Which new homepage design for Wrong Planet??! !!

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I completely agree with this. The page doesn't immediately stand out as being a forum, and the categories at the top don't really make sense together. It looks like a blog, and there is no description that it's a forum. I think people when browsing need to see immediately that it's a forum.

I like the colours at present because they're easy on the eye. Having a stark white background with bright colours would be too much. If the colours were more neutral, that would be better.

Oh my, there is something wrong with me. Was I really the only one to vote for option one? I liked that it was more concise, and I also preferred the navigation bars at the top and at the bottom better.

Either way, I noticed that the default option is to sign up instead of to log in. Much more people will be logging in than signing up, so I don't see the logic unless you wish to attract more people; it makes things slightly disadvantageous for current members and slightly advantageous for everyone else.

-o I like the softer edges of the 2nd option.
-o I like that the main area's selector is more obvious (the black, high-alpha bar with the three selector dots
-o I prefer the more-clearly delineated menu bar (it's a something rather than a linear collection of links at the top.)

For both I like the change from page-wide panels to the clickable tiles. That's definitely more slick.

Suggestion:
Log In tab should be selected by default. "Register" is typically only used once. Or perhaps persist via cookie.

Nice work, man.


Edit: Another suggestion:
Fully css-backed. Let people submit their own suggestion. Perhaps even have top options selectable via dropdown, with your preference as default.
That's a lot of work. Sorry. I was just looking at solutions to the guy who suggested there are too many fonts. I don't see that problem, but then I'm not a professional designer.

Edit2:
And while you're there rooting around in the code, please, please, please, please fix the forum hyperlinks to stand out more.

I don't like either. Sorry to sound negative, but it looks like a knock off website design that anyone would skip over for not being unique and thought out enough. also, the logo in situ just looks ridiculous now.

And what smudge said about the headings of the tabs

and what others said about the login vs register part.

Everyone and their grandmother is using 250x250 clickable teaser collection front page. In 6 months that is going to be as exciting and as happening as MSN News page. I'm not saying don't use the visuals, but what I am saying is don't clutter the front page, have your links either above/below or on the side but not both and make the logo look like it was done Van Gogh style on purpose rather than by accident.

Love and pumpkin pie

Option 2 - It seems somewhat smoother and simpler imo.
Does this also mean that the forums would be designed the same way too?

I also agree with leafplant about the logo. Sure, it's kind of kitsch that WP has a logo that looks like it was done in MS Paint, but if you want the site to be taken seriously you should probably have a logo designed by a professional.

If I had to choose, I would choose option 2. It looks neater, more professional, and looks like it is easier on the eyes.

I think the design should pay more attention to the fact that a lot of people on the autism spectrum have sensory issues.

And - as other posters have pointed out - the most important part of WrongPlanet - the discussion forum - is almost ignored in the web design.

Sorry for being blunt, but it really seems like the guiding motivation for both options is solely to promote Alex Plank and to maximize exposure to advertisements.

I agree. Both designs have no fewer than three pictures of Alex Plank. I do not think the site should have any pictures of Alex Plank. Sorry to be blunt, but people do not come to this site because they care about Alex Plank. They come here because it's the only autism forum that has a critical mass of users.

The homepage is somewhat irrelevant in my opinion. I haven't visited the current homepage of WP for several years. I only switch between the discussion index and the discussion forums. I also block all the crap at the top of the index page too so only the index is visible. I only come here for the discussion forums, full stop.

I very much prefer the second page. Web pages should have as few elements as necessary, but no fewer.

The second layout makes it easier to distinguish the header from the content of the page, doesn't create unnecessary elements around the edge of the content, and doesn't cause me to focus on the footer. The focus is on the content of the page, not the border, and not the footer. The second also makes significantly better use of the page, by wasting less space near the edges. It is extremely annoying to have a 27" screen wasted because a website designer thought a narrow strip of content looked more visually appealing.

But the default option should always be to log in instead of register.

If the goal is to get each user to register once and then log in repeatedly it doesn't make sense for sign up to be the default option. I have hated that about the current forum setup ever since it was set up that it always wants me to register instead of sign in. I registered once six years ago. I don't need to do that anymore. I only need to sign in.

Both of them are WAY too cluttered, but the second at least has clearer boundaries, in that you can at least find the menu. It is less bad of two bad options. I agree that I dislike the logo on both, it looks childish and looks very out of place (the font is wrong and the image doesn't match).


They both look like white with stuff thrown on it. Not organized, not split up into what each part is. Way too much STUFF, more than is needed.

The menu and login of the second are better, though the colors chosen on the menu are bad for the second menu - too light and bright of a blue, hard to contrast with the white, while being bright at the same time.The roundedness and easy to jump out is good.

Other than that... I really don't like either. In that whole "I won't be able to function" with them sort of way. Visual overload is a problem.

I really think Alex tried to design those himself. I think he should hire a professional.

I just looked at both and there doesn't seem to be much difference between them. Both are equally too busy and irrelevant to my interests, so I'll likely never visit the new homepage anyway. Provided I can still go directly to the forum index page and from there navigate to the discussion forums I'm happy never to see the homepage ever again. I guess the question should be... how appealing is the homepage to people visiting the site for the first time and will it induce them to stay. There doesn't appear to even be a link to the forum index page and in my opinion that is the most important page on WP! No offence intended to Alex, but if visitors want more than just videos by Alex, there is little else on the homepage to attract them to stay or explore.

I'd be fine with either option. Personally, I'm more concerned with the functionality of the site than its layout or visual appeal. Lately, I can't seem to visit and post here without getting at least an error message or two each time, if I can access the site at all.

I have to agree with blueroses. Functionality over form any day.
So yes, please improve the software first and foremost.
I can live with several images of Alex Plank on every page every day, no matter how ulterior the motive. As long as the site works better and has more features I don't care. It's his site. Considering the image I posted in the other thread I know it sounds odd coming from me but tbh I like being the court Jester no dissent from me here.