SEEKING MEMBER INPUT: ATS.5/3 - give your feedback -- UPDATES May 28, 2013

Originally posted by SonoftheSun
Aside from important missing tabs such as "MyATS" "Tools" "Chat" and "Search" "Log in/Log out" I find it fast and awesome looking.

Ditto. I need these options readily accessible. Other than these missing items, I like the format.

reply to post by SkepticOverlord


I like the layout. I'd like it if one of the menu choices was 'My ATS' and it would show my subscriptions in that format - more interaction with the site's existing features in general.

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord

What's old is new again.

Stole my thunder. Exactly what I was thinking.

The simpler the better IMO and I've said as much in other conversations about this topic.

from me

Looks ok to me, implement and lets see how it works.

reply to post by SkepticOverlord


I like the sidebar a lot more. I guess that tools, myATS etc is still going to be easily accessible - maybe added to the sidebar? I tend to access the forums mostly from myATS and focus mainly on my favourites - I would very much like to still be able to do this. When going into a particular forum group, eg. mysterious topics, I would like to be able to see most recent posts / threads rather than just the most flagged / most active - otherwise it seems to me that the same popular threads will stay on top and it will be harder for new threads to get attention. The column arrangement of the threads I find a little difficult on the eye but I figure I would get used to that. Well, that's my input so far anyway.

Peace
J

I like the welcoming UI but not the transitional phase
less is more

That DHTML like shwish, that transition phase..
That's the only thing I don't like, it's like a splash page for a second but that isn't a splash page

And this client side so it may slow up some computers

I like it and I can also see the advantage for display on mobile devices.

The only real issue is the screen real estate on mobiles is not optimal for multi-column display.

A single scrollable column with a hide-able navigation side bar is more functional. Perhaps also an icon style editing bar with "balloon helps" in the edit windows?

I like the format. It's more columned. Striped if you will and that makes it more organized, therefor, everything is easily accessible. I have a thing about organization. In takes priority over production because the former dictates the latter within the constructs of time. In other words, if you don't have your sh** together everything's going to fall apart at the seems. It's just a matter of time Always has been, always will be. So in that regard.......

But where is "My ATS"? My profile, friends list, etc..... I come here so maybe I can help certain people with certain things, to help myself as well and just to have fun when I have a little extra time on my hands, but make no mistake S.O., this IS about me. Putting the "My ATS" button anywhere in the new format is fine, as long as it's there.

Personally, I could care less what gets flagged when. The more popular it is the less substance it's bound to have and that's, ultimately, why I come here. It's not a big deal though, as long as I have easy access to MY end of the board.

On a side-note here, the column is on the left side. I'm right handed. Change that please. I feel I'm being discriminated against.

You know, S.O. , I post songs for people sometimes but I don't think I ever posted one for you"higher ups" here yet. Here, have a chuckle. Look at it like "lighthearted seriousness:: ( I know...the Pet Shop Boys???........but it's still a neat song for certain situations)

youtu.be...

I love it!

Make it effective tomorrow!

reply to post by SkepticOverlord


In the last weeks ATS changed for a new interface that i like, just as I like this one.. it seems even better. I only add one suggestion (I think you already thought that)... when topic is on a rising (to hot / the big header) or a falling state, it would be nice to add a small arrow pointing the status... (i know you said no icons...but it was an small idea^^/ )

WOW, I really like it. It is fast, concise and saves a lot of page navigation. Perhaps, a bit more color in there but please maintain that dark background. It is a real improvement over the present system and I will use it as long as the beta is available. Thanks.

I cannot click on 'recent posts' or 'forums' in the new layout. beside every other there is an >, but not the two I mentioned. Is this something on your end, or is the issue with my browser

the home page did need more links to threads...and to show more threads ..thats great

but

seems to stale.....you should seperate by forums, and top three current thread in each forum

i hate change....but this one is cool

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord

 

SEPTEMBER, 30 UPDATE

 

We have a rather radical departure from previous ATS UI structure for our members to review.

It looks like this...

A persistent left-side menu column that remains fixed throughout all pages and scrolling.

