Sneak Preview of the new MSE Blog Discussion

MSE_Martin

Hi folks

First of all please read the blog - as stated in there the button that says Chat will be called Forum!

As for the professional look - im so glad many of you don't think it looks professional. That is quite deliberate - the last thing I want is a white background corporate site - that sprays bland commerciality.

As for the logo in the forums - we already have a problem that people get lost in the forums and dont realise the articles are where the info is. How many people ask what is the best cashback card when its all in a full article, and the new L is designed to make sure those questions are fully answered.

Personally I think it looks fantastic. As noted its only half way through and there are some changes to be made. Also remember this will be on an 800 width base, with nice uncluttered spaces outside.

This is an enormous site. The navigation will be changing and getting easier - yet the info has to go on the front page. The one thing to remember is regulars navigate with ease and precision anyway, this is to aid newbies and make it easier for them.

As for the warning bar.... actually when we added it many more people noticed the tip - and the % of people joining the email list who came to the site increased - so while you're web savvy SRA - many people aren't and so making it big and bold is very important so people don't miss it.

martin

Ghost

Hi everyone at 'MSE towers'. Thanks for all your hard work in desiging the site, and with such a huge amount of data and links etc, it must be a pig of a task overhauling everything. :T

That said, I'm afraid the new look doesn't quite do it for me. As stated by previous posters, it kind of reminded me of a ringtone site, and too in your face and visually challenging! I take your point, Martin, about striking a non-commercial visual balance, but I like white... the BBC's website uses lots of white and they're as far away from commercial as you can get!

BTW I like the browser bar/tool section - that's going to be very useful.

All the best.

System

I like it, but i aint too sure about the warning thingy, its a bit in your face. I would prefer it at the bottom.

sra

MSE_Martin wrote:

As for the warning bar.... actually when we added it many more people noticed the tip - and the % of people joining the email list who came to the site increased - so while you're web savvy SRA - many people aren't and so making it big and bold is very important so people don't miss it.

martin

I have spent most of my internet life doing everything possible to avoid clicking on links Warning me that my computer was infected or Alerting me that I had to download something or my computer would blow up!

Maybe it's just me - Am I the only one who responds very negatively to such things?

Maybe you did get more subscribers from putting up the existing warning. But then maybe you would have got even more doing other things to make it more noticeable - like a picture of a fluffy kitten with a speech bubble asking them to subscribe :rotfl:

What would the psychologist say to having something as negative at the centre of your homepage?

wolfman

Yeah I have to agree, in terms of usability a "Warning" message taking up part of the screen isn't very good. It conveys the wrong message and can be quite in your face. If anything it reminds me of some sort of ad site, with banners everywhere.

Also a professional look doesn't necessarily mean a branded corporate site. I'd maybe tone down the colours, stick to 3-4 main ones. I'd also define between hyperlinks and buttons more. Hyperlinks redirect you somewhere whereas buttons perform an action.

Dora_the_Explorer_5

This is an enormous site. The navigation will be changing and getting easier - yet the info has to go on the front page. The one thing to remember is regulars navigate with ease and precision anyway, this is to aid newbies and make it easier for them.

Do newbies have to have their hands held and everything made Janet & John for them? Pilot the site with an Age Concern newby computer users group - if it suits them, chances are it will be ok for everyone else. Ignorance and idleness are not the same.

spook

My first reaction was 'ouch' as the colour scheme hit my retinas!

But on second glance there are lots of improvements to the overall layout of the page which I think look good.

I'd definitely make the blue triangles a little less 'in your face' though, and I agree with an earlier suggestion from sra that there should perhaps be a little bit of actual content on the front page, rather than just a list of articles. Perhaps just a 'preview' of the first couple of paras of the newest article, with a 'read more...' link at the end?

I can see why the 'unprofessional' look is important in a way, but I do feel it could look a little friendlier. (i.e. less of the whole 'WARNING!' thing)

brranger

If you revamp the site will all the old posts be lost?
Sorry if I'm being thick.

Former_MSE_Forum_Manager

brranger wrote:

If you revamp the site will all the old posts be lost?
Sorry if I'm being thick.

Hi brranger

The Chat Forum will be largely unaffected, barring i think a colour scheme change.

Ghost

sra wrote:

I have spent most of my internet life doing everything possible to avoid clicking on links Warning me that my computer was infected or Alerting me that I had to download something or my computer would blow up!

Maybe it's just me - Am I the only one who responds very negatively to such things? ?

You're not alone sra, I always respond to such things in pretty much the same way too.