New Layout is Here! (Updated 2) - Page 42

The new layout looks cool ! but can u pls tell us where to find the updates pls .

It will take time 4 us to get used to it.

thanx but plz make it user frndly we'l wait 4 it,

Originally posted by: Simply_Smart

Wow! I was not expecting to see the new layout when I came here today, so it was a shock. For a moment, I thought I went somewhere else!

Thank you Vijay and your team! I am sure you all have worked hard on the layout. This new look will take some getting used to as I am so accustomed and familiar to the old one. It just doesn't feel like I-F anymore. Looking at the comments in this thread and my own reaction, I don't think we were ready for such a drastic change in one go. Maybe, it should have been a gradual transition. But now that we are here, here are my comments and suggestions from top to bottom:

Search: How come in the 'Select' drop down menu the options are limited to TB, Bolly, and Videos? What do we do if we want to search in one of the sections?

Red Menu Bar: If Bollywood is suppose to receive equal importance, than the Bollywood link should also have a drop down menu like TB's. As should the News feature.

Top Bollywood News, Telly Buzz links, and GA: I don't like those two to be the first thing I see when I come to I-F. I used to love having the TB links on the side in the old version. It wasn't in my face, but still alluring to check it out everyday. But having Bolly and TB at the top doesn't feel right, as that area was rightly allotted to the GAs previously. I feel the importance of the GAs are minimized if they aren't the first thing. And the GAs being first also identify us as a discussion forum.

Suggestion: The GAs moved up to its original spot. The Bolly and TB News be moved to the side (where the Most Popular Celebrity thing is currently). I don't think its necessary for the MPC (Most Popular Celebrity) area to be at the top as no matter who is more popular everyone is still going to have their favorites. Plus there is so much room below that chart right now that is not being used. Therefore, I think TB should take place of the MPC box, followed by Bolly News right below it, which should be followed by the MPC.

Popular Indian Television Shows: I don't like how only a few serials are highlighted for Star Plus, Sony, and Zee, and how none are shown at all for the other channels. For Star, Sony, and Zee, how is it decided that which six shows will be featured on the homepage? Plus, I can't find links to the Foreign Sections. I had to go the the IF Dev. Team page to see if they were accessible, which wasn't pleasant!

Suggestion: I think it will be more user friendly to have all the links on the homepage like the old version. However, it is nice to have images of the shows like it is now. But those images should be crystal clear and some are blurry right now, which is not appealing to the eye.

Within a Section Suggestions:

- I think when we click on a show, we should be taken to the (currently named) 'Discuss Show' link. That would be easier and more user friendly. The others I think are a great idea and should be available, but it would better if we were directed to the Discussion Forum first and then if a member prefers, he or she can go to the Summary, Cast or Video options.

- It is very inconvenient to not have the Admin rights available at the beginning of the week, that feature should have been available the moment the revamp was completed.

- I think the banners should have been taken into account before the revamp. If they weren't blurry right now because of the size difference, maybe it would provide a familiar and more comforting feeling in the midst of change.

Statistics: I think more members should be displayed there, as the Rockerz, Dazzlers, and Videobies are missing. It is nice to know who all is online and not on the hompage itself.

Quick Links at the Bottom: The COC should be added here, because I haven't found a link to the COC anywhere yet.

Quote Feature: Too confusing to see who wrote what. Without a doubt, the old one was way better so please bring it back.

Blue Band to the Side: Something should be on there, as it is a waste of space otherwise. Maybe TB links, or our Last 10 Topics, or maybe even our most visited sections for easier navigating. If nothing can be added, maybe it should be removed when not needed, so at least the page can be wider and the text larger making it easy on the eyes.

All in all, I don't think the new layout is as great as the old one right now. I understand that change was needed, but maybe everything shouldn't have been changed as the new layout has done. Compared to the old format, this layout seems too confusing and less user friendly - exactly the opposite of the goal the new layout was suppose to acheive. There are some good things like the speed, the summary, cast, and videos options per serial. But it was easier to identify with the old version as it was so clear and easy to use.

I think we all need to time to explore the new layout. Until we do that, please do take all the suggestions into account so all of us can continue to be a happy part of India-Forums.