New Page Design

MathsIsFun · 2010-10-14 14:38:11

I have been working on a new page design: http://www.mathsisfun.com/test2.html

What is good or bad about it?

Do you like the clouds on the side or are they too "pretty"?

Does it work well on different page widths?

Does it look good on your phone/netbook/tablet?

All feedback welcome!

bobbym · 2010-10-14 15:16:09

Cicero wrote:

The wise man therefore always holds in these matters to this principle of selection: he rejects pleasures to secure other greater pleasures, or else he endures pains to avoid worse pains.

That quote is part of what the publishers latin is derived from.

What is good or bad about it?

It looks larger, gives the illusion of more space. I like it but it somehow looks like something is left out...

Do you like the clouds on the side or are they too "pretty"?

The clouds contribute to the above observation about more space.

It is showing fine on my browser and I use uncommon font sizes and video display settings.

MathsIsFun · 2010-10-14 17:47:35

Thanks!

bobbym wrote:

It looks larger, gives the illusion of more space. I like it but it somehow looks like something is left out....

What is left out is lots of flashing ads, sidebars, popups and enticements to subscribe. You just feel lost without all the distractions

But seriously, I did remove the sidebar, adding about 120 pixels.

And I am worried that it is too minimal for a site that says "Fun".

bobbym · 2010-10-14 19:59:31

Hi MIF

Less has advantages too.

Bob · 2010-10-14 23:42:06

Hi MIF,

Works ok on my browser. I liked the central pictures and links to the various bits of the site in the original. I think that makes it very child friendly. I don't think they'll like the latin. Sorry.

Bob

MathsIsFun · 2010-10-15 10:10:13

bob bundy wrote:

I liked the central pictures and links to the various bits of the site in the original.

So you don't like this one?

Is it because of no sidebar links?

How could I make it more child friendly (apart from less Latin ) ?

Bob · 2010-10-16 09:46:24

Hi MathsIsFun

I think the picture below is a major strength of the front page.

It's colourful, full of children who look like they're having fun, the pictures relate well to what they link to and it says 'Welcome'!

I think that picture says so much; I'd say keep it.

Bob

MathsIsFun · 2010-10-16 12:10:02

I definitely will, but the top and sides will change.

MathsIsFun · 2010-10-17 17:33:43

OK, here is a comparison:

Current: http://www.mathsisfun.com/index.htm
Proposed New: http://www.mathsisfun.com/index2.htm

Pros and Cons of each?

bobbym · 2010-10-17 18:41:48

Hi MathsisFun;

Go with the new one but I do prefer the search in the upper left.
Maybe you can go away from the only children aspect.
Take the algebra link, ends in college algebra.
I mean I refer to the pages often and direct adults to them. Adults play games and need math help too.

MathsIsFun · 2010-10-17 22:31:23

bobbym wrote:

Maybe you can go away from the only children aspect...Adults play games and need math help too.

Good point. Changed image ... use refresh (twice maybe).

bobbym · 2010-10-18 02:18:48

Hi MathsIsFun;

On my browser the search input box covers part of the geometric figure. Might be browser specific, I use firefox. It is a nice figure can you move it to the left about an inch.

Bob · 2010-10-18 04:12:44

Hi MathsIsFun

Thanks for putting back the pictures. The new version is more symmetrical and less cluttered so I like it more. As it was me that asked for the children to come back into the picture I feel I need to respond to bobbym's points. Looking at the number of adult posts on the forum, I don't think they're being put off exploring the site. It didn't stop me and I'm ancient!

If you put college algebra in the search you'll soon find advanced stuff is on offer too. Adults with a purpose are more likely to go the extra step to get what they want. I wanted to improve the chances of attracting the young and I think the front page does that nicely. Thanks!

Works on IE7.

Bob

bobbym · 2010-10-18 08:12:40

Hi bob and MIF can listen also;

It didn't stop me and I'm ancient!

I am glad it did not. But you are implying that there is something to stop people.
Some adults are going to look at that front page with the 5 kids and think this is for kids, it is too basic, I do no belong here.
I say remove the impediment, make it for adults and children. The old photo I thought was better because it was more serious.

The question we have to ask is, does pictures of kids attract kids? Unless it is the Olsen twins or the Jones brothers I would say no.

I did not recommend taking any pictures down, what I did recommend is portraying the site as for adults too. I do no want adults to feel that the information here is not serious, that it is sort of a childs toy. That is the image I think should be upgraded. The site is not just for children.

I send posters to the MathsisFun pages as often as I think necessary even from other forums. I do this because I think the pages are a serious piece of work. That the poster has a lot to learn from them. Most of these are adults. If it were me I would rather they saw something other than just preteens on the front page.

MathsIsFun · 2010-10-18 09:47:24

Thanks Bob and Bobby, this is very helpful. Everyone's opinion is being considered ... I even rope in people who happen to pass near my computer!

