The best classic game music and more
I did some tweaking to the layout for the list of threads akin to what is in the Archives section. I would like to switch the default layout over to this new one so if anyone has comments or suggestions please post.
New Posts | Game Music | Other Music | Marketplace | Gaming | Open Topic
If regular visitors wouldn't mind switching their normal bookmarked location to the test version's link it'd be a good way to get a feel for the new look.
The only difference I see (and if there are others, how about pointing them out?) is that the "replies" column comes first in the test layout. It doesn't make much sense to me to put anything before the topic title.
Agree with Smeg, replies doesn't belong as the first column, it's just not appropriate. Also, I (and probably many others), ONLY use the "New Posts" link and not having a column that designates which forum the post is in does not make sense to me. I am not interested in certain forums (Open topic, mostly) unless the topic piques my interest. The only time I use individual forum header links is if I'm searching for an old post that hasn't recently been posted in and I just guess based on topic.
I (and probably many others), ONLY use the "New Posts" link and not having a column that designates which forum the post is in does not make sense to me. I am not interested in certain forums (Open topic, mostly) unless the topic piques my interest. The only time I use individual forum header links is if I'm searching for an old post that hasn't recently been posted in and I just guess based on topic.
What he said.
Also agreed on the 'Replies' thing. It won't be make or break for me, but it does look oddly misplaced.
Sorry Adam, I like the current one better. Like others, I only use the "New Posts" thing and having the replies in front seems silly and the forum column is missed (I use this column to avoid having to read any of the Marketplace forum posts).
Hmm I don't see how having the number of replies in an easy to see, less space-consuming spot makes any less sense than having a meaningless gray block there. Unconventional to be sure but after using that view in the archives and the test pages I prefer it now (though obviously I'm biased).
I do see the point about the location of the forum name. Better to have it more clearly visible as well as perhaps in a constant location. I don't think the current layout is ideal either though. If anybody has any recommended improvements or favorite forum layouts I'd be very interested. 
Hmm I don't see how having the number of replies in an easy to see, less space-consuming spot makes any less sense than having a meaningless gray block there.
Hey, there is a gray block, isn't there? I guess it was so inconsequential, that it just went unnoticed all this time. :)
Hmm I don't see how having the number of replies in an easy to see, less space-consuming spot makes any less sense than having a meaningless gray block there. Unconventional to be sure but after using that view in the archives and the test pages I prefer it now (though obviously I'm biased).
I do see the point about the location of the forum name. Better to have it more clearly visible as well as perhaps in a constant location. I don't think the current layout is ideal either though. If anybody has any recommended improvements or favorite forum layouts I'd be very interested.
I think I speak for most "veteran" viewers in that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". 
. That being said I can't design something worth shit but I can certainly identify good layouts so..., go nuts. I'll let you know if it looks bad?
I agree with everyone else on this one--I like things just the way they are. As for the useless gray boxes, I find them very useful when they turn blue to indicate a new post. I see that in the new layout, new posts are marked by a bold title, but I find the block to be a more immediate visual indicator. Would the replies counter have a different color?
Can I make one additional suggestion?
Can you make the "New posts" URL at the end of every thread somewhat easier to click? I read the new posts link on my iPhone all the time and that URL at the end of posts to go to the last unread posts/newest new post is impossible to click without pinching sometimes. Or maybe make clicking the URL go to the newest post by default?
Can you make the "New posts" URL at the end of every thread somewhat easier to click? I read the new posts link on my iPhone all the time and that URL at the end of posts to go to the last unread posts/newest new post is impossible to click without pinching sometimes.
Recently accessing the site via my iPod Touch during vacation I came to experience this first-hand. It's when the "new posts" link is on a second or third line that it's hard to tap. Putting that indicator before the subject would solve the problem if people are fine with that change. Could give it a go and see how it goes over.
Actually per the previous suggestions of a couple other forum members I'm considering making a iPhone/handheld-specific layout for the forums for when it's accessed by those means. Main change being it would put the sidebar content at the bottom and widen the main content to full screen.
Or maybe make clicking the URL go to the newest post by default?
That'd be confusing I think.
As for the useless gray boxes, I find them very useful when they turn blue to indicate a new post. I see that in the new layout, new posts are marked by a bold title, but I find the block to be a more immediate visual indicator. Would the replies counter have a different color?
That's something I'd intended to do and if I give the layout another shot, I will.
Adam, did you change the New posts url to show the last 24 hours worth of posts regardless of read status? I'm seeing new posts (bolded), old posts (unbolded) all in my New posts url. I'm only used to seeing new posts (bolded) until I've read all the new posts and then I see all threads for the last 24 hours.
Not really a huge deal, just noticed it today.
Yes, though it's for the last 48 hours actually. I made the change today as it seems a more logical approach. Different from the previous behavior but let it sit for a few days and if it isn't going over well let me know.
