Navigation Update (12/23/08)

[Andy]

This has been in the works for a while now, but YWO now has a brand new look at the top of the site. It's been nagging me for a while, so this definitely clears my mind. The mean reason was to turn down the number of links that were rarely used (and there were a LOT), and make navigation easier.

Hit Refresh if it's not showing properly.

A lot of the squares with images at the top are drop-down menus. You'll find most of your frequently used links (New Posts, Critiques Needed, Members List, Edit Profile) under one of their drop-down menus.

You can now search from any page on the site without needing to open a search box (right side). Click "Options" to do an advanced search.


Lastly, posts have been changed a bit as well. You can now get a link to your post's place in a thread by clicking the "(Link)" in the top-right corner. To view the post on its own page, click "View Post".

If you have any questions or concerns, please post them here.

[Quietus]

Gah, that confused me so much when I first noticed it, I thought something was wrong with the site.:P Thanks for clearing that up.
Anyways, don't know if I like this one better or not.... I"ll give it some time though.

[Diocletian]

The format is confusing, but maybe that's because I'm not used to it.

[Andy]

The format is confusing, but maybe that's because I'm not used to it.
It's actually not too different from what it was. Everything's in pretty much the same place, minus the links that used to be on the bottom bar.

I got the approval of several people before doing it, so it wasn't a spontaneous move. ;)

[jordanisonfire]

I prefer this style. It's a lot more organised. ^^

Though it did freak me out when it came up. I thought my computer had spazzed or something.

[Majyk]

I found everything before you posted this, it wasn't hard ^^.

Though it did freak me out when it came up. I thought my computer had spazzed or something.

Me too.

This is awesome, by the way, Andy.

[Nyx]

^That's what I thought at first.
It was a little confusing but now I get it so I like this style better. It'll make it easier for newbs to find stuff around here ^^

[Andy]

^That's what I thought at first.
It was a little confusing but now I get it so I like this style better. It'll make it easier for newbs to find stuff around here ^^
Yes! If any newb from now on asks where writing should be posted....:devil:

[Nyx]

^haha.
Wait but I can't find where "Today's Posts" are?

[Majyk]

In the Forum drop down thing.

[Nyx]

I know where New posts are but aren't those only the ones you haven't read? I'm looking for Today's Posts, as in all of them.

[Majyk]

Sorry, my mistake. And you're right, I can't find it either.

[Nyx]

No problem, thanks anyways.

/spam

-waits for Andy-

[Andy]

Oh, whoops. Forgot one. Gimme a second... :blush:

EDIT: Added.

[Simmi]

This is awesome Andy. I had the same reaction as Shadow, Majyk and Nyx. I was thinking 'Oh I'm gone for like an hour and the site is different.'

[Zombified]

I left my browser open all night so when I refreshed it and it went to this, I said, "Huh...that's weird."

I like it.

Less links, kinda confusing but it will get easier.

Nice work.

[Rouge]

So the portfolio's in our profiles are cleared?
I went to see how many threads I'd started and it said that there were no threads to display. o.o

[Andy]

So the portfolio's in our profiles are cleared?
I went to see how many threads I'd started and it said that there were no threads to display. o.o
I just looked at it, and it's all there... :confused:

[Rouge]

. . . that's weird.

Forget I said anything. -.-

[Jessica]

This looks utterly retarded..

[Andy]

Why do you think that?

[Nyx]

Oh thanks Andy.
And I have a suggestion, could we change the little icons for writing and store? The store one makes YWO look like a baseball site, how about a shopping bag or something? And the writing icon is really unclear, at firls I thought it was gift box.

@ Jess: Always so positive:p Come on dear, give it a chance, I'm sure it'll look better once you get used to it.

[jordanisonfire]

Just because it's retarded doesn't mean we shouldn't respect it.

^^

[Rouge]

Just because it's retarded doesn't mean we shouldn't respect it.

^^

Kinda like you, right? :laugh:

I like it Andy. ^^ Good job on making it.

[Starry]

Honestly, I don't know if I like the new format. I like the various unused links being cleared away, but it took me WAY too long to find the "New Posts" link.

And I might just be hallucinating, but I think the boxes for posts looked different before...softer, more curved or something? And I think I liked that way better. This whole format may be more efficient, but it just isn't as pretty.

