I'm looking support for http://en.opensuse.org/Frontpage_redesign project.
This was posted on opensuse-wiki@opensuse.org, but as it affects all of
openSUSE it should be discussed here too.
I know that the TODO list for opensuse.org is very long, but this task
is very important to attract more visitors as it will bring in more
people willing to help with other tasks.
In todays WWW the first impression is first and last chance to get
noticed. Offer is so rich that people will go further just because they
didn't like the page.
The task is absolutely not simple as it involves a lot of time and
different skills, from project planing and analyzing present design to
finding solutions, testing usability and functionality, and integrating
them in the web page.
Skills for the task are stretched over few fields, and there is no
chance that can be done without wide support of active community members
including the core team. Involvement of core team is extremely important
from the start as they have more insight in available resources and
other limitations, as well as ability to apply proposals. Without their
support the whole idea should be abandoned and
http://en.opensuse.org/Frontpage_redesign removed.
Discussion on opensuse-wiki@opensuse.org showed that general approach
doesn't yield much conclusions that can be translated to action, so this
has to be done in a different way.
Important is that we have to document ideas with images on opensuse.org.
Pure text based discussion is pointless. We talk about something that
heavily depends on graphic design. How to explain picture with words?
Hardly possible.
Example how easy is to have misunderstanding, is complaint about big,
ugly, splash screen. With present proposals in mind it is for sure the
truth, but everyone can find some examples that are not big, nor ugly
and make the page look better. The same about background images, icons,
illustrations etc.
I'll break question down to the page elements. It will allow to develop
discussion about something that is possible to reach agreement and
action. Right now the top of the page is in need of attention:
1) Logo top-left corner.
Options:
1- Same as is.
Possible, but all chameleons, except this one, are changing colors. Why
is this one so different?
2- New more sophisticated.
The one that is desktop background image is really nice, with a little
of GIMP, it has potential to grow and of course there is a lot of other
options.
3- Themed, like Google's.
It will make a lot of work for artists, and it will be more than
occasional color change. I hope that someone with experience will join
the effort to make this possible.
2) Top line next to logo.
Options:
1) Same as is.
Half empty, with 3 duplicate items from left frame doesn't look special.
2) Add 3 more links to fill up the empty space.
We can discuss what are the most important items that should be placed
at the top of the page.
3) Remove present links and put 6 others that are more important
and have to be on the top of the page.
4) Make menu items instead of simple links.
The solution can make many entry points to opensuse without demolishing
the the overall impression.
3) Empty space under the top line:
Options:
1) Leave as is.
The single link "Create an account or log in" is useful, but it should
actually sit in the top line on one of ends. My preference is right
side. It feels more intuitive as the other window controls sit at the
top in the right corner.
2) Use as news ticker, motto of the day ?!
--
Regards,
Rajko.
Visit http://en.opensuse.org
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