I made some very minor changes to the front page of BME and BME/extreme. Mostly it’s just making the text a little bigger, taking off unused elements, and expanding ones that are being used a bit more. There’s nothing particularly dramatic about it, but if the “latest updates” ticker breaks anyone’s browser, please let me know. The members page is more heavy updated as an index, but since it was just a list of small-text updates before, I hope that’s a good thing.
Suggestions (if possible, with a mock-up or example) are very much appreciated!
I’m going to try and dedicate a day every week or two to clean up an element of the site, with galleries being next on my list (most of that work is already done)…
Comments
200 responses to “Minor BME updates”
Looks good 🙂
Looks good 🙂
I don’t like it. I think it make BME look cheap. IF it were my first time stumbling on the site I wouldn’t look at it, I’d move on.
I don’t like it. I think it make BME look cheap. IF it were my first time stumbling on the site I wouldn’t look at it, I’d move on.
Daderain – What part? The update ticker? Because I assume the rest is an improvement as it’s really just a larger font. I’m open to suggestions if you want to post an idea.
Daderain – What part? The update ticker? Because I assume the rest is an improvement as it’s really just a larger font. I’m open to suggestions if you want to post an idea.
I think I have to agreewith #2… To me, it looks quite cheap (in fac, I saw the screenshots before reading the text, and I first thought they were from an old version of BME) and it’s not very clear.
BME certainly needs a bit of refacing, but I don’t really like this one too.
I think I have to agreewith #2… To me, it looks quite cheap (in fac, I saw the screenshots before reading the text, and I first thought they were from an old version of BME) and it’s not very clear.
BME certainly needs a bit of refacing, but I don’t really like this one too.
i think its bout the white background…
i think its bout the white background…
My only suggestion is to slow down the ticker a bit. Maybe different computers treat it differently, but for me they flash by too quick.
My only suggestion is to slow down the ticker a bit. Maybe different computers treat it differently, but for me they flash by too quick.
Slowing down the ticker is no problem (cut it to half), and I can make the background darker (a la Modblog). Mostly the goal is to make it simple to find stuff — but like I said I’m VERY open to suggestions and/or mockups.
Slowing down the ticker is no problem (cut it to half), and I can make the background darker (a la Modblog). Mostly the goal is to make it simple to find stuff — but like I said I’m VERY open to suggestions and/or mockups.
How come there isn’t a link to ask BME anymore?
How come there isn’t a link to ask BME anymore?
I like the new layout. It came out great!
I like the new layout. It came out great!
greendayfan333 – I’ve never posted a link to the so-called “Ask BME” site, and it is not a site that I have anything to do with. QOD will get turned back on at some point.
greendayfan333 – I’ve never posted a link to the so-called “Ask BME” site, and it is not a site that I have anything to do with. QOD will get turned back on at some point.
Sorry, Shannon, but I have to agree with a bunch of the earlier posters – it looks like a cheap website.
I think it’s just a combination of a couple of changes. The bars running down both sides make the site look really busy and packed, while the plain black text, white background, blue hyperlinks in the center look just like one of those filler pages you get from an ad company.
In fact, I think the entire update reminds me of that. The header with the big “bmezine.com” is pretty, and I think the site would look much less crowded if you moved the news column over to the other side under “What’s new”.
Then just replace the plain blue links with something a bit flashier (but don’t actually use flash, PLEASE:).
I really like the red/white/grey/black theme you’ve used for ModBlog – maybe something like that could be good?
Definitely keep the script that shows the latest photos updates – that’s cool 🙂
Sorry, Shannon, but I have to agree with a bunch of the earlier posters – it looks like a cheap website.
I think it’s just a combination of a couple of changes. The bars running down both sides make the site look really busy and packed, while the plain black text, white background, blue hyperlinks in the center look just like one of those filler pages you get from an ad company.
In fact, I think the entire update reminds me of that. The header with the big “bmezine.com” is pretty, and I think the site would look much less crowded if you moved the news column over to the other side under “What’s new”.
Then just replace the plain blue links with something a bit flashier (but don’t actually use flash, PLEASE:).
I really like the red/white/grey/black theme you’ve used for ModBlog – maybe something like that could be good?
Definitely keep the script that shows the latest photos updates – that’s cool 🙂
I agree that I think the new look is a little off.
I understand that it is simple and usable, and I appreciate that effort. I think what may be throwing people off that it seems a little generic. It reminds me of the default sites that are built when a company owns a domain name that they don’t actually have a site for.
Unbroken lists of links, little space between sections, default link colors, etc.
I think that some wayfinding graphics would help, even something as simple as icons for each of the main sections.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not going to keep me from coming.
I agree that I think the new look is a little off.
I understand that it is simple and usable, and I appreciate that effort. I think what may be throwing people off that it seems a little generic. It reminds me of the default sites that are built when a company owns a domain name that they don’t actually have a site for.
Unbroken lists of links, little space between sections, default link colors, etc.
I think that some wayfinding graphics would help, even something as simple as icons for each of the main sections.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not going to keep me from coming.
This looks like a 90′s old fashioned website. Sadly, it does not honour the content.
