Re-Organizaing TPR's Front Page

[cfc]

^I agree--make the thumbnails bigger and use fewer words (that should help with the "textiness").

 

For example:

 

New Video--Alton Towers, UK!

Featuring Nemesis, Oblivion, and more!

 

Rather than saying "Alton Towers in the UK featuring etc., etc."

[DailyBugle_JL]

I like the new layout and its easy to understand(not confusing). Only thing isthat it seems a little cluttered/bunched together. Also it seems like the pics next to the updates are to small.

[Guy T. Koepp]

Did you ever think of changing your mascot? Cause the donkey thing isn't working for me.

 

Sorry, I had to. I think the thumbnails and text is much better in the new sample. However, again, I also have a 21' screen at 1680 X 1200 res. So I too, am probably not the target audience.

 

Oh, and love the idea about making the title of the thred the link. Kills 2 birds with 1 stone.

 

All in all i think it looks nice.

[thecoasterkid]

^ I'm working with something similar. Also, I tried putting in an image last time...apparently didn't work in my edit. Here it is again. As a note it's doing something very similar with the current home page as well.

 

As far as the new text size, I like that alot, but would maybe go reverse from Nicoles suggestion with larger description size and smaller link text size. It is definitely easier to read either way.

[robbalvey]

I think the font and size issues I can work out as I tweak things, but going back to the "basics" just kind of need to know if people find having it re-organized is a better approach or not.

 

--Robb

[coasterdude5]

It looks great Robb, alot easier to catch up if you've been away or something.

 

I'm not sure if this in question or not, but it would be cool if you could somehow add the blue gradient like in the forums (categories, thread titles, etc.) to the categories on the main page. I'm not sure exactly how it would come out, but it might look nice. Just an idea.

 

Either way, it looks great!

[Neogreeneyez]

BTW, can you guys post some more images of the opera/safari error your getting?

 

 

Here's one... once that gets fixed you have a go for it vote from me! I like the way it's organized and easier to find out what's really going on in the site...

[Carnage]

but going back to the "basics" just kind of need to know if people find having it re-organized is a better approach or not.

 

--Robb

 

I really like the re-organized approach.

 

Text and size issues aside, I think it's a better layout.

[darklingscribe]

That same error people are posting pictures of is happening on the Wii and PS3 browsers, otherwise I like the design.

 

Robb, Opera should be free to download online so you could download it onto your computer and be able to test the page on it quickly rather than relying on us.

[Zachary Buckalew]

I like it but, the search column should be moved to the top. That way I don't have to move the scroll bar at the bottom of the screen to see the entire page.

[segadreamc]

I kind of liked the old version better.

 

On this new version each item looks too small to me.

 

And the search box having a column of it's own seems to get in the way. Is it even needed?

 

I see where you're trying to go though.

Nooooo. Don't change it. I agree the new version is way too small for my eyes. I'm so used to seeing everything big. Too small. I'll have to get used to it if you decide to change it, but still. I hope you take our opinions (on the small thing)into consideration. By the way, I dont write much here, but I do visit everyday to see whats up. I dont log in everyday though. I have met you only once, Actually, I rode next to you on tatsu's media day. But ok I will talk to you all laters.

[asimowalk]

I like it but I don't seem have the font that everyone seems to have in those screenshots. Maybe using a font that's a bit more universal to all computers?

[robbalvey]

Ok, thanks to some help from Wes and his roommate, I think the Safar issies have been sorted out. Please give this version a try:

 

http://www.themeparkreview.com/newindex/index_new4.htm

 

Thanks guys!

 

--Robb

[robbalvey]

I like it but I don't seem have the font that everyone seems to have in those screenshots. Maybe using a font that's a bit more universal to all computers?

What font are you referring to?

[RCFreak]

The Safari issues were also fixed it in Opera on Windows.

 

 

 

Honestly, at first glance it is a bit busy. Too many words and pictures (I liked the suggestion of using the tittle and/or thumbnail as the link) but it's a much better format for different types of updates people would be intresting in.

[asimowalk]

I like it but I don't seem have the font that everyone seems to have in those screenshots. Maybe using a font that's a bit more universal to all computers?

What font are you referring to?

 

The main titles (like announcements and official updates) show up as Veranda or something, not the TPR font.

[robbalvey]

I like it but I don't seem have the font that everyone seems to have in those screenshots. Maybe using a font that's a bit more universal to all computers?

What font are you referring to?

 

The main titles (like announcements and official updates) show up as Veranda or something, not the TPR font.

Oh, yeah....I changed that. I'll put back the TPR font .gif images in the final version....

[asimowalk]

Ah, ok, that's cool. Keep it up.

[christianscoasters]

I think if you moved 'special features' up a little bit, it would be nicer that way there isn't this random space of nothing.

[exzantia]

Heck of an improvement, far more organised

[jimths08]

I would suggest making the navigation bar text have no decoration until the pointer is on it. Then make the underline show up.

[SoCalDude]

Here is one concern I have about it. Does anyone think it's "too busy?" One thing I liked about having one list of updates is that it was easy to see what the most recent update was. It was on the top of the list. Now with multiple tables, is it still easy to figure out, or is it confusing?

 

--Robb

 

Hey Robb -

 

I am a long time reader despite the post count.

Anyway - looking at new4.htm I LOVE the idea of the update, but I think it is a tad too "texty" Maybe if you put some spacing in the tables to separate the text from one update to the next. There is great spacing between the right and left columns, but not he updates in their respective columns IMHO.

 

Also I would not say make the thumbs bigger - but make them taller. This would give you more room for text and spacing, but it would require a bit more work making a thumb that size.

 

And ya, it is hard to tell what the newest update is - maybe you could put the newest 1 or 2 update(s) at the very top of the page under the announcements section and name it 'Most Recent Updates' or something along that line.

[Not For Sale]

Opera Mac problems fixed as well.

[eskater132]

I personally feel that the new look fits the site perfectly.

For others, though, it may be just a tad small.

 

--Cody--

[robbalvey]

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

 

http://www.themeparkreview.com/newindex/index_new5.htm

 

Basically in this one I've:

 

- Made the thumbnails bigger

- Increased the font size

- Made the titles the link

- Added the TPR font for the headers

- Cleaned up some of the spacing issues in the tables

- Able to have more descriptions

 

Let me know what you all think!

 

--Robb