CollyLogic: Libertines website

Libertines website - version two

22nd November 2004

I’m pleased to announce that we’ve finally completed version two of The Libertines official website. They’re still together, so it’s still important.

As you may know, version one was a rush job, turned around in three days. Eventually, we got back to the project and souped it up to give all the fans a very comprehensive members section. Importantly from our point of view, the site no longer uses ugly frames, all the forms are fully accessible, and the whole thing (aside from a couple of oddments) validates as XHTML transitional. Huge kudos goes to Creation Management for letting us give them an accessible site - unusual for a band’s website. Most of the juicy content is for members only, so if you wanna know more about the details, read on…

Going in and giving it a shake

The first task was to remove the frameset that the band were keen to retain, and was a serious drawback in our initial swift build. So, we got rid of that, which meant rebuilding the XML-powered Flash headers to be smaller, as they’d be reloading on every page. Next, we built a comprehensive members section - disguising content from non-members, building a series of preference forms, biography templates, and tools such as user-to-user emails. It was key that we used fully accessible forms, and I must credit Malarkey for his tutorial which refreshed my memory on the finer points there, and also this from Cameron Adams.

We had to dismantle much of our initial hastily-bashed-out code, and build again from the ground up. There’s still plenty of bits that are messy, and I advise you don’t look at the CSS just yet - it’s a ramshackle tip.

User-based discography

Next, we built a stupidly far-too-nice-to-the-fans Discography section, where the “Liberteenies” can log in and talk about each individual track, view guitar tabs, lyrics, cover artwork and much more. They can view a full list, or view by release. This was key to getting them really involved, and just one of the devices used to keep ‘em coming back. We’re also using random comments to drive them from page to page, and get some real dialogue going.

Let the fans swear!

Thankfully, the fine folks at Creation Management see the worth in giving the fans free reign. Most music sites repel any kind of fans interaction, except for heavily moderated forums. Here, fans can give their two-penneth about any news item, gig listing, record, or even external links. They can swear as much as they like, and we all like that. The Libertines are very careful to treat their fans with respect, and there is little distance between the two. The site had to reflect this.

Let me know what you think

So, I’d be interested to know what y’all think of this version. I’m sure there are a few more quirks to iron out, but it validates (aside from one page which I’m looking into), it’s accessible, it makes sense without styles or Javascript, and it hands a lot of power to the moderators and the fans. We also hope it fits the Libertines general raggedness and verve. They may not be together much longer, but the fans wil always need a sounding board.

There is still more we’d like to do, but we’re still not sure of the band’s future. I’d love to simplify the Flash menu a little, but we were keen to shrink that header and free up more page space. Oh, and if you’ve no idea who this band is, you must be in jail, or dead. Go and buy Up The Bracket from Amazon. Or, in true Libs spirit, download it illegally...or steal it from a shop.

Incidentally, top marks to Alan who came in and rattled out the Flash movies for us. Go visit his folio. It’s got robots on it.

Simon Collison published this on 22/11/04, at 6:35 PM

Comments

Swearing, ramshackle CSS? you are a man after my own heart… now I think I might just sign up… though I am not really a fan! :)

23/11 at 04:01 from John Oxton

Second album is better than the first in my opinion. I’d say go buy ‘The Libertines’ (not a bad track on it) rather than up the bracket. Better still, buy both.

Excellent site Colly, much better now. As a fan im very greatful.

23/11 at 11:18 from Guy

Much better. Great looking site. I registered and checked out the discography -thats very tidy. The fans certainly seem keen anyway.

23/11 at 14:39 from James

this is version 3 for The Libertines, as they originally had up an extremely bad effort over a year ago.
looks the part now though as they are a top band…
oh and swearing is good, but means it will be blocked here at work.

23/11 at 16:41 from runningtings

Runningtings: I can’t be responsible for version one - nothing to do with us, not our gig. Their version two was our one, so that makes this latest one our two. That make sense?

23/11 at 16:46 from Simon Collison

First impressions are it’s neat and tidy, though here’s a few quick criticisms… all constructive I hope ;o)

The red links are difficult to see until you rollover them.

Shouldn’t meaningful text be used in place of those “here” links (on the discography page in particular) in order for screen readers to determine the difference?

What about a jump-to-navagation link near the top of the page, seeing as you need to tab all the way through the whole page to move onto another page?

Otherwise… looking good!

23/11 at 16:48 from Blair Millen

haha, didnt mean to imply that you had done the first one.
in fact, anyone who saw it would realise that…

23/11 at 17:00 from runningtings

Blair: Good tips - genuinely appreciated. Agreed about skip nav. However, I’m struggling to replace the “Here” links on the random comments. It’s a new module we’ve implemented, and currently I can’t get meaningful titles out of the database correctly for that section - only URL strings or ID numbers. Definitely needs sorting though.

Any more constructive criticism very welcome.

Runningtings: I’ll take that as a compliment. Cheers, man…

23/11 at 17:04 from Simon Collison

Thanks for removing the auto-playing Flash music :)

25/11 at 14:22 from paul haine

It looks great! I have always been a big fan of the grungy ragged look that seems to get picked up by a lot of rock websites. I have had to fight the temptation to make my personal site more that way, but it wouldn’t really be fitting would it?!

On the other hand, I did go a little tiny bit grungy for my Stop Hitting Me Kate website. The Band fell apart when the drummer left, but I am working on a rebirth. Hopefully I will be able to put that design to use then.

26/11 at 17:12 from Phil Baines

On a related note, ”Five Mistakes Band & Label Sites Make“ is a worthwhile read.

06/12 at 23:24 from paul haine

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