Check out the new website: http://lime-technology.com

 

Please let me know what you think!

 

For a while there will be many broken links in the forum and wiki that point back to the old Wordpress site.  I'll be busy updating these directly in the mysql databases.  When I think I'm done, I'll post a note here to that effect...

 

Cheers

Tom

It is broke pretty bad for me....

 

Font sizes are being specified in pixels, rather than ems.

 

That means people with large screens or dpi settings other than 96dpi get real tiny or real BIG text.

 

You are also hosing people who have selected their own default font sizes based on their systems, and /or other issues like poor eyesight.  FOr example, some people prefer not to wear glasses when using the monitor, and just up the default font in the browser to 22 points.

 

My screen is 2600x1600 and I run at 134dpi.

 

And the light green text is REAL hard to read on the whit background.

Looks good Tom.

 

My only suggestions is to add a marketing tactic to the front page. Have something on the front page that sticks out at first stie. "Top 3 Benefits of Unraid". And list off the 3 items that sets unraid above the rest. Having the 3 key elements of Unraid sticks out to people that first stumble upon the site and grabs their attention. Gets them interested. I hate marketing ploys and marketers themselves because of some of their ruthless tactics but something like "Imagine owning a car that cleans itself..."  I would certainly read on...

It is broke pretty bad for me....

 

Font sizes are being specified in pixels, rather than ems.

 

That means people with large screens or dpi settings other than 96dpi get real tiny or real BIG text.

 

You are also hosing people who have selected their own default font sizes based on their systems, and /or other issues like poor eyesight.  FOr example, some people prefer not to wear glasses when using the monitor, and just up the default font in the browser to 22 points.

 

My screen is 2600x1600 and I run at 134dpi.

 

And the light green text is REAL hard to read on the whit background.

 

Changed the 'site width' from 1024 pixels to 'Fluid' and increased default font size.  Don't know if this will help much but all I can do until Monday.

I like it, a nice freshening of the look.

 

I do have to agree with Bubba about the low contrast lettering, though.  I don't have a problem myself with it, and I know that it is becoming more popular, and it *is* attractive, but those with poorer eye sight have a lot of trouble making out light letters.  Make the green letters bolder, stronger.

 

I agree with the need to better emphasize some of the unRAID advantages.  But I would really like to see more exposure of the 'free trial' version.  I think that should be a highlight of the page, the ability to create your own 3 disk unRAID array, for FREE!  That really allows prospective users to test the whole concept out, with little commitment.  This approach is especially effective (I think!) when you have a great product that sells itself once they try it, but is a very new and different idea to many of the very people who would most benefit from it.

Comments with my general disclaimer of "opinions dont flame me"

 

I have to agree with the comments so far... the green text is unreabale  in all but the large bold versions.

 

The URL redirect to http://www.lime-technology.com/joomla/ is not very slick.

 

Heres my contentious option ..... get someone else to do the website. Run a competition for graphics and or a new design. Essentially barter licenses for work. I say this because I still believe the website is holding you back. Yes it looks nice but it looks like a joomla templated site and not a bigger company website.

 

Edit: i see for the news article you did get some one else to do the site. i reckon you just need a much better template and a differernt approach to presenting less then more information

 

Let me give you an example. To get a feel for what unRAID is you need to read the home page (which is a page and a half on my larger screen) and hope you dont miss the "unique RAID technology" page. Grab your customers by the balls with a flashy single page home page. Get them the info that keeps them reading... think less then more. I constantly send people to the website and they always come back missing some of the coolest features. The cool features is what makes them eventually consider it.

 

Please please dont flame me for this I definately think it looks good but it could be so much more :>)

 

Edit: Some more thoughts.

 

Features at a glance section in place of most of the text on the homepage (community can help compile this list)

Testimonials. A few well place testimonials can look good and add soemthing raw feature sets cant

Bin the poll. It reaks of "i will add it cause i can". If you really want to know this do a mail shot poll

Revelmin the fact theres a huge GPL community behind the forum and support.

Mention it can be extended by community additions

The "unRAID Server Installation" should be on the wiki

"Less expensive" in your banner add doesnt read right.

