EliteCM.net

If you guys would like, I can make a better banner for the site using the same overall design... I just have a few questions and would like to kick off a discussion about your guys' (and mainly Tim's) wishes...

First of all, I need to know exactly how big to make it.  The picture I see on my screen is 800 wide by 121 tall.  Is that about right?

My next question concerns the background color... right now its set to white, but it doesn't have to be white.  If the color around the banner remains static, then I can match that color and make the banner appear to be uniform with the color and design of the site... is that something you guys would want?

Another thing, what font is that in the banner?  If I made another one, I would most likely have to re-do the font (which means I have to download that font to my comp).

Of course, I mean to put my sig somewhere in the picture, but it will be very very small and hopefully will not detract from the design.

Any other ideas?  I'm pretty much going to take this idea back to square one and re-do it, so anything is possible... just let me know

And lastly, I'll most likely be pretty busy until next weekend sometime so don't expect anything overnight... it'll be a work in progress.

The image was set to 800x121 statically.  When I tried the code with auto-width and height, IE had an issue with keeping that to the header.  The banner ended up taking up the whole page in IE.  It was set to 800 width to account for various resolutions, and the chance that people may still use 800x600.  For others with larger resolutions, the banner would be wrapped with blank space.  We'll be ok as long as the max width of the banner is 800px.
Feel free to set the colors how you see fit.  Do keep in mind though, there is another theme available for member use. This theme is set to default, and the banner isn't set as the banner on the other theme.  I don't know if you want to make two banners or a banner that works with both themes, but I leave that decision up to you.
I don't remember.

Jim, you're more than welcome to do as you wish and flex your creative muscles.  I liked your design with the profile of the sedan and coupe enough to steal it, so I'm sure you'll be able to do a good job.  The name of the font used is Edwardian Script ITC.  Any input you have will be greatly appreciated.

(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd226/gen7accord/other/EliteCM1.jpg)

This is just the same banner with a makeover... I'm still learning about Illustrator so I'll keep working and see if I can't make anything better.  As for the other theme, since theres no spot for a banner I wouldn't even know how to make it... oh well.  Oh yeah, photoshop matched the background color but I noticed that its a shade off... I'll see if I can't make it better.

edit:
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd226/gen7accord/other/EliteCM2.jpg)
Success!!  

Hmm I guess we can't delete our last post like we can in G7A... oh well thats another new thing I learned today lol.  I was able to match the color on the site, and I posted the new banner in my previous post^ since the background on that post is the same blue as in the banner while this post is white.

edit: I realized that even the second version is a little off in color... let me know if its noticeable or not.

OK this is the last version I'm going to post before anyone says anything... sorry about the triple post, but I don't want to keep adding edits to older posts.  This one is almost identical to version 2 except that I my sig is a little clearer.

(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd226/gen7accord/other/EliteCM2-1.jpg)

Looks good Jim.  I'm sure Mark will have it implemented as soon as he has some spare time.

Yeah let me know if you guys would like to use it for anything else... now that I have it in vector form I can blow it up to the size of a building without any loss of clarity.

Is this different than the current banner?  My biggest complaint about this forum.  Sorry, I can't view pics so its not a stupid question.  

Nope, it's the same as the current banner.  So, your biggest complaint about the forum is the banner?  That can be corrected fairly easily.  

I'd actually like to update it pretty soon.  I love Jim's original design, but the font needs to be updated.  Since I'm not a photoshop guru, I am asking for anyone's help on this.  Jim is MIA because of school, so I don't expect to hear from him until the late spring.  Anyone willing to step up and give us a hand?

I can try if you can explain what we need. I have photo shop and have played a little bit.

Make it prettier and with a nicer font.

The font is ugly and it doesn't look very clean.  It's pixelated.  Throw a pic of a real car up with elite cm on it.

2nd complaint, we need more posts and more G7A members (none of the noobs)

 

I agree with the font statement.  I'll try to get something else going on this weekend since I have some free time.  If anyone has any pictures they want to use, PM me or e-mail me with anything you'd like to use.  

As far as your complaint is concerned, you could always post a suggestion in our Site Suggestions (http://elitecm.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=134) thread.  We can't really "make" anyone join or post.  I have been telling people about our forum and encourage them to join.  As a new forum that is still starting out with a relatively small member base, the amount of posts is just going to have to grow over time.  Thien has been busting his ass to recover lost DIY's and other useful threads from g7a and repost them over here.

Yeah, that’s exactly what I mentioned to you yesterday over the phone.  I don’t know if an image of a 7th generation accord would be best because it would look as if ECM is trying to mimic others.


Oh my god ; LOL SO true…


That will be unavoidable, the gear heads and the folks looking for information will have to find it somewhere.


Thien, for that we thank you. “Save the Archive”

I think we  need to look at improving the front page more than the banner maybe a change in font, and A photo, Maybe some nice open hood shots from a j30, and k series? just a thought

Bring me a J30 and I'll take pictures!!  I'll get a few of my K.

No problems at all guys. Let me know if there was another DIY off the old G7A that I missed. I know there is the Hybrid Wiring that Mike did, but Tim will be bringing that one over as he will be re-writing that DIY.

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f199/Ryann84425/DSC00741.jpg)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f199/Ryann84425/DSC00743.jpg)

This site is almost 1 years old.

Ryann, can you please PM me with those pics.  Anyone that has any suggestions on the banner, or have any preferred fonts, please post in here.  Let's try to keep the other off topic banter out of the thread so we can remain on topic.

First off, nobody cares about open hood shots of a J30.  :D j/k

anywho, we don't need to force anyone to join, we just need to let them know that since G7A is like beating a dead horse, they can come here.  Is it couth to mention EliteCM on G7A?

