Does the main site need a redesign?

Viper007Bond · June 16th, 2008, 3:38 AM

Opinions seem to be mixed on whether I should completely redo the main site.

On one hand everyone's used to it, it seems to work alright, etc. but on the other hand, it's narrow, uses tables, and the design is showing it's age.

Note that if we opt to keep the current design, I'll be sprucing it up with many new features (like dividing the episodes up into seasons so the listings are so long) as well as adding like Wiki links.

MXM · June 16th, 2008, 6:18 AM

I voted no, but it's not a strong no. I like current design, but if you come up with something better I wont miss it that much images/smilies/smile.gif

jensked · June 16th, 2008, 6:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MXM

I voted no, but it's not a strong no. I like current design, but if you come up with something better I wont miss it that much images/smilies/smile.gif

~~I didn't think i'd ever say it, but I agree with MXM.~~
As always, I totally agree with MXM.

I don't think there's anything wrong with the site...but then again, i don't check the site that often (probably once a month).

/edit: fixed!

fbc · June 16th, 2008, 6:57 AM

I don't see a need to change it - it works well and looks fine.

mgkdk · June 16th, 2008, 7:11 AM

I'm not sure, don't use it much, only thing is that it only takes up the middle half of my monitor at home, I'd bet that I'm not the only one.

MXM · June 16th, 2008, 7:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jensked

I didn't think i'd ever say it, but I agree with MXM.

When did we disagree strongly on anything? Judging by your avatar we have at least one common interest images/smilies/wink.gif

jensked · June 16th, 2008, 8:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MXM

When did we disagree strongly on anything? Judging by your avatar we have at least one common interest images/smilies/wink.gif

Hehe, i don't know, just regular fellow-irc-idler bashing.

I fixed it for ya!

watto · June 16th, 2008, 8:36 AM

I don't think it needs a massive redesign but I think a tiny updating wouldn't hurt.

The show pictures need an update, Fifth Gear still has the freaky white haired man and Top Gear still has TG Dog, and she disappeared after the one season!

Homer_Bart · June 16th, 2008, 3:31 PM

A simple redesign will do. Not like a complete makeover. Maybe move the ads to the right side? If it's too much of a hassle then I don't mind the current deisgn. images/smilies/smile.gif

Viper007Bond · June 16th, 2008, 3:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgkdk

I'm not sure, don't use it much, only thing is that it only takes up the middle half of my monitor at home, I'd bet that I'm not the only one.

If we did redesign, it'd stay fixed width but it'd just be designed for a 1024x768 monitor rather than 800x600.

Full width just looks like crap on big widescreen monitors, especially when you write short news posts like I usually do.

mgkdk · June 16th, 2008, 4:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viper007Bond

If we did redesign, it'd stay fixed width but it'd just be designed for a 1024x768 monitor rather than 800x600.

Full width just looks like crap on big widescreen monitors, especially when you write short news posts like I usually do.

1024>800 = better images/smilies/tongue.gif

Quiky · June 16th, 2008, 11:43 PM

No more tiling backgrounds!

teeb · June 17th, 2008, 3:01 PM

I like it, but once TG Aus and Gear start airing some tweakage to fit them in might help - adding them in "the shows" section and to the countdown once we know airdates.

Viper007Bond · June 17th, 2008, 7:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teeb

I like it, but once TG Aus and Gear start airing some tweakage to fit them in might help - adding them in "the shows" section and to the countdown once we know airdates.

Of course. images/smilies/tongue.gif

The Chad · June 18th, 2008, 3:24 PM

The only thing about the main page that really irks me lately is how long it takes to get into the forums from a news article.

Let's say I want click a news story on the front page (Click 1)
Then I have to click "Discuss this post in our forums..." (Click 2)
Then, I'm in the forums with a thread view that I have to click on, even though that story is the only one on the page (Click 3)
Then I, in forum view, see the same news post again posted by your robot, and then a post by you to a different thread on the site (Click 4)

Whew, I'm finally there. I understand that the CMS system makes me click on the heading of the article to view the full story, and I also understand that in the story you'll need a link to somewhere on the site (that may be your own post, or a post by another person), but there is at least one of those steps (Click 3) that I have no idea what it's used for.

I would assume there has to be a better way to streamline it? It's not end of the world or anything, but the only real "problem" I see with the current design.

Sure, I wouldn't mind seeing a different layout on the front page, but it matches the theme of the forums alright so no need to really go about changing it all up.

