Redesigning and re-branding EN World

[ColonelHardisson]

uh...uh...wow.

I am afraid to offend now, but anyway...

I would like to say that 3 layers is probably a good guideline. I know that some of the flexibility and options may be lost, but most people in the world these days are fairly busy and already bombarded by work, family, medie, hobbies, etc. Too many layers or too much complexity and it will take a person longer to get to the content they want. When that happens, hard decisions may have to be made and well a functional vehicle that everyone can use is probably more necessary than a luxury vehicle that only a few have the time or gumption to use. More bells and whistles are not always better when only used by 10% of the community.

Another thing - Reapersaurus obviously thought that you had extra assistance with the site. His opinions on this subject, while blunt and misinformed were asked for (as were the rest of ours). I would feel bad enough had I made that mistake and been corrected in a polite way, let alone being told in the tone that was taken (the use of exclamation marks and the wording looked an awful like like you were offended and lashed out). As Furn_Darkside is fond of saying (usually as an apology for a perceived harsh response) - tone is lost on the boards, but that still seemed somewhat harsh (I've seen worse).

I do not know how you are taking our opinions or if it is what you expected, but don't make us feel bad for giving them.

P.S. - I am not defending Reapersaurus (heck dinosaurs with scythes can probably defend themselves), but am instead defending myself and others who have made misinformed statements and feel bad enough without having to be scolded.

Well, reapersaurus has a lot of history with EN World, wherein he has often been something of a rabble-rouser. A veritable two-fisted, bare-knuckles-brawler of a poster. I like the guy - I mean, he and I share an interest in dinosaurs, as well as a number of other things - but given his history on the boards, Morrus's reply shouldn't be too surprising or off-putting to others, especially long-time board members. I doubt it even singed his scaly hide

By the way, reaper, have you done anymore work on statting dinosaurs for d20?

 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

The 3 layers deal doesn't sound all that bad and i would definatly prefure you stayed with a dark color scheme, as it's easier on the eyes. I think you could ditch the up coming WOTC product list on the front page, and maybe try a seperate page for upcomming d20 products from all or most companies(unless there is one and i've magaged to keep missing it).

As to a name change, i think 3eN world would be alright, or if we keep expanding you could call it EN Universe.

 

[Temprus]

I have a suggestion. Call it PA World and see if Peter will sponsor it!

 

[Darraketh]

As far as the name goes I'd stay away from 3rd edition anything. What happens when they put out 4th edition? Don't say that is years away unless you make the decisions for WOTC. Who knows what they are apt to do?

Now as far as design, I'll have to think a bit on that one.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

If the name and look are to be changed, I think that D&D should be part of the name. Something that suggests a nice, comfortable, homey (as homey as you can get electronically) place for fans to come to. Something along the lines of "The D&D Crossroads Inn" or somesuch.

 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Actually i think i'd call it, Bob.

 

[Warchild]

I think you should go away from the 3rd EDITION mantra. Thats TOO D&D-centric. I think you should change the name to something more akin to D20. I think D&D has turned into a facet of D20, rather than the way it began and your site should change with the times. Got to stay on top of things, i say!

I also think you should go with a nice Red and Gold scheme!

BTW, i hate frames myself and wouldn't vote for them if given the chance. Maybe you should post some polls on the subject, to better keep track of the membership opinions?

 

[Archangel]

Well, reapersaurus has a lot of history with EN World, wherein he has often been something of a rabble-rouser. A veritable two-fisted, bare-knuckles-brawler of a poster. I like the guy - I mean, he and I share an interest in dinosaurs, as well as a number of other things - but given his history on the boards, Morrus's reply shouldn't be too surprising or off-putting to others, especially long-time board members. I doubt it even singed his scaly hide

By the way, reaper, have you done anymore work on statting dinosaurs for d20?

Right, well I must admit that having three daughters constantly fighting, I really like the solace (hehe, Solace is also the name of my homebrew) that these message boards provide. Now, mind you, I do not dislike conflict (my wife thinks that Instigator is my PrC), but I try to be civil here.

Morrus, my apologies for lecturing. I am not trying to ruffle any feathers and am not trying to become some sort of message-police, so I will leave my parenting for my house.

Now, I hate not trying to provide a little bit to each post, so I will weigh in once again on the reorg idea -

1. The current color scheme is good.
2. I agree with a previous poster that the right column items should be added to the left column and the right column removed (I am not much of a fan of three columns).
3. I think that frames would not be a bad thing, as it would keep menu links on the screen no matter how far down in the page you are. (I usually read the news and then go to the messageboards, but I have to scroll back up - I know, now I am being picky).
4. Once again, keep it simple (the news layout is pretty good right now, so I do not think it needs much work).
5. I would echo another opinion to reduce the number of forums on the message board (it seems that General RPG Discussion gets a lot of OT threads as this is where everyone is).
6. Less graphics (product covers, especially), for the bandwidth challenged (before I went cable, my 56K would take forever to load the page). I do not know if this is still a problem, I am just making a suggestion - since the word content is the most important aspect of the site, graphics could be limited to essential ones (new products), while non-essential/old graphics could be removed/re-positioned when no longer essential to page 1.

Now, one last parenting statement (/me slips on dad-hat) - see kids, this is why you should try and keep your nose out of other peoples business.

 

[Morrus]

maybe try a seperate page for upcomming d20 products from all or most companies(unless there is one and i've magaged to keep missing it).

There is one. Which goes to show that the site definitely needs rearranging.

 

[Morrus]

An initial idea for the site map (none of this is new content - it's all already here). I'm sure I've missed stuff out.

On the front page there would only be the following menu items:

COMMUNITY
INFO
ARCHIVE
RESOURCES
HOSTED SITES
SHOPPING
ENNIES

This would break down as follows:

Community
-Messageboards
-Chat Room
-Interviews

Info
-D20 Guide
---Publisher List
---Upcoming Products
---Top 20 Products
---Recent Reviews
-Guide to Free Adventures
-Electronic Aids
---e-Tools
---Neverwinter Nights
-D&D Links

Archive (Black Pages)

Resources
-Conversion Library
-Story Hour
-Competition Entries
-Other Resources

Hosted Sites
-The Creature Catalog
-Claudio Pozas Art & Design
-Realmscrafters
-Roleplaying Master
-Crooked Staff Productions
-Daemonforge
-Umbragia: Realms of Shadow
-Dusk
-The Cosmonomicon
-Malls & Morons
-Middle Earth 3E

Shopping
-EN World RPG Shop
-Natural 20 Press
---Asgard Magazine
-EN World Cafe-Press Store

ENnies
-ENnies 2001
-ENnies 2002


Other bits and bobs that need a home:

Contact details
Ad rates
Supporter pages
Logos done by people

And maybe other stuff I've missed (see, there's so much that I'm not even sure what's on the site these days!

There are some vague areas - some pages form both a resource archive and an information pages (the Electronic Aids page, for example - lots of downloads, plus lots of links and info).