Redesign of the www.rockbox.org front page

[cool_walking_]

should the page be 100% width or more modern, centered 780px width.

Personally I hate fixed-width pages. When your browser window is too small, you get a horizontal scroll bar, and when it's too big, you have all this wasted space.

[sanusart]

Well, I started the opposite from what others sad but I guess it will develop to something anyone could like.

One: http://www.sanusart.com/rocksite/index.php
Two: http://www.sanusart.com/rocksite/index2.php
The .zip: http://www.sanusart.com/rocksite/rocksite.zip - in case that someone be willing to join the process.

@cool_walking_: Will work on that tomorrow i guess.

[Llorean]

No offense intended to the creator, but I feel both of those look really, really bad. It looks like a blog, not a project. And it just looks very... like it's a piece of paper, displayed on a screen.

[crzyboyster]

If my opinion matters, I think that the current rockbox.org page is perfect for an open source project like rockbox. It displays recent wiki edits, svn changes and major changes as well as important information in a pleasing, professional way.  

Compared to the current page, I do agree with you when comparing those two pages to the current page.

[soap]

/me doesn't mind the look of the two sample pages.

Does think, though, that any redesign should be aware of the fact many wiki pages are a mile1.609344 KM wide.

[sanusart]

Now that I look at this - it is remind me of blog layout.

So basically it should be:

• 100% wide!
• Permanent navigation panel!
• Light background, white?

Any suggestions, drawing maybe?

[bascule]

Personally I hate fixed-width pages...

Absolutely. Unless there's a really good reason, all web pages should just fit the browser window. I know things have changed with the ridiculous amount of web scripting, but that's what html was designed to do.

I'm not too concerned about the layout, although simple is always good in my book. I also really quite liked the idea of it complementing the now-default Cabbie theme...

In terms of content, I think it needs the following info:
What:
...open source...complete replacement firmware...started on archos players...now encompasses many models (link or list)...still in continuous development...

Why:
From the 'Why Rockbox' page

How:
...at own risk...use the manual (link or list)...contains link to RbUtil auto installer...everything you need to know!...

Current Status:
SVN, Wiki, mailing list 'most recent' as currently displayed.

[cool_walking_]

It's not as bad as I expected from Llorean's reply, but I still like the current page better.  I dislike having text on top (meaning in the z dimension) of a gradient - I think it's much harder to read.  I think the copyright notice down the bottom is unneeded.  I think a:visited links should have different styling to normal links.  I think the arrows on either side of the headers are confusing - I would think "What are they there for? Are they back-forward links? No, I just clicked one and nothing appeared to happen... Is it one of those crappy links that doesn't give any indication that you clicked it, not even a 'hand' mouse pointer? Nothing's happening... My precious time is wasted. I am enraged. Hulk smash. F**k you, Rockbox, I'll kill all of you!!!"

Seeing it in person I now really remember just how much I don't like fixed-width pages.

Just so you don't feel hated, I often don't know what I like, but I know what I don't like, so that's why I haven't praised anything.

[MarcGuay]

I've always thought it would be a good idea to have a "New to Rockbox?" or "First time user?" link on the main page that would walk someone through the basics.  As it stands, the frontpage can be a bit overwhealming for new users who just want to install it and check it out.  Something like this:

New User Link -> Choose your player -> Why Rockbox page blended with the Port index for that specific player.

Or maybe something as simple as a "Website Tour" page linked from the frontpage that breaks down all the different parts of the site and what they're used for, etc, etc... Ideas, anyway....

[bascule]

I've always thought it would be a good idea to have a "New to Rockbox?" or "First time user?" link on the main page...just want to install it and check it out.

That's kind of what I was aiming for, but we have to be very careful to remind users of the magnitude of what they are doing. It's a replacement firmware, not a 'theme' or a 'skin' or an 'application' for their precious music player.

It may even be worth promoting the simulator as the way to just 'check it out', rather than go through the grief of installing, only to find they don't like it. A very little bit like a Linux Live CD, allowing full functionality without actually changing anything on the host system.

[sanusart]

OK, the layout and basic color palette.
http://www.sanusart.com/rocksite/index.php
http://www.sanusart.com/rocksite/index2.php

[GodEater]

I like those

[sanusart]

Which one better?

[psycho_maniac]

Compare that to the one we have now I honestly like the one we have now. Maybe if some links and stuff were on those pages I might think different. Also They basically look the same to me.

[yapper]

It may even be worth promoting the simulator as the way to just 'check it out', rather than go through the grief of installing, only to find they don't like it. A very little bit like a Linux Live CD, allowing full functionality without actually changing anything on the host system.

I think this is an excellent idea.