same things that you see. Overall, the Internet seems to be degenerating
rapidly and Jay's site, while not perfect, almost seems like blessed relief.

I really just don't understand this objection. It is possible to have a
pretty site which still loads fast and is simple to use. It's not a
choice between pretty usable. Good looking pictures, readable text, and
pleasant layout won't make the site load any more slowly than it does
right now.

I perfectly sympathize and agree with the desire to keep the site simple
and fast. But that doesn't mean it has to keep its current dated look.

--
Mike Ash
Radio Free Earth
Broadcasting from our climate-controlled studios deep inside the Moon

I perfectly sympathize and agree with the desire to keep the site simple
and fast. But that doesn't mean it has to keep its current dated look.

I understand what you're saying, Mike. One of these days, I'll have to take
some time to check out some upgrades.

One thing I need to do is get some high-quality pix of the suites. My quick
and lame efforts fall short of what I need in that regard.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
Ercoupe N94856
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:8awDl.648943$yE1.613178@attbi_s21...
"Hotels.com welcomerewardsT credit and Price Match Guarantee are not
available for the hotels listed below.

That brings up another "guest IQ test" -- the on-line hotel listings.


I'm not a big traveler anymore. My employer has one office and that's where
I work.

A few years ago my kids wanted to go to a convention in Baltimore, so I went
looking for a hotel. I found one for about $100/night on one of the sites, I
honestly don't know which one. After it was booked, I looked through the
mumbo-jumbo and realized they had booked me at a government rate.

I called my brother, who works for the navy, and asked him about it. He said
he had NEVER been asked for an ID when he checked into a room. He travels a
few times a month.

Not wanting to pay whatever cancellation fee they demanded, I figured I'd
get a government ID. I called my friendly FAA and asked for one of those
fancy new plastic pilot's certificates, and stuffed it in my wallet.

Sure enough, when I checked in, she asked for my gubmint ID. I handed her my
PP-SEL and said nothing. She glanced at it, saw the hologram and UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA across the top, and handed it back, again, saying nothing.

Probably wouldn't work at your place, huh?

In article RCRDl.650337$yE1.432563@attbi_s21,
"Jay Honeck" wrote:

I perfectly sympathize and agree with the desire to keep the site simple
and fast. But that doesn't mean it has to keep its current dated look.

I understand what you're saying, Mike. One of these days, I'll have to take
some time to check out some upgrades.

One thing I need to do is get some high-quality pix of the suites. My quick
and lame efforts fall short of what I need in that regard.

I'm sure that would help too. Sounds like you have a nice place there.
While you're never going to convince a certain segment of the population
to abandon the comforting blandness of the chains, I hope a bit of an
upgrade here might convince some more to give your place a chance
instead. Anyway, best of luck!

--
Mike Ash
Radio Free Earth
Broadcasting from our climate-controlled studios deep inside the Moon

Jay Honeck schrieb:
I understand what you're saying, Mike. One of these days, I'll have to take
some time to check out some upgrades.

let a pro do the job.

One thing I need to do is get some high-quality pix of the suites. My quick
and lame efforts fall short of what I need in that regard.

multimedia content is a must. Don't put it too dominant on the main
pages like home, rates, availability, etc.
but: there are more and more people checking the places they're going to
in advance: google street view, webcams, etc.

example: In June I fly to Mallorca (Spain) for a longer weekend: I
"know" the place by now: distance including map from the airport, the
hotel has 2 webcams, in town are 2 or 3 other cams - so I have an
impression of the place and the area.

as Mike said: keep it simple, get rid of the dated stuff. Maybe you'll
do yourself a favour in using a content management system, so you can
stick to a predefined layout (done by a pro) but you are able to add
content by yourself.

best thing: check out other hotels (also overseas!) that are like yours
not attached to a chain. Note what you miss there and what attracted you.

#m

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:RCRDl.650337$yE1.432563@attbi_s21...
I perfectly sympathize and agree with the desire to keep the site simple
and fast. But that doesn't mean it has to keep its current dated look.

I understand what you're saying, Mike. One of these days, I'll have to
take some time to check out some upgrades.

One thing I need to do is get some high-quality pix of the suites. My
quick and lame efforts fall short of what I need in that regard.

Just my opinion but -

Search yourself from Google, and be sure you take advantage of all the free
stuff Google allows.

Keep your site just simple enough to be FAST. But it is a good excuse to
spend some company bucks on camera equipment, lenses, software, etc, to take
up a serious photography hobby. Perhaps even a link to a Power Point
presentation for your own private commercial. Be creative, have fun with it
and let it grow over time. Just stay with it.

Probably wouldn't work at your place, huh?

Guffaw! No, probably not.

Although you might be able to buffalo some of our employees when you checked
in.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
Ercoupe N94856
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"