Splash N Such

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I am a beginner to Web design and am still in a steep learning curve.  It
has been great to see the sites put up for review here and to observe the
feedback, which, not unexpectedly, comes from so many different directions.
It is that very diversity that makes Web design and the Internet so dynamic
and interesting.

Even though I am a beginner I find I am already becoming "paradigmed" on
some points.  The differing views regarding the value of Splash pages is one
of them.  The artist and photographer side of me really likes them.  I also
find I really like David Siegel's approach to "Third Generation" design
(Creating Killer Web Sites).

I personally don't like the term "splash" page.  I much prefer "entry" page.
Siegel even uses entry "tunnels" for some designs, which also can be very
effective.  The word splash has a negative context for me.  A well-done
entry page is an invitation, not a splash.  I am personally offended by the
sites (so common these days) that hit you with fifty links and so much
information, some of it flashing and spinning and winking at you, I have to
believe your corticosteroid (stress) levels must take spin too.  Now
*that's* what I call "splash".  It's like getting hit in the face with a
load of 4-0 buckshot.  I have to really want information to stay long on a
page like that.

The sites I deal with are corporate Intranet and personal so I am not under
pressure to sell something or to please a paying customer.  For what it's
worth I think prospective customers for many designers have lost control and
are at the mercy of advertisers.  Magazines are an excellent example.  Many
(most from recent correspondence with some I subscribe to) are *much* more
dependent on advertising for income than on subscriber fees.  As a result
the reader is no longer someone to be informed or pleased, they are fodder
for sophisticated sales pitches, carefully interwoven amongst the "other"
content.  Many Internet Web sites, IMHO, are also guilty on that account.
Success is measured in hits or sales not in real, deep down customer
satisfaction.  That's why Microsoft will, I suspect, eventually lose out to
some enterprising group that understands customer satisfaction is ultimately
what makes for sustained success.  I really feel the most successful sites
will be those that can provide information and also please the
visitor/buyer.  Somewhere there is a comfortable middle ground with
acceptable (but small) extremes.

Thanks for letting me ramble - skf

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