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MR Site Redesign

arn said:
Design changes are are really hard problem. You will piss off a certain percentage of users - it's unavoidable.

There's also a lot of risk surrounding a site redesign. There are definitely sites that have redesigned and I've stopped visiting them. Not a conscious decision, but once you lose that feel, it's hard to come back.

MacRumors redesign has been a stop and go process. As WildCowboy said, we have a lot of back-end changes to be done.

I guess the best thing is that we've made some progress in the past few weeks. Design is coming along. It's not quite there, and the backend changes still need to happen. But, realistically, I'd like to get this done in the next couple of months.

arn
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2 months? That's awesome news!
 
arn said:
Design changes are are really hard problem. <snip> But, realistically, I'd like to get this done in the next couple of months.
Click to expand...

You make great points about your rationale for no design changes so far, but I'm glad to hear you are working towards an update. I am in the camp that I don't want the functionality to change much, but I really do think MR would benefit from a new look. The site looks dated, stale. I hope you don't go overboard like cnet, but a spring cleaning is in order. Thanks for keeping us updated.
 
arn said:
I guess the best thing is that we've made some progress in the past few weeks. Design is coming along. It's not quite there, and the backend changes still need to happen. But, realistically, I'd like to get this done in the next couple of months.

arn
Click to expand...

Really looking forward to seeing what you've got planned. I wouldn't mind at all if MR didn't change, but I think it will be refreshing to see an updated look, even if it is just a small update.
 
If your problem is getting a designer that knows how to actually theme a forum, I know how to do that *smirk*. I used to tear up and redo Simplemachines-based forums for fun >>
 
Personally I feel "if it ain't broke..."

I've been visiting this site since before I got my first Mac in 2003. For the most part it's a comforting feeling to see it's the same as it always has been. Tweaks, improvements, new stuff, sure. But major overhauls? Why?

I mean, the logo could use some work, but... :eek: ;)
 
I may be slightly off base as I haven't done it with vBulletin, but most high end pieces of forum software have the GUI completely separated from the operational code in a way that even a complete rewrite of the GUI shouldn't affect operation of the board.

MacNN went through something like this a few years ago and their redesign looks pretty nice for a vBB board, I wouldn't expect it to be that drastic even, but that's a good sign of what you might see. :)

Consider yourself lucky at that point? If I did it, it'd probably take a while and you'd end up with fewer buttons on the post page XD
 
What is the point in redesigning something that works well? Change for changes sake is pointless and has what lead to the downfall of many things.
 
I'm happy with it as it is as well.

Like Arn said, sometimes you stop visiting sites when they change. I no longer go to two sites because they went over-the-top with the redesign and I'll be damned if I'm going to hunt for content.

That said, some tweaking would be fine...
 
Specifically, don't do what Gawker just did.

Holy smokes, they're making it hard for people to go to their sites now.

I really haven't liked them for a while now, but I still browsed their sites. Now I may not even do that.
 
Guys, I wouldn't be so worried about a change.

It will be for the better. MacRumors is a big website and should know how to keep their users happy. Also the site is looking a bit dated, so a slight redesign would be a bit of a nice change. From that Mockup on the first page of this thread all it looks to be is some nicer buttons and things. Not much layout changes. Arn will surely know how to do it well :)
 
the redesign is really underway this time. Last year's design, we never implemented, because I ultimately didn't like the redesign that we had. I'm reasonably happy with the new design now... but it's still a bit off since we are also ripping out our backend simultaneously. So there's a lot of little pieces to get in place, but the wheels are moving.

arn
 
arn said:
the redesign is really underway this time. Last year's design, we never implemented, because I ultimately didn't like the redesign that we had. I'm reasonably happy with the new design now... but it's still a bit off since we are also ripping out our backend simultaneously. So there's a lot of little pieces to get in place, but the wheels are moving.

arn
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Awesome, arn. You have a great website and I think this new design will just make it better.
 
arn said:
the redesign is really underway this time. Last year's design, we never implemented, because I ultimately didn't like the redesign that we had. I'm reasonably happy with the new design now... but it's still a bit off since we are also ripping out our backend simultaneously. So there's a lot of little pieces to get in place, but the wheels are moving.

arn
Click to expand...

Any way you could give us a small preview of what is to come or do you want it to be a surprise?
 
arn said:
the redesign is really underway this time. Last year's design, we never implemented, because I ultimately didn't like the redesign that we had. I'm reasonably happy with the new design now... but it's still a bit off since we are also ripping out our backend simultaneously. So there's a lot of little pieces to get in place, but the wheels are moving.

arn
Click to expand...


The MR redesign is as elusive as the mythical Apple tablet was. One can only hope the wait was worth it. :D
 
New Colors Facelift

As a user that visits the MacRumors news page MANY times everyday, for 3 years, I think that the color scheme could be changed a little. Something more modern and elegant, like light blue and white, rather than burgundy and tan. Nothing should change as far as functionality, but just a more modern looking front page and forums.

(And yes, my join date is 2009, but I started using MacRumors far before that.)
 
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