Leading Lady began life as part of Blondie's Ratcave, the leading X Files Krycek/Marita site. When Ratcave exceeded 150MB, a decision was made to separate the broader performer content from the X Files content. Obviously, given its antecedents, this site begins with an X Files emphasis, but our aim, as Laurie's career evolves, is to become a well-rounded representation of her impact on the industry. We think she is a fabulous actress with a broad range, and our hope is that this site will grow to reflect that.
The design you're looking at now is Version 6.0, Simplicity, so named because it doesn't use a lot of the bells and whistles (Javascript, fiddly menus, etc). It is relatively plain and uncluttered for ease of navigation. Our design history is laid out below.
Blondie's Ratcave 1.0 - the original Krycek/Marita site. The character/performer content ratio was about 2:1, and the format was a simple, no frames, no bells-and-whistles, image-driven single-tier navigation system. It was quite appealing but quickly became obsolete as more content was added. It premiered in 2000.
Blondie's Ratcave 2.0 - the first major step up from the original Ratcave. In this version (which premiered around the time that Nick Lea's film Vertical Limit was released, and just as Laurie's role in The Majestic was announced) the changes in the performers' lives led to a more pronounced role for non-XF-related performer content. Laurie and Nick both spawned large personal image galleries and profiles, and the news came through thick and fast. By now, Ratcave exceeded 150MB of content. There was a two-tier navigation system, powered by Javascript and supported by frames.
Blondie's Ratcave 2.1 - the last revision of the Ratcave before the split. By now, the Ratcave exceeded 200MB, and I had an opportunity to migrate the XF content to Gertie's Fredfarm server and the performer content to efanguide.com. Prior to this I was facing the closure of the site. I simply could not afford to support it anymore. This, along with the growing distance between the performers and their involvement in XF, resulted in the three-site split. I made small revisions to the visual appearance of the Ratcave prior to the transition in August 2001.
Leading Lady 3.0: Leading Lady - the first version of Leading Lady. This enormously popular layout is a personal favourite of mine, and I have kept the front splash for the time being; but unfortunately as my holdings increased that layout was no longer practical. Beautiful though it was, the navigation was frankly awkward, and the javascript was problematic for Opera users. This layout was live from August to November 2001.
Leading Lady 3.1: White Light BETA - this version made it to the beta stage but never went live. It had some of the same navigation problems of its predecessor, and my beta testers felt that it was a little too plain. I am inclined to agree, but I think it was a very pretty effect.
Leading Lady 4.1: XFemmes - this version, an adaptation of 4.0 BETA (which never went live), is based on the layout I used at another of my websites, the Harem Of X Files Other Women Defenders, at which fans of Marita, Diana, and other XF supporting women congregate. This site, while slightly less pretty than 3.0, is ultimately more friendly to users on smaller and larger resolutions than 800x600, and to those who prefer not to use frames. It can also accommodate the two-tier navigation system comfortably. I found it much easier to program around than 3.0, and ultimately that meant more updates. It was live from November 2001 to May 2002. I quickly tired of the black and aqua colour scheme and decided to go with something more colourful, but I retained the same basic layout and structure in the next version.
Leading Lady 5.0: Mediterranean - this version is an adaptation of version 4.1 - it uses the same basic layout and navigation, but brighter and more varied colours with newer, sharper photos brings a lovely fresh feeling to the site. It was live from May 2002 to October 2003. The frames made updating my growing image galleries very awkward and time-consuming, and that ultimately led to the decision to change.
The current version is Leading Lady 6.0: Simplicity. This version focuses on simplicity and elegance, both of visual design and also practicality and logistics. It has scripts for images and other behind-the-scenes innovations that greatly ease updating, while still maintaining the lovely warmth of Mediterranean.
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CREDITS, DISCLAIMERS, POLICIES, AND OWNERSHIP ISSUES
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Stuff That Isn't Mine: The movies and other productions mentioned at this site are TM and copyright of their respective owners. This site is for personal entertainment purposes only, and no infringement is intended to the commercial interests of any production company, publication, or other party. The use of media content relating to those productions on this website does not in any way constitute a claim of ownership or licence. This website uses screen shots, video, audio, and other material belonging to these parties; again, without any explicit or implied claim of ownership. These materials are held and distributed for the personal recreational enjoyment of the webmistress and her guests, and no commercial gain is being made from their use. Basically, if you saw it on television or in a magazine, it probably isn't mine. If it's digital art or other creativity, it probably is. While I have had some contact with Miss Holden, The X Files, FOX, and Castle Rock, this site does not have the official sanction of Miss Holden or any other party and should not be interpreted as such.
