The Navbar

[Null Parameter]

We are quickly taking all of the suggestions that come in and turning them around to make XF a great place that is easy and fun to use.

The problem with all of the suggestions so far is that they are all either New Functionality (i.e. Playlists) or just Cosmetic Issues (i.e. "This doesn't look quite right").

One thing that people often overlook is Usability.

Usability is the ability for a new user to come in and pick up on exactly how everything works. One example of this is the new change in the "Dots" to make them more noticeable, because nobody knew they even existed before. I encourage anybody to bring up these types of things that will make it easier both for you and new users.


Now, we are going to start a discussion on another one of these issues.....
The Navbar!


For those of you who don't know, the bar filled with buttons at the top (Home, Forum User CP, etc.) is the Navbar.


The big issue right now is that we want to have everything be easily accessible, but the navbar is becoming too crowded. So, we need to decide what should be there and what shouldn't.

Right now we have 11 items in the Navbar, and we want to (at least)add another 2 items.

Red items are those that will be on the Navbar, no matter what.
Bolded items are those I would prefer to keep on the Navbar, but aren't required to be there if you have a good alternative.

Current Items:


Home
Forum
User CP
Competition
Blogs
FAQ
Community (Currently "Members" on Blak-Ice)
New Posts
Quick Links
Xbox Live
Log Out

New Items To Be Added:


Maps (Dropdown Menu for Categories and Access to Map Search)
Search


But the big question is, what do you want? What do you think would work best both for you and new members who are visting XF for the first time?

[Nulls Wife]

I personally think New Posts needs to be red or at least provide another way for the members to see what is recently been posted besides the top ten.

[Null Parameter]

I personally think New Posts needs to be red or at least provide another way for the members to see what is recently been posted besides the top ten.
Links -> Today's Posts

[Letol]

I don't really think that we need Competition, I mean, we aren't even using it for the 2v2 tourney. Between Blogs and Xbox Live, I'd have to say keep Blogs. I like them both, but Blogs are used more often than the Xbox Live leaderboard from what I can see. Plus, the Blogs change/are updated more often then the Xbox Live leaderboard, I've honestly only looked at the leaderboards two or three times and it's been almost exactly the same both times.

[Gkoo]

Down in this old site I used to be in. Now closing had this Arcade thing. It would be great to see that there. I'm not sure if I can post the site here. Please inform me, or I will just send it to you null.

Another one that could be there is a contact us.

[MNM1245]

Get rid of New Posts and add it to links. Take out Competitive, XBL, and Blogs for sure. Why because not many members have access to a blog so why link it up there? And also we don't use Competitive or XBL much from what I know. I think FAQ's could even be added to links as well as new posts.

[Null Parameter]

I don't really think that we need Competition, I mean, we aren't even using it for the 2v2 tourney. Between Blogs and Xbox Live, I'd have to say keep Blogs. I like them both, but Blogs are used more often than the Xbox Live leaderboard from what I can see. Plus, the Blogs change/are updated more often then the Xbox Live leaderboard, I've honestly only looked at the leaderboards two or three times and it's been almost exactly the same both times.
I agree that between the Blogs and XBL we should keep the Blogs, because they are more prevalent, and XBL is available from the links menu as well.

Down in this old site I used to be in. Now closing had this Arcade thing. It would be great to see that there. I'm not sure if I can post the site here. Please inform me, or I will just send it to you null.

Another one that could be there is a contact us.
An arcade is an entirely different beast than just adding a Navbar item. If you want to bring up the idea, do so in another thread please.

Get rid of New Posts and add it to links. Take out Competitive, XBL, and Blogs for sure. Why because not many members have access to a blog so why link it up there? And also we don't use Competitive or XBL much from what I know. I think FAQ's could even be added to links as well as new posts.
So basically you want to get rid of everything? Awesome....

Let me counter each of your points with my own....


New Posts

While it is technically already available in the Links section, all other forums I have seen have a New Posts section in their Navbar for easy access. Taking this away makes our forums less accessible to new users who are used to having such information available to them easily.


Blogs

Yes, there are probably < 20 people who have blogs, and even fewer who use them, but the blogs section isn't just for those who have blogs, but also for the people who read them. And yes, I know those people exist. I saw a couple people reading blogs just earlier today.


Competitive

We haven't been using because of certain, complicated reasons. We do intend to use it quite heavily in the future, once our Tournament system gets more underway. And if you don't think it should be in the navbar, where should it be? We can't make it completely unavailable.


XBL

This is for informative purposes for our members. Just because you don't use it, doesn't mean others don't. I find it quite interesting myself to pop my head in there and see how different people stand among the leaderboard (mainly myself, of course); and also to shake my head at the people who have 30k+ Gamerscore.


FAQs

What are FAQs again? Oh yeah, Frequently Asked Questions.
Who uses FAQs? Oh yeah, new members who don't fully understand the entire workings of the site.
But wait..... where will they turn if they have a question, but don't see an easy way to get it answered?! That's right..... My PMs........


You have to realize that just because you know your way around well, doesn't mean that it is that easy for others, especially people who have never seen XF before, or god forbid, vBulletin.

