Portal Userbility

If I were a new user, I think the top page mock-up you have above would be a great start. It's clean and simple, avoiding unnecessary confusion and possible frustration. I can see at a glance what your site is about, and that there's more underneath (e.g. "Secret Menu"). Thumbs up from me, there.

As for what I'd like to see in a page, I'm comfortable with what I see now when I stop by. While moving to a flickr-type of format may be more graphics friendly, I think it loses some of the charm of your sites current setup. Like you say above, the flickr version looks a little plain. Of course, I'm not as net-saavy as some folk on the site, so my feedback may not be the most useful when it comes to this. Aesthetically, though, I like the current look when I hang out, here. ^_^

I think you need to hire a secretary to read/answer all those new messages :D

Thanks danny for adding me on flickr ^^!

Hey Danny, I added you on my flickr, waiting for your approval =p. Btw, you are hosting your pictures on flickr and not your server anymore? Cuz when I click on the images in the articles, it gets redirected to flickr.

For first time users, this mockup looks good. It is most important to have a clear distinction between the most important 'pillars' (anime, figures, japan), so that they see what it is all about. In that sense, small thumbs with description work well.

I stick with what I said earlier though: for regular visitors, the current design is very appropriate. It is good to have big images of new articles in the center, and small ones for the member news and danny news items. Because only small ones makes the site look somewhat dull, especially since you are no longer 'overwhelmed' because you are a regular visitor.

Neat little tweaks that I would like also for the regulars are the scrolling slideshow (scroll through all recent articles in one frame and click what you like), the color options (although orange will probably stay my default...) and maybe the ability to customize where everything goes on the main page).

As always, great work Danny; can't wait to see it finished ^^

One of those 294 messages is mine! (maybe or maybe you just erase it T_T )
I think that your Flickr idea is great, three columns full of information could be really intimidating for the first time visitor. Just keep it simple!
n_n /

Cool concept, I think it makes new readers feel more at home when using DC.com... And why are all the articles titled "iPhone trooper"?

not a flickr fan here. nor have I ever intended to make an account with that site.

Indeed the site has been getting more and more cluttery. Splitting it between new and old user versions sounds like a fine way to resolve the tension which leads to that clutter.

I do like the fancy top graphics the page has, but at the same time I'd appreciate something simpler for a personalized layout, which can show me the stuff I want to check without my having to open any new pages. A simpler, more utilitarian layout would be suitable.

before i spam my comment, i have to say this. "Sorry!!: ^_^;; Now, read on..

if I am a new user, I would think that the above mock page has too much information. The "Current Users click here" is gonna be a big turn off for new users, I think. What went thru my mind was "??? Is there any difference?" moves on to click it, BooM!!.. You might wanna hide it at some other place though...make it small and tiny too ^_^;;

The articles of different catergories can/Must be cut down to 2 per category. the 2 articles has to be the most read articles, with high viewership and high comments, etc....

is it possible to keep buttons in drop down bars? Not sure if u like it, but it will be a lil bit neater. 400px header is ZOMG BIG!!! Lol

Last question before I say "Shorry for the comment.", but have you thought of the overall hierarchy you want a new user to see before exploring this site further?

Shorry for the comment. ^_^;;;

The different approach for the new and old visitors sound a great idea. For the old users, things are and will be how they like it, and new users get cleaner and more focused interface. A win for both:)

i agree with the general consensus that the mock up is great for first timers new to the site.

a large 400px image in what sense? it is a permanent fixture, or is it an image for each individual article?

as for the flickr top page, i do think that if the site becomes too graphical, you lose what readers are here for, the content. what's attractive about the current design is the fact that with the main articles lined up in the middle and taking up a substantial amount of space on the site, it can effectively draw the reader's attention. By relegating them to say a thumbnail accompanied by a small excerpt, you lose that attractiveness.

To illustrate, let me talk about my own experience here. When i first came to the site, my first impression was "woah, that a really big pic in the middle there!", which in turn prompted me the reader into reading the excerpt below. after which if it's interesting, i click on that article to delve deeper. Consequently, i became an avid reader of the site.

I am also concerned about the compromise you would have to make if you would to adopt a flickr layout. The current article section is pretty informative, with the number of comments to indicate its popularity, comments below as well as a poll if any. If you were to put them up as thumbnails, wouldn't the space constraints prevent ya from putting up those informative details. Small as they may, they are still informative!

my suggestion, keep the top layout of the mock up, incorporate the old design below. Sounds kinda weird when i put this in writing hmm.... ah well just my thoughts hurhur

I like the familiar as a common thing, but I will accept and embrace the change. Because if not how we will go anywhere in the world? lol. The changes may confuse me at first, but I will get used to them.

While this site is primarily about Figures and living in Japan, I thought most new users spent a lot of time exploring the Idols section. It is easy to see that you have moved away from the Idols as the primary focus for this site, but I am not sure having Idols off the front page will help keep first time visitors.

"Living in Tokyo.
Enjoying figures.
Feeling slightly ecchi."

I love the mockup you've done, it's awesome and it looks very clean :) it will be a good change. As a registered user I'd like to have the possibility to choose the sections on the home page, for example, I like a lot your posts about living in Japan so it'd be wonderful to see my favourite category on the home page.

Cheers!

Oh, and I forgot to tell you that I'm having troubles when logging in. Once I've filled the username and password fields and press Enter, the site reloads and it doesn't take me to my panel, instead I have to clic the button to continue; it's not a big deal but sometimes I think that I've forgot my login info until I remember that pressing enter key is not working.

