After the recent effort in fixing our Wikipedia page, I got inspired in putting together a new Home Page for Sc2mapster. This was done in adobe photoshop.
Changes:
1.Top left logo is changed to be the website address and a description underneath it with the marine wallpaper background
2.The many small links up at the top is re-categorized and given big tabs to make the links stick out more
3. Each tab as an auto expand dropdown menu:
Home - Home Page
Forums - Forums, IRC freenode chatwindow
Wiki - Galaxy Wikipedia
Maps - Maps, Teams, Author, Popularity
Site - Site Issues, Paste, Assets
4. The familiar sc2mapster logo is the first picture to see on the right column followed by a brief description of this site
5. Small description of Wiki block on right column
6. Small description of sc2 maps/teams/projects on right column
7. Small description of forum, freenode webchat, and bnet chat channel on right column (note: you cannot see it in this picture)
8. No ice-cream and cake included
A few thoughts: The idea was to show a more basic, easier, obvious kiosk of all the information sc2mapster has to offer. Few members who come here wasn't even aware of the irc or wikipedia page! I even had to explain to a fellow sc2mapster today to goto the IRC channel and just use the freenode webchat. I also told someone about working on the wiki page and he says, "what wiki page?" Big links and descriptions gives clear directions of each aspect of this website.
Another concern about the frontpage was the broken and unnecessary information. I believe that the popularity list and the Poll of SVN had no use to the front page. Also, the link for instructions in the IRC was broken. This time around, the Popularity list is under the Map link, the IRC is a working link to webchat.freenode.net and the "What is sc2mapster" is right on top.
Queen, why care about this? If someone doesn't know how to click on Galaxy WIki - API Docs link then they shouldn't be mapping in the first place right?
I agree lol however consider this: Just because you are used to the counter-intuitive site doesn't mean everyone else is. Once inawhile I will see a post on the official forums asking what a trigger is or a post that isn't convinced that sc2mapster is a modding site (yes true). I think its better to have a easy, clear organized page that gives direction in mapping. Galaxy Editor can be confusing at first. That doesn't mean this site should be too.
I don't know what you think of this, but since beta I've been saying we should have a tutorials button at the top as well, like right beside FORUMS. It would go straight to our giant listing!
Very Interesting! As I get more feedback, I will add some changes
Maybe instead of the Wiki tab, it should be renamed to something else, and then the dropdown window of that will have:
-Getting Started
-Tutorials
-Galaxy Editor Wiki.
Whether or not people care (or even Curse staff), I'll also say the following (which I just mentioned in our IRC):
(With regards to the CURRENT sc2mapster, not gambit's proposed one above)
The stuff on the right pane about what sc2mapster is about... I never read that, to me it's just wasted space. This stuff: "* User-driven wiki. * Map versioning, so if you have a series of versions of the same map, it stays..."
The only useful part in that pane is about IRC but I never even read that and only knew about IRC once Sixen told me. Maybe if it was the first thing people would know about it more... and how easy to join on the web.
Popularity should probably go too...
Of the top bar buttons: * Home * Popularity * Maps * Assets * Teams * Authors * Forums * API Docs * Paste * Site issues... I've only pressed Forums in 9 months (and maybe Home a few times). The rest I have not. Just a note, even if they are essential.
Figured other people probably are the same so it was worth saying these things...
I agree, the right column seems to be a bit useless. In the new makeover, people will know about the IRC because it will be near the top and the link to it will just be the webchat freenode, not a broken link that gives instructions in setting up mirc.
Popularity won't be taken out permenantly; it will be located in the maps section.
Lol yes same with me! I only pressed the forum link.
Anyway, i like this :) And yea, there are just too many links on the top at the moment and having it your way is a lot better. I never actually used the forums link, i just always open one of the 5 most recent topics. I used the maps link back in beta, and i use the wiki link when i add more pages to the wiki...
I hope sc2mapster finally gets some new features and your layout ;)
Now if only we had access to the repository (curse curse).. Though however I think themes can changes at least some part of appearance, take a look here for some example if you may want to code some themes
Tutorials would stand alot stronger than Wiki. Wiki is not really something you'd click on, especially first timers or ppl not as active. a big Tutorials button, even experienced players would be tempted to check out.
When it comes down to it wiki and tutorials are very similar anyways. I also believe it encourage people to submit more tuts themselves for the community.
Wiki imo also sounds like something the staff sit about and concoct, whilst tutorials are screaming at you to submit a piece and get involved.
I think the tab should simple be divided into tutorial categories, so sort of making a sneaky wiki in the guise of a list of tutorials. The tabs could be something like:
Its too bad the CSS lay outs are where work really needs to be done.... I use IE and half the menu buttons dont line up correctly at the top of the pages ... like when Im lookings a the "maps or projects" pages
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After the recent effort in fixing our Wikipedia page, I got inspired in putting together a new Home Page for Sc2mapster. This was done in adobe photoshop.
