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3)Last thing:
The side bar - how about clearing it up?
I'd suggest something like this (this looks like it could take a while so I hope you're greatful!) - stuff is hyperlinked where appropriate, obviously (*between stars is highlighted as a title (though can still be a link, of course)*);
*Main sites*
uk games
uk pc (links to menu for all pc stuff and maxx pc)
uk dvd
uk mobiles
uk gadgets
freeola
getdotted
uk shopping
join sr
game a day
film a day
win a car
main site map
*gaming stuff*
psx
ps2
n64
dreamcast
gameboy
GBAdvance
gamecube
xbox
*ukpc*
*sr-interactive*
-combines stuff under hotspots and competitions headings-
*free internet*
-as now-
*domain names*
-as now-
*internet services*
-as now-
*ways to view*
-as now-
*customer services*
-as now, and faq's from info galore-
*corporate*
-as now-
*register with us*
join sr
upwire email
sign up to interactive
freeola
*site map*
wouldn't that look better, less intimidating to nubies, and be easier to use?
The side bar - how about clearing it up?
I'd suggest something like this (this looks like it could take a while so I hope you're greatful!) - stuff is hyperlinked where appropriate, obviously (*between stars is highlighted as a title (though can still be a link, of course)*);
*Main sites*
uk games
uk pc (links to menu for all pc stuff and maxx pc)
uk dvd
uk mobiles
uk gadgets
freeola
getdotted
uk shopping
join sr
game a day
film a day
win a car
main site map
*gaming stuff*
psx
ps2
n64
dreamcast
gameboy
GBAdvance
gamecube
xbox
*ukpc*
*sr-interactive*
-combines stuff under hotspots and competitions headings-
*free internet*
-as now-
*domain names*
-as now-
*internet services*
-as now-
*ways to view*
-as now-
*customer services*
-as now, and faq's from info galore-
*corporate*
-as now-
*register with us*
join sr
upwire email
sign up to interactive
freeola
*site map*
wouldn't that look better, less intimidating to nubies, and be easier to use?
Discussion is the odd man out. It's up in the top strip to get a link to it without scrolling.
Recently we have added the red number in brackets, but slightly worried about losing the one at the top because it actually says "Discussions". Also the red number is not on Freeola or UKshoppping but the outers strip has to go across the lot.
The left side strip is intended to be complete in terms of navigation. I don't see any point in removing "Join Freeola" just to reduce the text by a couple of millimetres.
There has been a lot of debate about this in the past. Our intention is very firmly to leave it more-or-less as it is. Disrupting this leaves us wide open to knock on problems. i.e. when we change one thing it knocks on to something else.
To see an example of this just click on the "Search Help" link next to the produce search box and read the first paragraph. You might think it's just a silly error, but that's the nature of the beast, it's a major problem hanging it together.
The simpler the better. The side strip is simple. When we add a site we add a link. When we remove a site we remove a link. Otherwise your's truly will be running around in circles forever.
Recently we have added the red number in brackets, but slightly worried about losing the one at the top because it actually says "Discussions". Also the red number is not on Freeola or UKshoppping but the outers strip has to go across the lot.
The left side strip is intended to be complete in terms of navigation. I don't see any point in removing "Join Freeola" just to reduce the text by a couple of millimetres.
There has been a lot of debate about this in the past. Our intention is very firmly to leave it more-or-less as it is. Disrupting this leaves us wide open to knock on problems. i.e. when we change one thing it knocks on to something else.
To see an example of this just click on the "Search Help" link next to the produce search box and read the first paragraph. You might think it's just a silly error, but that's the nature of the beast, it's a major problem hanging it together.
The simpler the better. The side strip is simple. When we add a site we add a link. When we remove a site we remove a link. Otherwise your's truly will be running around in circles forever.
Tony wrote:
>5. My main concern on the left side strip is that the PC
> Stuff is "below the fold"
It's above the fold on 1024x768 though, so no worries there.
I suppose there isn't much you can do about it really, but on the other hand
1) A list like that could completely phase a novice to the site
2) Several of the links are very infrequently used by the vast majority of visitors
3) Some of the links are very closely related. Are they really all necessary? eg, you can 'sign up for freeola' at 'freeola.com' instead of having an extra link - people are also likely to expect to have to go to freeola.com to sign up for it. Too many shortcuts isn't particularly helpful. You also have two (maybe more, I didn't check that hard) links to ukdiscussions.com - You really don't need to do that.