I am all for mentioning ecm in any other forum.  We got a few members from Toronto Accords when I signed up there to help out with an electrical issue.  I also have a link to ecm in my g7a profile.

Just thought I would update that the banner isn't nearly as ugly or pixelated on my home computer.  Only at work.  It doesn't view the forum correctly.  Looks much better on my 17" laptop.  It even works fine with Google Chrome, which G7a didn't.  Forced me to use Firefox, which isn't a big deal but I prefer the lightweight chrome.

Its not bad. But I think the scripted font is a bit much. Granted, this site is "ELITECM," but the script just doesn't fit. I also agree that it should be a photo or something of an ACTUAL vehicle vs. the outline that's currently there. If I had any kind of skills with that crap, I'd show you what I mean. My .02.

We need a new banner, the current one is just not appealing. Even if we use someone's ride from the forum as a backdrop for the name "EliteCM.net" I think it would be better!

Just my 0.02

Yeah, I dislike the banner too. I think a nice shot of one of our members cars would be better.

So something like this then?  has a real accord and less stylized writing.  It's just something is slapped together a second but let me know what you think.

(http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo5/Sworkhard/elitecm.jpg)

or this

(http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo5/Sworkhard/elitecm2.jpg)

The biggest problem with designs like these is that they are much, much slower to load and take up a lot more bandwidth than the simple one we have now.

The second one isn't bad. But I think it's a step in the right direction.

Woah woah woah.  Where are the sedans?  I'm offended.

Who need sedans?

I could always ban all coupe owners except for Thien!

Ouch!!! It was only a joke homie

Same here.  Anyway, it's a good start.  If anyone wants to submit pictures of their car to be included, please post them here.  I will try to make a new banner when I have some free time.

(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c14/crazycreashunz/EliteCM.jpg)

Just messing around alittle, thought it would be nice to show a photo of alot of Gen7Accords to show that this is not just an online forum but for some a way of life and that we are all like family!

I like the font.  But it seems to be a bit tall for a banner.  If it could be shrunk down so its not so tall it would probably look good.  Also, how big is that banner (in kilobytes).

That looks pretty good Billy. I know Dave would be pretty stoked to see his car being the first one.

Nice ideas. Keep them coming guys, we need to give this site some eyecandy to boost hits.

Looks good Billy.  I really like how you pulled it off.  I love the idea of the group picture also.  I was hoping people could post up some group pics so that we could use something like this for our banner.  I'm going to try to make something this weekend.


I agree about the size.  It's a bit tall for my taste.  I'm going to suggest a banner size no larger than say 200x1000 pixels.

I'm excited to see what comes of this.

i really wish milan would join in on this.. i know he's got some sick shots from the megameet that he could use..  i really like the idea of using the group shot as well..

and i agree, 200x1000 pixels would be pretty good, depending on what picture is used.

Is milan a member here. I haven't seen him post.

yea he is, hasn't posted much.. but he's definitely on here.

glad you guys like it, I will try and shrink down the height alittle and post it up in a few! If we could get someone with a better quality shot like this it would be nice. So all our photographers of the forum with those sweet camera's please chime in...

(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c14/crazycreashunz/EliteCM2.jpg)

this is 735X194 I can't seem to get it longer than that, I could get the height up to 200 if needed to though.

you have to keep it in proportion... it doesn't look good stretched out like that.

That's the best I can do I'm not an expert in the field maybe someone with a better program can take the original one I did and work with it. We also can wait to see if any more members post up anything!

i really like the concept you have come up with. just small refinements i'd say.

Thanks Brian...

^np bro.

I cropped that picture down a bit.  Makes it a more reasonable size and looks better than simply resizing it.

(http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo5/Sworkhard/elitecm-1.jpg)

True looks good.

Tim, I think this should be the banner as of right now to enhance the look of our new home!

I'd have to agree. It shows basically the coupes and sedans from g7 and g7.5 modded and stock. It'll work. Hopefully Tim is pleased with this since it has sedans too. Hint hint wink wink.

Looks pretty good

PM me the original picture Billy.  BTW, Milan is a member here.  I believe that he is in FL right now though.

That looks really nice... I like that fact that it incorperates so many vehicles.

heres another one that Milan took. this just shows the cars only.

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f199/Ryann84425/2690995687_bf61e46ae9.jpg)

Hey Tim, would you be down to do a quick photo shoot of our rides and maybe use them as a banner I know you like the idea of repping the coupe, and sedan together with us both being ssm it might be able to look pretty cool

Sure man.  When?

Whenever... We need to get together soon anyway. It might become a little easier when you finish your exam and stuff. Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat work the best for me.

I'll be at my buddy's place in Millbury, MA helping Keith (k.huston) with some stuff tomorrow night if you're interested in coming out.

I have a poker get together at some point tomorrow if it happens in the afternoon i'll text you for an addy

anyone have the original image, i'll play around with PS and see what i can do

Loving these mega-meet banners. Hopefully this can materialize into something soon. This site is growing pretty fast.

I like the mega-meet banners as well.  My vote is to use one of those pictures.

Guess I'll throw my hat in the ring:


(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3591/3321804362_2742012277_o.jpg)

Did anything come out of this? Any decisions made? Inquiring minds want to know!!

Been busy/lazy.  I may try to bring my laptop in to work tomorrow to try and get something made up.

Cool man. It'll be cool to log in and see something better than the script that's up now.

Damn Damn Damn! So anxious

E-mail me if you need the originals to work from.

Here's my contribution.  I'm not the greatest when it comes to text and design but looks like some people here are!

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3409/3330359102_3f60455902_o.jpg)

Nice pictures for a banner guys... can't wait to see which will get picked