New ATS front page ?

reply to post by SkepticOverlord


It's still not labeled and in the former two distinct categories. That is what I feel is essential. Otherwise, it's a mishmash of who knows what. I am sure there are plenty of people who prefer to view only top topics. I could skip the index page and just use top topics, but I sometimes find the popular ones (with lower flags) interesting too.

I prefer how it was before, split down the middle, where it is clear what category each 'listing' is in. Without that, it's frustrating to be confused as to why it's there...is it because it's got lots of flags or just lots of replies? I really think that distinction is very important, at least to me.

To ALL at ATS..

Hmmm.. LMAO... freaked me out when I refreshed! lol..

Now that I looked it over a couple of times..... its just fine...

I dont find it easier to navigate with the eye as the old home page...but it kinda grows on you after a while.

I agree it is a bit more "modern" looking, and appreciate ATS staffs efforts to improve the look..

After looking, I see each box has a topic in the lower corner..I can get used to it in time I am sure.

To be honest I usually go straight to "MY ATS".. and then open the forums in a different tab..

For first time visitors, and the newer younger generations, it will get a longer look and linger time I think, than the old scheme..

If the staff see an uptick in membership or some other data mine.. that shows a increase in exposure and etc.. then keep it..simple business decision that one.

Pravda

Originally posted by samureyed
Kind of just noticed the site isn't actually responsive, it just uses Masonry

This is the first, tentative step in a responsive direction. We still have many advertisers anticipating a "skin" around the fixed width format. Once we make it known skins are no longer an advertising vehicle, we can go more fully responsive.

Originally posted by daynight42
reply to post by SkepticOverlord

 

It's still not labeled and in the former two distinct categories. That is what I feel is essential. Otherwise, it's a mishmash of who knows what. I am sure there are plenty of people who prefer to view only top topics. I could skip the index page and just use top topics, but I sometimes find the popular ones (with lower flags) interesting too.

I prefer how it was before, split down the middle, where it is clear what category each 'listing' is in. Without that, it's frustrating to be confused as to why it's there...is it because it's got lots of flags or just lots of replies? I really think that distinction is very important, at least to me.

you made me think of a good point with the old front page

it was all properly ordered in a fashion way
and we could see clearly the old popular threads of the month/week after scrolling down
with 2 different group of threads .. popular topic and current member pick

the design should find a way to reintegrate those important point and many will be happy
so yes i agree that it still need some changes

SO is probably far from finish .. need to give the man a chance
he was swarmed with negative reply like never before
for just testing a new front page design

people went a bit harsh to fast (emoticonshakinghead)

Originally posted by Morpheas
I don't like the Windows 8 Metro look on the homepage..

The "Metro Design Language" has been around a while, long before Windows 8. Microsoft bastardized the "way sign" metaphor for design, which has been seen in Swedish and northern Europe print and broadcast design since the late 1980's. Don't hate the concept just because Microsoft did it wrong.

reply to post by SkepticOverlord


Definitely appreciate the effort.

but.

Something like new topics is better. Someone made a good point about it looking like a bunch of post it notes.

Sooooo,

I'll just continue to go through new topics lol.

I looked up the old site on the way back time machine (google for further info) and I'm going to agree with some that the other site looked a bit cleaner and better laid out. I'm a new member, very tech savvy, well versed in css and web design, and I also find the site a bit difficult to navigate.

Originally posted by Kryties
I have had a few friends whom I tried to get to sign up to ATS. They took one look at the front page (the way it was) and didn't join. They couldn't make sense of the page, the clutter and the information overload turned them right off.

I will try again with the new design. I am sure they will now join based just on this.

Don't pay any attention to the nay-sayers SO. These people are clueless about proper web design.

Network engineer for almost 30 years and I still say it sucks. You're a dope.

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord
Just to confirm, everyone is seeing something like this...

...right?


There's method to the apparent madness, and many have correctly surmised that the intentions of the site home page are to cater to new or occasional visitors. After a review of heat map metrics, hardly anyone was scrolling the previous site home, and of those who clicked on topics, about 88% clicked on the top three -- and less than 1% clicked on anything below the scroll. That tells me change is needed.

Who the hell are you that shouls say who clicks on what??? Are you kidding me???

Originally posted by ShadowAngel85

Yeah and all those boxes make it look like a Warehouse.
Way too crowded, there's just too much going on and you don't even know were to look first. Then you scroll down and there's even more. I don't like it

I think 3-4 of these topic boxes are enough. You don't need to advertise every new topic from every section on the front page.

Nope.
Don't like it at all.
Looks way too disorganized and messy.

I think the "forums" page is a better format for a homepage.

Showing all the different topics makes it easier for people unfamiliar with the site to navigate.

I can get used to the new homepage but I use the "new topics" and "firehose" pages more.

Besides the other pages I just mentioned there's also the "trending pages". So I think this new homepage is overly redundant.

I think mobile users might like it and use it more. But I prefer to use the older format.

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord
17% of all access is from smart phones and tablets.

These changes are based on 17% of your user base???

*shudders*


Urrgggh, it's like a shotgun to the face!


People don't scroll down much on a front page, they just want the headlines of 3 or 4 topics then onto the site. This is like a newspaper being compressed with horridly coloured boxes all onto the front page. I can only urge a rethink on the 'KAPOW 700 threads in your face' layout, and perhaps the MODS get to choose about 6 quality threads, and put those in tasteful boxes.
There are enough mods here surely to decide, this scatter shot approach is just awful to try and read.

Love the new look. Keep up the great work.

omg, who the hell makes these decisions? looks horrible, get rid of it

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord
Here's an alternative execution of the same idea...
www.abovetopsecret.com/indexM.php

The "boxes," while emerging as a structural convention (especially when photos are used), might be showing differently in some browsers, and making things much worse for those on older browsers.

After seven pages of discontent, you are still defending this? Amazing.

I dig it. A step in the right direction. Makes it easier for me to scan fast and efficiently.

Originally posted by W3RLIED2
reply to post by bhornbuckle75

 

Thats all fine and dandy. My point was, there is a more constructive way of doing it than popping in with an " hey it sucks! Change it back.".

If you cant understand my amusement at people complaining about too much text while patronizing a text based forum I guess you just arent going to get it.

Change is good. Dont fight it, embrace it

Just popping in to say screw you!

reply to post by Yosemite Sam


The new layout is atrocious and all the morons who are telling us we need to be more constructive;


How?


Should I get a pen and paper and handwrite a letter to the address of ATS?


Get real, get over yourself.

You have pages and pages of ATSers who cant agree on ANYTHING....and there 99% unified on this.

I bet your one of the ATSers whos always moaning and groaning at the wall street 1%ers and now look at you.