Discuss the Site Redesign: The Latest Incarnation Blog

Former_MSE_Archna

This is the discussion to link on the back of Martin's "Site Redesign: The Latest Incarnation" blog. Please read the blog first, as the discussion folows it.


Read Martin's "Site Redesign: The Latest Incarnation" Blog

sra

I like that

A lot better than the previous design. :T


Still think the blue and the ‘tequila sunrise’ are a bit dark for a modern site, as is the email section on the right - even for something you want to attract attention.

The Browse Bar :undecided - It's more of a panel than a bar. Does that section need a title at all?

Everything else I like - Especially the increased use of images and icons like the trolly and the graphs

Final thought though - it's still a links page!
Nothing telling you it's a lively, bustling place with ever-changing content.

Think of all the hard work that goes into MSE and yet it's not reflected on the front page
Yes there's a "Latest moneysaving" column, but there's nothing to indicate if someone tirelessly keeps it up-to-date or if it's changed every few months.

I'd like to see some actual content on the front page, even if it's a single paragraph from one of the articles with a "more.." link - Sort of a "Today's featured article". So that if you came once every day there'd be something new.

akrabat

It looks good, but does it work in Firefox now?

heatherw_01

I like the look of that a lot :j

Ghost

sra wrote:

Final thought though - it's still a links page!
Nothing telling you it's a lively, bustling place with ever-changing content.

Think of all the hard work that goes into MSE and yet it's not reflected on the front page
Yes there's a "Latest moneysaving" column, but there's nothing to indicate if someone tirelessly keeps it up-to-date or if it's changed every few months.

I'd like to see some actual content on the front page, even if it's a single paragraph from one of the articles with a "more.." link - Sort of a "Today's featured article". So that if you came once every day there'd be something new.

Martin, that's a major improvement on the last incarnation - well done! :T

Have to agree with Sra about static main page. Only thing is, I imagine it will add to everyone's workload at MSE towers if you have to keep it evolving on a daily basis. But it's a good idea though.

MSE_Martin

On the static front page.

THe latest articles do change on a weekly basis - we are looking at a 'top chat tip of the day' in the browse bar which will change too. And the scrolling marquee of the latest tip will be there too.

However actuallY MSE is mainly a site of 'updated reference' most visitors either come to browse all the articles or come for something specific. Actually the 'non-news' element seems to appeal to many.

It's different with forum users of course, but the forum front page is always changing and has that - maybe we'll add a couple more forum things to the front page

sra

I'd love to see a box on the front page with latest forum topics - Like Digital Spy have (bottom-right).

Another problem with a static front page is that there's no reason for a regular to ever go there. Personally I have the forum index bookmarked and if I wanted an article I would use the side/top navigation.

spook

I like it... it really seems like you've all been taking on board the various suggestions made following previous discussions here, which is great.

Just a couple of comments regarding the links to the various sections of the site across the top...

Firstly, they're not very easy to read because some of them are on two lines and others on one. Not sure how this could be fixed but it does bother me a bit.

Also, many people tend to scroll down to get to 'content' and fail to notice the top navigation on web sites. Could these links also be repeated in the 'browse bar' on the right?

Spook

MSE_Martin

Spook - there's no way to shorten them - we've tried - but if we go any further you miss categorising correctly. We're still working on the fonting and formatting of it to make it look better though.

As for the navigation bar at the top - the Browse bar isn't for navigation - by definition. The other links will be repeated at the bottom of the page though.

martin

highlighter

spook wrote:

Just a couple of comments regarding the links to the various sections of the site across the top...

Firstly, they're not very easy to read because some of them are on two lines and others on one. Not sure how this could be fixed but it does bother me a bit.

Spook

How about instead of the 'one liners' being centered, adjusting it to the top. This way at least the first words of the all the tabs are on one constant level.

Looks like the design is coming along nicely. :cool:

robnye

looks like a cheap holiday offers leaflet......... and i should know i deliver the blooming things every week......

but i like it, and it does look much clearer