Redesigning and re-branding EN World

[The Kender]

I'm using a Windows computer at the moment, with the latest IE. My concerne is that when I'm at home, I use Linux. I don't think that Mozilla for Linux can use those. I know that with a couple of sites I visit, they don't work. And what about the people who use older versions of Netscape or IE? Or the people that use Konquerer, Mozilla, or Linx. I'm just giving you things to think about. It wouldn't be as fancy, but you could use drop down menu's. I've seen that done before.

At very least, could you make a site map? It would really help.

 

[rpghost]

Yeah, under the title would be good. You should probably also put standard html links to the topmost category's pages underneath the dropdown menu for those who don't have jscript enabled. You should be able to get the menu to cover up the links as soon as it loads.

If you put the menu under the logos it'll be even harder to find ... esp with the same color scheme. I do think that a seperate "best of" sort of links section could be on the right column or left (whichever colum you keep, but don't do two columns).

James

 

[XCorvis]

I like both of them, but the horizontal menu was much faster and the 2 sidebars kind of squish the page. Someone already suggested moving the right sidebar to the left.

The main thing I like about both of them is that there is a heck of a lot less clutter.

I'd like to know if the reduced html makes it easier to update the page now.

Keep it up, they're lookin' good.

 

[XCorvis]

I'm using a Windows computer at the moment, with the latest IE. My concerne is that when I'm at home, I use Linux. I don't think that Mozilla for Linux can use those. I know that with a couple of sites I visit, they don't work. And what about the people who use older versions of Netscape or IE? Or the people that use Konquerer, Mozilla, or Linx. I'm just giving you things to think about. It wouldn't be as fancy, but you could use drop down menu's. I've seen that done before.

At very least, could you make a site map? It would really help.

I'm using Mozilla 1.0 right now and it looks identical in both versions.

Actually, it's loading slower in IE than it did in mozilla... Never mind, it's crashed IE 6.

Anyway, it looks just fine in Mozilla 1.0.

 

[rpghost]

Re: Re: I do not like it

OK, I've tried that here:

http://www.enworld.org/dropdown2/

Something is buggy with that menu system... when you get a sub-menu to show up, you have to slide your mouse to a menu option that is below the end of the sub menu just to get to see the other main menu options. Not sure if that made sense but run your mouse down the left menu slowly and you'll see some menus don't pop up.

If you look at http://www.RPGHost.com you'll se we use top and side menu pulldown/popups. The menu also stands out on the top from the rest of the site to make people notice it more.

James

 

[GuardianLurker]

Goodie!

Morrus -

like the (updated) second version lots. Especially the "About the Site" link, which could prove very useful.

A few constructive comments :
1) I suggest a link to a full Site Map page directly under the drop downs.
2) While the tone was overly harsh, the gentleman with the vendetta against Javascript is not all that unusual. It probably would be a good idea to develop a site that works as well without Javascript, though the Site Map page will probably obviate most of that need.
3) As already suggested, it's probably a good idea to move the gray bar directly underneath the drop-down. You may also want to put a number of the "shortcut" links there as well.
4) Borders - I suggest one between the logos and the content, and another between the sidebar and the content.
5) The "About the Site" section (which I assume will contain FAQ-y info) should probably also appear under "Misc". In addition, there's nothing that tells me to go to "Misc" for the site admin info, and it should probably be more clearly called out.

But those are all minor quibbles. I like it.

 

[bmcdaniel]

Use narrow columns

Morrus-

I think the menus are fine, but I much prefer a narrower column of text for the news. I'm pretty sure that usability experts have decided that it is much easier on the eyes to have narrow columns of text rather than a line that stretches out the width of a page. If I were you, I'd make a narrow column surrounded by whitespace (blackspace?) on both sides.

If you're looking for ideas, I'd suggest visiting some of the blogs, which serve essentially the same function as the front page of ENWorld. There are a vast number of them and many have given serious thought to website design (they tend to be run by web admins in their spare time). Here are some examples: http://Instapundit.com, http://www.corante.com/bottomline/, http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/, http://www.scottandrew.com/, http://xplane.com/xblog/

 

[FreeXenon]

I like the menu's, but I miss the WOTC Product Schedule along the right and the black pages...and having an indicator that there is a menu to pull over to would be good.

Other than that - it works!

 

[Harlock]

Morrus, first of all: Don't work too hard on this! Although, as a rabid ENWorld fan I certainly appreciate it. That said I checked out the dropdown2 version this morning and read all the new posts. Some of this is repetitive from previous posts, but I think that is kind of the idea. You're trying to get a consensus, right? =)

I really prefer the left side dropdown menu over the one at the top of the site. I think I am having the same problem everyone else is though, in that the menu seems kind of "buggy". If I drag across slowly, my cursor just stays an arrow and never changes to a hand, thereby activating the menu. Also, sometimes the menu opens but not directly to the right, but rather, a little below and to the right. Minor gripe that one, for if I drag horizantally it alleviates the problem of the menu vanishing on me.

I would move the links from the right colmun under the left one. It just feels better, keeping navigation in one area. I'm not sure how that will affect the text. Well, those are my first imressions of dropdown2. I hope that was constructive. Oh one more thing. Very minor and totally subjective: I'd like the datestamp box to extend across the entire page. It just seems kind of abrupt or something the way it just floats there. I guess it doen't feel anchored to anything. Anyway, I wish you continued success as always, and please, keep up the wonderful work.

 

[Acmite]

Eh

I don't really like the new draft.

I liked it when the news was centered on the page, bracketed by the menu and poll, etc.

I don't like the text left justified, I find that it's harder to read.