The new "discussion menu"

newt · 03-10-2005, 09:14 PM

I noticed the new discussion menu on the forum index page, and I thought I'd voice my opinion of it.

I think some of the links are useful, but by putting it in its own column, it makes the rest of the page look awkward. Maybe it would be possible to put it in a row above the forum?

Anyways, that's just my initial reaction. Was there any specific reason for adding it?

EDIT: actually, I just realized a lot of it is redundant too, like the most popular forums and the latest posts link. Also, shouldn't the bullets be in the column too?

calidan · 03-10-2005, 09:36 PM

Yeah... I don't like it. It's awkward and inconvenient. The old way was a lot better.

celebrian25 · 03-10-2005, 09:37 PM

ugh...I have a severe dislike of it. It seems like it was thrown there for kicks, it doesn't really flow with the rest of the discussion page

AceRockolla · 03-10-2005, 10:16 PM

definitely not a fan of it.

ecnerwalc3321 · 03-10-2005, 10:46 PM

it seems that everything is shifted. I don't like it. However, the widened screen is a plus.

Nickleby · 03-10-2005, 10:51 PM

I agree. While it could be useful, it is more likely to throw things off. It isn't new, but just repetative information.

Roger_Dooley · 03-10-2005, 11:07 PM

This is work in progress... One thing we are trying to do is make it easier for people to access the "main" CC site, which has the articles, book reviews, interviews, etc.

Death_Hammer · 03-10-2005, 11:13 PM

I doubt very much that people access the "main" CC site when they come here then.

frankenchris1 · 03-10-2005, 11:22 PM

this widened screen is ICK!
make it back the way it was...

notice that the textarea which I'm using to input this doesn't widen(and there is no easy way to make it do so), making the whole thing look ugly, especially for people with large screen resolutions. Also now the "preview" won't actually be showing EXACTLY what other people will see, only people that have the window the same size as you...
Not only that, but its just awkard to have such long lines.

Stop trying to be creative! when something works, DON'T TRY TO FIX IT! =)

just my two cents :-P

mercurysquad · 03-10-2005, 11:58 PM

Guys, what are you talkin about? I actually like the sidebar....

I mostly use 1024x768 or 1152x864 resolution on a 17" screen and the CC site is centered in the browser window.. now something useful occupies that remaining space.

Though, Roger, I'd use a script to turn on the sidebar only if resolution is higher than 800x600 (if that's possible in vB?).

BTW - Will we see a major upheaval? As in the colors/theme/style? Pretty easy to do if you ask me, and CC needs to dress up and get ready for the crowd in Early April

calidan · 03-11-2005, 01:36 AM

lol I don't think a lot of people on the discussion area access the other CC site.

The kind of people that access the other site are the overly-worried parents who want their kids to have an "edge" and who probably don't know about the discussion area.

Mallory Pike · 03-11-2005, 02:24 AM

I agree the side menu is redundant redundant. To the mods, if you want more people to access the main site, how about putting it in a horizontal menu at the bottom (identical to the one on the top that has My Control Panel FAQ New Posts etc...) <- Just a suggestion.

sarorah · 03-11-2005, 06:30 AM

Yeah, like Mallory said, you could put it under the "Quick Reply" section. The side bar is making the font too small, just like it was in the beginning with the whole new format.

newt · 03-11-2005, 07:38 AM

Roger, I think your side bar is acceptable on the forum index, but its really not right for each and every page (like this one).

slipstream99 · 03-11-2005, 07:46 AM

Put my vote in the "don't like it" pool. The sidebar ruins the "lean and mean" approach you said that you were going for. The "Discussion Menu" and "Top Forums" should be axed altogether, and the advertisement and links to the main website should be put somewhere else besides the side where it crushes everything else to the right. And I think you may want to re-evaluate the accuracy of the targeting of the ad, because I just got one for salamander broilers. (?)