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Amiga.org specific forums => Amiga.org Discussion and Site Feedback => Topic started by: klx300r on September 02, 2018, 08:46:07 PM

Title: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: klx300r on September 02, 2018, 08:46:07 PM
any chance the title thread can be bigger or bolder...right now I don't care for the line beneath the title with thread starter , time etc. it makes the front page way to cluttered and busy
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: F0LLETT on September 02, 2018, 10:57:22 PM
Explain.
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on September 03, 2018, 06:36:32 AM
I agree. Too cluttered. You could eliminate 80% of the lines of text on the home screen, would probably be an improvement.  :'(
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: F0LLETT on September 03, 2018, 09:07:52 AM
Ok, I have to disagree. Its a forum, its supposed to have text.
Every forum I have ever been on / used is exactly the same. It has the same amount of text as before, so why is it a problem now?

If your really that bothered, I could just remove recent posts at top. [FOL] waits for next person to say "NO" leave it and I want this and that. Can't really go changing things just because one person decides they do not like something. Where would it end, it wouldn't.
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: kolla on September 03, 2018, 12:56:48 PM
Ok, I have to disagree.

No you don't, that is a choice.

Quote
It has the same amount of text as before, so why is it a problem now?

No it doesn't, why are you even suggesting this?

https://web.archive.org/web/20180421221910/http://www.amiga.org/

The problem, as described several times now, is the text like "Started by amigakit on Today at 11:30:22 in Amiga Marketplace" using exact same font as the thread topic itself, making it hard to quickly see what the topics actually are.

And what's the point with bold "Today" everywhere stealing attention?
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: F0LLETT on September 03, 2018, 02:05:32 PM
Ok, I have to disagree.

No you don't, that is a choice.


And so it starts.

Quote
It has the same amount of text as before, so why is it a problem now?

No it doesn't, why are you even suggesting this?

https://web.archive.org/web/20180421221910/http://www.amiga.org/

You do realise, you didn't even link to the a forum. You linked to a PORTAL.
Try clicking on forum link and bingo. I think people are having problems, with the fact we are not using a portal.

Quote
The problem, as described several times now, is the text like "Started by amigakit on Today at 11:30:22 in Amiga Marketplace" using exact same font as the thread topic itself, making it hard to quickly see what the topics actually are.

And what's the point with bold "Today" everywhere stealing attention?

Are you being serious. I really do not see what you are talking about.
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: kolla on September 03, 2018, 02:23:51 PM
The topic here _is_ the "main screen", aka "the portal".

But allright, here is link to forum - the argument remains.

https://web.archive.org/web/20180217174950/http://www.amiga.org:80/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=ec617ead184210fd548e1089eb6060b0&f=17
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on September 03, 2018, 04:56:40 PM
The topic here _is_ the "main screen", aka "the portal".

But allright, here is link to forum - the argument remains.

https://web.archive.org/web/20180217174950/http://www.amiga.org:80/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=ec617ead184210fd548e1089eb6060b0&f=17

Thanks for posting that screenshot.  Ah, memories.  It sure looked better back then.  @F0LLETT - more text does not necessarily equal better.  Just because "everyone else does it" is not an answer, either.  I used to check amiga.org 15+ times a day and have something like over 6,000 posts.  I like to think at least a few of these posts have been helpful to the community over the years.  The screenshot Kolla posted accurately reflects what I, personally, would want to see.  Succinct and clear, one can see the titles, reply count, last poster, and forum category.  Not a wall of text that I neither care about nor have time to read (and which also looks terrible on mobile devices).

