MC: Webpage for the official AN MC server? [Archive]

turtle

2011-04-10, 15:01

So I need a favor: If you navigate to mc.applenova.com you see a plain text saying nothing here. How about a basic page with a creeper or other such MineCraft like theme to it. Maybe a link to AN, directions to do basics via links etc.

Anyone want to throw something together that's very basic (ie, no flash) so it won't impact server performance but give a nicer landing if someone decides to manually navigate to it via browser?

Maybe we could make it a contest of some sort too!

709

2011-04-10, 15:21

Maybe just a pic of the AppleNova sign would do. Kinda says it all.... :)

turtle

2011-04-10, 16:21

709: I like the AN sign/name idea actually! So who want's to code it? I'm not a coder.

Bonn89

2011-04-10, 16:38

Turtle, if you'd like I'll try my hand. Just a simple (yet pretty) HTML page with a nice image and links to tutorials, Minecraft.net, Applenova, and maybe even a small gallery of images pulled from the server shouldn't be too difficult! (and will further justify my purchasing Coda :P)

turtle

2011-04-10, 20:02

By all means, I'll take anything I can get. I was going to just get a big creeper png and throw it up. Something useful would be better.

I'm ok with images being local to the server, the heart behind it is that it doesn't suck up resources that should be given to the game. Thus the no flash declaration. Use CSS and whatever else you'd like but remember: basic in technology. Rich in detail if you'd like. :). I just want something worthy of AN's name. ;)

Bonn89

2011-04-10, 21:04

Would the community be interested with a small section listing all the active player's AN names, Minecraft names, and a small portrait of their Minecraft character in whatever skin they tend to use? I think that'd be pretty cool, although obviously more work to keep up with as people change their skins.

turtle

2011-04-10, 21:32

It would be interesting, but I don't think the extra work would be worth it. I'm not even sure it's a good idea to have it directly list user names. Maybe something about it being a whitelisted server and how to request access through AN/link, but that's about all I think would be good.

It could be cool to see who was active on the server "live" but not sure how that could be done. Plus, now we are really getting away from a good basic landing page. It does sound very interesting though!

Brad

2011-04-10, 22:43

Agreed. Let's keep the page as basic HTML. Dynamically generating pages in PHP/Python/Java/etc. all have the potential to sap resources away from what's important. ;)

I might throw a version in for consideration if I can pull myself away from just playing the game in my spare time.

Brad

2011-04-10, 22:47

I might throw a version in for consideration if I can pull myself away from just playing the game in my spare time.
On that note, here's an idea. Any of us interested in making a page should make one by next weekend, post a link (or screenshot if you don't have hosting) in this thread, and we'll vote on it. Yay or nay?

Bonn89

2011-04-10, 22:54

Sounds like a great idea to me!

Here's what I whipped up in the last hour or so. I made sure to incorporate the forum's color scheme into the whole thing. :D

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/412263/novacraft/index.html

Lemme know what you think!

admin edit: screenshot!
http://i.imgur.com/U5Ov2.png

turtle

2011-04-10, 23:08

Great idea Brad!

It's official then. A poll will be opened to chose which submitted page will be the index.html for the server.

Basic limitations: Static content only. I don't want to say HTML only, but I don't code so we'll go with static content only.

You can include an images folder for the server as long as the images are very small in footprint. Links out side of the game server are preferred since it takes more load off of the game server.

The goal is something better than what's there now but fitting for AppleNova. :)

dmegatool

2011-04-12, 13:45

I did a quick design for you fellows, even if I don't play or intend to play Minecraft. I ditched the Applenova sign for an hollywood font to make it cleaner. Could use a regular font... with the image removed, it doesn't make that much sense now. Anyway, I haven't done the html/css file. I'll do so only if I win :)

Thanks to Bonn89 for the text, I pretty much just copied it... But I'm giving you the credits so it's ok ;)

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/74725/Forums%20pics/ANMinecraftDraft.jpg

Bonn89

2011-04-12, 14:18

Oooh, that looks MUCH better than mine! :D

turtle

2011-04-12, 22:30

Nice entry! Thanks for giving us another option. :)

dmegatool

2011-04-13, 02:39

Can we do multiple entries or is it like the photo challenge thread ? :p

I had a couple a minutes laying around and was about to tweak my submitted design... I ended with a second one. Same stuff, different presentation.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/74725/Forums%20pics/ANMinecraftDraft2.jpg

Moogs

2011-04-13, 08:39

I haven't even signed up for MC yet and I like the 2nd one better. ;) Thematically on the money.

turtle

2011-04-13, 20:31

I do like the second one better too! It really does fit the game more I think.