No continuity in company branding. Website logo, banner logo and unRAID logo in the banner all different. I personally think the banner ones is the best

have a gallery.

dont hide the web gui images. we all know its basic but it is what it is. show it in the gallery

Stick to one font. There are at least 3 differernt fonts used

 

 

Again I really like where your going. Turning unRAID into a proper LLC is something we all have wanted so go for it !

 

It is ok Tom - for a 99.9% ready template.

 

I agree with NAS - use a web designer. We even have some good here.

 

I agree with everybody above in fact and take Bubba's tech comments into account.

 

 

I think it looks good but there is still room for improvement.

 

I like the poll - I think it will encourage participation.

 

I like the "Green" server angle - not sure if that is new or not.  Problem is there is nothing about them being "Green" on the linked page.  I'd expect (as a customer) a server tricked out with GP drives boasting low watts.

 

The screen shot of network places is dated and not particularly powerful.

 

Omits some of the newer features including NFS support and ability to install add-on media streaming software directly on the unRAID server.

 

Small nit, the word "search" is not centered in the search box in the upper right corner.  It is too low.

 

The following is found on the "New Website Launch" link on the home page.  I usually would not have clicked on that link, as I already see the new website, but since I was checking out the site I did.

 

Anyway, some interesting (new) information here ...

 

There are many changes in store for Lime Technology in the coming days and months.  Here are some of things in the works:

 

In addition to the new website, we are launching an ad campaing at AVS Forum.  Some of you many remember the monster thread where we first announced unRAID Server.  I can't say enough about how nice the folks are over there and we are really looking forwared to working with them.

 

Starting with the upcoming 5.0 relesae of unRAID OS, we will be switching to an open API to the server management component.  This will permit much more rapid development of new features.  Our goal is to beome the premiere platform for Network Attached Media Storage.

 

We have a new feature planned for user shares called media mode that will permit you to browse your media by type, genre, rating, etc.  This will be very useful for streaming media players such as the Playstation 3.

 

With the recent addtion of Active Directory support, and an upcoming 16-drive rack mount unRAID server, we are planning to become more active in the Small/Medium Business (SMB) market: videographers, medical imaging, etc.

 

The time has come to change from an LLC to a real Corporation.  This will permit us more flexibility in handling the business side of things.  Lime Technology continues to be privately held and self-funded, with no debt.

You make a point.... i never looked in that link for the first 3 visits

Just as an FYI seems the wiki sneakily got updated to a new version as well.

 

Immediately I see some admin tools that will help. Thanks Tom

Just as an FYI seems the wiki sneakily got updated to a new version as well.

 

Immediately I see some admin tools that will help. Thanks Tom

 

Yup, it did get updated about a day before Tom announced the new site.  If you check out the Hardware Compatibility Page and the User_Benchmarks Page you will see that tables are now sortable, which is very cool!

very cool

Font sizes are better for body text... but the bulleted text is still very tiny.

There is one very important thing that is missing, and that is a Support link or button or tab.  There's no getting around it, it MUST be there, prominently.  And I would like to strongly request that it point first of all to the Troubleshooting wiki page.  It can also point to the UnRAID Manual and the FAQ and other things, but it at least should direct people to the Troubleshooting page.  Please please please???  The link for the forums and wiki are not enough, as there are many people that won't understand them, and many who still don't know what a wiki is.

 

As to the font size, for once I'm on the other side from BubbaQ, but not enough to push for a change.  I happen to like fine print, and very small fonts (so long as they are clear and readable), and the current change is way larger than I like.  But I don't have any problems reading it, so my preference doesn't really matter here.  I just don't like to have to scroll to, or click to, more info.  I want as much info as possible on one large screen, so long as it is well organized, but I understand I'm just one data point on the extreme other end of the font size user preference curve.

 

There still are a number of misspellings to fix.  But not as bad as the ones on the Bouldersite.com site.  That site has got to be missing out on some customers, when they see some of the bad misspellings.  Most people don't care, but some do, and generally they really do.

I am going to agree with RobJ on the point about the font size.  It is a little to large for my liking right now and I found it better when it was the other size.

