new FreeBSD-webpage

[Tuomo Latto]

Greg Barniskis wrote:
> Dan Ponte wrote:
>>>I doubt the primary goal here
>>>was to appear trendy.
>>
>>Well, it certainly seems as if that was one of the goals, seeing how the
>>new site uses quite a few new webdesign concepts that came into
>>existence in the past few years, while providing little benefit in the
>>way of content or usability.
> 
> well, usability is not an entirely objective measure, but there are 
> objective aspects to it. Like, not having to scroll to find crucial 
> navigation links and the Search box, or to see what the latest 

You forget the number 1 rule:
Thou shalt not add to the number of clicks required.

Scrolling is always preferable to clicking since it requires less
effort and has a better response time.


> security advisory was. Like, reducing 20-30 headings in big "stacks" 
> to clearly bounded clusters of "7 +/- 2", fostering rapid 
> understanding. I think usability is measurably up.

Reducing headings in clearly defined sections to less clearly
defined links improves usability?


> I suppose in sense it does break down in a way that the old site was 
> "more usable" for experts (usable once one had studied on it awhile, 
> that is), while the new layout might be more usable for newbies. But 
> that doesn't mean it was "for newbies". I like it, and I've been 
> poking at the web site for a decade now. I was put off for maybe 15 
> secs the first time I looked at it, then I started to accept and 
> appreciate (aw, who can resist that big smilin' Beastie ;).

I like the beastie too. But that's about it.


> It's got some quirks. I'm seeing some more things suffer from fixed 
> widths (and fixed heights, like the mirror selector widget -- px is 
> just not the most user-friendly unit of measure), but the path it's 
> on seems a good one. Like Kris said, if you've got a specific 
> problem, constructively suggest a specific solution (other than just 
> reverting).

I see now that the powers that be have already decided that this
is the way of the future (good grief). I see it in the comments
to peoples' reactions and in the way the whole thing was planned
in relative secrecy and then just dropped on the rest of us.
I suppose I should at least try to minimize the damage on my behalf.

So, here's a specific and constructive suggestion:
Add on a clearly visible place on the front page a link pointing
to the old site and keep the old site updated as well.
How about "Not new to FreeBSD?" under the "New to FreeBSD?"?


Here's another: Make all headings links.
If I want to see all security advisories, I don't want to have to search
for that little "More". Instead, I'd prefer to click on the heading and
get the security advisory page.

But where are the advisories on that page? Oh, *now* I have to scroll..
That table of contents is squeezed between the introduction and
the rest of the content. It is customary to have table of contents first
so people can actually umm.. you know.. find it.


-- 
Tuomo

... I am willing to make the mistakes if someone else is willing to
    learn from them
                                -- Ways for Personal Growth
                                   http://www.ericbair.com/humor/PerGrowth.txt