Non-flash presentation alternative

[dche5390]

Hi folks!

I grew up in the days where flash was proliferating like rabbits (it probably still is!). I'm at a stage where I wish to setup my own website (using wordpress) and wish to have a portfolio of my best work displayed.

I don't wan't to rely on flash, yet I don't want static/dead photos embedded.

What alternatives are there that are not CPU-intensive or take long load times?

Cheers,
Dan

[jacuff]

HTML 5 sounds promising... sorry that doesn't really help out with the present day where flash and silverlight seem to be your options.

[Hikin Mike]

I have a slideshow using Javascript, other than that I just use HTML.

[dche5390]

Looks like it's time to learn javascript!

[dsd17]

There are tons of extensions/widgets (whatever you call them for WP) out there for image galleries to use with wordpress. Some are nice, others...

[dmeiselman]

http://www.monc.se/kitchen/146/galleria-a-javascript-image-gallery

There are many others, but I really like this google code project. It's in jquery.

[DarkKnight369]

My suggestion is to look into the gallery and slide show plugins for jquery. Jquery is basically a javascript framework that is really powerful and allows you to do some great things. Many people have developed plugins for jquery that are easy to implement. Usually all you have to do is call an external jquery javascript file of some sort and any of the associated javascript and CSS files that are attached to the plugin you wish to use. Many of these plugins allow customization with basic HTML and CSS. Some require some minor javascript tweaking.

Check out these links....

http://blueprintds.com/2009/01/20/top-14-jquery-photo-slideshow-gallery-plugins/

http://www.webdesignerwall.com/general/javascript-in-modern-web-design/




Thank you for not jumping on the flash abuse band wagon.

[dche5390]

Thanks everyone. I'll have to look into it.

Paid for my domain name and webhosting. Set up a MySQL database of sorts, managed to butcher a WordPress theme. Back to the drawing board.

The blogging aspects of WP are seriously irritating me though.

[narlus]

i use lightbox and it's pretty nice. the only thing i don't like is that the web site visitor needs to know to either use the arrow keys or hover the cursor over the photo edges to advance the images.

[ashton88]

Ok I just fell in love with Jquery. I want it, where do i start??? Do i need a host, server? If so, who do i go with??

I want to set up a simple website. Any help is very much appreciated. :)

[DarkKnight369]

Ok I just fell in love with Jquery. I want it, where do i start??? Do i need a host, server? If so, who do i go with??

I want to set up a simple website. Any help is very much appreciated. :)

JQuery is just a javascript file. You would call it into your html pages to use it. So yes, you need a web server and have to build a website.

You can download jQuery from the site...

http://jquery.com/

However, certain jquery plugins might require an older version. You would have to look to see what they are running.

As far as hosting goes, I use GoDaddy. They were recommended to me by a few colleagues and friends. So far I have been quite satisfied with them. I plan on upping my server space so I can host other people's websites in addition to my own.

[ashton88]

Thanks Darknight- I will sign up with Godaddy now. I see that Go Daddy has many options. would the 'Website Tonight" work?

[DarkKnight369]

Thanks Darknight- I will sign up with Godaddy now. I see that Go Daddy has many options. would the 'Website Tonight" work?

Not sure what that package is. You can always call to purchase web space. Their customer service people are really helpful and if you explain what you want to do they can recommend what will work best and be the most cost effective.

[ashton88]

Thanks so much! I feel like i am finaly making some headway. I've been searching and searching for something that looks clean and simple to navigate (and simple to set up). do you have a link to your site?

[dsd17]

Thanks Darknight- I will sign up with Godaddy now. I see that Go Daddy has many options. would the 'Website Tonight" work?

If you know html or at least know how to understand it enough to edit a template, I wouldn't go with website tonight or the yahoo equivalent. They are for very basic sites and I doubt would work well for a photography site.

[ashton88]

If you know html or at least know how to understand it enough to edit a template, I wouldn't go with website tonight or the yahoo equivalent. They are for very basic sites and I doubt would work well for a photography site.
thanks for that info. I would like to at least start with some framework for my site. It will include a few pages, simple stuff. I'm not great at reinventing the wheel so im hoping to find some kind of layout that i can tweak and play with and add a good looking gallery. Any ideas greatly appreciated.

[narlus]

well, i don't know any programming and wanted something simple, yet easy to maintain. i ended w/ a 2 prong approach - i use zenfolio to host my photos (narlus.zenfolio.com), and i hired a programmer via scriptlance to make a website for me (www.tinnitus-photography.com) and integrate the two seamlessly.

he provided a nice interface so that it's very easy to update the pages on my main site, and i had a friend install the lightbox script for portfolio stuff, and he walked me trhough the very easy steps to modify that.

[Vladimer]

Still rather new to this, but the jquery seems like a great alternative to flash imo.

How is it with smart phones and such? More and more people are using there smart phones/iphones/ipad's to go on the internet. Does jquery end up like flash in that case? (just a red x)