Foo - Dissolving from one webpage to the next...

so....I have a business website with a clean looking home page. What I would like to do is have my logo appear when someone goes to my site...and have it automatically dissolve to the home page. Anyone know how to do this? My web design knowledge is fairly rudimentary...

adobe flash, or it's not going to happen. you could pull of a fade effect in HTML using a Javascript library like Mootools (or doing it the old fashioned way--by actually writing Javascript code :p), but dissolving a whole page is pretty much not possible, AFAIK.

You should definitely check Mootools out. The learning curve will most likely be steep if you don't know Javascript, but you can do some cool stuff with it.

I know that frontpage used something that IE supported that would do that.

so....I have a business website with a clean looking home page. What I would like to do is have my logo appear when someone goes to my site...and have it automatically dissolve to the home page.

Please don't.

I know that frontpage used something that IE supported that would do that.

And don't do something that's only supported by IE....

Please don't.

I agree. Other than basic html content is problematic for business websites and their customers trying to access them. There are issues of the person viewing the web content having the right browser, plug-in, etc.

Please don't.

It depends on his/her business. While I will agree the efffect would be inappropriate for most businesses, it could be fine for a few. It really depends on the value the OP is trying to acheive with the effect and how that relates to his/her business.

To the OP, the effect you want can easily be a 5-10 second Flash that dissolves into html. I wouldn't worry too much about browser compatability. This type or effect would be compatable with Flash players up to 10 ten years old. A user will not need to upgrade the built in version of player in their browser. I'm no expert, but are there any browsers that don't have Flash player embedded?

And don't do something that's only supported by IE....

When you have to do some dumb**** idea to please some suit.... does it really matter?

It depends on his/her business. While I will agree the efffect would be inappropriate for most businesses, it could be fine for a few. It really depends on the value the OP is trying to acheive with the effect and how that relates to his/her business.

True, if you have a business where you'd like to limit traffic and turn away users it's a great technique.

The metaphor of a website being a home and the first page being an experience to enter went away quickly. The first page of a site needs to tell the user what the site is and give them a clear navigation system to get the information they're looking for.

How quickly do you (not iab, but anyone who thinks this is a good idea) like to get information? If you go to a page and have to wait 10 seconds to get the information you want you'll probably look elsewhere. Next time you go to check your email stare at a clock for 10 seconds before reading any of the mail - if you had to do that every time how would you enjoy that experience?

To the OP, the effect you want can easily be a 5-10 second Flash that dissolves into html. I wouldn't worry too much about browser compatability. This type or effect would be compatable with Flash players up to 10 ten years old. A user will not need to upgrade the built in version of player in their browser. I'm no expert, but are there any browsers that don't have Flash player embedded?

The user may still need to upgrade to the newest version if they're running older versions. The newer versions of Flash are not downward compatible after Adobe bought Macromedia. There are plenty of browsers that don't have Flash though the number is low - I believe between 98%-99% of web browsers have the Flash plugin. But if you're running Firefox with a plugin to stop ads or Flash then you wouldn't see the effect and the page wouldn't load, stranding your users.

Kinda clumsy, but straight HTML and an animated .gif will do the job. Logo on transparent background, fade it away over 10 frames (at about 2 frames a second, maybe a little faster) and then put in a page refresh on that page, to refresh to the start page.

<meta HTTP-EQUIV="REFRESH" CONTENT="5;URL=http://www.blahblahblah.net/index.htm">

True, if you have a business where you'd like to limit traffic and turn away users it's a great technique.

The metaphor of a website being a home and the first page being an experience to enter went away quickly. The first page of a site needs to tell the user what the site is and give them a clear navigation system to get the information they're looking for.

How quickly do you (not iab, but anyone who thinks this is a good idea) like to get information? If you go to a page and have to wait 10 seconds to get the information you want you'll probably look elsewhere. Next time you go to check your email stare at a clock for 10 seconds before reading any of the mail - if you had to do that every time how would you enjoy that experience?

Again, without the knowing the nature of the business, you can't pass judgement. If he/she is running a porn site and the logo is a (insert appropriate part of the anatomy that floats your boat), I can't think of one user who wouldn't want the ten second freebie.

The user may still need to upgrade to the newest version if they're running older versions. The newer versions of Flash are not downward compatible after Adobe bought Macromedia. There are plenty of browsers that don't have Flash though the number is low - I believe between 98%-99% of web browsers have the Flash plugin. But if you're running Firefox with a plugin to stop ads or Flash then you wouldn't see the effect and the page wouldn't load, stranding your users.

You have called me on my age. :) I haven't used Flash since it was owned by Macromedia. Damn I'm old.

If he/she is running a porn site and the logo is a (insert appropriate part of the anatomy that floats your boat), I can't think of one user who wouldn't want the ten second freebie.

Me - I'd want to get to the videos, not waiting for some animated gif!

You have called me on my age. :) I haven't used Flash since it was owned by Macromedia. Damn I'm old.

Hehe - maybe not. I do web design but haven't used Flash for anything worthwhile in a few years so that statement could refer to me too :D

I would recommend using Flash. Despite all the nay-sayers, it's so common now that most folks don't really notice the difference between flash content and the other stuff. But then again, I use flash exclusively for entire site design, so I guess I'm biased also. :p

The problem you'll have dauphin is the learning curve is pretty steep. I would recommend that any business site should be created by a pro. Just as you can spot a cycling newby by their backwards helmet and toe clips, your customers will know you went the home made route with your site. Which is fine, if you're selling home made cookies. :)

I would also recommend you make the logo transition fast, nobody enjoys a fade-in when it causes a bit of waiting. The best fades imho are quick, with a bit of motion. I used a fade in on the entrance to this one (http://www.tinks.tv/) in the beginning to give it a rich feel, but it's short and over with before folks can contemplate it so to speak.

If your goal is brand reinforcement, you could also consider the less intrusive method of making it stronger on the site itself. I assume we're talking about pacfit.com?