In my eyes, the top page is looking to be a mess. One of the challenges of web design is to cater for first time visitors and regular readers.
Regular readers know what they want and there is probably a load of stuff they dont want to see on the top page.
Stuffing a ton of content down new visitors throats is not a good thing too so I plan to make it so that the first time visitor only sees a certain amount of info. The "member news" and "currently read articles" probably does not make sense to the new reader. I would surface these features to them after they have visited for a while.
This is why I'm going to introduce a personalized top page where you can choose what you want to show up.
At the moment you can choose to hide widgets but they still load with the page - they are only hidden.
Im thinking of having 5 columns that show my news items, member news items, articles, latest comments and puchi blurbs. That way you will be able to see at a glance whats going on throughout the site. You can remove any of the columns etc.
Before I proceed however, I need your feedback as to what you dont use (for example "currently read articles, japan news etc), and what do you read all the time. Would also like to know what gets on your nut about the top page and navigation in general. Please be brutal with your feedback as that will help me build better for you.
Forgot to mention that the new personalized page will show your inbox too - the member to member messaging that Im designing now.
Posted on 2008/05/18 20:08
Director/代表取締役
登録日: 2006/12/11 11:06
Writer/Academic/Code Monkey
登録日: 2007/01/03 12:07
I think having both top bar and the tab bar makes it a bit too cluttered. There are few things that I would think are more sub-set of other items, for instance, 'Videos' would be a subset of 'Member News' and 'Mascot' would be under 'About'.
Also there are duplicates of the top bar with the sub tabs. So what I mean to say is that there are too many tabs and a consolidation of topics would be good :)
Oh just one question Danny, right at the bottom of the page there's a 10 digit number in parentheses, on the frontage it is next to "Since 2000" just wondering what that is?
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
登録日: 2006/12/31 22:48
I have been much wondering about that myself. It is not a site ID at least.
My pinky says it's the total number of comments so far, but I may be wrong.
Tell us Danny, pretty please! *laughs*
Programmer
登録日: 2007/10/08 03:57
I was putting about the bars and all, but He wrote first. So I agreed with him. Just add the "Remove the Search from the top".
6pack in Space, The Final Frontier
Lost in time
登録日: 2008/03/20 12:43
i guess the 10 digit number might be the total page hits the site has received till now.
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
登録日: 2006/12/31 22:48
Aha! Yes, you're probably right.
It looks so much not like a site counter that I overlooked that possibility.
Director/代表取締役
登録日: 2006/12/11 11:06
Its just a unix timestamp to enable me to check if the caching is working correctly or not ^^;
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
登録日: 2006/12/31 22:48
I seriously love the current design... And when it comes to parts I don't really care about (Sorry, it's the truth), I just skip them.
Of course, if it's about images here and there, that may take some time and bandwidth for people who have low-speed connections... But myself am fine.
Yes, this option would be welcome!
And finally as for this private messenging service, why not, if it doesn't use too much of your server's capacity. By the way, if people wish to contact me directly (e-mail, MSN), they can (Can I ask you to be an intermediate person then, Danny? Thanks, lol), just no spam, no scam, no virus. ^^; Thanks!
All round good guy and musician
登録日: 2008/07/14 00:49
I have to agree. I like the site as it is, and poor Danny, I think you've opened a can of worms asking for others' advice! However, perhaps having the tabs AND the icons at the top of the page AND the recent history on the left side is a bit too much?
I use the tabs and/or the sub-headings underneath most of the time, whereas when first using the site, I used the icons.
I like to have items in each heading organised by date, so that I can see what pieces of news I may have missed.
I am currently catching up on the bits I've missed, which is taking forever. Thank goodness this site keeps it's history (unlike some of the outside links!!).
Student
登録日: 2008/03/14 04:42
3 tabbars + sidebar + image menu is indeed too much. ^^
I think 1 image menu and 1 tabbar is sufficient.
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
登録日: 2006/12/31 22:48
Amusingly I never paid attention to them (Surely because I never use them). Good point there.
Student
登録日: 2007/11/25 06:34
I didn't think it was a bother until you mention it; it is probably because I rarely use the tags; I usually use the image button in the header.
Well, not only that, but visitors in the screenshot you added see no content whatsoever but 500 headlines until they start scrolling. As a blog, I guess the most interesting thing is always the new post's content. The rest of the things… not really interested.
Anyway, I follow you through RSS, so the design of your webpage is not so much of an issue.
