Questions about TPR's Front Page - Please read!

[King of Ka]

The only thing I saw on the main page I didn't like was that the pictures next to the update had taken on a rectangular shape. This is probably just because all the pics started square, but the new shape seems squished and not-quite-big-enough to me.

[Showoffca]

Hey everyone!

 

 

1. What do you find most useful about the front page? Article Updates

 

2. What do you find least useful about the front page?

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing? The layout is a bit odd, I'd put most recent updates at the top ... and then in decending order ... the articles on the left side currently are way old - although I know why some are still there as "highlights" to the Alvery clan. The upper portion - don't know why they are there.

 

4. How far do you scroll down the front page looking for updates? Just to the point where the updates have been updated.

 

5. How often do you look at the front page? Usually 4-5 times a week.

 

6. How often do you click on the "whatsnew" link? Hmm ... never usually.

 

7. What would you like to see added to the front page to make your visits to TPR better? I think artistically it could be spruced up a bit - it's a great site, but the front page seems to lack creativity artistically - not verbally.

 

8. Anything else you would like to mention? Like any thing else you would like to see us add/change/leave alone/etc? Maybe a section about the mascot/logo and a humourous history of it ... Sharktums, and Babytums ...

 

The more people who can give us input, the better we can make the site. And if you don't have answers to all the questions, just answer the ones that are most important to you.

 

--Robb

[DenDen]

I think this may have been what on of the previous posters meant by "icons" This is the header on my site.

Icons add visual interest, and people mouse over them to see what they are. They've proven to be popular on my site.

[coastercrazed49]

I think it looks good. It might take some time to get used to for me. I like how you made the letters bigger at the top, it makes it look better IMO.

[jackskellington101]

Wow, everything grew and what's new along with the search bar and mailing list bar vanished. That looks better, the headers look much cleaner and the shorter columns actually give the page a better feel. It's not as much information overload. My suggestion is for what was what's new, put a link near the bottom, right around the former front page articles, to have the complete history. I think a page like that might still be useful, but it's not as affective being labeled "what's new" when it's really old news.

 

I know this may seem really drastic, but the other thing that I might change is the image behind the Theme Park Review banner. The coaster in black and gray looks really cluttered now for some reason. I also don't understand why the Theme Park Review, Theme Park and Roller Coasters part of the welcome statement all link back to the front page. I'll chalk it up to that normal TPR goofiness.

[coasterdude5]

Looks great! Alot cleaner and more streamlined. I'm not sure about the "etc." but that's something with me so it's not a problem! Not a huge fan of the larger links but, again, that's just my opinion - doesn't really affect anything.

 

It's all looking real good.

[NINCUB]

I think it looks really good. I actually like the bigger links in the menu. They stand out more and are more noticable.

[SFAfan#1]

1. The updates

 

2. Nothing

 

3. Not to me

 

4. All the way to the bottom

 

5. All the time

 

6. Never

 

7. Six Flags America things

 

8. Mention Six Flags America more

[robbalvey]

Made a couple other changes:

http://www.themeparkreview.com/

 

As far as the nav bar goes....was it the font size or that they were really squished in between the stuff above and below them?

 

This version has more space above and below and slightly smaller font than the one I posted a couple of hours ago, but a bigger font than the original version.

 

Also, "special features" is now gone from the page.

 

--Robb

[Meteornotes]

^That looks awesome. Nice job!

 

dt

[coasterdude5]

^^ It was the font size, it looks better now. The space seems big but it still looks better than before.

[ernierocker]

The links look great now!

 

Everything looks much cleaner.

 

The only thing I see is that the pictures in your columns look a little awkward now. Maybe its just because they are stacked directly on top of each other. Is it possible to insert a border between each update like the vertical border you have between the two columns. Or would that be too busy/too much work?

[natatomic]

Great job! Really cleaned up the clutter. The only suggestion I would have is perhaps move the "Welcome to TPR" line above the links. That way it'd sort of imply, "Welcome to TPR, here's what you can here." Though, maybe it'd be redundant up there directly below the banner which already says "Roller Coasters and Fun." Still, it looks lost between the two sections.

 

Either way, it looks awesome as always R&E!

[Bucket]

Much cleaner and easier to navigate! I like this new layout so much better

[natatomic]

The only thing I see is that the pictures in your columns look a little awkward now. Maybe its just because they are stacked directly on top of each other. Is it possible to insert a border between each update like the vertical border you have between the two columns. Or would that be too busy/too much work?

 

I just noticed that too, and I agree. But maybe instead of a border, just add some space to avoid looking too busy.

[ETapley0687]

It looks great! Not too much and not too little. It has everything that's needed on the front page. Very satisfied with it!

[philobat]

 

This site is really well done IMO. My only suggestion would be to create ICONS to convey content and less words. Having to read word descriptions to disseminated content interest can be confusing/time consuming.

 

Is that what you're thinking about?

 

Not really. The Icons I was thinking about would be related to theme parks and rides/ trips/ events and what not. Each icon would be created to convey the content which the icon/button associated with thus less clutter on the front page.

 

Please understand that the TPR front page is fine and works well. On my desk top I have Icons to let me know what is in each folder- and color coded. No I do not alphabetize the contents of my refrigerator- but its close!

 

You have done a fabulous job- maybe you don't need to do anything. Its the best site on the net regarding its contents- so there ya go!

[Cyber.Fiber]

I Like the current front page the best! Everything is organized and simple.

 

Great job!

[jackskellington101]

Very nice! Now all you need to do is add the strippers and purple crushed velvet for Guy and you're all set for the sexification of the front page.

[BeemerBoy]

Is it just me, or does EVENTS/TRIPS read like "Event Strips" in its current form?

 

Page looks good though.

[thrillrideseeker]

1. What do you find most useful about the front page?

I think the most useful thing is the way that you can click on a picture and it takes you to the topic.

 

2. What do you find least useful about the front page?

There is just to much stuff on the front... maybe just the new things of the day?!

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

Not Really

 

4. How far do you scroll down the front page looking for updates?

Like half way down...

 

5. How often do you look at the front page?

Every day.

 

6. How often do you click on the "whatsnew" link?

Never...

 

7. What would you like to see added to the front page to make your visits to TPR better?

Ummm... A bigger more visiable link to the forums.

 

8. Anything else you would like to mention? Like any thing else you would like to see us add/change/leave alone/etc?

I think that there should be less updates on the front page. Just like 5 things...

~Matthew

[nagro5]

I think that with a few changes the front page will be perfect.

 

1. The pictures need to be just a tad bigger. I would also make them not touch because it looks like they are all blending together.

2. At the bottom it says "About Theme Park Review & Email Theme Park Review

If you want to know more about us, or want to contact us, click this link!" I think that should be taken away because you already have a "Contact TPR" link at the top.

3. I agree with what natatomic said about the "Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, Fun" being a little redundant. Maybe it should just say "Welcome to Theme Park Review"

 

The top is perfect! I also like how you took away the "Special Features" column because it was rarely updated.

[robbalvey]

Ok, I made another change.

 

I know a lot of you said "bigger pictures" but I wonder if it was the picture size or the image ratio. Have a look at this:

http://www.themeparkreview.com/

 

Look at the left side versus right side. Which size of pictures do you like better?

 

And as for the border, don't worry, the PHP version will not have them all so smashed together.

 

--Robb

[LcHg5265]

AHH! You moved the forum button! I liked it where it was

[nagro5]

I like the left ones better, but I still think they need to be a little taller.