Help with site please (POLL)

[Pete Thomas]

As you may have noticed I've changed the site a bit recently. It's a constant struggle for me to find a clear site navigation system with about 300 pages across the whole site and different categories. I think it's better now than a few weeks ago but I think the Breakfast Room page is still suffereing a bit. I tried to integrate the main website navigation system and I think it's still a bit cluttered.

We have 7 categories on the main site inc the breakfast Room link (the bluish greeny buttons), then 4 categories in the BR pages (the ones with red dots)

One problem is I'm sort of stuck with the forum internal navigation buttons ( the grey ones - Home, new topic, serach, help, personal, logout) and it's very complicated for me to change those links or put any links beneath them otherwise I'd include all the brekafast room pages there (ie info & terms)

It seems to me that if I got rid of the main site category buttons (INFORMATION SOUNDS - SAXOPHONE LESSONS - JAZZ THEORY etc) from the Breakfast room pages, then it would be a lot clearer, just the Breakfast room pages at the top ( the ones with the red dots - Info & terms, videos etc) and then the internal forum buttons below.

All ideas gratefully received, bear in mind that the top left Home logolink and blog, donate etc. will stay)

 

[philthd]

although i do think the breakfastroom links with the dots are a little lost, i think it would be a shame to disconnect the breakfastroom from your main site, which would be the effect of removing the category links

it is a little cluttered, but ive seen far far worse sites get away with it

 

[spike]

For me, you got two domains - one is the forum and one the pete t pages - keep'em separate with a corporate design and nav system, and a link from one tut tother - I would imagine someone coming here for the first time would find the present different navigation systems thing very confusing. On the other hand I don't have any problem getting around to where I want to go, but then I'm used to it. - but keep the lizard and the fly. gruss - spike

 

[Pete Thomas]

Exciting, it's neck and neck at the moment.

Don't worry, the lizard and fly will stay for a while.

 

[philthd]

Pete Thomas wrote:
Don't worry, the lizard and fly will stay for a while.

i have never seen either - what link have i not followed?

 

[Linky Lee]

I think there are a few too many buttons up top.

When you're on the breakfast room I don't think the blue/green are necessary as you can access them via the homepage, which I don't find an inconvenience.

EDIT: in saying all that, I do know my way around the forum, and don't find it difficult.
Much better than other forums I've been on. So It wouldn't bother me if it was left how it is either.

 

[philthd]

i think if you dropped them you would need to do something else to highlight the link to the petethomas site home

maybe a bigger pt logo or something

or maybe the bluegreen buttons could appear with a hoverover on the pt logo - but maybe thats asking for the moon on a stick

 

[Tenor Sax]

Hi Pete,

I have no problems navigating the pages as they are. I treat the buttons at the top as an easy link to the Instructions. its also easy to guide new comers to.

The Main site and Forum go hand in hand.
IMO

 

[old_git]

Pete,
The way the cataracts are going, any chance of braille?

 

[Basil]

For me the existing layout works fine, and the blue green discussion forum button is the way that I go back to the topic menu to start again, rather than using the select forum drop down box.

I don't find the site cluttered or confusing, but I guess I am used to it. I initially found posting a bit difficult to work out, but that is probably more about me than the site.

 

[Pete Thomas]

philthD wrote:

Pete Thomas wrote:
Don't worry, the lizard and fly will stay for a while.

i have never seen either - what link have i not followed?

Just watch the "new in breakfast room" banner for a while.

 

[Pete Thomas]

philthD wrote:
or maybe the bluegreen buttons could appear with a hoverover on the pt logo - but maybe thats asking for the moon on a stick

With a chocolate sauce.

 

[Pete Thomas]

old git wrote:
Pete,
The way the cataracts are going, any chance of braille?

Actually I ought to do more on the useability side of things, so good point.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Basil wrote:
and the blue green discussion forum button is the way that I go back to the topic menu to start again,

There are currently 4 ways to do this, the drop down box (which i doubt anyone needs), the blue/green button, the forum "home" button and the Breakfast Room top banner logo.

 

[jambo]

Seems fine to me, ice and easy to use

 

[Pete Thomas]

"Keep it as it is" has just taken the lead. Whatever happens I hopefully won't make it harder to navigate, I just get the feeling it's not so easy for newcomers. And, as Spike said I think, anyone who finds the Breakfast Room before the main site might get a bit confused by the main site navigation and it not looking like two different sites.

I'm currently thinking about making the BR look different to the main site, but retain all the main category links, just not make it as similar looking as it is. This is all good feedback folks.

 

[mfox]

1 little things on the BR that gets on my nerves a bit are, you have to go all the way to the bottom of the page to get to the next page( where it says page 123 last) put one at the top.

dont really like the blue on blue either but thats not an issue.. why not have a few weeks colour combination changing then have a vote on the fav..

 

[Pete Thomas]

I have no easy control over the page links being at the bottom only - that's to do with the forum siftware which can be pig to edit. I am considering switching to a new forum software, which will sort that sort of thing. And I intend to try some different colour scheme anyway. so watch out.

 

[Bobby G]

I think a different colour combination fro the BR to separate it from the rest of the site might work, although I'm happy with the navigation side of things.

Cheers, Bob