Also, how the @#($& do you attach a picture to a post?  Seems the built-in forum tools for doing that are gone?   :'(
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on September 03, 2018, 07:17:09 PM
To be fair, EAB's layout (for example) is even worse, which is why I always preferred this site.  I go to "eab.abime.net" and I see links and links and links.  "Amiga scene", "Retrogaming", "Nostalgia", "support.whatever.whatever".  "Request.whatever.whatever".  No "main section" showing the most recent posts.  I don't care about a bunch of sub-forums that may not have been posted in for months.  Main website should open to a simple "at a glance" list of the most recently updated threads.  Just IMHO.  :)
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: giZmo350 on September 03, 2018, 07:38:57 PM
To be fair, EAB's layout (for example) is even worse, which is why I always preferred this site.  I go to "eab.abime.net" and I see links and links and links.  "Amiga scene", "Retrogaming", "Nostalgia", "support.whatever.whatever".  "Request.whatever.whatever".  No "main section" showing the most recent posts.  I don't care about a bunch of sub-forums that may not have been posted in for months.  Main website should open to a simple "at a glance" list of the most recently updated threads.  Just IMHO.  :)

Mike, over at EAB, just click "Today's Posts" logged in or not. That would be ideal if AO were laid out like that.
They show, Thread/Thread Starter, Last Post, Replies, Views & Forum. Plus, when logged in at EAB, all the logged in users are right up at top. However, on AO, it's nice to see who's logged in even when I'm not.
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: number6 on September 03, 2018, 07:42:06 PM
To be fair, EAB's layout (for example) is even worse, which is why I always preferred this site.  I go to "eab.abime.net" and I see links and links and links.  "Amiga scene", "Retrogaming", "Nostalgia", "support.whatever.whatever".  "Request.whatever.whatever".  No "main section" showing the most recent posts.  I don't care about a bunch of sub-forums that may not have been posted in for months.  Main website should open to a simple "at a glance" list of the most recently updated threads.  Just IMHO.  :)

You just described Amigaworld.net, no?
Recent post list with a 1 button click to see more (the longer recent list) or a 1 button click to forums to see sub-forums which may not have been posted in for months.
Just sayin'....

#6
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: giZmo350 on September 03, 2018, 09:46:40 PM
I also noticed when navigating to a thread;
When I'm NOT logged on, the last post is displayed on the bottom of the page.
When I'm logged on, the last post is display at the top of the page.


Never mind, it was a setting in look and layout.
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: klx300r on September 03, 2018, 09:54:26 PM
Explain.
hmm to add to what I wrote in my initial posting I would say just have a quick look at amigans.net or amigaworld.net main pages and it will be quite obvious at first glance.
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: motrucker on September 04, 2018, 02:45:39 AM
To be fair, EAB's layout (for example) is even worse, which is why I always preferred this site.  I go to "eab.abime.net" and I see links and links and links.  "Amiga scene", "Retrogaming", "Nostalgia", "support.whatever.whatever".  "Request.whatever.whatever".  No "main section" showing the most recent posts.  I don't care about a bunch of sub-forums that may not have been posted in for months.  Main website should open to a simple "at a glance" list of the most recently updated threads.  Just IMHO.  :)

I have to agree with you. With my eyesight being what it is these days, this isn't easy.

Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: ronniebeck on September 04, 2018, 09:22:09 AM
For me it looks like a server vomited text on the screen and Jackson Pollock formed it into a website.  But then it always looked like that to me.  I guess it is a matter of taste.  Would be nice the starting page wasn't so over crowded.  But I can live with it.   But it could definitely use some re-thinking in terms of presentation.
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: F0LLETT on September 04, 2018, 11:14:27 AM
Is that better.
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: slimf on September 04, 2018, 02:27:10 PM
The new forum is all but useless from mobile.

First, no mobile optimization.
Second, the home page is a mess - similar colours and sizes for headings vs text makes browsing through new topics impossible. If it says like this I’m out.

Why you would’t have picked a really decent forum system like ipboard is beyond me. It’s got a really great mobile comparability and it’s out of box theme is light years ahead of this new forum.
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: gary2000 on September 04, 2018, 02:37:07 PM
"any chance the title thread can be bigger or bolder...right now I don't care for the line beneath the title with thread starter , time etc. it makes the front page way to cluttered and busy'

I agree. Also, expand recent Forum topics to include more entries.
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: ronniebeck on September 04, 2018, 02:45:01 PM
Is that better.

