Feedback needed: Sneak Peak new.dnforum.com

[VisualDigits]

Please no iframes,forums taking eons to load :(
The layout looks ok but I love the old look. The sliding bar is annoying. DNForum isn't a celebrity site. I hate it! Joomla/Mambo is good for amateurs. Use a custom designed CMS.

[Jon]

Sorry to rain on everyone’s parade…

I don’t like this new version of dnforum.com at all, granted it is a big improvement on the current version but if you’re going to do it you really should do it properly. The design looks very dated, all of the content is too close together, none of the colours work well together and I’m getting sick of seeing that blue header.

Sorry DCG, I just think you can do much, much better.

[Mark Bolyard]

What a first post. Hope that gets an immediate ban :(

But like Jon said, I think DNforum could have done a better job. I would much rather wait a longer time to see these changes occur if the end results were better. Additionally, keep in mind the more graphical the forum design the slower the load times. Thats one plus I'd give DNForum currently is that it's not over saturated with heavy graphics...

[Adam Dicker]

Sorry to rain on everyone’s parade…

I don’t like this new version of dnforum.com at all, granted it is a big improvement on the current version but if you’re going to do it you really should do it properly. The design looks very dated, all of the content is too close together, none of the colours work well together and I’m getting sick of seeing that blue header.

Sorry DCG, I just think you can do much, much better.

I have to admit, this coming from someone who runs a domain forum with 2 visitors in the last 24 hours does not impress me.

Maybe it's not about design, maybe it's about content.

-=DCG=-

[POLiSH]

Maybe it's not about design, maybe it's about content.

-=DCG=-

I don't think I could have said it any better.

[Mark Bolyard]

I have to admit, this coming from someone who runs a domain forum with 2 visitors in the last 24 hours does not impress me.

Maybe it's not about design, maybe it's about content.

-=DCG=-

I'll assume that comment was directed at me :greenbiggrin: however untrue it may be. And you are right, content is the most significant part of the dnforum, but considering the content is very good, shouldn't the presentation also?

[POLiSH]

Felix,

Sorry to rain on everyone’s parade…

I don’t like this new version of dnforum.com at all, granted it is a big improvement on the current version but if you’re going to do it you really should do it properly. The design looks very dated, all of the content is too close together, none of the colours work well together and I’m getting sick of seeing that blue header.

Sorry DCG, I just think you can do much, much better.

Do you see the part that says Originally Posted by Jon With that being said you assumption that the comment was directed toward you would be false.

[lukeeales]

Hmm, I'm not so keen.

Firstly, I don't understand why a free CMS is being used?

Second, the colours don't look very attractive to me. Of course content is more important than design, but this is DNForum, I have come to expect the best. Surely both qualities can be achieved.

[Adam Dicker]

Hmm, I'm not so keen.

Firstly, I don't understand why a free CMS is being used?

Second, the colours don't look very attractive to me. Of course content is more important than design, but this is DNForum, I have come to expect the best. Surely both qualities can be achieved.

All feedback will be condsidered and modified before any launch is proposed.

-=DCG=-

[NewDotMedia]

I use this in other software but those dont have it, How about a typo generator?

I mean For those that dont have it.
Couldnt edit post.

[Jon]

First of all, I haven’t been running domainforums.com for almost a year now.

Secondly, even if I was still running domainforums or any other domain related website for that matter, I am still allowed to have opinions on a new design for a website that I visit regularly. My comments were by no means aimed as a personal insult more suggestions for the good of the community. I can’t believe how aggressive you are when a member who has paid $300 for a membership offers his suggestions free of charge to better the community, not for his personal gain… but for yours.

If you posted this design for review at any design forum or community rather than a community full of domainers 99% of the comments would back me up.

You asked the community for comments, I gave you mine. Get over it.

[Darkneoboi]

I like it. Also I think there is a typo there. Under Newest Users it say "Welcome our newest members:" I think it should be member since it only says one member there at a time.

[duskdawn]

The page still have a login form after a successful login.
Great move BTW.

[cprowe]

That's a pretty awful design i'm sorry to say.

[dodo1]

Hmm... I have visited the new website several times in the recent days now, but I must say I do not really like it.

1. The color scheme does not look very well, in my opinion. The colors do not fit to the current DNF color scheme.

2. What I like about the current version of DNF is its wide format. There are no sidebars and I have the whole screen filled with content. Thus I would do away with at least one of the two sidebars in the new version if possible.

3. I do not like the iFrames either. Do not know whether Joomla allows another possibility though. (?)

4. The DNF image in the header should be a little bigger, maybe as big as it is right now. I just think it doesn't look very well and too small in comparison to the two top menu bars.