Mirroring Policies: This site mirrors online articles from commercial news and entertainment sites. The intention behind this practice is to provide a convenient service to our guests, in view of the transitory nature of many of these items. It is not our intention to replace the providers of those items - indeed, we go to great lengths to provide working links within each item to the provider's other content. We will take down any item originating from a commercial site on request from the appropriate stakeholder.
Stuff That Is Mine: This website contains some original creative works, including graphical templates, fan art, and music videos. These are legitimate derivative works, and although these are unchartered legal waters, it is my opinion as someone with a legal background that these original works remain the legal and certainly the moral property of their creators (myself, in most cases, or as indicated). Until such time as a legal precedent establishes otherwise, it is the policy of this website to consider these works the property of the creator. In cases where there is an explicit (archive notice) or implied (wallpaper, banners) license to the personal use of these materials, you may do so; but you must not claim them as your own work, use them on your website (except for fiction archival or linking banners), on-license them, or earn money from their use without the consent of the creator.
What That Actually Means: You may download anything on this site for personal use on your own computer only. In addition, banners may be used freely to link to us at any website (on your webspace, not ours - not hotlinking). Wallpapers, collages, audio, video and music video are strictly for personal use only and must not be archived without the explicit consent of the creator. Captured still images may be used in moderation at your website, as long as your site is not a commercial site or a character- or actor-hate site, and as long as your site has appropriate disclaimers, except where indicated (rare material may be restricted). You do not need to notify us unless you take in excess of 15 images. In that case we will require notification, an acknowledgement, and a link. If you want more than 25 images you must contact us first. No content on this site may be mass distributed, whether by CD ROM or other storage media.
Respect For Miss Holden And Her Colleagues: We work to promote respect for performers, not only of Ms Holden, but of others as well. We will not knowingly link to a site which engages in actor-bashing. Please let us know if you feel we have linked to a site which breaches this policy. We will, of course, link to sites we believe deal in fair criticism of actors and others in their professional dealings. We will not link to any site which passes judgement on any performer's personal conduct beyond entertainment industry situations, since we do not believe this is our business. If we are contacted by any performer or authorised agent asking for any item concerning them to be removed, we will remove it, without question or criticism. We will not archive fiction featuring the performers; nor will we archive explicitly pornographic imagery (manipulated or otherwise) or link to any site which does so. We will continue to amend these policies in response to the growth of the site and to visitor concerns.
Credits & Thank Yous: I am incredibly indebted to lots of wonderful people for content and general support in my work on this page. Catseye, of Laurie Land, very kindly allowed me to use some of the content from her site - by far the most comprehensive Laurie site out there. Lanie, of laurie-holden.com, who cheers me on. Gertie of web-glitter.com, who scans some material not accessible in my own country for me. Tracy, Kristen, and Paula, my UK and US taping contacts and friends. Sally-Ann, Christy, and LibertyBelle, who keep me posted for news and resources. Emily Titon, always so supportive...thank you, as always! The Designing-Women, especially Kristen - all of them so helpful when I make graphics or need beta-testing for the site...Raquel for some great leads...Lea Yardum, Laurie's publicist, who is always interested in what's happening in Laurie's fan base...the gang at LHML and RATales, who are always on my side...everyone who ever helped me with graphics or HTML along the way...lots of people at The Haven and Philedom boards, including Mike, Scout, Vered and Abra, who helped with troubleshooting and general feedback along the way. Stephanie Rose at Buzzine Magazine...Joe Pollono at Castle Rock Entertainment...I could fill the whole of the webspace with credits. No woman is an island, and while I pull everything together here, it's not all my work. Thank you all.
These sites are run by Deslea R. Judd, a fanfic author, artist, videomaker and general nerd. She also runs other X Files related websites, including a Mimi Rogers site, image galleries, art, fanfiction, and music video collections - see them all at http://xfiles.deslea.com. You can also write to her at deslea@deslea.com. Easy to remember, huh? Deslea hangs out at online lists like The Harem, LHML, alexnmarita, and more. She loves feedback, contributions, offers of collaboration, and all that neat stuff that makes this job worthwhile. She's known for taking a really long time to reply, but she always does. In the meantime - know that she cherishes every word.
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