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yawn

Graham StablerGraham Stabler Posts: 2,510
edited 2011-10-07 03:40 in Propeller 1
I think that the propeller page on the parallax site is fairly awful:

http://www.parallax.com/tabid/407/Default.aspx

I can safely say that was I to happen by the page not knowing how awesome the chip is that I would not be attracted.

It is extremely dry and inspires no excitement. I would suggest a bit of a revamp with some text written by someone who really loves the chip and knows how to show it.

Graham

Comments

  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,202
    edited 2011-10-06 13:22
    You are obviously an expert in marketing and graphics design, why not submit your idea of "exciting" to Parallax; they're a very open-minded and friendly lot.
  • HShankoHShanko Posts: 402
    edited 2011-10-06 13:40
    Graham, how about this page, http://www.parallaxsemiconductor.com

    A bit more business like. Is that what you'd prefer?
  • Graham StablerGraham Stabler Posts: 2,510
    edited 2011-10-06 14:24
    Jon,

    Not an expert at all, could I do better ? Probably not, but then it is not my job.

    But as a reader, as someone who was once inticed by some earlier page it worries me that the sheer magnificence of this chip (at least for my uses) is not obvious.

    Graham
  • mparkmpark Posts: 1,305
    edited 2011-10-06 16:28
    JonnyMac wrote: »
    You are obviously an expert in marketing and graphics design, why not submit your idea of "exciting" to Parallax; they're a very open-minded and friendly lot.

    Your sarcasm is really uncalled for.
  • Dr_AculaDr_Acula Posts: 5,484
    edited 2011-10-06 16:32
    That page isn't too bad IMHO, given the information you want to convey is a little dry and technical anyway. However, I think Humanoido might have something to say about the quote on that page; "Two programming languages are available..."

    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?113091-ULTIMATE-List-of-Propeller-Languages
  • wjsteelewjsteele Posts: 697
    edited 2011-10-06 16:34
    Honestly, mpark... I didn't find it sarcastic a bit... I'm sure Jon was going by the contents of Graham's original comments, which, to me, do sound a lot like a professional designer.

    Bill
  • Jen J.Jen J. Posts: 649
    edited 2011-10-06 17:02
    You're right. The page could use some freshening. We are currently going through every page on Parallax.com to improve the content. I will move this one up on the list.

    Cheers, JJ
  • $WMc%$WMc% Posts: 1,884
    edited 2011-10-06 18:35
    Jen J.
    '
    I would use a little more effort and move it up to the top of the list.
    '
    Maybe a Woman with a chainsaw will bring some since to the Parallax staff?
    '
    After this
    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?134652-Parallax-WiFi-Module-internal-EOL-product-discontinued
    '
    All I do is yawn
    '
    Just think of what a newbie thinks when reviewing the hardware for the Prop...yawn...red|X|
  • Graham StablerGraham Stabler Posts: 2,510
    edited 2011-10-07 02:35
    wjsteele wrote: »
    Honestly, mpark... I didn't find it sarcastic a bit... I'm sure Jon was going by the contents of Graham's original comments, which, to me, do sound a lot like a professional designer.
    Bill

    Although I was really only talking about the text. But it doesn't matter, I was probably a bit abrupt. I'm prepared to take a bit of flack in what I think is a good cause.

    Dr Acula,

    It is a gateway to datasheets and the obex and to the store etc etc but it is also the first port of call to the potential new user/customer. I wax lyrical to my friends and colleges about the power the propeller has given me, I've found it a real enabler for a lot of my research which often involves control and automation on a small scale. It is nice to be able to send a link to someone that is potentially interested and it is really good if that link conveys what is really good about a product, clearly and in a very direct manner before leading you on to the nitty gritty.

    IMHO (with no formal qualifications in this area) the text is well written and clear and it puts across all the points but reads like a manual, sometimes it is good to make the bigger picture clear, if I tell someone about the propeller I don't start with the clock frequency, I concentrate on what all of the features really mean to the user and then drill down to the specifics.

    I don't mean any offence but I have always felt that the propeller marketing needs a shot in the arm.

    Graham
  • Kevin WoodKevin Wood Posts: 1,266
    edited 2011-10-07 03:03
    "Jen wrote:
    You're right. The page could use some freshening. We are currently going through every page on Parallax.com to improve the content. I will move this one up on the list.

    Well, since everybody here loves a contest, why not have one for a site upgrade? All proposed designs could be submitted as a single png file, and the winning entry will be the starting point for the re-work. And the winner would get a free download of the Propeller Manual. :)
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2011-10-07 03:40
    This is just a comment for what it is worth.

    So-called ''Front Door web pages" that grab me tend to have cues that the information is current and continuously up-dated.

    In other words, they indicate to the reader that the whole web site is pro-active. Information that tends to remain static tends to indicate the converse.

    The Parallax Semiconductor page has a series of 'news releases' that serve this function. And while, the information in the first Propeller page is all good and useful, it just may be too static for a 'Front Door Page'.
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