Of course, unless you want to. It's your site, after all. images/smilies/tongue.gif

argatoga · June 19th, 2008, 12:59 AM

There's a main site beyond these forums?

Viper007Bond · June 19th, 2008, 1:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by argatoga

There's a main site beyond these forums?

What, you never download Top Gear?

skylock · June 19th, 2008, 1:14 AM

I am not sure which option to pick. The site is showing it's age but on the other hand it loads fast and works pretty well.

I am going to say keep current design with a few update tweaks.

Viper007Bond · June 19th, 2008, 1:15 AM

Well, the design doesn't really affect the speed. The speed comes from our uber server and the advanced caching techniques in place.

JosefCarlin · June 19th, 2008, 1:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viper007Bond

Opinions seem to be mixed on whether I should completely redo the main site.

On one hand everyone's used to it, it seems to work alright, etc. but on the other hand, it's narrow, uses tables, and the design is showing it's age.

I agree completely, the current site works fine but it is narrow, a bit "blockish" (whatever that is) and is showing its age.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viper007Bond

Note that if we opt to keep the current design, I'll be sprucing it up with many new features (like dividing the episodes up into seasons so the listings are so long) as well as adding like Wiki links.

Updating an entire website is a chore. But a number of websites have run a contest where designers/programmers are invited to submit new designs and code using current graphics (or only slightly modified graphics) and actual content or paste up. The final designs are featured with a comments section for user feedback. The winning design is tested by running it in parallel with the original site and after bug fixes is rolled out.

The winner is given some swag, mad props, a resume item for advancing their career, and of course credit on the site.

I need to be clear, I LIKE the current site and its current feature set and I have nothing but respect for the owners and maintainers. But I think it could be better, read quicker, and hold visitors longer if it were wider and not so limited by its current static table templates.

View Poll Results: Does the main site need a redesign?
No, the current design is just fine. Add some more features and you're set.	53	51.96%
Yes, it's showing it's age. Let's go for a whole new look.	39	38.24%
I'm not sure.	10	9.80%
Voters: 102. You must log in to vote in this poll.

June 16th, 2008, 3:38 AM	#1
Viper007Bond Lazy Head Dude Joined: Sep 21st, 2003 Last Online: 5:46 AM Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 25 Posts: 22,618 Car: Dodge Viper (I wish!) Rep Power: 340	Does the main site need a redesign? Opinions seem to be mixed on whether I should completely redo the main site. On one hand everyone's used to it, it seems to work alright, etc. but on the other hand, it's narrow, uses tables, and the design is showing it's age. Note that if we opt to keep the current design, I'll be sprucing it up with many new features (like dividing the episodes up into seasons so the listings are so long) as well as adding like Wiki links. __________________ There is no replacement for displacement. - Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group talking about the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ... I ask Herb Helbig, vehicle synthesis manager for SRT and a member of the original Team Viper development group since day one, if they'd ever thought of adding traction control. "It comes with two," he says, pointing at my feet. "Learn to use them." Got it. - Motor Trend on the 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe, November 2005

June 16th, 2008, 6:57 AM	#4
fbc Moderator Joined: Jan 8th, 2005 Last Online: November 11th, 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 34 Posts: 11,774 Car: 2006 MY07 Astra SRi Turbo Rep Power: 130	I don't see a need to change it - it works well and looks fine. __________________ www.sniffpetrol.com

June 16th, 2008, 7:11 AM	#5
mgkdk Aced mod training! Joined: Mar 19th, 2005 Last Online: 2:59 PM Location: Denmark Age: 29 Posts: 5,255 Car: Volvo V40 LFS Status: Rep Power: 145	I'm not sure, don't use it much, only thing is that it only takes up the middle half of my monitor at home, I'd bet that I'm not the only one. __________________ "Danish is cool" - Jeremy Clarkson

June 16th, 2008, 3:31 PM	#9
Homer_Bart Joined: Sep 10th, 2006 Last Online: 9:59 AM Location: Singapore Age: 17 Posts: 937 Car: Saving up for an E36/E46 Rep Power: 36	A simple redesign will do. Not like a complete makeover. Maybe move the ads to the right side? If it's too much of a hassle then I don't mind the current deisgn. __________________ Special thanks to darkshark0159 for the FG shirt! Support Volkswagen in taking over Porsche!

