Improving the Front Page
 

I have to say that I love the look of the site. The DAP logo contest was a complete success and it lead to a sleeker looking site. But the front page is a bit skimpy containing only a Home page, Message Board, Contribute, and Contact Us links.

What about adding info links on the top of the page or left side of the page to beef up the front page (by the Navigation and credit cards and Paypal symbols)? I was thinking we can have:

- a FAQ page: one for Dreamies (requirements etc)and the other for the general public/supporters - we already have FAQs already up so we can just refurbish and transfer it over to the front page.

- an Immigration and/or Dream Act News Feed page

- a Write to your Senator/Congressperson page (pre-written letter and email included sort of like this here)

- a buy DREAM page like T-shirts and nicknacks from Cafe Press with proceeds going to support the site.

- a Good guy links page to organizations/people that support us like nilc, la raza, immigrationprof, and greg siskind

- an About Us page

With these additions (and other ideas from people), I think the front page could be greatly improved.

Thoughts?

Re: Improving the Front Page
 

am liking this plan, if you need any help let me know am a co-founder of a graphic design company. http://www.myspace.com/caliberdesignz

ANYTHING WE NEED TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT AM WILLING TO DO..

Re: Improving the Front Page
 

As promised, I've been working on setting up the infrastructure for that.

The area is not publicly accessible, but it is there. The focus is to facilitate sustainable growth versus a one time push to update the site; such attempts have essentially failed before.

Re: Improving the Front Page
 

you use The Logo Creator form LaughingBird software right?

Re: Improving the Front Page
 

We use adobe photoshop and dreamweaver for all our designs and logos..

Re: Improving the Front Page
 

I can donate a piece of software (licensed). It can be used as CMS system, it uses smarty tempates (smarty.net) and it is a membership base software. (I been working on this for 2 years), let me know if you would like more info about this software (I can setup a test site).

Re: Improving the Front Page
 

Thanks for the offer, but we are using Drupal as our CMS and its working great, so we're gonna stick with it.

Re: Improving the Front Page
 

I made a post a while ago about adding to the current logo.

My idea was to have a graduate in robes and mortar hat, holding a degree standing next to say a Marine in full dress uniform (the snappy ceremonial ones) or in combat uniform. I think having those two people standing next to each other (maybe with Old Glory behind them), to the right of our current logo, would be something worth having because it would visualize what the DREAM Act and its goals are about to any casual visitor.

Just throwing it out there in case any logo designers are working on the revamp. :-)

Re: Improving the Front Page
 

How about moving the News Room forum over to the Front Page/Home Page? The comments can stay and it'll be added at the bottom of whatever articles people post like in The Caucus blog on the New York Times website?

Re: Improving the Front Page
 

Yea, we're definitely going to do something like that. We are going on a much faster track with these things in the coming month or so. So, stay tuned.

Re: Improving the Front Page
 

Please add these resource links to the Front Page:


What is the Dream Act? from the NILC


Immigrant Youth Handbook from the ILRC


Basic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Students from the NILC


El Puente's Tips on How to Apply for College if your State does not Offer In-State Tuition

Re: Improving the Front Page
 

Yes!...this plan rules! Every time I write Dream Act on Yahoo! the first page is from NILC, the second is the Wiki, and the third is the Dream Act Portal. Thus, having a front page with more information makes sense.

Re: Improving the Front Page
 

Stockpiling these videos in preparation for the Front Page as well:

Obama, "Something that we can do immediately, that I think is very important, is to pass the Dream Act"

The Latino community helped elect him President, and hopefully he returns the favor, which he is showing every indication of doing. He did say "immediately," which raises expectations by a lot.



Obama in Charlotte



Durbin's "Give these Kids a Chance" Speech (Durbin can speechify, I am in awe)



Sen. Durbin makes the case for the Dream Act:



McCain supports Dream Act in 2008

Re: Improving the Front Page
 

Can we also make the connection to dreamactivist.org more visible? Maybe their new logo that would take people to that site?

Just asking because dreamactivist.org is full of info and links that you can't find here.

Re: Improving the Front Page
 

I like your idea a lot

Re: Improving the Front Page
 

WTF is up with this Indian spam. Seriously. Who has the time to sit and post meaningless messages trying to seem like their are carrying the conversation. Same subnet of IP's again 122.172.25.186... I guess its time to change our common sense question at registration.

Re: Improving the Front Page
 

They get paid to do it.

Re: Improving the Front Page
 

Unfortunately. It escapes me how cheap it must be.