Anyone else gonna take their chance at getting picked?

dmegatool

2011-04-13, 21:08

What can fit more the game than a Creeper face ? :p

I changed the typo on the first one. The hollywood thing didn't make any sense without the picture. So it's pixelated font for all !

dmegatool

2011-04-15, 11:29

Pretty quiet on the submissions front :\

Brad

2011-04-15, 11:45

I have one in mind but haven't taken the time to hash it out. Tonight!

turtle

2011-04-15, 20:24

I'm looking forward to seeing what's out there for this simple task. Surely more want to submit an option?

Robo

2011-04-15, 20:29

I really don't think I could do better than dmegatool's second. :) I would change the link in the second paragraph to be "this thread" rather than "GamingNova subforum," but that'd be about it. I like the blocks :)

Brad

2011-04-16, 01:39

Finally! My submission:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25122677/Minecraft/mc-homepage-mockup.png

I wrote this as an HTML page, but I haven't ported the Webkit-specific CSS bits (gradient, drop-shadow) to work in Firefox and the markup is a little ugly at the moment. So, all you get is an image for now.

I specifically worded the opening text here to reflect that anyone accessing the page must have gotten there by mistake since the web page itself isn't advertised in links anywhere. The only way someone could get to it would be by reading one of our Minecraft threads or by word of mouth (which you must admit is unlikely).

I themed it very closely to the standard AppleNova Pro theme since the page lives just off the main applenova.com domain like the forums. I kinda threw it together in a rush tonight, but overall I'm satisfied with the general appearance. I'd like to add another narrow frame to both sides of the embedded image, but I didn't have time to trek out to the other locations I had in mind.

Unlike the other submissions here, I'm also using my texture pack for the graphics. :p ;) Wait… looking closer at Bonn's screenshot... why aren't you using my pack, man?!

Robo

2011-04-16, 02:17

Ooh ooh ooh.

I vote for Brad's. :p

dmegatool

2011-04-16, 09:59

Ooh ooh ooh.

I vote for Brad's. :p

Admin's ass licker :p

Bonn89

2011-04-16, 10:36

Unlike the other submissions here, I'm also using my texture pack for the graphics. Wait… looking closer at Bonn's screenshot... why aren't you using my pack, man?!

I flip flop between lots of texture packs. :P

Plus, when someone new logs into Minecraft, they're going to see stock textures the first time, so they COULD be confused as to why Minecraft doesn't look as beautiful as it does with your textures..

*That's* how you be a suck-up to an Admin! :P

dmegatool

2011-04-16, 11:02

*That's* how you be a suck-up to an Admin! :P
:lol: ... Yep, that's how you do it :)

You could even push it a little bit more :p

Bryson

2011-04-16, 13:15

Trying to name the locations in Brads screenshots: l-r: mob trap, the sphere, Bridgeport. They're easy. Next one is...??? Last one I think is the exchange. With someone in it - I'm guessing it's me if the screenshots were taken last night but the armor means it could be one of several people.

turtle

2011-04-16, 16:20

SpecMode's house on mob hill I think.

Robo

2011-04-16, 18:05

Admin's ass licker :p

But I think you can see a tiny sliver of the garden where my house will be on the edge of his Bridgeport screen! I want to make a difference. :p

Also, I'm never going to not vote for Minecraft speedholes. And it does nicely match the rest of the site. :) I am all about the matchy matchy.

dmegatool

2011-04-17, 15:17

Time to add a poll ?

turtle

2011-04-17, 15:40

I was thinking give 'til the end of today. So tomorrow, but I'm ok with today too. :) I can't add a poll though, we'd need one of the mods to do that for us.

