Re-Organizaing TPR's Front Page

[trustkill22]

^I like that!

 

Very easy to read and follow. And fits my screen perfectly.

[Shavethewhales]

^I like it. It looks way better than what you have now.

[Masked_Maverick]

I like it too. It is more organised.

[christianscoasters]

Ok, so I'm hoping this version is a "winner"

 

It is!

[USRoadTripper]

I definitely like the two column look to the page. But I'm still having the problem of the text looking huge I'm using Firefox in Vista at 1028 X 768 so it shouldn't look strange, so I'm not sure what my issue is. If I change the font size on the main page, it makes the text in the forum absolutely microscopic! I seem to be the only one having that issue though. Might be a Vista/Firefox issue.

 

-Julie

[Axman]

I think, at the top, insted of "Theme Parks - Roller Coasters - Fun", it should be "Theme Praks - Roller Coasters -Donkeys".

[robbalvey]

^^ Is anyone else having the same problem that Julie is having with the font being HUGE?

 

I've tested it on IE and Firefox and using the "default" font settings it looks fine.

 

I can only think it has to be something in your browser settings as no one else has reported this problem all night.

 

Anyone else having this problem?

 

--Robb

[the sound]

It's much better now, but i still prefer the old one, for reasons i still don't know.

 

If that makes sense...

[robbalvey]

^ You'll get used to it!

 

Honestly, that final version really is not THAT much different. I've really just made two tables now instead of one, and all the frequent updates you're used to seeing are now on the right hand side.

 

IMO, it's still a "minor" change.

 

--Robb

[christianscoasters]

IMO, it's still a "minor" change.

 

--Robb

 

Agreed. KEEP IT THE WAY IT IS!! !

[Top Thrill Dragster]

I like the new one. It is easier to navigate and all the info is right there in font of you. Good job Robb!

[sixflagsmagicmountain]

I like it! It looks great. Definitely a keeper.

[Guy T. Koepp]

I agree Rlobb. This one's the keeper!

 

Me likey the changey!

[dr.gumbo]

I like it like this, looks neat AND good looking. Nice work!

 

(What font do you use for Theme park reviews signature writing, I really like it )

[jackskellington101]

Definitely a keeper. I like it Robb.

[saturday97]

Looks good! Definitely more accessible for those new to the site!

[PKI Jizzman]

I like this version alot, now. It brings this UK Trip and 2005 Euro trip, with alot of other TR's up and I like those, so yea, good job.

[robbalvey]

^ Yeah, that was really kind of the whole point. Is that some of our really "big" content updates were totally buried.

 

Not that the daily updates aren't important too, but some people come to the site specifically looking for things like the UK Tour, 2005 Europe, and 2004 Japan updates.

 

Now they are more accessible.

 

--Robb

[Swoosh]

It is better than the old style, but way too busy for me. I think you need to stick to the KISS principle.

[IwantRevenge]

I like this, it's more organized.

[robbalvey]

It is better than the old style, but way too busy for me. I think you need to stick to the KISS principle.

I agree! That has ALWAYS been my thought process.

 

Basically, the site has more information going on, and the updates are now split into different categories (forum updates and TPR updates) and both updates were competing against themselves, so a re-org WAS needed.

 

IMO, this is the most "simple" version of that re-org.

 

Maybe not as simple as it was before, I agree, but it's still as simple as I can get it and still make sure everyone sees all the different updates clearly.

 

I mean, when you look at it, it's not THAT much of a change. The top of the page is still the same, the "announcements" section hasn't changed other than getting a title, and the only real significant change is having two columns of updates other than one.

 

I've seen sites do re-orgs where all of a sudden you have tons of menus, tables, ads, things to click on, etc, etc.

 

For most people coming to the site on a daily basis, all the most current information will either be in the left or right hand column very clearly marked and dated.

 

If someone can come up with a more simple solution that gets the same job done, I'M ALL EARS!!!

 

--Robb

 

EDIT: The other thing to keep in mind is, if you want the REALLY simple version of the front page, just go to the "what's new" page and that's a text listing of every update we've done (forum and TPR) since 2001:

http://www.themeparkreview.com/whatsnew.htm

 

Perhaps if you're not "feeling" the new front page, you could bookmark the What's New page?

[saturday97]

Yes-- I liked that you maintained the original feel and just reorganized some stuff.

 

The worst redo I've ever seen is Mouseplanet.com. They totally lost the feel of the site, made it less fun and too cluttered. I went from daily visits to nearly never.

[thecoasterkid]

Absolutely perfect now. I love that it's reorganised and easier to pick out major updates from the smaller daily stuff. It's easy to read and understand without being too busy.

 

All the Opera problems are fixed as well. I'm having no errors viewing the page now.

[robbalvey]

OK, so the new front page has gone "live"

http://www.themeparkreview.com/

 

Please let me know if you like it!

 

--Robb

[BeatleBen]

I definitely like it a lot! Very slick, modern, and easier to navigate.