Is what better?  Who are you talking to?  What did you fix exactly?

It looks the same like it did yesterday.  It looks the same like it did 1 year ago.  An unmitigated mess.

There needs to be some logical or intuitive structure to aid navigation.  Also, don't just react randomly to a comment.  Better would be that you collected the various feedback from people here and then formulate an approach for enhancing the website.  Those changes need to be consistent with a strategy or design goal.  Making sporadic changes from vague off-hand comments is just going to waste your time and will for sure please nobody.

And for the love of the Amiga..........test this on a mobile device.
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: klx300r on September 04, 2018, 07:01:45 PM
"any chance the title thread can be bigger or bolder...right now I don't care for the line beneath the title with thread starter , time etc. it makes the front page way to cluttered and busy'

I agree. Also, expand recent Forum topics to include more entries.
ah yes good point :)
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: giZmo350 on September 05, 2018, 02:42:37 AM
To be fair, EAB's layout (for example) is even worse, which is why I always preferred this site.  I go to "eab.abime.net" and I see links and links and links.  "Amiga scene", "Retrogaming", "Nostalgia", "support.whatever.whatever".  "Request.whatever.whatever".  No "main section" showing the most recent posts.  I don't care about a bunch of sub-forums that may not have been posted in for months.  Main website should open to a simple "at a glance" list of the most recently updated threads.  Just IMHO.  :)

Mike, over at EAB, just click "Today's Posts" logged in or not. That would be ideal if AO were laid out like that.
They show, Thread/Thread Starter, Last Post, Replies, Views & Forum. Plus, when logged in at EAB, all the logged in users are right up at top. However, on AO, it's nice to see who's logged in even when I'm not.

OK, also to be fair... AO "Recent Forum Topics" have the same exact info that EAB does. Maybe that changed (doubt it) since I quoted myself, maybe not. TBH, I didn't compare the two side x side.  ::) Anyhoo, that's all a guy needs so, that works 4 me.  :)

I was checking the look and layout options to see if I could display more than 6 recent threads but, I didn't notice anything. Would be nice to see maybe 10 to 15/20 recent threads.

Here's a thought... maybe have a java script activation box, on the left side, in the header of recent topics. Click it and an overlay box pops up with radio buttons that's let's the user choose anywhere from 10/20/30 more threads, to... week, month, year, and to infinity & beyond!  ;D Hit OK/Enter and the page reloads with the user's choices.

I actuall hate JS but in this case that would work as long as it wasn't activated by hovering. And yes, I know, that won't work with iBrowse............ yet!  8)

Right then..... I gotta quit playing so much "Hi Bob"....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh9pZWCd8MU

Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: klx300r on September 06, 2018, 10:42:12 PM
@ FOLLETany update on what changes will be made to de-clutter the main screen....of course when time permits

Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: Niding on September 07, 2018, 09:49:28 AM
I havent tested this on mobile phone, but on my computer it looks fine. (Wintel, havent tested with Amiga browsers).
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: klx300r on September 09, 2018, 03:09:11 PM
@ FOLLET
any update on what changes will be made to de-clutter the main screen....of course when time permits
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: F0LLETT on September 10, 2018, 09:42:59 AM
@ FOLLET
any update on what changes will be made to de-clutter the main screen....of course when time permits

When I get some time, I will sit down and work on it some more. I have already made alot of changes people have asked for. As usual, Im met with people complaining they want it changed back.

I think people are going to have accept change and stop complaining about little things that have no bearing on forum usage. Having someone say the forum is completely useless now is completely crazy.

One thing I have noticed, no matter how much free time you give up, 90% of Amigans will complain instead of saying thanks and getting on with it. I thought working on an Emulator for almost 6-8 hours a day, for the last 10 years was bad. Ive had more grief over this forum change than I ever did while working on PSPUAE, and its only been a few months.