Brad

2011-04-17, 17:28

Yeah let's give it until tomorow in case we have late submissions. I'll try adding a poll then.

turtle

2011-04-17, 23:24

I'm a little surprised we didn't get more attempts. I really am surprised. :(

Brad

2011-04-18, 03:00

Poll added! Go vote.

Robo

2011-04-18, 03:53

I'm a little surprised we didn't get more attempts. I really am surprised. :(

Sorry. :o I've been spending my creative energy actually in Minecraft. It's all new to me! :D

Poll added! Go vote.

Brad wins with 100% of the vote! OK, fine, other people can vote.

turtle

2011-04-18, 09:42

That really was a hard vote. I had to go with Brad's though because of the texture pack and that it actually matched up with the rest of AN's "style". The wool texture just threw it over the top for me. I really liked dmegatool's second one though.

I had to go back and forth between them before making my choice. Good work to all of you. Bonn, your's was good too, though when someone has the code half laid out already.....

Bonn89

2011-04-18, 09:55

It was fun to design a small page, but Brad's design was definitely the best! I feel no sadness in loosing :P

dmegatool

2011-04-18, 10:38

Time to add a poll ?
Can we remove the poll now, it's embarrassing :(

:p Grats to Brad !

Elysium

2011-04-18, 11:39

I loved the second offing from dmega. But I had to go with the consistency of Brad's.

turtle

2011-04-18, 12:17

So Brad, whenever you're ready you can upload the page to the server or just give me access to the zip and I'll put it up. :)

turtle

2011-04-18, 22:48

Brad, you might want to update your images to include the lego house....

Brad

2011-04-18, 23:01

Next week when I'm back from Florida. Until then, I only have net access via iPhone. And REALLY bad ATT coverage. :grumble:

turtle

2011-04-18, 23:31

Next week when I'm back from Florida. Until then, I only have net access via iPhone. And REALLY bad ATT coverage. :grumble:

Yeah, kinda shocked that you are even here with us. Aren't you supposed to be hugging Mickey and enjoying Epcot?

Robo

2011-04-22, 21:28

That really was a hard vote. I had to go with Brad's though because of the texture pack and that it actually matched up with the rest of AN's "style". The wool texture just threw it over the top for me.

I didn't even notice the special textures at first! Yeah, that's super awesome. It's like AppleNova with a Minecraft-y kick.

Brad, you might want to update your images to include the lego house....

Really? You think my LEGO house is that cool? I'm wowed. :) :) :)

If I were going to suggest a change though, I'd suggest replacing the pig in the speed hole with a wolfie. I can't help it. They're so cute with Brad's texture pack! :D

709

2011-04-22, 21:33

But you can't put a saddle on a wolfie.

drewprops

2011-04-22, 23:09

turtle

2011-04-22, 23:13

So I'm looking forward to getting this page up on the server...

Not sure why really, who's actually going to go there? It will just be better than what's there now it all.

Robo

2011-04-22, 23:42

I like DMegatool's 2nd, but it is ADMITTEDLY not custom to our community. Knowing that we'd probably go with Brad's thematic version I felt it important to recognize the very pretty design of DMegatool's efforts... the palette and the layout are quite nice :)

...

Oh, totally. I think all the contributors knocked it out of the park...but when Brad knocked it out of the park, the ball flew through the air and hit the back of a robber who was trying to make off with an old lady's purse. It's just that awesome.

drewprops

2011-04-22, 23:43

But it's not as "pretty" as dmegatools (I tremble with fear at saying that, knowing that Brad can turn off the sun with a snap of his godlike mouse).

(subjectivity is subjective)

...

dmegatool

2011-04-23, 00:38

Thanks a lot for the support Drew. It's really appreciated.

I know eveybody loves brad's consistency but I wanted to make something different. I mean, it's not like if that page is part of AN forums. I just though it was cool if it could be different... You know, like in Think different. :P And I guess the number of people actually accessing the page is gonna be very low.

Anyway it was great looking at some minecraft shots to get the feel of it. Fun to design... If AN ever need some designs, I'll probably be in.