What would you do different

[StrangerInBeijing]

Could you please look the following website, and tell me what you would do different?
I did not create this, but will rebuild it using php, mysql, jscript, ajax etc, but in the process of doing so, might make some changes to the "looks"...and design is NOT my strong point..

Any suggestions welcome!!

[Hack]

I get "Page Cannot Be Displayed" when I click your link.

[StrangerInBeijing]

really? strange...moved the site to a new server last week (inside china...maybe the "great wall" is yucky) on a new host that also use this very popular website.

[RobDog888]

The first link works for me but is very slow loading. Probably need to optimize the images and the flash menus are nice

[StrangerInBeijing]

yep, i'm busy creating a new version, that look the same, but use proper code (IMHO .... not the cr@p created by dreamweaver)
Also I replaced some flash with css/javascript replicas, and use redused size / quality jpg's instead of high quality png's

Check it out here

Its' under construction of course....

[RobDog888]

Much faster now. Less then 10 seconds to fully load.

What are you using for this new version? ASP.NET or plain basic HTML?

[StrangerInBeijing]

php....i'm done with microsoft

[Paul M]

ASP.NET compiles to DLL files on the actual web server so alternatively it will run faster than PHP.

[RobDog888]

ASP.NET is more powerful and scaleable while php is smaller and faster.

[StrangerInBeijing]

not going to start *that* debate again.

main reason i switched is that with open source skills you got a 10 times better get a job in china (even as foreigner).

By the way Rob, as for your earlier question. The current "slow" version is created by a noober than me developer using html coding with dreamweaver (nasty) and flash (he's pretty good at that...but dont never could get the skills to make"functional" flash...and I dont have time for that.

The "new" version I code in pspad, using css for presentation, php scripting...will enhance things with ajax later. Normal ****e..nothing spectacular

[RobDog888]

Well I like flash on a site when not over done or it be too large of a download.

No, we wont be "starting" anything in this thread

[StrangerInBeijing]

you might want to go back to the site, and click the VIP link...
the kid was so happy with everyone being impressed by THAT flash....

[RobDog888]

Bah! 30+ seconds and still no complete page load for the VIP link.

The images across the top should also be anchor links like the text below them.

[StrangerInBeijing]

ASP.NET compiles to DLL files on the actual web server so alternatively it will run faster than PHP.

he just nasty cuz we took the cup home!

[Hack]

Well, it finally worked for me.

The main page took forever to load.....I thought I was going to get another error.

But, it finally did show up....the VIP link, however, loaded right away.

[StrangerInBeijing]

Though can can expect a slower response when viewing a site through the great wall of china (you guys got no idea...trust me, it slow things down!), it's obviously those graphics and flashes are bad bad for performance.

Got a kick @r$e server (own dedicated server, with only this one site on it) one a kick @r$e host (hosting some of the most popular sites over here), and should not be hearing "things are slow"

Hey, if it's not to much to ask, can some of you open the following two versions of the site, and tell me if you can see a big difference in performance? It's hard for me to say, as I am in the same city as the host, and don't see how things are affected by the chinese firewall. (Both sites load nearly instantly..pretty much like on localhost!)

1) Current Version
2) New Version (under construction)

[Hack]

I don't know about functionality, but the new version screams in terms of loading and page navigation!