This looks like a 90′s old fashioned website. Sadly, it does not honour the content.
Silent-Fire / Bryan – Thanks 🙂
I’m going out for the morning, but I definitely appreciate these tips and will fiddle with it. Any other suggestions are appreciated, and if anyone feels motivated to draw up mockups I’m VERY appreciative!
Like I said, my design goal is just for it to be simple and accessible, so anything that keeps inside that but moves away from too generic is great.
Silent-Fire / Bryan – Thanks 🙂
I’m going out for the morning, but I definitely appreciate these tips and will fiddle with it. Any other suggestions are appreciated, and if anyone feels motivated to draw up mockups I’m VERY appreciative!
Like I said, my design goal is just for it to be simple and accessible, so anything that keeps inside that but moves away from too generic is great.
Actually, I love it!
Actually, I love it!
Awww…why??? I like the older version much better. Gave BME a nice polished feel. I have to agree Timple completely with this.
Awww…why??? I like the older version much better. Gave BME a nice polished feel. I have to agree Timple completely with this.
You get used to seeing things a certain way.
I’m very open to a lighter background. I’m dyslexic and quite sick of people having dark backgrounds on web pages, I can’t look at them.
The ticker does move a bit fast though, I was actually waiting for it to stop.
Anyway, I think you have to give everything new a few days to settle in.
You get used to seeing things a certain way.
I’m very open to a lighter background. I’m dyslexic and quite sick of people having dark backgrounds on web pages, I can’t look at them.
The ticker does move a bit fast though, I was actually waiting for it to stop.
Anyway, I think you have to give everything new a few days to settle in.
I think this is my 2nd post ever but I had to speak up! It looks awful, the members page is LESS usable now – there’s far too much scrolling it was a lovely directory before.
I’m starting to think that Shannon never actually got control of the site after all – surely he would never have allowed a design like this to happen, it’s horrific!
If you want a good design emulate this http://news.bbc.co.uk/ ! AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Apart from all that keep up the good work – love the old versions of the sites
I think this is my 2nd post ever but I had to speak up! It looks awful, the members page is LESS usable now – there’s far too much scrolling it was a lovely directory before.
I’m starting to think that Shannon never actually got control of the site after all – surely he would never have allowed a design like this to happen, it’s horrific!
If you want a good design emulate this http://news.bbc.co.uk/ ! AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Apart from all that keep up the good work – love the old versions of the sites
PickledPotato – Do you think I should put the simple text directory / site map down the side? It would be an easy add.
PS. BBC is so busy!!!
PickledPotato – Do you think I should put the simple text directory / site map down the side? It would be an easy add.
PS. BBC is so busy!!!
The older one looked nicer, sorry shannon..
The older one looked nicer, sorry shannon..
Faye – What did you prefer about it? The biggest thing I felt needed to be moved away from was the tiny font.
Faye – What did you prefer about it? The biggest thing I felt needed to be moved away from was the tiny font.
Where are the recently recommended experiences?…
Where are the recently recommended experiences?…
Sorry Shannon, my gripe is with the code (as well as design). In this day and age is not too much to ask to have a site coded properly? Having a correctly make-up document would be a good start. Have the javascript linked to the page instead of embedded. Use style sheets to control the look of the page? They have been a W3 recommendation since 1999, nearly ten years. Tables and inline styling of elements was fine…back in 1996! I’ll draw you up a design and hell i’ll even code it for you, just give me a week or so!
Sorry Shannon, my gripe is with the code (as well as design). In this day and age is not too much to ask to have a site coded properly? Having a correctly make-up document would be a good start. Have the javascript linked to the page instead of embedded. Use style sheets to control the look of the page? They have been a W3 recommendation since 1999, nearly ten years. Tables and inline styling of elements was fine…back in 1996! I’ll draw you up a design and hell i’ll even code it for you, just give me a week or so!
i know that a lot of people can be resistant to change, especially with a website they use very often, but i really do believe that the negative feedback is completely accurate.
The new page just have a very amateur web designer feel to it. i can’t quite put my finger on it. The last page design just looked sleek and nice, and I don’t know, this one just looks like a real basic column based text website (despite the picture ticker thing). The website just doesn’t give me the feeling that there’s a ton of content on it (like I know there is).
At least that’s my two pennies. If I knew more about web design, i could offer better ideas, but alas, i don’t. I dunno, that’s just the feeling i get from it.
i know that a lot of people can be resistant to change, especially with a website they use very often, but i really do believe that the negative feedback is completely accurate.
The new page just have a very amateur web designer feel to it. i can’t quite put my finger on it. The last page design just looked sleek and nice, and I don’t know, this one just looks like a real basic column based text website (despite the picture ticker thing). The website just doesn’t give me the feeling that there’s a ton of content on it (like I know there is).
At least that’s my two pennies. If I knew more about web design, i could offer better ideas, but alas, i don’t. I dunno, that’s just the feeling i get from it.
Love it! Easy on the eyes and classy. Where’s the search box though?
Love it! Easy on the eyes and classy. Where’s the search box though?