5. The red bar in the top menus is annoying in the long run. It would be better if the top menus were plain black and smaller.

These are five suggestions for improvement that have come to my mind so far. Adam, do not get me wrong. I like the idea of a new portal design and I really appreciate your effort to improve DNF (e.g. by buying new tools for the community), but I think you should be careful about changing the user experience, which is close to perfect as it is right now. DNF's design is simple and functional, thus DNF is a high quality site focusing on the forum's high quality content. The new design does not reflect that, in my opinion. At least not yet.

[impactadmin]

Hmm... I have visited the new website several times in the recent days now, but I must say I do not really like it.

1. The color scheme does not look very well, in my opinion. The colors do not fit to the current DNF color scheme.

2. What I like about the current version of DNF is its wide format. There are no sidebars and I have the whole screen filled with content. Thus I would do away with at least one of the two sidebars in the new version if possible.

3. I do not like the iFrames either. Do not know whether Joomla allows another possibility though. (?)

4. The DNF image in the header should be a little bigger, maybe as big as it is right now. I just think it doesn't look very well and too small in comparison to the two top menu bars.

5. The red bar in the top menus is annoying in the long run. It would be better if the top menus were plain black and smaller.

These are five suggestions for improvement that have come to my mind so far. Adam, do not get me wrong. I like the idea of a new portal design and I really appreciate your effort to improve DNF (e.g. by buying new tools for the community), but I think you should be careful about changing the user experience, which is close to perfect as it is right now. DNF's design is simple and functional, thus DNF is a high quality site focusing on the forum's high quality content. The new design does not reflect that, in my opinion. At least not yet.

The new site is a project in the works. We have not yet had a design go in and modify the color scheme nor the actual positioning of many items on the page.

The sneak peak does provide the main idea and direction we would like to take with dnforum.com. Aside from only being a forum, there are many other things that the domain industry revolves around which we are trying to target.

We are trying to be a broader in our focus and providing some of the most important aspects of the site to be easily seen and accessed. You can see that by pulling the auctions, todays posts, todays domains for sale and so forth right on the main page. Aside from forum related topics, we also want to provide variety of tools used on a daily basis for current and new users (whether they be knowledgeable in the industry or new to the industry). The quick access to tools is something that I believe is useful as it is all in one place, instead of having to go to a 100 different locations.

I understand your suggestions and welcome more. If possible please provide examples of the colors you dont like and what colors you would like to see more of.

The forum will still be accessible in current view that you are used to. The iframes are temporary as we are putting together the pieces of the puzzle quickly so we know exactly what we will be working with.

Looking forward to your replies.

Huseyin,

[SouthernTn]

A nice step in the right direction.. What I would like to suggest is like a "featured" area.. best way I could put it.


For an example, interviews and stories on the Big Boys & girls of the industry and the upcoming boys and girls of the industry. With a picture beside their article, if possible.

Might add a bit of entertainment and might influence someone, who knows.. just a small suggestion

Keep it up!..

[Dale Hubbard]

In essence, a forum needs a 'portal' page. Otherwise it's just a forum. With these changes, there will be an all-important and branching landing page with the forum link. I can understand where it's going -- change always augurs resistance and criticism - albeit well-intentioned and well-founded. This stuff takes time. All my own forums have landers as the main URL, and it works. The principle is all-important at this stage. It's a great principle -- semantics can wait.

[dodo1]

The new site is a project in the works. We have not yet had a design go in and modify the color scheme nor the actual positioning of many items on the page.

The sneak peak does provide the main idea and direction we would like to take with dnforum.com. Aside from only being a forum, there are many other things that the domain industry revolves around which we are trying to target.

OK, I thought this was already a finished design. As said, I think it's a step in the right direction to make DNF a "real" portal website instead of only a forum, but since the forum and its community are the heart of DNF the forum should be easily accessible. Luckily that will be the case!

The quick access to tools is something that I believe is useful as it is all in one place, instead of having to go to a 100 different locations.

Yet, it would be better if the sidebars were smaller, in my opinion. That way the content area would be bigger.

I understand your suggestions and welcome more. If possible please provide examples of the colors you dont like and what colors you would like to see more of.

I do not like the background color and the color of the left sidebar. Also, I think it would look better if the colors were just plain instead of having that fading effect. But as you said, this is not the final design yet...

After all, these are just my personal impressions and suggestions. I am sure you will put together a nice web portal with a great user experience if considering all members' suggestions. I am definitely looking forward to the final design and layout!

[Mr. Deleted]

When DCG first told me of this (http://highimpactsites.com/joomla/ was the URL used) it had some errors in the header, but I think it is looking good now, and there is more room for improvement, but it has come a long nicely.

Joe