Before anyone starts. These are my own personal views and nothing to do with A-EON / Amigakit.
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: klx300r on September 10, 2018, 03:16:23 PM
thanks for the update :) I don't know about the other changes that were made that people have asked for and yes some people complain about anything and everything but I'm just following up on the  original post No1 which has yet to be addressed.
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on September 11, 2018, 05:46:23 PM

I think people are going to have accept change and stop complaining about little things that have no bearing on forum usage. Having someone say the forum is completely useless now is completely crazy.

Change is hard.  Russian proverb I heard a long time ago: "New is first enemy of old".  ;)

That being said, you haven't replied to either of my questions about attaching pictures to forum posts.  Is that feature gone for good?  Seems it would make it a lot easier to communicate exactly what the issue is, if we could just post a picture highlighting what's wrong with such-and-such a thing.  ;)
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: motrucker on September 11, 2018, 07:07:03 PM
I am so happy to have this site back, I can put up with almost anything. This only thing I would really like to see return, is the ability to add graphics to a post that works.


Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: slimf on September 11, 2018, 10:31:13 PM
I’d post a screen shot of the unusable site from my iPhone, but there is no way to attach an image to a post!
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: giZmo350 on September 11, 2018, 10:50:14 PM
OH, The Irony!  ::)

(http://www.langmaidpractice.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Irony.jpg)
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: F0LLETT on September 12, 2018, 10:55:55 AM

I think people are going to have accept change and stop complaining about little things that have no bearing on forum usage. Having someone say the forum is completely useless now is completely crazy.

Change is hard.  Russian proverb I heard a long time ago: "New is first enemy of old".  ;)

That being said, you haven't replied to either of my questions about attaching pictures to forum posts.  Is that feature gone for good?  Seems it would make it a lot easier to communicate exactly what the issue is, if we could just post a picture highlighting what's wrong with such-and-such a thing.  ;)

I am so happy to have this site back, I can put up with almost anything. This only thing I would really like to see return, is the ability to add graphics to a post that works.

Seems permissions were missing. Fixed, you can now attach and add polls.

I’d post a screen shot of the unusable site from my iPhone, but there is no way to attach an image to a post!

Either use WAP2 version of forum or set Iphone browser to view as normal site and not mobile.

OH, The Irony!  ::)

(http://www.langmaidpractice.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Irony.jpg)

Funny, :).
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: F0LLETT on September 13, 2018, 09:29:05 AM
I’d post a screen shot of the unusable site from my iPhone, but there is no way to attach an image to a post!

To follow up. There is an issue your end.
Site looks and works perfectly on my IPAD3 using Safari. Same for IPhone 7 using Safari.
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on September 13, 2018, 10:09:20 PM
I’d post a screen shot of the unusable site from my iPhone, but there is no way to attach an image to a post!

To follow up. There is an issue your end.
Site looks and works perfectly on my IPAD3 using Safari. Same for IPhone 7 using Safari.

"perfectly".   ::)
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: F0LLETT on September 14, 2018, 12:20:19 PM
I know how these work. I know what to expect. So yes "Perfectly", ;)
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: klx300r on September 18, 2018, 08:41:23 PM
@ FOLLETT
going back to the 1st post on this long thread: (not looking for when but just curious if it technically can be done)

1- can the title thread can be bigger or bolder/ different colour
2- can the line beneath the title with thread starter , time etc. be moved anywhere else on the screen or removed from where it is now
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: F0LLETT on September 20, 2018, 09:13:46 AM
@ FOLLETT
going back to the 1st post on this long thread: (not looking for when but just curious if it technically can be done)

1- can the title thread can be bigger or bolder/ different colour
2- can the line beneath the title with thread starter , time etc. be moved anywhere else on the screen or removed from where it is now

I will look at what you have said. Just have not had chance yet, haven't had time to use any computers once I get home lately.
Hoping to get some time on the weekend.
Title: Re: main screen looks too cluttered
Post by: klx300r on September 21, 2018, 08:16:39 AM
@ FOLLETT


thanks much appreciated  :)