Student
登録日: 2007/08/22 12:50
To be honest, the google ad-bar on the top is really ruining things... but no other complaints from me. As long as the good stuff keeps coming, that is. ;)
Student
登録日: 2007/12/12 21:53
You can hide em now... but it doesnt really matter anyways cuz I don't pay much attention to the Google ads
Raven, AMV & MAD maker, Otaku
登録日: 2008/01/02 12:55
hmmmm. how about adding a chat box in the dannychoo page, that way we would be able to talk to eachother whenever we are online lol ^^;;
Programmer
登録日: 2007/10/08 03:57
Use the Puchi for this :) It wasn't the purpose, but I see many ppl using for chat.
Programmer
登録日: 2008/04/05 04:36
Sry danny, but I think the current site is perfect.
A personalized top page would be great but I think the current site show the perfekt numbers article und news.
Student
登録日: 2008/03/22 13:45
I only discovered your site a few months ago, and my initial impression was something along the lines of "that was a really interesting article.. but wtf are all of these options and htf can I find more interesting articles". It really does feel like you're swimming through a sea of possible tabs and options which make it easy for a new user to feel completely lost.
The image nav-bar at the top + 3 tab bars is definitely over kill and really leads to confusion at first as to which one you should even be looking at for whatever you want from the site.
Of course, that is also because there's a lot of things that the site offers so such options are necessary to be shown somewhere.. just having it all on the front page your first time is totally overwhelming. Hiding most of it from new visitors is probably a good idea, but I would also suggest adding some kind of "tutorial" which shows for newly registered users which gives an overview of all these hidden options.. just so people are aware of what's there as if it's hidden there can well be features people would love to use but just don't know about.
Admin
登録日: 2008/05/18 20:28
Yeah, two menu bars (the image one at the very top and the text one above "Articles being read right now") is rather repetitive.
Perhaps you can gather some of the boxes (such as the Latest News Items or Puchi Burbs) under a menu. This would probably help to make the front page look less cluttered.
Copywriter
登録日: 2008/02/23 14:42
anyway of moving the ads by google down? way down? hah
Director/代表取締役
登録日: 2006/12/11 11:06
I will remove it for members or something.
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
登録日: 2006/12/31 22:48
Don't you need the money? I do click on them, I swear... Don't pull out that little pleasure from me! lol.
dannychoo.com no aidokusha
登録日: 2007/12/25 23:02
yea i guess you dont really have to move the ads away..its just taking a tiny portion..btw its part of your source of income to run the site.
its good as long as there are no pop-ups, pop-unders or irritating flash ads
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
登録日: 2006/12/31 22:48
*folds arms and nods repeatedly*
宅男 Otaku/ 工程师 Engineer
登録日: 2007/06/11 14:57
the google ads can stay but may i suggest instead of text ads, why not change it to text button ads? it saves space and won't look so obvious as ads. in fact i think it might get more people to click on it. ^^;
Director/代表取締役
登録日: 2006/12/11 11:06
I find that regular users dont click on the google ads so it does not make sense to have them there for regular users. Just thought of a nice menu - going off to make some sketches ^^;
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
登録日: 2006/12/31 22:48
Bad, regular users! Villains! lol
Is currently idle for 1 second/s.
登録日: 2008/05/04 02:07
haha sorry it's my third post... but...
I have a question. I really, really have a certain mistrust for net ads even if it's google. Do they really get intentional clicks form net browsers...I mean the ads that are similar to the ones displayed here? I've been victim to frightening pr0n content that scarred my internet-naive days but yes, I do wonder about it
6pack in Space, The Final Frontier
Lost in time
登録日: 2008/03/20 12:43
the links on top are getting duplicated three times.
Just move the Latest news, settings box and the articles being read right now, etc tab box to end of the column.
rest is alright.
dannychoo.com no aidokusha
登録日: 2007/12/25 23:02
this might sound abit challenging but anyway...
i would suggest total custom-ability to the regular reader. have a page where they get to tick/untick which segment they want on their landing page.
one good example of this is My Yahoo! (http://my.yahoo.com) - u need a yahoo account for this.
Try visiting My Yahoo! to understand what i mean. they allow the users to select what type of news, articles and even allow them to drag and rearrange where those articles should appear.
happy coding!!
GiafLop in ラガナ、 フィリピン (Laguna, Philippines)
Student
登録日: 2007/11/25 14:15
Yeah nice option you have there since that site is more of a friendly user, may DC as well 'cause this site is getting bigger, it's better to have a new look on the site and keep it clean and arranged, I do not use much of the top page menu since top page are messy if you look at first.
