I like some of the ideas you have on your site, it just feels like there is too much going on. I couldn't find anywhere for new players to go to find what games are playing let alone how you want them to play.

The site has an unfinished feeling also. Your contact us page has places for address, phone number ect but nothing posted there. On your banners page, there was only one banner that was showing up. The other 2 were not working.

I do like the general layout and your banner. Both are easy to read and easy on the eyes. Overall this is a good site, just a little too big and obviously unfinished.

Digital Doom

the creators may die, but the game lives on.
http://groups.msn.com/shadowrunonline/welcome.msnw

Thanks, that will help, I'll fix those bit.

Though the banners, I see them my end, and on different machines, are we looking at the same place?

http://rpgrm.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=36

Also looks like I need an extended help section.

never a dull moment...

http://www.rpgRM.com

Yes it's the same place. I only get the middle one to show up. I'm using IE 7 if that's any help.

Digital Doom

the creators may die, but the game lives on.
http://groups.msn.com/shadowrunonline/welcome.msnw

I've checked over it, and other members have done the same and we can't find a problem.

I thought it might have been the 'alt' text but they are all the same, the images are all saved the same way, saved in the same folder, and called in the same way.

So I'm at a loss as to why you can't see them.

never a dull moment...

http://www.rpgRM.com

I get all three banners in both Firefox and IE7

Ok First regarding the banners I run Opera 8 The two that Digital Doom could not see loaded first on my browser and the middle one took longer. On I.E. 7 they loaded top to bottom, so eventually I saw all 3 on both.

You mention that the site is :

This is a free, Resource and Play by Post ( PbP ) roleplaying site for HARP, Rolemaster, Spacemaster, Call of Cthulhu, RuneQuest, Steve Jackson Games and any other game, not catered for in the plethora of d20 sites out there, you want to bring along.

Where should gamemasters go for information on how to bring in a new game? I agree that the front page maybe needs a bit different organization especailly in the menu. Perhaps pull the top downloads off the frontpage and list them under a downloads menu item on that page. Same with forum posts, maybe if there is a way you could list just the board area like Games/Recruiting, etc.

This may just be me, but I dislike the info from the first page being continued on another page using the multiple links. Maybe just add a more news link or refer people to the area. Listing page 2, end, etc suggests to me that no one edits the front page, just adds articles. Again maybe just a more news link to send them to the second page then list other pages there.

When I click on the news item in the Main menu, I would expect to see the divisions on the news page set like this:

Most recent items
Item 1 feed info and link
Item 2 feed info and link
Item 3 feed info and link
Item 4 feed info and link

Older articles:
Date range or topic link 1 for multiple items
Date range or topic link 2 for multiple items
Date range or topic link 3 for multiple items
Date range or topic link 4 for multiple items

Any other divisions

As the page is currently set I have to click through to see a current item list then select there. Then go back a page or maybe more (since atm you have examples only up) to get back to the list then back another page to read anything else that may interest me.

Obviously you are working on it still so let us know when you are ready for the next round of comments. It's getting there.

Zeta Thompson
Graycastle
Part of the Zeta Entertainment Network ,a Subsidiary of Dogs of War.
Dow and Zen

Just back off holiday....

Great comments, very constructive.

now all I have to do is go and see what I can do about them....

never a dull moment...

http://www.rpgRM.com

I've made a few simple changes to make the landing page easier to use, though I'll hold off removing some of the side bars as they are useful.

Downloads have been increased and reorganized.

There's a getting started in PbP article linked from the landing page.

Any more comments, good or bad would be welcome.

never a dull moment...

http://www.rpgRM.com

So far, so good, I just find brown a bit boring but that is MY opinon. The layout and structure is easy to follow and pages easy to read. Keep going in the direction you are I would say.

Zeta Thompson
Graycastle
Part of the Zeta Entertainment Network ,a Subsidiary of Dogs of War.
Dow and Zen

I like the brown, a little different and easy on the eye, but like you say it's a personal thing.

I intend adding new things bit by bit, without breaking the structure we have, hopefully that will mean the site will develop organically without changing it's small and friendly feel.