I'm using Safari 3 and Firefox 3 on Mac OS X Leopard and it's the same thing on both browsers

Ah, so much feedback already, not much left for me to say except good job Danny.
Your site did go truh a fast evolution in the past months, you coding devil you.
Would like to see a counter on how much snacks and drinks you used while coding it haha.

The design looks very user friendly for someone who is new to your site. But I am just curious though, It seems your front page no longer has the Member News section, or has that been moved?

I forgot how I first stumbled upon Dannychoo.com but the thing that kept me here was the top categories that showed what this site featured: Japan, Anime, Idols, etc. Though probably the thing that fascinated me the most was life in Japan. I sat for 4-5 hours each day for about a week reading every single Life in Japan article. Was extremely fasinating.

I like the big picture in the middle (Mikuru), this way new users don't get scared of lots of news and a picture is worth thousand words.
Is Member news, Puchi, Comments etc. in the secret menu? (good name btw:D)
The button is also a good idea but you need a better name (imo). Something where you know instantly what's it for and it doesn't make new visitors feel like they are not welcome. Funny but not very useful ideas: 'shortcut to candy girls', 'Visit Mirai':D

Here is my thoughts, here goes...
The mockup for new/first time visitor is very good, clean n simple.

For current readers/user/member--
I like the new header and very much prefer the current layout below the new header. Like the current mouse over and mouse click dropdown menu. Like the columns of thumbnails with title, descriptions not really a must when I click "all" on the sub-tab. Don't need a 400 pixel image on the top page as it will really crawl when you have a series of images in your post.

Danny, would you include thumbnails in the search results, it would really help to reduce repost and also if I want to locate a past article.
Danny, as you say when I click on the current user tab, a dropdown menu will appear for customizing. Does it include login for members????, or will I be directed to a login page which will load my preferenced top page????? I did not see a login on the mockup and you did not mention anything. Is the secret menu for members login???? Lastly, keep the "current reader click here" tab smaller. You might also want to change it to "Regulars click here" or just "Regulars".

I like the idea of making the home page really simple like that--it makes it more accessible for new users and regular readers like me usually never even see it because many of us just follow the RSS feeds and go directly to the articles from there.

The new-user frontpage is great, IMO. For the customized frontpage, I like the idea of columns/blocks by category or content type.(Like you can have a section for figures, one for member news, another for puchi blurbs,etc.) It would also be great if the current style of the drop-down menus stay, since I find that they make navigating much easier.

::Off Topic:: @ Danny
Danny, one question.
Do you have MYSPACE?
If not, someone has created one under the name Danny.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=399394024

I like it!

you have a very big header there ^^. it definitely looks much cleaner. i think identifying the strongest content and putting it right on top is a good move for reeling in first time visitors. do you really need an 'about' in the middle column though? you have it in the menu bar and probably in "learn more about this site"?

So here are my 2 Cent:
I like the mockup.Its clean and not so overwhelming for a new user like the current layout.The only thing id change is the current readers click here.I guess itll make a newcomer curious why you differ between them and regulars.It could make them feel odd.
Rename it to Log in or something like that.This way it isnt so tempting for the newcomers to click.The Mainfocus should indeed be Life in Japan and Figurines because thats the Mainattraction for new readers.Id make more space for the Japan Posts since they attract a broader audience than Figures.How about 3 FigurePosts and 5 Japanposts on the mainpage?Hmmm...Your Tagline...I dont know..it lacks some of your Danny-humour^^

Now what id like to see as a regular reader.While i really enjoy your Posts i actually come back numerous times of the day to check out the your and the membernews.Id like to see a good accesibility to them.I like your current layout right now alot but thats the only thing i think could use some improvement.

Sorry for my engrish its already late here^^

hope that helped

I love clean and simple.

You just love curtailing my desire to read the latest eh? ^^. These new features take things to a whole new level. I approve. If I were in the shoes of a new person, commenting as I am now I believe that the design not only reflects the major content of your sight- I think it says a lot about Japan and Otakuism as a whole.

It's nice and simple so no one will get lost since the navigation is there when you enter and the reader gets a glimpse at what's new in one shot so that's a plus...all in all it's a great job!!!

I'm not good at things in designing so whatever the changes are I will gladly accept. Well, to at least expand my opinion, I like simple interfaces at start-ups and more complicated one's when I logged in.

I had wondered why I suddenly got a rash of friend's requests from Danny at various websites. Now I see why, he was taking a look at how the big portals are doing things right now.

Well, if I were in a new mem's shoes, I think the mock up is just right. Gives a taste of what most people are looking for without overwhelming them. Looks clean and unintimidating. However, I think there should be more of an emphasis in the "About" column to indicate that this is only entrance to something bigger to get me curious enough to return/explore and possibly become a regular reader.

As for the new mem motto, it works but could use a little memorable DC flair. Let us know if you come up with anything more catchy. ^^; For the button, I think it should entice newbies to eventually click it to welcome them into the circle. Something like "regular readers gateway". Just something that doesn't necessarily seperate them.

As a regular, I don't really need large 400px images. Just the meat and potatoes of the site so it loads quickly for those that come here often. Sorry for lateness, long day.

Orange is like an icon to DC.com dated back in 2002, so it should not be replace ^^
I personally would prefer first home page to be featured/summary of info about what DC.com is (the current setup is fine), but the priority will be to let it load faster.

I like the new user page. I think it will help new readers to get started.

Yes, you could give us a flickr type design -after login- for member's page. Columns divide by subject with small thumbnails and short descriptions. Yes, the ability to turn things off and on.

Agreed, I see no need for 400px images at the top of the page or such. Like you said we all know what we want.

Sorry I have no suggestion for better wording of "Current readers click here". I'm not very good with English. When I think of something I will let you know.

Hope this is helpful. I'm trying to learn from it as well.