Perhaps consolidating features into specific sub pages (eg. a "member communication page set", an "article viewing/nav page set") would work well for reducing the UI clutter you have. I think the ideal is for a user to be on any arbitrary page/function, with the content they desire, in 1-3 clicks, clearly not possible for a novice user of this site.
Page layout has also come to lack consistency, and in particular there are pages with a variety of different sidebar layouts and even page widths (shouldn't you have all content in a fixed width central column - long lines are thought to be difficult to read) - a similar look and feel, as well as a more logical arrangement would help matters, for example primary/active content in the middle, supplementary/navigable content in the wide sidebar, and site and nav features in the narrow bar. Saves scanning the page each time you need a particular function.
Finally, some sort of content introduction feature is essential on the top - I'm not sure what is possible so I'll refrain from suggestions, but having as much of the site visible from the initial landing page is desirable as you doubtless understand better than I.
Student
登録日: 2008/01/15 09:55
Yes, the top page is getting rather busy.. Being able to customize what loads (not just what appears) would be great.
My biggest complaint however, is the way the member news is displayed. If member news were displayed more like standard news items (with a bit of description text as well as a picture), I would read far more of it. It is hard to guess what a news item is about based solely on a picture and category.
Of course, displaying member news with text descriptions would take up a great deal of space. Perhaps make a "detailed description" display mode an option, and allow members to filter news by category...
宅男 Otaku/ 工程师 Engineer
登録日: 2007/06/11 14:57
danny as for your question, i seldom (or never) check out the "currently read articles and japan news"
the one i read most of the time are news items, main articles and member news.
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
登録日: 2007/12/04 23:16
Military/米国空軍
登録日: 2008/04/16 16:31
film student
登録日: 2007/11/25 09:34
Agreed. Those are the only ones I read, aside from the Puchi blurbs. I read those too.
I think that pretty much the entire tab bar on the main page is useless. I may not have joined long - third, fourth quarter of 2007 - but I don't recall having used it once. The only time I used that bar was when I was going through my own profile and stuff.
student
登録日: 2008/01/09 00:24
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
登録日: 2006/12/31 22:48
Same here, as I generally am updated on the latest articles. The most difficult part is to see if there have been replies to my comments or not in the various articles.
Student
登録日: 2008/02/17 19:31
i actually rather like the current layout of the site frontpage
everything is easily accessible (yeah, duplicates can/should be removed), organised into main catergories, and split where nessesary
i can understand where a first timer would have hell trying to figure out what's going on here so i'd suggest you leave it as-is for 'members' (with a few adjustments. i'm sure there are going to be great suggestions) and create a slightly simillar layout for guests with simplifications.
That way, guests who become members, feel kinda special when they get to see the 'full treatment' when they become a member. I guess this would reduce your workload (abit) and give you a chance to do a complete overhaul without affecting too many existing users who already like the current frontpage.
ps: a simplified guest frontpage should NOT have what would be considered NSFW.
This should/could hopefully lessen the 'shock' effect on new 'japanophiles' and possibly allow your site to recategorised away from 'pornography' as we saw in the Germany posts
Student
登録日: 2008/02/17 19:31
Also, i don't think you need the "Articles being read right now" section.
i just don't think anyone cares about that.....does anyone???
You should probably add an 'Archive' section/tab with posts organised by:
Default: Date/Time of post
User selection: tags or 'Categories'
Personally, I never use the top menu. I mean, I just read the new things via RSS, and thats it.
I think the confusing part is the TONS of image everywhere. There are 100+ images on the main page? Or more?
Tami in Germany - Cologne
WebDesign, Coding, Administration
登録日: 2007/12/16 10:42
Hmm, the design is nice, no doubt.
As for what i use and what not...
I mainly view the News and Articles, then the Puchiblurbs and once in a while the member news as sometimes a pearl is inside of them. ^^;
Other then that i harldy use anything else, though to prepare for my japan adventure in a few years i might will need you articles about japan.
Then again, even though i don't really use the image navigation on the top, it's a nice optical feature and the space is thus that well used imo.
What i have noticed is, that sometimes people tend to ask in the blurbs about the "search" function, seems they don't see it in the image navigation... maybe just move that to the sidebar or so. o.o
Is currently idle for 1 second/s.
登録日: 2008/05/04 02:07
hahaha omg. I feel kinda dumb or something...there *IS* a search function...omg omg omg and I don't know of it!!!!! Not that I'm exactly new :|
Anyway, danny please don't ignore that overlooked function SEARCH!!!