June 16th, 2008, 6:18 AM	#2
MXM old porsches do run! Joined: Jun 9th, 2004 Last Online: 2:25 PM Location: Finland Age: 27 Posts: 3,171 Car: 520, (7), (944) LFS Status: Rep Power: 82	I voted no, but it's not a strong no. I like current design, but if you come up with something better I wont miss it that much

June 16th, 2008, 8:36 AM	#8
watto Unloved and lacking a title Joined: Jun 13th, 2005 Last Online: December 8th, 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 24 Posts: 5,707 Car: MY06 Impreza 2.0R Hatch Rep Power: 74	I don't think it needs a massive redesign but I think a tiny updating wouldn't hurt. The show pictures need an update, Fifth Gear still has the freaky white haired man and Top Gear still has TG Dog, and she disappeared after the one season!

June 16th, 2008, 11:43 PM	#12
Quiky Devouring your soul... after belly rubs. Joined: Aug 21st, 1995 Location: Frederick, Maryland Posts: 3,551 Car: Dacia Sandero Turbo Quattroporte Mayo GTZR1 LFS Status: Rep Power: 1053	No more tiling backgrounds!

June 17th, 2008, 3:01 PM	#13
teeb Joined: Sep 23rd, 2005 Last Online: 12:06 AM Location: Bordeaux, France. Age: 23 Posts: 3,190 Rep Power: 134	I like it, but once TG Aus and Gear start airing some tweakage to fit them in might help - adding them in "the shows" section and to the countdown once we know airdates. __________________ ...I'm meant to put something here?

June 18th, 2008, 3:24 PM	#15
The Chad Joined: Feb 22nd, 2005 Last Online: March 16th, 2010 Location: Northwest Ohio Age: 26 Posts: 527 Car: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Rep Power: 26	The only thing about the main page that really irks me lately is how long it takes to get into the forums from a news article. Let's say I want click a news story on the front page (Click 1) Then I have to click "Discuss this post in our forums..." (Click 2) Then, I'm in the forums with a thread view that I have to click on, even though that story is the only one on the page (Click 3) Then I, in forum view, see the same news post again posted by your robot, and then a post by you to a different thread on the site (Click 4) Whew, I'm finally there. I understand that the CMS system makes me click on the heading of the article to view the full story, and I also understand that in the story you'll need a link to somewhere on the site (that may be your own post, or a post by another person), but there is at least one of those steps (Click 3) that I have no idea what it's used for. I would assume there has to be a better way to streamline it? It's not end of the world or anything, but the only real "problem" I see with the current design. Sure, I wouldn't mind seeing a different layout on the front page, but it matches the theme of the forums alright so no need to really go about changing it all up. Of course, unless you want to. It's your site, after all. __________________ ChadKirchner.com: Ambitious But Rubbish! Computer: 2.4GHz MacBook Pro, 4GB RAM Drobo: 2.24TB Usable iPod: 32GB iPod touch, 2nd Generation "- ... But don't dawdle. Get the car into top gear as quickly as is reasonable. Fifth gear, remember, is no good at all." -- Jeremy Clarkson

June 19th, 2008, 12:59 AM	#16
argatoga Can't Start His Wank Joined: Oct 4th, 2005 Last Online: 2:58 PM Location: Washington State, USA Age: 26 Posts: 6,768 Car: '95 Jaguar XJ6, '78 MG Midget, '78 Honda CB400t Rep Power: 368	There's a main site beyond these forums? __________________ "If you think about it breast implants aren't much different than braces. Their main purpose is to improve one's appearance, at least that's how it was in my case." - KaJun "Anyway, I'm off to eat my dick" - Austere

June 19th, 2008, 1:14 AM	#18
skylock Not A Dude Joined: Jun 3rd, 2006 Last Online: December 21st, 2009 Location: USA Posts: 1,401 Car: Honda Civic Rep Power: 88	I am not sure which option to pick. The site is showing it's age but on the other hand it loads fast and works pretty well. I am going to say keep current design with a few update tweaks. __________________ Judy People were crashing cars long before Top Gear existed. James May

June 19th, 2008, 1:15 AM	#19
Viper007Bond Lazy Head Dude Joined: Sep 21st, 2003 Last Online: 5:46 AM Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 25 Posts: 22,618 Car: Dodge Viper (I wish!) Rep Power: 340	Well, the design doesn't really affect the speed. The speed comes from our uber server and the advanced caching techniques in place. __________________ There is no replacement for displacement. - Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group talking about the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ... I ask Herb Helbig, vehicle synthesis manager for SRT and a member of the original Team Viper development group since day one, if they'd ever thought of adding traction control. "It comes with two," he says, pointing at my feet. "Learn to use them." Got it. - Motor Trend on the 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe, November 2005

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