Since there were no objections I am going to give the whole reviewing thing a go. This is my first ReviewMe review that isn't about ReviewMe (yes... it's a paid review).
The site in question is w3 tableless. The first sentence on their website explains the purpose of the site but to save some time here it is again:
Validate your tableless website, link to us and you are automatically registered in our network of tableless designed sites.
The first thing I noticed was the rotating cube of screenshots. It seems to be a way to look at previously submitted tableless sites. Personally I would have gone for a simple text list, but at least it's in Flash and not a Java Applett. The second thing I noticed was the design. It's not particularly attractive, which seems strange for a site which is essentially a website showcase, but that too can be overlooked assuming the rest of the site is worthwhile.
Step 1 : Validate your tableless site
Ok, enter my url in the box and press "check". A few seconds later and I am told...
Congratulations ... !
binarymoon.co.uk is tableless according to the W3C Recommendations
and also is a 100% tableless!
Unfortunately I am not told what the difference is between the w3c telling me my site has no tables and them telling me it is 100% tableless.
Step 2 - Become a Linking Partner!
Now I have been told my results I can move onto step 2. Become a linking partner - not something I would normally do but since they are paying for this review the link is in this post.
Step 3 - Sit back and relax!!
The site claims it is the largest collection of tableless sites. I would say it's the only collection of tableless sites. There are plenty of showcase sites out there but none use the term tableless and none of them focus on this aspect of design.
Conclusion
I'm sorry to say I am not particularly impressed with this site - it's sole purpose appears to be to tell me something I already know.
However in the interest of keeping things constructive I would make a few suggestions.
- Get a designer to improve the look of your site. You are, essentially, a showcase site so you should look good.
- Remove the Linking partner stuff. If people like the service they will link to you
- Add some content explaining why being tableless is good. Tables are perfectly ok when used properly and you should emphasize the difference between tables for design and tables for tabular data
- Remove the rotating cube. It's pointless and gets in the way of the reason people are meant to be on your site
In my mind showcase sites are slowly dying out - and w3 tableless isn't useful enough, or interesting enough to compete with other similar sites in this field. I didn't want to be so negative but I'm afraid I haven't found anything to like about it. Sorry.
Your thoughts?
Now it's your turn. Have I been too harsh? Is this site worth more than I give it credit for?
9 Responses to “W3tabless” Leave a reply ›
I agree with all your opinions. I don't really need a validator program to tell if a site is tableless or not... if it's my site, I know already and if it's someone else a quick "View Source" would suffice.
The site in question isn't very attractive, either. And the cube of recently submitted sites is a little overkill... cool in concept, useless in real life.
Hi,
Thanks for your review.
I am the developer and designer of w3tableless.com.
w3tableless.com is primarily a validator, not a showcase.
The (misunderstood) concept of w3tableless is for webdevelopers to show their visitors that they have taken care of tableless design by linking their site to the validator. The visitor, once directed to w3tableless, gets to see the "100% tableless" message and gets a good impression of the website in question.
Of course the developer already knows that it is tableless because he/she has made the site.
I like the shortlist that you've made to improve the service of the site, i will work on that and see if i can find a professional designer or do it better myself. Also i probably need a copywriter.
I will move the cube to another section, not on the entrance page
The linking partner stuff is just the whole concept, only i have to find better words for it (i am not a native english speaker, so that's hard for me).
The site is only up two months or so and already had 3800 urls validated and generated about 400 "linking partners", i only hope it will grow to a standard.
With the tips that you gave me i feel that this just could happen
The most important factor for that to happen is support from the community. I therefore treasure your feedback and again, will work on it.
Now i only have to find the time to work it out.
Deejay
w3tableless.com
Hi Dirk
I'm glad you took what I said constructively. I didn't want to come across too negatively but, for me at least, I couldn't see any use for the site.
Since you say you're not a showcase the link to validate your site should definitely be the first thing on the page (apart from the logo).
The cube is quite a funky piece of coding (part of my day job involves development in flash) but it distracts from the purpose of the site and, since it's the first thing you see, gave me the impression it was a showcase.
Since you've had 3800 sites validate you clearly aren't doing badly, you just need to tweak things.
Despite my criticism I hope it goes well for you. I know how hard it is to get a new project going so wish you luck.
well said both of you, after reading the comments i aggree with both of you ! try to work together for mutual benifits.
Hi Ben,
Maybe once i've found the time to update w3tableless.com i can ask you here again to take a
critical look at it ? (in the comments)...
PS: Zeeshan: thanks
Greetings
Deejay
w3tableless.com
Dirk - you're welcome to post here when you update the site. I'll certainly look again
Tableless? Sorry but that is a huge pile of, well, you can guess.
Just because a website doesn't manage it's layout by using tables, doesn't mean to say it won't contain them. Tables are viewing tabular data. What happens if I have a webpage that fully validates, works to the conventions, etc etc, but contains such data in a table?
Hi Mik,
It will still validate as tableless (according to w3 recommendations), only not as 100% tableless.
Is there a webdesigner here that maybe wants to redesign w3tableless, it currently receives avg of 500 visitors per day and probably will receive a high PR next update.
This will be good to add to your portfolio, unfortunately i am not willing to pay (much).
Rgds, Deejay
The site in question isn’t very attractive, either. And the cube of recently submitted sites is a little overkill… cool in concept, useless in real life.