Curly's World

Caused by the last few days of talks because we got an annoying new member (please take that as a joke) who actually had some new ideas instead of the old humdrum we all lived in long enough to get used to it.... I now start this thread.
See the annoying other thread here
http://curlysworldoffreeware.com/viewto ... 7503#27503

Ok. If we need to clearify the frontpage then what do we need to do. I am all for moving a couple of things, and making a few things more obvious.
I will try to make a blueprint of my ideas.

Also read about styles-making here:
http://curlysworldoffreeware.com/viewtopic.php?t=1291

I did a new messy frontpage layout scheme.
Check it out live here:
http://www.connect-webdesign.dk/CWF-new/CWF-new.htm

or see the top part as a pic here:

Ok, except for the fonts you used (but I don't think you want to use these for real). I like that it puts the downloadable games (which is the most important content we have here) more in the centre of the mainpage. Also the big menu on the left is a good idea as it makes things more clear for new members. But keep in mind that you still need these links when you're navigating the site (New posts, Lurk, Profile, Usergroups etc.). So at least when you're logged in they should be where they are now (and when you're not logged in there should be a visible Register link).

But one thing in your layout I really miss: Where's the Game vs. Game feature??? I really like that. It should be there (at least as an extra content when you're logged in).

I was thinking the same thing. But maybe further down the site...? I really love that feature too, so I would be sad to see it removed, but moved is no problem for me.

See also
http://www.connect-webdesign.dk/CWF-new/CWF-new2.htm
For a version with another banner. Not so much navigation in the banner anymore, but that can be made.

I like the style of the banner even if I'm not sure it fits to the rest of the site (or we have to change the rest to a more cartoonish look as well, which wouldn't be a bad thing to do in my eyes). But the dark blue in the upper half of the words is a bit too dark. Should be a little lighter...

I agree. Pretty much with everything in fact.
A cartoonish style would go well with some of the other ideas I am looking into (again).

http://www.connect-webdesign.dk/CWF-new ... mments.htm

I tried making it without the comments, so it is more obvious how it would look. Also I tried placing the GameVsGame in the bottom with little luck, so please think about where to place this...
Also could everybody please write which links from the frontpage they use. I dont use that many, so in my case most of them could be moved into a "more options" page.

But feedback please, and dont forget to look over the other stuff I wrote about design etc in the last two days.

I think the Game vs. Game feature should be between the world news and the news on CWF. Or maybe it should be only visible if you are logged in (like a bonus feature). Non registered users can't use it anyway...

Regarding the links on frontpage I use regularly, these are: Log in, Lurk, New Posts, New Messages (but the last two are just useful for members) a nd I think the links for Games, Reviews, Interviews and Bug Report should be visible as well.

And when I browse the site (not the main site), I also use the big Download and Discussion buttons in the left and right corner of the banner a lot.

So pretty much the same as me. I also use the last 300 downloads, and maybe the memberlist, usergroups, but these could very well go elsewhere.
I think a statspage and a more options page would be cool and also a good way to wipe out the many options you have now up front.
GvG could very well be placed after log in, but I think the world news and CWF news should come first, as they are very important in profiling us online.
I am having some ideas regarding that too, especially if they will work with RSS. If they do, I think we should combine the two to make it easy for people to sign up and get news. Which we will be able to give more often, and also about various things. Weekly news on new games added and what has been happening in the world of freeware doesn't sound that far-fetched.
If you check out the proposed menu it has the bugtracker, and new posts there.
Register:
New posts
Lurk
Reviews
Interviews
Games
Bugreport
Stats
Further options
Contact

And a few more. I think these are the most important ones. And it could be made even more simple before people log-in. But lets get working on this so far. I will keep trying to make a perfect lay-out, and might even come up with an idea for some simple design with a "comic-y" style. More feedback or even suggestions or examples are welcome.

The Log in link is missing (but maybe it can be combined with the Register button.

And I forgot: I use the Last 300 downloads as well...

The register button should of course be sided up with the log-in button, but removed as soon as you login.

I use the New Posts -link almost every time. Some things I use rarely are Discussion, Download, New Messages, Profile and Login. Rest of the stuff I don't read/use ever!

I really suggest that at this point there would be more planning and less designing. Check this link for example to understand why. My professional opinion is that there is too much stuff at the main page. One aim could be trying to cut down stuff in a way that everything would be shown without scrolling down. (And I don't mean just to crush everything into smaller space). Things that might be considered before doing a new layout might include what this site gives to registered members, what to random visitors and what kind of feeling/style it should represent. Most preferably these would be written in few words.

I use (in subsilver):

New Posts
Find It!
Profile
Latest Downloads
Discussion
Download

I see no reason for:

Most posts
Usergroups
Bookmarks

Ok. I will work on a nother draft to see how little information can be put in the frontpage for pure info. Maybe what we need is a form of info-portal with simply the newest games added - the most downloaded and some links to the games very clearly, and some news from the world of freeware and this site. Then when you register or log-in you will get an immense amount of posibilities to use the site in different ways. This should however be followed up by a very clear structure.
The main thing is to sell the site, and keep it simple, but we also need to appear like a good community, so I am breaking my brain thinking here. Very open for suggestions - VERY!

Rework spotlights section to show 5 or more randomly chosen games IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SCREEN (where blog is placed at the moment). They can be displayed like world news, in column, each with single screen. Visible link called DOWNLOAD MORE QUALITY GAMES HERE should be put somewhere near.

Everything else might be put either to the left or right, but that would require dividing page into three separate sections. Like gothic church. You wouldnt lose anything then, because we could put there as much useful and not useful stuff as you want. As long as download/invite to download section stays in the middle and overshadows the rest.

I just did something as a test. Feedback.
www.connect-webdesign.dk/CWF-new/Simplestyle/Simple.htm

It is still a bit crowded, but tell me what to remove to clear it up.

EDIT: I still think we should merge world news and CWF news to one newssection. But tell me your feelings towards this.

That is closer to being anonymous user friendly, but blog/news section still occupies far more space than download section. When you enter site like caiman, games literally jump into your face, on cwf you must navigate before even founding downloads.

I was thinking of caiman-style layout with a couple of goodies caiman doesnt provide (reviews, interviews) thrown aside, be it left, right, top or bottom. It's the simplest layout my downloader's soul can imagine.

I would put the latest added games with screenshot and a short description as well as one or two randomly chosen games under the "Go here and download games" link. Highscorers and most downloaded games can stay on the right. This way you have the games more in the centre of the site.

The reason why I'm saying what I'm saying is a comparison I have between CWF and other sites. Imagine yourself being a casual freeware gamer sitting by the comp at autumn evening. You enter caiman.us and you see list of recently added games. You enter acid-play and see nothing else. You enter freeware.remakes.org and you see list of games to download. You enter planetfreeplay, gamehippo, fullgames.sk and name any other site and everywhere game downloads occupy majority of homepage. On CWF you must navigate and this is where we lose majority of possible traffic.

I think the whole discussion about site's layout is too crew-centered. We put what we want to put there and what we feel are our strong points, but world is unforgiving and wants downloads only. Sophisticated goodies like interviews, reviews and fancy stuff like g vs g interest only few. We must make the site more mass audience oriented.

World wants downloads, wants newly added games, wants top downloads lists, maybe wants gaming news. We must also think about possibility of adding short/or longer comments by non logged users. Under game info panel.

See below and discuss please.