AlfaBB Site Redesign - Feedback Please

[smestas]

I have been working with a designer that has been redesigning the site and I wanted to share with the collective some preliminary samples. I know that I want to keep the site dressed in grn/wht/red so please ignore the blue coloring. I think I will also ask to have more vintage cars in the stationary graphics as most of our current member list (myself included) are vintage owners. Well its a good start but I'd like to hear some feedback.

Any and all feedback will be appreciated.

[smestas]

sample page #2

[smestas]

sample page #3

[smestas]

Sample page #4

[Tifosi]

I'm thinking I like #1 the best AFA presentation and layout, and 4 is kinda hip too.

#2 & #3 on the other hand do absolutey nothing for me. (2 looks 'cluttery' and 3 gives the sensation/appearance that things are missing)

[smestas]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tifosi I'm thinking I like #1 the best AFA presentation and layout, and 4 is kinda hip too. #2 & #3 on the other hand do absolutey nothing for me. (2 looks 'cluttery' and 3 gives the sensation/appearance that things are missing)

[alfisto69]

Great, that will really lifts the site. (though I'm not a big fan of layout '3' the others are great!).
Personally, I think the ALFA script in the mast head should retain the existing alfa signiture script form. I think the existing script reflects the history and heritage of Alfa Romeo and would contrast nicely with the proposed modern layout (OK, I know that the original, original form was a plain A.L.F.A. ). Some car companies have reverted to old badges (eg Fiat).

Would a postwar car in the masthead symbolise both old and new? The change from elite to mass production? Otherwise a vintage model something pre FIAT maybe a Giulietta and a modern car together if there's room?

Also, is there a cost element forum members should be aware of or does sponsorship pick up the tab??

[alfisto69]

Just saw your reply re the pages layout etc!

[Tifosi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by smestas Actually all four are part of the same look, but just different pages.

[Zunige]

Hi Simon,

The look and feel of the new design is certainly very nice, and the whole design has a bit more flair... The only comment I would make is that the current forum format for posts, with the user's avatar and location on the top, and signature on the bottom is perhaps the one that I have found the most pleasing. There are other forums which I belong to that use the post format where the posters info is on the left hand side, as you are proposing in this new format. There is nothing wrong with that, but I find that there is an advantage when posting pics, using the current BB format.

Of course, I will support anything you choose to go with, and will take this opportunity to thank you for all the work you have been doing to make this BB a success.

Best regards,

[ossodiseppia]

Wow, these are great, Simon. I love the new header. Would it require a lot of effort to feature images of member's cars on each of the forums? If it's too much effort to change them on a regular basis, maybe there is a way to automate it. Just a thought...

Glad to see the donations and subscriptions helping you take the BB to the next level. Keep up the good work!

[Chsmadden]

I saw this thread in the recent posts on the forums page and thought, "Oh Lord, not again". This looks really nice and it'll give a nice fresh look to the site. Please do retain the red/white/green though. The upswing is people will stop fighting over having their car in the masthead!

[manuelalfaholic]

Change is good! Lets go already

[Pat Braden]

Simon,

While you may prefer the bright green, I find the blue subtle, refreshing, and easier to read. (I expect to be the minority here.) For those of us who use Firefox regularly, I find the tab orientation very helpful and comfortable. Are there drop down menus, on the actual pages after tab selection for navigation? As far as using the badges, and I realize this may be a licensing/use problem, it would be much easier to distinguish what they represent if they were some how distinguishable or different, i.e. thread is locked with the older badge with the laurel leaf wreath, indicating archived or older; the new clean crisp badge for new posts etc.

I don't have an objection to the avatar and information on the left and understand the placement as far as most of us read from left to right as long as the page will still load fully, horizontally, without having to scroll to read the end of the lines. That's really hard for me to judge in the screen shots; as is how low the actual log-in box is. I'd prefer it remain up near the top of the screen where you don't have to scroll down to get to it to log-in.

Rather than guess or assume, I'll ask; in addition to giving a new design to the board, are the tabs, blog, etc. an attempt to organize better, allow more accurate query retrieval, and get some of the extra fluff, fun stuff off in another area and off the regular threads?

While personal information may not be an issue for some bbers, whether statistics are derived from it or not, if it is intended to be used for that purpose, there will have to be a built in error margin for those of us who don't wish to disclose that information or disclose something else which would skew the statistics garnered.

I will echo Enrique's comments as far as thanks for keeping the bb up and running for all of us, the improvements that have been made to make the use easier, better, and more enjoyble; and your hard work in that effort, which is not always expressed or appreciated by many or the majority who use the service.