^_^;; gomen ne? my first post indicated for an archive search...mostly because I did not know *it* exists. I know it's pretty tough coding but well, it'll also help so avid fans will enjoy regardless if they're new or whatnot ^^
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
登録日: 2006/12/31 22:48
No worries, it was hidden at a time under the "Site map" link and page (again, well done Edward for finding it!). I also thought that that function was dropped. So umm yeah!
Is currently idle for 1 second/s.
登録日: 2008/05/04 02:07
*sweatdrop*
oh well 'till then...I'll have to content myself using google/yahoo to find it. Kinda easier to just type "danny choo" + whatever on firefox quick search ^^;
film student
登録日: 2007/11/25 09:34
I...was also totally unaware there was a search function. I'm still not going to use it, but yeah.
I don't remember the last time I've seen a website display more than 4 columns at once.
Do you mean choosing content from a pool of 5, but keeping the 3-column layout?
I do use the Japan News links when I find myself refreshing dc.com too often out of addiction.
I rarely use the navigation tabs because I much prefer navigating by wandering around, especially for member news because the thumbnail is the important first impression.
Because of this, member news has reconditioned my behavior somewhat.
The thing that gets on my nut about the header sections that you last made "square," is that I recently have wanted to view the specific item represented by that thumbnail, rather than going to that section.
I also had an idea for the header thumbnails: would it problematic that you exclude thumbnails from the rotation once you have interacted with their respective article?
kaeze in Melbourne, Australia, Earth
Illustrator & Designer
登録日: 2007/04/09 18:37
I can totally see what you mean about regular readers vs newbies when it comes to content and friendly userability and design of your site's front page, Danny.
As a regular reader (I browse very quickly at work once or twice and read fully when I get home) I always read the Articles and the News posts. I also read as much of the Member News posts as I can but don't worry as much if I missed a few. The hero pic usually decides whether I click through or not.
I hardly ever click the "Articles being read right now..." or the "This time last year..." posts (btw, that Hide this widget didn't work the last 2 times I tried it) unless I see something that I haven't seen before.
Don't think I've ever clicked any of the Japan News links yet.
I've found recently that I use the search page a few times because I'd remember reading an old article previously and wanted to read it again.
Hope my feedback helps.
Evil King in Vlaardingen, the Netherlands, Earth
Student and full-time otaku
登録日: 2007/12/19 00:24
All rightie then, here goes Danny.
First of all, I don't think the top page is that much of a mess, but it is true that since you introduced all the new features, things have gotten somewhat muddled.
What I always use/read:
-Main news
-Member news
-Articles read right now
-Puchi blurbs
What I (almost) never use
-Japan news
-This time last year
What bugs me
-Google ads at the top. But maybe this is required if you incorporate google ads, I don't know, but anyway, its like 3 cm wasted space. So maybe but it at the bottom/right side?
My opinions/suggestions:
-Keep uppermost top bar as-is; the figure/japan/gundam links are handy. This also goes for the tabs right under the google ads. This makes for good navigation and is not overwhelming to new visitors imo.
-Working with columns is a great idea, but be sure to give your own news the best place. After all, it's your site and personally I think your articles are always the best read
-Don't work with 'toggling' certain features on/off. If possible, you should encorporate this in the account control panel, so that people can make things the way they want in one location
-Finally, the ultimate gizmo would of course be the possibility to place categories whereever you want to make a custom page. Again this could be incorporated in the account control panel, but I don't know how difficult it is.
Anyways, that's about it. I hope it's useful and I think its great that you take that much care of your reader's whishes. Good luck with the inevitable coding. Can't wait for member-member messaging and of course the figure contest ^^
Is currently idle for 1 second/s.
登録日: 2008/05/04 02:07
Hi danny...was wondering the widgets contain new news right? I mean the middle column with the larger pictures? I dunno but I find the widget kind obtrusive at times as I couldn't figure whether to look over at the member features or scrutinize over DC news so here goes mine (This is probably a result of me being a former lay-out ed):
1. Place DC news on one column with the newest features on top and the member news on the side? The load of random text kind of scares me off not that i'm a newbie
2. Add a search function to past archives? It kind of sucks for me when I want to show friends very old news and I have to pile out all news items before spotting them
3. Maybe moving the pucchi blurbs under the profile so it kind of makes sense. You know grouping? The pucchi text entry area is on the right but we see it on the left...somewhat defeating the purpose of leisurely eye eposure
4. The topmost navigation is okay, I guess
5. The Menu. Maybe put it in a separate page? While putting it in the main page reduces the clicks needed to edit profile, etc...I don't find it most necessary unless you make this the place to customize the planned "hiding" of content.
