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Microstock Photography Forum - General => Site Related => Topic started by: leaf on December 11, 2006, 16:50

Title: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: leaf on December 11, 2006, 16:50
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Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: madelaide on December 11, 2006, 16:59
Leaf,

I didn't see the "Site related" area (I had closed the "General Category" group!), so I posted a problem I'm having at the "Off-topic" area:

http://www.microstockgroup.com/microstockgroup/index.php?topic=933.msg7219;topicseen#msg7219 (http://www.microstockgroup.com/microstockgroup/index.php?topic=933.msg7219;topicseen#msg7219)

Regards,
Adelaide
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: bryan_luckyoliver on December 11, 2006, 17:48
Here might be one suggestion Tyler. Sorry, the 'pro' designer in me couldn't help it :)

(http://luckyoliver.com/images/leaf.gif)
(I've linked an image...somehow it's not showing- I attached it to the post as well)

People comeback for the content- I'd make the titles on the homepage larger.  Also, reducing the horizontal minimum would make it easier to read (and also get you more clicks on the Google ads to the right) If you stack the information I believe it creates a hierarchy of information that users need more.

Most people want to know if a topic is recent. I'm not sure you need to display the time on older posts.

Just my two cents.

Bryan
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: Greg Boiarsky on December 11, 2006, 17:57
The interface feels a bit crowded--it's harder to find basics, like the "reply" options.  Also, it would be better to have the subject be bold and large, rather than the names of the most recent poster and the original poster.
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: a.k.a.-tom on December 11, 2006, 19:04
Gonna take some getting used to as is anything new. I'd like to chime in with the Professor,  I noticed right away, I'm clicking on the member name instead of the topic.  He may have a good point there. Maybe Bold face the topic and not the member name.  I DO like the new look much better!!  Nice job!!
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: madelaide on December 11, 2006, 19:43
This is a screenshot of the problem I see.  Notice how Bryan's message has scroll bars and Professorgb's and TGT's don't.

Regards,
Adelaide

PS1: After I posted it, Bryan's scroll bars disappeared...
PS2: After PS1, they appeared again...

(http://www.geocities.com/adelaide.geo/mgroup.jpg)
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: Peiling on December 11, 2006, 20:53
i thgt i came to the wrong site cos everything was so unfamiliar....
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: Keefo on December 11, 2006, 21:38
I like it.  One thing you might consider is bolding the thread titles instead of the poster's userids on the main page.  They seem kind of small/harder for me to see.

Like Peiling, I thought I was at the wrong site at first.  I think it has a very nice, professional look to it.

Very nice job,

Kevin
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: hospitalera on December 11, 2006, 21:53
don't like it... ???
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: berryspun on December 12, 2006, 00:25
Tyler, it is very nice to see that you are doing things to improve the site.  The appearance is much better.  I like the pictures on top too, very refreshing.
I have a few suggestions:

- have the same details as in the forums themselves for the posts, doesn't matter the presentation as long as it's clear:
Subject     Started by     Replies     Views     Last post
The 'started by' is a very nice addition.  The emphasis should be on the subject of the topic.  The topic column could be wider on the 1st page, it looks crowded right now.

- have a clearer separation between each topic

- keep the option for adding a topic on the first page without having to open some more pages.  I like to have everything handy at first glance.  The old version was well organized for that.

- same thing for the other options which were on the left, which enable to go directly straight to a forum page by stock site if we wanted.  An improvement would be to list all the active stock sites, with one forum page for each.

- if it's possible, have the google ad on the bottom (or at the bottom of one column if the bottom spot isn't possible), it will widen the screen for your own use for more options if necessary.

- one thing that could be added is for the photographers to add their portfolio links in their profile, so that the links can be easily accessible for other members (instead of adding it in the signature)

That's it...  ;)  Thanks!
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: leaf on December 12, 2006, 01:34
are you guys seeing the google add when you are logged in?  it is just supposed to be there when guests visit.

