New contest :)  For this contest, you’ll create error pages that will be used for our network.  If you are not sure what an error page is, it’s a webpage that appears when you come across a page that does not exist, for example. You’ve probably come across a page that says “404 Error – Page Not Found”, or “500 Internal Server Error”.  If it not clear what a 404 error is please contact us (or google for more information).

Well in this contest, your goal will be to design a graphical  error page, so it is not just the default boring error page with text.   Check this site for some examples of error pages.  If you win, your error page will become the default error pages on our entire network (or if there are multiple winners, on a good fraction of the network).  Note that it’s not just for the fanfusion.org website but for all fansites.  We have several thousand accounts hosted so this is a lot of pages and links, so it can be good advertising for yourself, design site, or other URL (note: see the rules regarding domain restrictions).  (Fansites have a choice to replace the default error pages by using their own in the public_html, but right now the default error messages are boring text messages, which we want to replace.)  If you are the winner your site will also be featured as a SOTM on our sidebar.

To get started, check these sites for examples of some cool error pages:

50 examples, 60 examples, more, more2,

cool error page 1, spongebob error page,

Entries:

Example:

Rules:

-You need to make error pages for the following errors: 400, 401, 403 404, 500  The 404 and 500 error pages must have different designs and have specific requirements.  You can do anything for the others.

-ALL pages need to include a 300×250 and 728×90 ad above the fold.

-ALL pages should include a link to fanfusion.org, twitter.com/ffdotorg, and facebook.com/fanfusion.  Also a link to the forum www.fanfusion.org/forum with the text “Feel free to also join the community at www.fanfusion.org/forum to meet other webmasters and to help support each other”.  You can direct people to go check out fanfusion.org, the forum, our facebook, twitter, etc. in the meantime.  This should be directed toward the visitors who see an error on the page.

-ALL error pages need to have the extension .html

-The 404 error page must have the concept that the page couldn’t be found.  Examples: “Page Not Found”, “The page that you were looking for could not be found”.

• Also include the following in a small sized-font: “Note to the webmaster of this site: If you are receiving this error, then the requested URL does not exist.  If the URL that you are trying to reach is a wordpress page, there could be a problem with your permalinks or .htaccess file.  If this is a wordpress page that should exist, try going into wp-admin->settings->permalinks and re-save the permalinks.  If you have changed wordpress URLs recently, make sure that it has been updated in your database (email the host for instructions if you do not know how to do this.)  If you are still receiving this error, please email the host for assistance.”  (You can also summarize this, if it’s too long).

-The 500 error page can just say “500 Error”.

• Also include the following in a small-sized front: “Note to the webmaster of this site: If you are receiving this error, there could be a problem with your .htaccess file or the permissions on your site.  Keep in mind that files should have the permissions 644 and directories 755.  Please also check your .htaccess file to make sure it is coded correctly.  If these are correct and you are still receiving this error, please contact the host immediately upon seeing this error.” (You can also summarize this, if it’s too long)

-The other error pages can just say “403 Error”, “400 Error” and “401 Error”.  Actually these errors are very rare so it’s up to you how to design these.  You can just write “There is an error on your website.  If you are not sure why this error is showing, please contact the host immediately upon seeing this error.”

-You can design only a 404 error page or only a 500 page, but we strongly prefer if you submit a whole set, since we prefer if the pages will match.

–The contest ends the end of the month (July 31, 2011).  There will also be a voting period after the submissions close which will serve as a guideline to decide the winners.  The final decision will be made by us and webmaster judges.

-We’re looking for something creative so please be creative :)

-If we own your domain, you will be credited via name/domain name.  Otherwise, you will be credited via name and email.

-To enter, post the links to the graphics here in the comments, or you can email us your entry (links or attachments).

-The entry must be original and created by you and not copied from anywhere else, and you agree to give us full permissions to the design.  The same concept/design cannot be used for any other contests, websites, etc.

Entries

Entry #1

Entry #2

Entry #3

Entry #4

Entry #5