Also, did the title of the site used to be centered? I don't remember anymore, but now it looks funny to me...

[jordanisonfire]

Kinda like you, right? :laugh:


...

Stfu, Adri.

Nah, just kidding, I knew you'd say that. XP

[Andy]

Oh thanks Andy.
And I have a suggestion, could we change the little icons for writing and store? The store one makes YWO look like a baseball site, how about a shopping bag or something? And the writing icon is really unclear, at firls I thought it was gift box.
I'll think about it. Should be easy to do.

[Jessica]

I don't like how everything on the top got downsized. The whole 'trying to look fancy' thing makes the site look noobish. I liked the simple style. I think it was unnecessary to have changed it when nothing was wrong before.

"If it's not broken, don't fix it"

[jordanisonfire]

...so we can't improve? o_O

Anyway, I thought the last style looked more noobish than this one. The last one was so simple, it made it look as though the site was new. This one actually shows everything we have to offer off, so it makes us look cooler.

[Andy]

I don't like how everything on the top got downsized. The whole 'trying to look fancy' thing makes the site look noobish. I liked the simple style. I think it was unnecessary to have changed it when nothing was wrong before.

"If it's not broken, don't fix it"
I agree with that statement completely, but you compared the old look to almost any other site, it was a mess. Links spanning two gray bars, some menus, some not. And too many floating boxes.

Now, everything is all sorted together, with room for new links to be added if they're needed, and I highly doubt the look will be changed anytime in the near future.

[Jessica]

Does it show you when people are in the chatroom?

[Phantom]

I like this new format. A lot.

[Shaun]

If this format still remains confusing for folks we could probably come up with a small tutorial. But otherwise I hope it works out for you all.

[Majyk]

What ever happened to the YWO Facebook link that used to be up there? Just curious.

[Shaun]

Yeah, where did that go?

You know what would be a good addition to the new navigation menu? A "Connect" icon/tab with a dropdown menu listing all our various Interwebs YWO things such as Bebo, Facebook, Myspace, etc etc etc. Might be a good idea.

It would also be cool to have a list of member blogs and what not in the future too! I can do that, Andy. Really, I can do an HTML list :D. That's easy stuff and it would make me feel useful in the coding department. I could even do it as a table if you want!

[Nyx]

Where are the statistics?:O

[Shaun]

You're right, Nyx, where are the statistics? Clearly we're not finished with the new layout :P

[Majyk]

Also, I don't think the calendar is around.

[appleofmyeye]

Honestly, I never really figured out the old layout. I think it was a few weeks ago that I knew were the User CP was :P. I like the new layout, and I love Shaun's idea of a Connect menu. I don't feel like asking everyone for their Facebook or Myspace, lol.

[Shaun]

Well, we'll need to work on the layout to include everything in it. If you guys could keep pointing out things that seem to be missing, that would be great so we can make sure it all gets where it belongs!

[Andy]

Does it show you when people are in the chatroom?
Yes, a number appears next to "Chat." An option to see the users chatting will also appear in the menu if this is the case.

Yeah, where did that go?

You know what would be a good addition to the new navigation menu? A "Connect" icon/tab with a dropdown menu listing all our various Interwebs YWO things such as Bebo, Facebook, Myspace, etc etc etc. Might be a good idea.

It would also be cool to have a list of member blogs and what not in the future too! I can do that, Andy. Really, I can do an HTML list :D. That's easy stuff and it would make me feel useful in the coding department. I could even do it as a table if you want!
Sounds like a good idea. I'll look into it.

Where are the statistics?:O
Also, I don't think the calendar is around.
Wow. I forgot those. Will add very soon. ;)

[Jessica]

I don't like how the PM box and forum links are above the YWO logo. when I have a notification I never see it because it doesn't stand out due to the fact it's hidden all the way in the corner.

[Rouge]

The statistics things are under FAQ thing on the left side.
>.< If no one knew where they were.

[Majyk]

The statistics things are under FAQ thing on the left side.
>.< If no one knew where they were.

Oh, is that where they went to? :p Thanks for that. I don't usually look at the FAQs.

[Lizzie]

I am getting used to it. Nicely done. But I do think its better for new users since they didn't know what it was like before. All in all though. Nice job! :)