#gamemp3s / irc.xelium.net

comment #1

FYI, this is what it looks like when a staff member comments on a post.

edit: Oh, also, this change is not retroactive... meaning that i'm gonna have to go and manually change past staff comments to make them show up like this. So if you happen to be browsing the comments on older posts and notice that staff members don't have stars by their names, that's why.

comment #2

I like the idea for the comments, it adds a nice little touch to show who is and who isn't on staff.

I can't some I'm completely on board with a major site change. One of the reasons I like #gamemp3s is that its very low key, but offers a lot of content. Its never tried to be a mega-site with crazy graphics and a massive forum. Though I'm not even sure what you're going for with the new design, but I hope it stay simple overall.

The content of the site speaks for itself, which is why it doesn't need to be anything more.

comment #3

Suffice it to say, we have no intention of putting up huge anime/game banners and animated gifs all over the site. lavender has more taste than that...(and so do I!)

comment #4

We're not changing the content at all, so you don't have to worry about that. And there's no forum planned. We are planning on a little heavier use of images, but i wouldn't consider it 'crazy'.

I did most of the current design, but i definitely think it's beginning to show its flaws. First of all, the navigation bar is insane. Sixteen links? Really. Second, the comments section is not very easy to read through (in my defence, Brant did that part). And third, the contrast on the text is waaaay too low.

That's the kind of stuff i'd already started to address in the relaunch design.

comment #5

Right now the site is as ugly as great. I guess he will be as beautiful as great. Anyway, as long as the content remains the same... Machst was du möchtest :)

comment #6

I like easy-to-surf websites, that's the most important thing to me (with the content, obviously. But we already know that #gamemp3s is quality ^_~).
Personally, I hate Flash-based and/or graphics-heavy sites, I don't even think they are good-looking. But a few images, a cool banner, etc. would suit.

We rely on your good taste, guys =)!

comment #7

I actually like the website as it is right now, it's simple, clean and easy to navigate. The color scheme doesn't pierce the eyes, which is always a plus from me. Personally, I think the newly designed version should keep most of the pros listed above :)

comment #8

Site's fine as it is!

comment #9

The current site is okay, but a redesign would be good. As in, just make the text darker. Cause really, dark gray on light gray is still hard to read.

comment #10

I really like the current color scheme the site uses. It is very easy on the eyes. Since some people like brighter/bolder and others do not, perhaps the ability to customize the site for each user (introducing a limited user account, or a cookie control maybe) for Classic (current) color scheme, and New and Improved for the new one (obviously)

I also like the current low-fi approach to the site. Quick loads and no distractions.

As long as the content is the same, it will rock no matter what! I love #gamemp3s :)

comment #11

I'm glad it's not going to get too flashy, so I'm thankful for that. There seems to be a split as far as the color scheme goes, but I like it. Considering the content of the site you don't exactly want to stick out in the crowd, which is why I've always like the low-key approach and design of the site. Sixteen links isn't even that bad, especially since most are just subsections to other pages.

comment #12

As others have mentioned, the simplicity of the current design is great. As you pointed out, lavender, there are quite a few navigation links, but I think it's great how they are all in one, easy to find spot. If you guys stick with the same concept of a simple, easy to navigate site with minimal images and ads, it'll be a smooth change. :)

comment #13

@ jt4703: I'll look into user-switchable themes, but no promises. The new design is expected to require some organisational changes, which will probably break compatibility with the old lay-out. Having to keep up-to-date with two completely separate designs could get old fast.

@ Cyantre: I think sixteen links is crazy, especially since several of them are redundant. Also i doubt our colour scheme is what's keeping us from being sued, if that's what you're getting at. :////

@ BlueNocturne: I'm pretty sure there won't ever be ads. The only ones we'd ever consider anyway are Google ads, which we don't qualify for because, you knoooow, copyright stuff.

comment #14

A response to how reading the comments can be difficult. Maybe you guys can have it where ever odd response (or even) has a slightly faded background. I think it would help separate the comments and make it a little easier on the eyes to read.

comment #15

Have you considered CSS for the user themes?

comment #16

P.S. the star by staff comments thing is helpful =)

comment #17

@ Inforcer: I've considered it, and i could do it. But i was kinda taking a break when we switched to WordPress, and then as soon as i got back i started working on the relaunch (and other projects), so i don't know. I guess what i'm trying to say is i'm really lazy.