I'm hoping to get a GW as we move forward, as we had one many years ago before the site changed and I took it off as it seemed inappropriate to keep it when things where so different.

The question is it ready or do I need to make more changes to get there?

never a dull moment...

http://www.rpgRM.com

There are links on your site missing the http:// so they link to a page on your site. For example the 2 buttons on the bottom of the front page.

What browser are you using, as those links worked for me in Firefox and Safari, though I have changed them, they shouldn't link back to rpgRM, worst case should be no link at all.

I'll try to tie them down as I go on, and make sure I don't put any more in.

never a dull moment...

http://www.rpgRM.com

FWIW they worked in Opera 8 too

Zeta Thompson
Graycastle
Part of the Zeta Entertainment Network ,a Subsidiary of Dogs of War.
Dow and Zen

It's been a while, may I ask is this a lack of time/editors thing, or are we falling short for a GW in some way, if so, knowing what we are lacking will help us improve.

never a dull moment...

http://www.rpgRM.com

Site fails W3 validation for XHTML 1.0 Transitional with 134 errors
Zeta Thompson
Graycastle
Part of the Zeta Entertainment Network ,a Subsidiary of Dogs of War.
Dow and Zen

As does nearly every site with more than just basic content, the gateway fails with 70 errors, and many accessibility websites for the disabled do, yet they aren't considered an issue.

This page has 89 errors, accessibility is more complex than just passing a validation test.

never a dull moment...

http://www.rpgRM.com

Understood, but we have criteria that a site must fulfill for a Gold Wyrm since that is the best of best as it were. Also to be fair, just because a site works in one speech client (jaws 8 being the one most people I know use), does not mean it will in all nor in all browsers in all countries.

Zeta Thompson
Graycastle
Part of the Zeta Entertainment Network ,a Subsidiary of Dogs of War.
Dow and Zen

Can I ask which bits of the site don't fulfill the GW criteria, so I can look at those sections or the site as a whole and make changes if that is possible.

never a dull moment...

http://www.rpgRM.com

Did you even look at the errors you get from validation? Most of those are easy to fix, and won't affect your site's look or accessibility at all.

--Alayla

God Wars II | MudLab

That is a little harsh, I am looking for help, not insults.

I did look at the errors, most of which are attribute errors, and if you read some of the forums on such errors you will find that changing them can cause issue with differing browsers, so it is a damned if i do damned if i don't scenario when it comes to most of the errors.

It is also an issue that as I am not a programmer, just a humble designer, and thus I find it hard working through such contradictory advice when it comes to code like this, some say that is how you should leave it or it will not be readable in IE, some say there are fixes, but it involves tricking the code, others say things I don't even understand.

What i do understand is that in every browser I have used the site works, it is clear and legible, it can be read by speech software, mobile phones and other mobile devices. It has interesting content, gives people a lot of pleasure and is also popular.

For a labor of love I believe that is some achievement.

I am asking what more I have to do to get a GW, so if you have some help please give it. After all other sites I have checked that have a GW don't validate through w3, so why is my site different, and is that the only reason I fail to make the grade?

This is about making a better site, that is all.

never a dull moment...

http://www.rpgRM.com

Wyrm Tips

Here it is

Zeta Thompson
Graycastle
Part of the Zeta Entertainment Network ,a Subsidiary of Dogs of War.
Dow and Zen

I have read the criteria, and as far as i can tell only the w3 compliance is an issue, and as it is an issue for others that have GWs, could you tell me why resourcemasters is being viewed in a more strict manner than others?

never a dull moment...

http://www.rpgRM.com

First, I cannot address previous awards. If you check the date on my membership, you will find that it was this year that I became an editor for this site. I have run every site requesting a wyrm through the two sites listed in the tips. Perhaps it was not a requirement in the past, you mentioned your site had one previously and from your reaction, I have to assume that this is the case. Also please note these are MY opinions not those of all of the editors. Like any award it is given by the group, I am not singling out your site, rather I am treating it as I have every other site that has asked for a review and that I have participated in the review process.

That having been said:
It also failed the accessabilty site tests on watchfire site.
(accessibility page only).
The page loads in a in 800x600 navigation with a scroll bar required to see the rightmost column.

