Need some Help with my Website Design :)

[Analog-X]

Before I dig deep and work on my website I want to get a vote on which style I should use.
 
I've setup two different styles, there is no content, just the basic menu structure.

The site will be arcade/mame related and would appreciate if you took a peek and voted.
 
The URL is:  www.insertacoin.com

Thanks in advance.

[tmasman]

I like style 1, but style 2 was a little more involved.
So I like style 2.
or was it 1?

I will put in a vote for style 1.

I like cleaner sites... Not too much crowding of random STUFF...
I also like the look of the menu.
Keep that type of border/image through out the site
and you'll have a nice site.

Let us know when you've got more done!

~tmasman

[Sasquatch!]

I liked Style 1, but I had to vote for 2 because of that damn "mouse trail" thing you had on 1.  Don't try to jam as much "pizazz" as possible just because you can.  I just feel like the both designs would be so distracting that they'd take away from whatever it is you're going to say.

[Analog-X]

Thanks for the positive advice I really do appreciate it, and will make a note when working on the final design.
 
I dont pretend to be an expert at designing a website hence I'm asking the opinion of the public.
 
I've gotten a couple of, "It sucks" comments or "Looks like a myfirstwebsite.com project"
 
Nothing constructive in those criticisms.   I'll try to keep it simple and have a nice classic look
 
Keep the advices coming

[paigeoliver]

Advice.

No animations at all. No funky mouse trails, no witches on broomsticks flying around the page, and certainly no animated gifs as backgrounds.

[Analog-X]

Good advice.  Thanks.  Will make a note of that.

[IG-88]

I like 2 also, has that "arcade" feel to it. Although I can't fathom why everyone is so fascinated with that "All your base are belong to us" thing. I've been seeing it everywhere even off the net. I thought it was kind-of dorky  

[rampy]

FWIW  voted 2,  but I didn't like the bottom footer image...

It's a neat idea... but I'd drop the bottom Vangaurd (?) image(s)...

Myabe it would be better to say, I liked the top/menu part best.

If there was a way to hint at the game screen motif without using up that big of a footer image I'd say IMHO go for that...

*Shrug*

rampy

[jakejake28]

whatever that little puzzle bobble dude was doing, get rid of him

[Analog-X]

You guys are the best!!!
 
I love all the comments, I will use them all in final design.
 
I'm hoping in a small way to give something back to the mame/arcade community.
 

[RetroBorg]

I really like style 2, I think it's quite original, style 1 I hated, I might be biased because I love Scramble.

Off subject a bit but how many times can you make through scramble? Does anybody know what model joysticks are best to get through the maze? I assume a joystick with distinct diagonals like Happs Competions would be best.

Scramble God Wannabe.

[CthulhuLuke]

What I suggest if you're pretty new with web designing is just go out there to some webpages you like that have a feasible design, and start imitating what you see.  Compile some ideas that you see, splice some stuff together, add your own funk to it, and pretty soon you'll see your own original webpage take shape.
   The best way to figure out how you want your website designed, is to look at what's the most comfortable for your user to scroll through and either just look at all the images, or to actually scan all of the text and really understand what's going on.  I personally like to go through a webpage, scan the pictures, then read about the ones I'm interested in.  Also, it's VERY important you have pictures of your final cabinet either on the first or second page, so I know what I'm looking at.  I hate having to dig for a cabinet *ohh, I should change my webpage layout, oh well, too lazy*  but truly, a lot of people like me enjoy reading the end of the book before we start, same goes with webpages.
    And NEVER have scattered eye candy, gifs that float around with java are a true sign of a new web designer.
    One thing that might look kinda interesting, is redrawing that little spaceship gif *damn, what was that game called, whatever* and putting in like something to do with arcades, like making the missiles quarters, and the base a giant arcade cabinet, or doing something like that, or if you have a friend *hey, I might be able to help* do a flash animation for ya, or something like that, just to add some spice to that page without making it look too scattered.
        -Luke

[jhsmith321]

I like the the prototype 1, I would just recomend you to remove that mouse trails and the moving pac-man they are pretty annoying!!! I would make the background color of the web page a little bit darker, because it is in my opinion, too bright, and with a darker color you get a better contrast with the white letter, which I think it is better!!!