Good idea Bryan, I'll work on the main page layout later today.  I agree it is a bit more cluttered and some organization could be used.  I think that is one of lucky oliver's strengths..... uncluttered.

hmmmm that is odd madeliade.  Does anyone else have that problem.  I can't seemed to figure out how to change that for you, but i will look some more.
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: Freezingpictures on December 12, 2006, 03:44
I do not see a google ad. I like the new look. Its nice to see that you used one of my images, the penguin :-) Thanx :-)
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: GeoPappas on December 12, 2006, 06:20
The first message at the top of the Recent Topics list is very dark and hard to make out.  The text is blue on black, which makes it almost impossible to read.

I looked for a place to change the colors for the site, but couldn't find anything.
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: leaf on December 12, 2006, 06:43
The first message at the top of the Recent Topics list is very dark and hard to make out.  The text is blue on black, which makes it almost impossible to read.

I looked for a place to change the colors for the site, but couldn't find anything.

i am using firefox and the colors are correct.  I did a little check in IE though and see your problem.  Will hopefully fix that pronto.
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: leaf on December 12, 2006, 06:43
I do not see a google ad. I like the new look. Its nice to see that you used one of my images, the penguin :-) Thanx :-)

yep, made use of some of my lucky oliver credits :)
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: Freezingpictures on December 12, 2006, 08:06
Thank you for that. You are one of my biggest customers at LO. You are responsible for at least 1/3 of my whole income over there :)
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: berryspun on December 12, 2006, 10:04
are you guys seeing the google add when you are logged in?  it is just supposed to be there when guests visit.

My mistake, the google ad doesn't show when logged in.

The new layout transformation is much better !

Another suggestion for the 1st page: the 'posted by' should be the thread starter name with the title 'started by', and the name of the last person to post can be with the date column, with a new title 'last post'.  It is the same kind of setting that you already have in the specific forum pages, and it looks great.
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: phildate on December 12, 2006, 10:25
I like it - especially the second picture from the left at the top  ;D thanks for including that one
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: leaf on December 12, 2006, 10:35
I like it - especially the second picture from the left at the top  ;D thanks for including that one

thought the least i could do was support a couple of the posters here :)
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: Indigo on December 12, 2006, 12:20
I think it looks great!  The whole site has a more professional feel now. :)
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: Keefo on December 12, 2006, 19:13
The site looks really nice.  You should be very proud of what you've accomplished here.

Thanks,

Kevin
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: ErickN on December 12, 2006, 22:48
Nice update Tyler, I like the new look.

One thing I miss though is the different color of the subject lines when the post has been read. Yes, the little "new" icons are there, but I find it more difficult now to quickly locate the last post I read on my previous visit, especially with the variable position of the "new" icon depending on the subject's length.

Erick

[EDIT]
Oops ! As soon as I submitted my post, I saw the latest update with the subject lines in normal type (vs bold), and now the little "new" icons are much more easy to locate !
Tyler, you run too fast for me...  ;)

[EDIT 2]
Oops again  :-[
What I saw was the "Site related" front page (which I like very much), not the home page which still has bold subject lines...
It's very late, I should definately go to bed... Sweet dreams !
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: digiology on December 13, 2006, 13:08
It initially caught me off guard. But I am use to it now.

Great work and many many thanks for providing this great resource!

Cheers!
Lora
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: madelaide on December 13, 2006, 17:33
Since I can't read messages well, I'm not really enjoying it.  This means my participation here will be reduced.  I'm sure this is not necessarily a bad thing.  ;)

Regards,
Adelaide
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: roman on December 13, 2006, 17:57
I like it.  Itīs better in several respects.  I also like that StockXpert is finally upgraded and 123RF is in its proper place.  It took me about ten minutes to find everything... but now I like it better then the old design.  A job well done.
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: leaf on December 14, 2006, 03:53
Leaf,

I didn't see the "Site related" area (I had closed the "General Category" group!), so I posted a problem I'm having at the "Off-topic" area:

[url]http://www.microstockgroup.com/microstockgroup/index.php?topic=933.msg7219;topicseen#msg7219[/url] ([url]http://www.microstockgroup.com/microstockgroup/index.php?topic=933.msg7219;topicseen#msg7219[/url])

Regards,
Adelaide


ok, i'm downloading netscape now to give it a try to see if i can see your problem.

how about trying firefox though?? :)
Title: Re: what do you think of the new layout
Post by: leaf on December 14, 2006, 04:04
is anyone else having this problem?  i can't  seem to get netscape to have the same problems that madelaide is having.