Now for my personal opinions on the site:

It has come quite a way since you first started this thread. It is greatly improved, but honestly nothing makes me go WOW this is neat or different.

Main Menu Leftmost column:

Under the news link you still have example articles using Lorem Ipsum.

Ditto under the Faq

Features Menu:
There is only one article on the site under articles.

The forums look nice and active, however the emphasis there seems to be more on the actual roleplaying boards (Amber Wyrm) rather than the boards about roleplaying (Golden Wyrm). Perhaps changing the order of the boards would change that impression. I like the fact you have off topic at the bottom.

On the downloads page in Opera 9.20 running on Windows Vista the date of a few of the files overruns the name and the Hot! indicator the Rodes_beach_campaign is an example.

The down loads are described well, but the view button just gave me a blank page in Opera on each one I tried, (Rolemaster_RMFRP_Attack_Orcish_Horde, Rodes_Beach_Campaign) under Rolemaster. Christmas at Lady DeWinters gave me a view with no problem.

Systems

Whitewolf link leads to a page stating Overview needed
Runequest has an overview but no reviews
Rolemaster page has a place holder stating Information to follow - overview page from link followed is not complete.
Fudge - overview page from link followed is not complete.

Shoutbox
If possible this option should not be visible to those not logged in (my opinion). You could look at separating somehow from those options available to general public, such as adding a members only section.

This is as far as I have gone in reviewing the site. I should point out that I have not checked the original content ratio, articles that I read were written using standard English and grammar rules. A few more graphics would make the pages mmore interest, but make certain you apply the accessibily requirement for descriptions as listed on the watchfire site.

Keep working on it.

Thank you for that, much more constructive, even though it gives me more headaches.

The acceptability page you mentioned gives bad links as an issue, this isn't the case, as it seems to be reporting all the database driven links as bad links.

The 800 x 600 issue, is a hard one to fix, and still have the layout I want, is using a scroll bar to get to the right of the page a major issue? In these days of hi res monitors few people view pages at that kind of resolution these days.

Your personal comments where for me the most useful, and show some issues I need to tackle.

The forums are mainly for play by post, as that is their emphasis, I didn't think they qualified for a GQ as they are a forum?

Off to fix some more bits, though it seems I may not pull off all your criteria for a GW, the important bit is to get a better site, so again thanks.

never a dull moment...

http://www.rpgRM.com

I've edited the alt texts and some loose tags, getting me to 119 errors, the rest are more tricky as most are part of the modules for joomla, and editing them may cause me issue, as at present they work.

never a dull moment...

http://www.rpgRM.com

Can I just say, Ictus, that' you've renewed my interest in your site. I registered about a year ago and you changed a lot. I always stress my support of any PbP website that promotes online RPing in general and it looks like you continue to allow offsite adverts, so props to you. I will surely check out the link exchange.

The only part that had me stopped and scratching my head for a second was your recruitment area. It doesn't say that that's for in house games (as opposed to the classifieds area). You may want to note that for greedy people like me who have our own forums to think about Since I've had you bookmarked in my head as a general resource site, I approach it from that p.o.v.

- - - - - - - - Do not use dotted lines - - - - - - - - -

Advertise your online RPG - http://www.pbem2.com

Thar Shaddin - freeform fantasy PbP RP: http://www.tharshaddin.com

Thanks for that, we've always had a policy of allowing other sites to advertise, as long as they don't mind us popping a little ad on theirs, as our main remit is to help grow the roleplaying hobby.

I've just amended the recruiting thread description to help avoid confusion.

never a dull moment...

http://www.rpgRM.com

Of course I've always been a fan of your site, the amount of time and effort you've put into it always amazes me. Personally I'm in favor of granting you a GW, but although I still have my editor title here I haven't really been active and honestly haven't properly reviewed the requirements for a GW in awhile. I can almost guarantee that my own site no longer meets them if yours doesn't. Although, I don't think I actually have the Gold Wyrm displaying on my page anymore.
If it does come down to a close decision, I'll review the requirements more closely and give your site a more critical view, but seeing as my opinion isn't exactly unbiased I'll leave the reviewing to others for now.