Changes:
1.Top left logo is changed to be the website address and a description underneath it with the marine wallpaper background
2.The many small links up at the top is re-categorized and given big tabs to make the links stick out more
3. Each tab as an auto expand dropdown menu:
Home - Home Page
Forums - Forums, IRC freenode chatwindow
Wiki - Galaxy Wikipedia
Maps - Maps, Teams, Author, Popularity
Site - Site Issues, Paste, Assets
4. The familiar sc2mapster logo is the first picture to see on the right column followed by a brief description of this site
5. Small description of Wiki block on right column
6. Small description of sc2 maps/teams/projects on right column
7. Small description of forum, freenode webchat, and bnet chat channel on right column (note: you cannot see it in this picture)
8. No ice-cream and cake included
A few thoughts: The idea was to show a more basic, easier, obvious kiosk of all the information sc2mapster has to offer. Few members who come here wasn't even aware of the irc or wikipedia page! I even had to explain to a fellow sc2mapster today to goto the IRC channel and just use the freenode webchat. I also told someone about working on the wiki page and he says, "what wiki page?" Big links and descriptions gives clear directions of each aspect of this website.
Another concern about the frontpage was the broken and unnecessary information. I believe that the popularity list and the Poll of SVN had no use to the front page. Also, the link for instructions in the IRC was broken. This time around, the Popularity list is under the Map link, the IRC is a working link to webchat.freenode.net and the "What is sc2mapster" is right on top.
Queen, why care about this? If someone doesn't know how to click on Galaxy WIki - API Docs link then they shouldn't be mapping in the first place right?
I agree lol however consider this: Just because you are used to the counter-intuitive site doesn't mean everyone else is. Once inawhile I will see a post on the official forums asking what a trigger is or a post that isn't convinced that sc2mapster is a modding site (yes true). I think its better to have a easy, clear organized page that gives direction in mapping. Galaxy Editor can be confusing at first. That doesn't mean this site should be too.
@QueenGambit: Go
I don't know what you think of this, but since beta I've been saying we should have a tutorials button at the top as well, like right beside FORUMS. It would go straight to our giant listing!
@OneTwoSC: Go
Very Interesting! As I get more feedback, I will add some changes
Maybe instead of the Wiki tab, it should be renamed to something else, and then the dropdown window of that will have:
-Getting Started
-Tutorials
-Galaxy Editor Wiki.
@QueenGambit: Go
Whether or not people care (or even Curse staff), I'll also say the following (which I just mentioned in our IRC):
(With regards to the CURRENT sc2mapster, not gambit's proposed one above)
The stuff on the right pane about what sc2mapster is about... I never read that, to me it's just wasted space. This stuff: "* User-driven wiki. * Map versioning, so if you have a series of versions of the same map, it stays..."
The only useful part in that pane is about IRC but I never even read that and only knew about IRC once Sixen told me. Maybe if it was the first thing people would know about it more... and how easy to join on the web.
Popularity should probably go too...
Of the top bar buttons: * Home * Popularity * Maps * Assets * Teams * Authors * Forums * API Docs * Paste * Site issues... I've only pressed Forums in 9 months (and maybe Home a few times). The rest I have not. Just a note, even if they are essential.
Figured other people probably are the same so it was worth saying these things...
@OneTwoSC: Go
I agree, the right column seems to be a bit useless. In the new makeover, people will know about the IRC because it will be near the top and the link to it will just be the webchat freenode, not a broken link that gives instructions in setting up mirc.
Popularity won't be taken out permenantly; it will be located in the maps section.
Lol yes same with me! I only pressed the forum link.
The cake is a l-
Nevermind.
Anyway, i like this :) And yea, there are just too many links on the top at the moment and having it your way is a lot better. I never actually used the forums link, i just always open one of the 5 most recent topics. I used the maps link back in beta, and i use the wiki link when i add more pages to the wiki...
I hope sc2mapster finally gets some new features and your layout ;)
Better update forum features since I am not even using this forum...
I'm not trying to be rude. I'm just saying what I dislike on this forum.
Now if only we had access to the repository (curse curse).. Though however I think themes can changes at least some part of appearance, take a look here for some example if you may want to code some themes
http://www.sc2mapster.com/themes/
What kind of forum updates did you have in mind?
Why have I never heard of this page? O_o
Oh check out this webpage
http://www.sc2mapster.com/cake
I agree completely with the guy a few above.
Tutorials would stand alot stronger than Wiki. Wiki is not really something you'd click on, especially first timers or ppl not as active. a big Tutorials button, even experienced players would be tempted to check out.
When it comes down to it wiki and tutorials are very similar anyways. I also believe it encourage people to submit more tuts themselves for the community.
Wiki imo also sounds like something the staff sit about and concoct, whilst tutorials are screaming at you to submit a piece and get involved.
I think the tab should simple be divided into tutorial categories, so sort of making a sneaky wiki in the guise of a list of tutorials. The tabs could be something like:
Hope you'll consider this :)
Its too bad the CSS lay outs are where work really needs to be done.... I use IE and half the menu buttons dont line up correctly at the top of the pages ... like when Im lookings a the "maps or projects" pages