@ heptadragon: CSS alone won't work. The new design will use a totally separate WordPress template.

edit: Increased spacing between comments and made the text a little darker. Better?

comment #18

Well, congrats on the new stars, for starters! As far as the site design goes, I really like it right now. It's simple, it's classy, and most of all - it's fast! That's my favorite part. I wouldn't mind if it stayed the same, but if you guys do decide to spruce it up a bit I would really, really appreciate it if you kept it loading fast for those of us with slower computers. That would be nice. Thanks!

comment #19

Can we get some porno ads? I find a severe lack of them on the internet.

comment #20

It's good to see that, it's often confusing to see what the staff replies in a thread are and this'll help a lot with that.

comment #21

Just keep the tilde that does nothing except change on mouseover. It's my favorite part besides the music.

comment #22

A nice touch would be the cover of the latest album(s) in one spot on the page. I rarely look at the scans to be honest - I guess a small slideshow somewhere with the latest covers would work quite well.

comment #23

I think the subdued presentation is a saving grace.

There's no monstrously blatant and loud goings on.

As pruning the amount of links perhaps looking at what gets clicked the most might help.

The merging of categories should proubably be at most; Release by alpha, Release by date (which would be the newest ones), and everything else.

Just a general reorganization so folks can see what was just corageously processed by the Gamemp3 crew.

The tracker interface would already be integrated into the Release listings so that's taken care of. The FAQ and ICQ info in 'everything else' would streamline the amount of buttons at least.

I'm not that picky it's thoughtful changes like the blue star of leadership that instill confidence that everything is going to be fine. :>

comment #24

Lavender:
Why would you need to go back and add the stars to each post manually? If it's part of the post data, couldn't you just run an SQL query? -if- username = this, this, or this then add the star?

comment #25

I enjoy the simple site, good to hear you are keeping it simple.

Have you ever considered providing logins so people can maintain a checklist of your releases? The checklist options could be updated with each release, and allow users to determine what they need should they want to get the complete set. I'd love to be have a nice checklist of how my collection compares to the entire list of releases.

It could also provide for a trading space for people hanging out on IRC or willing to post 'fill' torrents. I know it would require some new elements to your code, but would also give you the opportunity to hone advanced user verification and db tuning skills :D

comment #26

@ Atreus: Yeah, but it's one of those deals where in trying to be lazy i actually make more work for myself. :p

I got bored this morning and changed everything except Godai's and Msia's posts. Those guys sure are talkative!

edit: Everybody's changed over now.

comment #27

Just my personal opinion, but if you could avoid large patches of white in your page, that would be a plus. I have my desktop color scheme set so that anything that would be stark white is a nice minty green. It's much easier on the eyes and doesn't cause as much eye strain.
Not that people would be looking at your page long enough to get eye strain... lol.
Anyhow, I just find that having large patches of white (I guess in this webpage, the thick border at the left side) is kinda blinding to my eyes now that I'm used to softer screen colors.

comment #28

The 'thick border at the left side' isn't even white. It should be very noticeably beige. Maybe you need to turn down the contrast on your monitor. :/

edit: @ Snakemeat: Sorry, i didn't mean to ignore you earlier. No, we hadn't considered that. I guess it's a possibility, but it would definitely be waaaay at the bottom of the list if we did decide to do it.

comment #29

@ lavender- Well, I guess you're right. I checked and my contrast was set to 100(!), so I adjusted it and it looks much easier on the eyes now.

comment #30

If you clean up the sixteen links on the side and change a few things behind-the-scenes that would be cool. It's all up to you, but I don't really see the need for a complete re-design of the site. This is one of my favorite WordPress themes too.

comment #31

Personally, I'm not bothered by the 16 links on the left, as it's done in a fairly clean fashion.

Outside of the color scheme (I'm personally more into darker themes, like white text on black/dark gray backgrounds), I don't think much needs to be improved here.

comment #32

I think that it's great the way it is. Simplicity is a good thing. The only thing I would add is a date stamp on the album scan list. It would be nice to know what's new on the list so I don't have to check the ones I'm not sure I already downloaded. Yes, I realize it's a bonus to compliment your releases.

comment #33

How about designing the links such that they when you roll your mouse over them they expand into their respective subheadings?

That would minimize space and seem less cluttered at a glance and if you want to see the subheadings, simply roll the mouse over! :)