Redesign of the www.rockbox.org front page

[Angyman]

Yes it is javascript... but you can integrate a javascript and a non-javascript version with that. The site becomes a little bit bigger in every case (because the invisible contents are loaded always) but that doesnt harm that much i think...

[Llorean]

Except for people with limited amounts of data transfer, for example those who might check the frontpage via their phone. Lightweight == better.

But one solution is to use PHP (or something else server side) to serve something entirely different for mobile users, in which case invisible content isn't actually making the site bigger from a user's perspective.

[sanusart]

I've made this yesterday but the forum was down or something like so here some less bright page :
http://www.sanusart.com/rocksite/rock/rock.php

[terrence1019]

I've made this yesterday but the forum was down or something like so here some less bright page :
http://www.sanusart.com/rocksite/rock/rock.php

That looks good. Simple, reflective of Rockbox, and easy to navigate.

[psycho_maniac]

WOW I really like that.  I was wondering if you could remove the right line line on the rockbox logo so it seems to take over the whole top part. I hope you understand.

[cool_walking_]

That's quite nice. I like the menu a whole lot better than the previous one. One thing I don't like* is the fact that the menu items move when moused over.

EDIT: *Am not sure whether I like it or not.

[DancemasterGlenn]

I agree, that new idea looks very nice. I also like the way the text box curves down at the end, but I would make it (and the quote box above it) end just before the end of the page, like the previous mockup (and the current rockbox site).

Further suggestions, which are just opinion, so everyone can feel more than welcome to add their two cents... I like his new mockup as well because of the single box of text (even though this may just have been the case for the mockup only), rather than the many that are on the current page (personal preference). What if the main page just displayed recent news (and I'm assuming sponsors)? I know there is hardly ever any recent news, but perhaps this would be a good place to say things about implementing album art, or the addition of cabbie2 as a auto-installed theme (which people should feel welcome to test, by the way!). Just stuff I see on the "major changes" page that I always think should be more openly talked about.

Of course, then there is the question of how people will browse wiki, svn and mail updates. I think it might work well to have them as separate clickable links along the bottom of the page (but before the sponsors), or perhaps an all-encompassing "recent activity" link on the side/bottom/wherever people think it would stand out (it should definitely stand out, because it would be an important button/link) that could take you to a similar page to the main page, sort of a combination of this new style and the multiple text boxes currently used to show wiki, subversion and mail.

Like I said, just throwing idea out there. What does everyone else think? The only reason I feel like one box of text is better is because I've always found the multiple boxes to be overly busy, and with one box it seems to look much sleeker. I do understand that the information I'm suggesting be moved to a separate page is essentially the bread and butter of rockbox, but people who are interested in these updates (people who check the site often) would know to click the big link that would take them to the activity page. That's my reasoning, anyway.

[bzavala]

That's quite nice. I like the menu a whole lot better than the previous one. One thing I don't like* is the fact that the menu items move when moused over.

EDIT: *Am not sure whether I like it or not.

I agree... I like the look, just don't like the menu items changing when the mouse is moving over...

oh yeah... and don't like the top right rounded corner either...

other than that it's cool... simple and not too flashy...


Ben

[cool_walking_]

I agree... I like the look, just don't like the menu items changing when the mouse is moving over...

Well actually I like the bitmap on mouseover, just not the text movement.

[LinusN]

I like the latest suggestion, but I think it's a little dark for my taste. I'd like to see brighter, "happier" colors. Also, I think the test in the top right corner ("Rockbox is an open source firmware...") should be further to the left.

Apart from that, it's really nice!

[sanusart]

Ok, I think I remembered everything, except of the "happier" implementation as I currently want to focus on the layout. "Happyness" can be implemented through nice pictures though.

www.sanusart.com/rocksite/rock/st.php

[AlexP]

I like it, but agree on the darkness.  Light but not bright!  I assume in the main part of the page you will still have recent activity (actually the only one I personally think is a must for the front page is SVN activity).

[shotofadds]

I like it, except for one minor thing: in IE6, hovering over the links doesn't show the destination URL in the status bar, though it does seem to work in Firefox.

Content-wise, I think it would be good if the main part of the page were as simple as possible: a very brief description of what Rockbox is (plus link to WhyRockbox), a list of which players are supported, a big obvious "How to get Rockbox on your player" link (going to a page describing where to find the appropriate downloads/manuals) and a screenshot or "featured theme" as suggested earlier.

Underneath this section could go the news items (which could/should(?) include items from MajorChanges), and following that, some "developer" links off to a Recent Activity page, build table, etc. I'm not sure how much value those SVN/mailing list updates have to Joe Public.

I'm a big believer in "Keep It Simple, Stupid"

[psycho_maniac]

I like the new layout even more. "http://www.sanusart.com/rocksite/rock/st.php" but agree to LinusN's suggestion

[AlexP]

and following that, some "developer" links off to a Recent Activity page, build table, etc. I'm not sure how much value those SVN/mailing list updates have to Joe Public.

But there are many many changes per day that can be important to me/people that doesn't get a major changes item but that I want to know.  I realise I could bookmark another page / use the RSS feed / whatever, but to me SVN updates is a 'project status' if you will and belongs on the front page.  I do however agree that mailing list / wiki etc. could be relegated.