He also brings up a good point about there needing to be a link for troubleshooting.  Make it as idiot proof as possible and add a "button" similar to the "News," "Company," "Technology," etc. links.  Make that button lead to the links RobJ described with a description of each page.  Also include a link to the forums so that new users can come here and ask question if/when they do not find an answer in the wiki.  I realize that all of this can be gotten to via the "Getting started with unRAID" link  but I still think it should have its own button.

 

I think there needs to be front and center a Pros and Cons for unRAID.  This will get potential customers thinking and hopefully digging around a little bit more.  Create a post and have the current members post there pros and cons; that way it is as fair as possible.

 

Perhaps include BIOS settings for ALL of the Motherboards used in preconfigured unRAID systems.  That way anyone wanting to build there own but use the stock motherboard has those settings.

 

Also perhaps start selling the 1.5TB drives again as the issues with those seem to be fixed.

 

I would also like to see a more "customizable" server choice (or more of them).  I think this will bring in more of the lower end user.  Offer something with a lower end motherboard and no drive cages.  If you want to attracted some new people that are considering switching from things like the Drobo or prebuilt NAS boxes you need something that could come closer in price to that system.  The people that want something that is prebuilt but do not ant to shell out $1200 for a system are going to shy away from unRAID because they can't get something lower cost.  I built my system, without drives, for around ~350.  Granted that was searching a waiting for deals, but I think a reliable base system could be built for $500 and another system for around $800-900.  **This is just my opinion so take it for what it is**

 

Under the "Technology" button there could be more explanation of the tech and unique features in unRAID.  User Shares is a good start but there also needs to be things in there about the Web interface (the new one) and how it is used, and probably a few other things I am forgetting.

 

Well, that is my synopsis of what I think of the new site.  I like the new look in general and I think it is a step in the write direction.

There is one very important thing that is missing, and that is a Support link or button or tab.

 

... and just like that, they are added!  Support button and page are there.  That was fast!

I am going to agree with RobJ on the point about the font size.  It is a little to large for my liking right now and I found it better when it was the other size.

 

Fonts should ONLY be specified by percentages or ems.... to allow the user's "standard" default size to control.

 

This, for example from the Lime homepage, is bad:

 

<div id="centar" style="font-size:16px; width:99%;">

 

And this from /joomla/templates/softech/css/green.css

 

font: normal 18px Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif;

 

I would have to agree with most about the choice of fonts.  In particular, Georgia seems out of place.  I would just nix it.  I may suggest also suppressing any font-style for emphasis tags unless explicitly desired i.e. give the em tag a class where desired.  It would make it seem a little more cohesive.  As for font-weight and strong tags, everyone has their own opinion.  It does look strange how you boosted the "unRAID Server" text size over digital media storage within the first paragraph although I understand the intent.

 

The modules could also both use a small boost in padding, somewhere around a pixel (or whichever measurement you choose) or so.  You could apply a very very subtle (faint) background colour to the titles of those as well, to give them a bit more distinction from their content.  The "Vote" and "Results" buttons don't look like they belong on the page.  It doesn't look like you really restyled that part of the poll.

 

Images still seem somewhat half-arsed dropped in.  At the very least I would suggest providing some margins or padding to the parent block element.  A subtle border acting as drop shadow or similar could work, although only if it is subtle.

 

There are some minor issues with depth from the shadows.  The top bar containing the Lime-Tech Logo and main navigation is being pulled forward from its lower shadow but the top is still somewhat connected.  In addition, the footer seems a little forgotten with the soft corners or shadows lines type theme.

 

The main buttons seem a little less than intuitive how they dont appear to have a drop menu to begin with, then some do, while others don't.  They look a little more connected to the page when they have the flat bottoms when they drop down and I would argue its better in this case.

 

Overall despite these comments, I do like it.  Just needs a bit of polishing.

 

As everyone already pointed out as well, a bit of code cleanup could help.  Try to avoid any styling getting messed up with your content.  It can sometimes help with rankings as well.

As much as those of us who have contributed to the Hardware Compatibility page will feel complimented by its being considered the lastest word on its subject matter, you might want to correct the spelling of the very lastest paragraph of the new Lime Technology home page.