Well that's it and I hope it...er..helps even a little?
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
登録日: 2006/12/31 22:48
Upon thinking more about it, I feel that would be nice to remove the links and pictures of the main banner and put a lying down picture of Mirai-chan, such as the one chun did (yoko pai Mirai? Yeah, the very one of her with yoko pai)
6pack in Space, The Final Frontier
Lost in time
登録日: 2008/03/20 12:43
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
登録日: 2006/12/31 22:48
Oy buddy, not necessarily the naked version of her. If Danny could put the bikini one it would be awesome already. LOL ^^;;;
Art/Media Student (Wannabe Illustrator)
登録日: 2006/12/28 05:39
For me as a reg. member, I skip the google ads and head straight to the members news, DC news, latest articles and puchi blurbs ^^;;
I have not customised anything yet.
The messaging, PM system sounds nice, forums tend to have them. I think its a good way to communicate with each other . :D
Indication on how many users online feature? (Its a bit redundant but I have my shot in giving ideas HAHA).
Student (for-ev-er)
登録日: 2008/02/21 08:37
As a regular I have a rutine (spelling?) I run through everytime I visit. I check all new articles and new items from danny and then check the member news for anything that catches my eye, usually 2d girls.
My gripe is the way member news categories are organized. Categories like 'games' or 'tech' don't get any face time on the front page and therefore may or may not be read, which is disappointing if you've written an article and can't figure out if everyone hates it or never saw it. Easily fixed though, just adding tiles for those unrepresented categories. Besides that, I don't see much use for puchi blurbs, though they are neat sometimes.
Looking forward to my inbox and a custom front page!
Afro-ed Student
登録日: 2007/12/15 09:57
Realized at one time I was spending WAY too much time on your site, so now I only use:
-Main news
-Latest News Items
Used to use puchi blurbs too. As for member news, I don't read that at all.
宅男 Otaku/ 工程师 Engineer
登録日: 2007/06/11 14:57
u should read the members' news. show some support to our fellow members. ^^
Afro-ed Student
登録日: 2007/12/15 09:57
With so many members, I'm ASSUMING there are going to be lots of posts. If so, it's gonna be hard for me to keep up without spending lots more time here, but will give reading member news a go.
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
登録日: 2007/01/09 14:33
actually some of the member news are really entertaining too LOL (which is why danny hijack them at times!)
Undine
登録日: 2008/05/20 21:19
One tab bar of choices might be a nice idea, instead of the two that now appear on the main page. (So you'd have banner, ads, tab bar and under that side by side news, articles and left vertical bar.)
I haven't felt the 'This time last year' feature on the article section contributed much for me persoanlly when reading the site, I found it a bit distracting even.
But that's a personal experience.
The this time last year feature serves as an indication of progress, for me.
I haven't been here for a year, but I think it's useful to chart where I fit in the community with regards to common knowledge/historical developments.
That said, I don't think anyone bumps year-old articles (or do they)?
Student
登録日: 2008/01/08 23:56
I use the main, otaku.fm, member news.
Yesterday for the first time I used the option on top.
Maybe is time for a little clean up, because the newbies (no offense) could be really lost. I know what I´m looking for. ;)
NEET
登録日: 2008/02/17 09:28
It sure is a bit messy, and hard to find for a newcomer, but I love it.
I'm using the main, otaku.fm and figure.fm most of the time. Looking into members new and puchi sometime.
About the banner, I would probably remove the tabs there, and put (as some already comment) Mirai-chan there, probably. ^^,
Though, I can't see where the tabs should go at the moment.
danny, i'm going to post a screen shot that i edited using photoshop.
hope it be helpful to you
not very good with photoshop software though and some of my views on top page.
fellow member are wellcome to add comments too.
freelance digital artist
登録日: 2007/12/21 02:48
One of my concern is the member's profile section (where you can easily edit , check , etc your profile). Guess you can just simplify it like have the avatar or a simple text link where it could lead them to another page wherein they can do all the editing / checking of their account. I believe once a member does have its account accessed they don't usually go edit it except when they wanted to change pic.
freelance digital artist
登録日: 2007/12/21 02:48
... okay, what i am referring to is the "Your Menu" *crap* and yeah maybe you could add a "edit comment" for comments to avoid flooding like this one >_<