You can review a functioning page prototype here:
Left-Side ATS Menu
(it's not yet designed to be fully responsive across all screens)

In my opinion, it's the frequency of upgrades to ATS that makes it one of the best websites anywhere. I really believe that ATS is on a precipice with the real possibility of stepping out of the alternative news perception and crossing over into a legitimate news source - not only for the conspiracy minded, but for people who want to find the true story behind many MSM reports.

Waking more and more people up as ATS' popularity soars, the general population might shift gears and prefer to get their news in an unbiased and interactive form. Everyone involved with ATS should be feeling great for the success this site has achieved - even though there have been instances where situations could have been handled much better, the most part is stellar.

One thing I noticed about the prototype format is that the left side menu column disappears after only a few seconds of opening the link. Not sure if it is my laptop or a slight bug in the prototype page. Other than that, it seems like a very ambitious modification.

Thanks for the work to assure ATS is on the cutting edge of internet forum, debate, and accessibility

Originally posted by totallackey

Originally posted by SonoftheSun
Aside from important missing tabs such as "MyATS" "Tools" "Chat" and "Search" "Log in/Log out" I find it fast and awesome looking.

Ditto. I need these options readily accessible. Other than these missing items, I like the format.

I also agree with the above.

Also. I notice the progress bar that I normaly see at the bottom of my browser does not show when I make a selection. Poeple such as myself on connections that are sometimes slow like the feedback offered by the progress bar, it enables us to see that something is happening, without the bar we'll wonder whether we've clicked the button if the connection is slow.

Obviously, the menu is missing some items. I just wanted to toss it out in it's current state to get some user feedback -- and so far, it seems to be a UI structure most will appreciate.

In about four hours, there will start to be some changes as more work is done on that page, so if you hit it and see odd things, that's why.

Awesome! I like it alot. Simple navigation to pertinent areas. 5 stars.

As a side note, I don't like the current configuration of everything opening in a new tab!

reply to post by SkepticOverlord


Thanks for the explanation. After I replied, I went back over and the column was slowly - one category at a time - reappearing.

It is awesome and I am sure their are things to still be tweaked, but for me it looks great. Can't wait to use the finished product.

ATS has always been one of the top forum sites I have ever seen. Sometimes I even forget it is a forum, since it is so much better that all other forums I have seen in the past.

Most of the other forums I have visited are very generic looking and all seem to have the same basic platform with only a few small variations. Variations like; the reward systems (like the Star + Flag system on ATS), member rank, experience, number of posts, etc... and the standard color schemes they use as well as the cheesy headers, descriptions, and other such common features.

There was one feature I really liked on a different forum. It was like a trophy, where every member gets 1 or 2 of these 'trophies' each month and they are free to award the 'trophy' to any post or thread they see fit, but only once a month... it was above and beyond other active reward systems similar to the star & flag system offered here at ATS.

ATS has most of the same things I just described, but you guys have managed to make it look right, deliberate, and professional and without any generic looks or operation... thanks for that.

Mmm, well.

I am hesitant to say anything, mainly because I may reveal that my surfing habits don't make any sense. In fact thinking about how to make this post has really made me think about the different ways that people utilize the tools that have been provided to them on any given website. Anyhow, I should be studying, I post some of the worst stuff when I should be studying. So I am just going to ramble a bit.

It looks really stellar, yous guys. It makes me proud to be a member, the fact that the staff are always pushing the envelope on this stuff.

So, I tend to hit the new topics button quite a bit. I notice that the Sinister (left side) format 'new topics' button goes right to the firehose. I realize that you likely don't plan to leave it like that, but since I use it a lot, and I want the new format, I was wondering if maybe you could focus on that?

There is something about the columnated style that is use presently that allows the eye ( at least my eye) to make sense very quickly of the stuff in the columns. maybe it's because I am used to it and I just have to get used to the tiles. But it seems to me that the borderless tiles make it a little harder to visually structure the text on the page.

To be honest, I prefer the bordered tiles. They just make each little blurb more discreet. Also, if you just go to one big topic firehose, that is cool, but maybe find some way to make the dozen or so most recently posted topics stand out fast.

That's it so far. You folks are doing a wonderful job. ATS just gets better and better.