>5. My main concern on the left side strip is that the PC
> Stuff is "below the fold"
It's above the fold on 1024x768 though, so no worries there.
I suppose there isn't much you can do about it really, but on the other hand
1) A list like that could completely phase a novice to the site
2) Several of the links are very infrequently used by the vast majority of visitors
3) Some of the links are very closely related. Are they really all necessary? eg, you can 'sign up for freeola' at 'freeola.com' instead of having an extra link - people are also likely to expect to have to go to freeola.com to sign up for it. Too many shortcuts isn't particularly helpful. You also have two (maybe more, I didn't check that hard) links to ukdiscussions.com - You really don't need to do that.
I have already covered ALL of this in my version of the site!!
:) er-no
:) er-no
1. It doesn't matter if the side strip is a bit long - you either have it or you don't.
2. I went through very similar thoughts to Dr Duck last week, and spent some time thinking it through. When push comes to shove the only way to avoid making the site structure too complicated is to list ALL the "home pages" in the list.
3. Most of the sites listed are "Points of Entry" to the Special Reserve network. I don't want to debate this but it is important that all Points of Entry are linked on the page.
4. We don't use the right hand side yet, because we need to keep the loading time down and the screen resolution to suit all tastes.
5. My main concern on the left side strip is that the PC Stuff is "below the fold"
2. I went through very similar thoughts to Dr Duck last week, and spent some time thinking it through. When push comes to shove the only way to avoid making the site structure too complicated is to list ALL the "home pages" in the list.
3. Most of the sites listed are "Points of Entry" to the Special Reserve network. I don't want to debate this but it is important that all Points of Entry are linked on the page.
4. We don't use the right hand side yet, because we need to keep the loading time down and the screen resolution to suit all tastes.
5. My main concern on the left side strip is that the PC Stuff is "below the fold"
ninety odd links on the left does seem a little too many. What was the reason for not putting some on the right? I seem to remember there was a reason.
3)Last thing:
The side bar - how about clearing it up?
I'd suggest something like this (this looks like it could take a while so I hope you're greatful!) - stuff is hyperlinked where appropriate, obviously (*between stars is highlighted as a title (though can still be a link, of course)*);
*Main sites*
uk games
uk pc (links to menu for all pc stuff and maxx pc)
uk dvd
uk mobiles
uk gadgets
freeola
getdotted
uk shopping
join sr
game a day
film a day
win a car
main site map
*gaming stuff*
psx
ps2
n64
dreamcast
gameboy
GBAdvance
gamecube
xbox
*ukpc*
*sr-interactive*
-combines stuff under hotspots and competitions headings-
*free internet*
-as now-
*domain names*
-as now-
*internet services*
-as now-
*ways to view*
-as now-
*customer services*
-as now, and faq's from info galore-
*corporate*
-as now-
*register with us*
join sr
upwire email
sign up to interactive
freeola
*site map*
wouldn't that look better, less intimidating to nubies, and be easier to use?
The side bar - how about clearing it up?
I'd suggest something like this (this looks like it could take a while so I hope you're greatful!) - stuff is hyperlinked where appropriate, obviously (*between stars is highlighted as a title (though can still be a link, of course)*);
*Main sites*
uk games
uk pc (links to menu for all pc stuff and maxx pc)
uk dvd
uk mobiles
uk gadgets
freeola
getdotted
uk shopping
join sr
game a day
film a day
win a car
main site map
*gaming stuff*
psx
ps2
n64
dreamcast
gameboy
GBAdvance
gamecube
xbox
*ukpc*
*sr-interactive*
-combines stuff under hotspots and competitions headings-
*free internet*
-as now-
*domain names*
-as now-
*internet services*
-as now-
*ways to view*
-as now-
*customer services*
-as now, and faq's from info galore-
*corporate*
-as now-
*register with us*
join sr
upwire email
sign up to interactive
freeola
*site map*
wouldn't that look better, less intimidating to nubies, and be easier to use?