Redesigns are a risky thing, and I do want people of all ages to feel comfortable.

I am wondering if you can think of something better than the geometric figure to decorate the header?

bobbym · 2010-10-18 17:28:20

Hi bob and MIF;

Everyone's opinion is being considered ...

Yep, I forgot to preface post #14 with the words in my opinion. You are in the unenviable spot of having to consider everyone's feelings. Remember and this is a tired cliche, you cannot satisfy everybody. Site has almost 80 000 members and that is a good argument against any redesign at all.

I am wondering if you can think of something better than the geometric figure to decorate the header?

Nope, I cannot. When I see it, it makes me want to do group theory. So it must be powerful. How about having it rotate, page does seem to need some motion, the overhead might be high though.

Roraborealis · 2010-10-19 02:12:59

Wow, I love the way the clouds fade just after the big picture. And if you are definately going to change it without changing the Geometric Shape, I'd go for it, because it looks so much tidier with the links on the left missing and on the top instead. I was having a look for them though and it took me a second to see where they had moved to, because they look a tiny bit like adverts.
Have you had a go at making them bold, or does it look a bit strange? The search/index buttons are in bold too, and they stand out for me. If they were in bold, they might be harder to miss, as at the moment I think everyone is probably just going to click on the picture because it's very attention-drawing.
I can't think of anything better than the Geometric Shape either :-] Unless there's some really advanced maths symbol that can go there to get around the 'audience problem'?

Edit: I just realised they're exactly the same links.

Last edited by Roraborealis (2010-10-19 02:15:07)

Bob · 2010-10-19 03:23:08

Hi,

I accept bobbym's point about adults. But we could still have a cartoon image. How about something like the one below?

Face came from http://www.pdclipart.org/thumbnails.php so it should be useable. Would need some work to make it acceptable on the page I think.

Bob

bobbym · 2010-10-19 08:08:53

Hi MIF and Bob;

I would put that on the front page. Just one problem though, who is he?

MathsIsFun · 2010-10-19 08:43:33

Thanks Rora, always lovely to hear from you ... brings back good memories

Bob: I like the thought bubble

Bobby: Who is he? He is my best excuse when my hair needs brushing ...

bobbym · 2010-10-19 09:27:27

All that photo proves is that math makes you good looking while physics...

What do you think of his idea for the top?

Roraborealis · 2010-10-21 08:26:28

Ohh, I really like that too, that's a great idea Bob =] Everyone will recognise him and get the idea even without the bubble - I do like the bubble, by the way. Although I have to say I don't know who he is either. He looks clever though!

Rod: I actually seen Mr. T somewhere - a magazine I think it was - and it just made me remember here... the memories

MathsIsFun · 2010-10-21 15:24:59

Ah yes ... Mr T!

That was all great fun

John E. Franklin · 2010-10-29 13:27:15

I'm on a
Brand new
Pandigital
tablet, and
I can see
the Latin
but not the
clouds.
Sure is slow
typing on a
touchscreen!

MathsIsFun · 2010-10-29 15:29:51

Sounds cool!

I changed the clouds to a simple blue fade.

So ... looks OK on your screen's resolution?

Math Is Fun Forum

#1 2010-10-14 14:38:11

New Page Design

#2 2010-10-14 15:16:09

Re: New Page Design

#3 2010-10-14 17:47:35

Re: New Page Design

#4 2010-10-14 19:59:31

Re: New Page Design

#5 2010-10-14 23:42:06

Re: New Page Design

#6 2010-10-15 10:10:13

Re: New Page Design

#7 2010-10-16 09:46:24

Re: New Page Design

#8 2010-10-16 12:10:02

Re: New Page Design

#9 2010-10-17 17:33:43

Re: New Page Design

#10 2010-10-17 18:41:48

Re: New Page Design

#11 2010-10-17 22:31:23

Re: New Page Design

#12 2010-10-18 02:18:48

Re: New Page Design

#13 2010-10-18 04:12:44

Re: New Page Design

#14 2010-10-18 08:12:40

Re: New Page Design

#15 2010-10-18 09:47:24

Re: New Page Design

#16 2010-10-18 17:28:20

Re: New Page Design

#17 2010-10-19 02:12:59

Re: New Page Design

#18 2010-10-19 03:23:08

Re: New Page Design

#19 2010-10-19 08:08:53

Re: New Page Design

#20 2010-10-19 08:43:33

Re: New Page Design

#21 2010-10-19 09:27:27

Re: New Page Design

#22 2010-10-21 08:26:28

Re: New Page Design

#23 2010-10-21 15:24:59

Re: New Page Design

#24 2010-10-29 13:27:15

Re: New Page Design

#25 2010-10-29 15:29:51

Re: New Page Design

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