[Bartoge]

HOME, FORUMS, USER CP, FAQS, MEMBERS, LINKS, LOG OUT

{I think links should be quick links, because everything is a link}

Those are the things that should be up there. THe reason being that mostly everyone will use the first 3. They are mandatory and so is LOG OUT. FAQS are good for new members as they will probabl take a look at it soon enough and its awlays a good reference. All of the stuff that is taken away should be put in the quick links because most new members wont really use things like blogs, xbox live, or competition. They want to be aquainted with the site before they dive into more complicated things. And those things are less used and should be in the quick links because they aren't as important.

[Soren515]

The new post button is my best friend!! I will cry if it is taken away!!! I belive that blogs(because only supporters can have them and 20% of supporters use them) and competition(unless it becomes more active) should go. I do believe these should be implemented into the quick links section though.
Posted via Mobile Device

[MNM1245]

Basically anything that gets taken out should be in the Links Section or maybe add another button that is a drop down menu named "Other" and have the less used Buttons there like Blogs, XBL, Competition, and New Posts.

[Black Theorem]

Drop Competition, put Blog and New Posts in Links.

Seems like it'll be much better for me.

[Null Parameter]

less used Buttons there like [...] New Posts.
lol, I love how you disregard everything that was said above you. Literally, New Posts is basically a requirement there, because I know a large amount of people that use it daily, if not hourly.

[MNM1245]

Why do I even argue with you? I will always loss the battle. I just don't think a majority of Members uses the New Posts Button. And I am sure the people that do use are more experienced with the site and could get used to it being in the "Links" or "Other" section. I don't know a lot of new members that would use that.

[Null Parameter]

Why do I even argue with you? I will always loss the battle. I just don't think a majority of Members uses the New Posts Button. And I am sure the people that do use are more experienced with the site and could get used to it being in the "Links" or "Other" section. I don't know a lot of new members that would use that.
How do you find the new posts since you last visited?

[Boston]

I like this idea. I also like what wiggums said. The top 10 is nice, but yeah I agree with the unread posts being a different color so people can identify them better. A small but helpful update if you ask me.

[Null Parameter]

I like this idea. I also like what wiggums said. The top 10 is nice, but yeah I agree with the unread posts being a different color so people can identify them better. A small but helpful update if you ask me.
wiggums didn't post in this thread..... :confused:

[MNM1245]

How do you find the new posts since you last visited?


I check out the top 10 or just sorta browse the forums I post in and see if any topics I posted in have had replies.

[Null Parameter]

I check out the top 10 or just sorta browse the forums I post in and see if any topics I posted in have had replies.
But if you are offline for more than a few hours, the Top 10 often overflows, meaning that you lose posts if you don't check elsewhere. And checking each forum is incredibly tedious. I suggest you check out the New Posts, it is very helpful.

I didn't start using it until a couple months ago, and now that is basically the first link I click when I go to XF.

[Nulls Wife]

I check out the top 10 or just sorta browse the forums I post in and see if any topics I posted in have had replies.

I would miss a lot of posts that way. Besides not all the posts show up on the top 10, which I do realize you covered by saying you also search the forums. Until Null told me I had no idea this was the way it happened. I personally feel like New Posts needs to stay on the Navabar.

[Fenian Bhoy]

i think blog should be taken away its not available to all members and i noticed you used my suggestion for an example :)

[GodlyPerfection]

I don't know if you guys would mind or not.. but ALOT of standard websites utilize the title header bar image thingy of their site to link to the actual home of the site. When I first joined, I automatically thought the same would happen for this site but instead it came up with the forums. I don't know how many would agree with me on this, but can we remove home from the navbar and put the link of the image header to it instead?

Also I know you won't remove it Null... but I do use New Posts, second to User CP.

XBL, Blog, and Competition could go in links... I see the fight for Blogs, and I think that it is a minor use section and doesn't need immediate access. Another thing for navbars are to make things accessible quicker and to save time. I don't think either of those three would save much time for many people even if they do use it.

However on that note... does anyone else go to their actual profile page as often as I do? I find myself having to go through links or User CP often just to get to my profile. If it's not just me, please speak up cuz I wouldn't mind seeing that in the navba.

[Null Parameter]

I don't know if you guys would mind or not.. but ALOT of standard websites utilize the title header bar image thingy of their site to link to the actual home of the site. When I first joined, I automatically thought the same would happen for this site but instead it came up with the forums. I don't know how many would agree with me on this, but can we remove home from the navbar and put the link of the image header to it instead?
While this may seem logical, many new people don't realize that the header is a link, and not having a very noticeable link might be misleading.

However on that note... does anyone else go to their actual profile page as often as I do? I find myself having to go through links or User CP often just to get to my profile. If it's not just me, please speak up cuz I wouldn't mind seeing that in the navba.
Why can't you just click your username that resides right below the navbar?
Where is says "Welcome, AZN FTW", and shows you your notifications.

[MNM1245]

However on that note... does anyone else go to their actual profile page as often as I do? I find myself having to go through links or User CP often just to get to my profile. If it's not just me, please speak up cuz I wouldn't mind seeing that in the navba.


FAIL!!! Seriously how did you not know you could just click your User Name next to your Notifications!

[GodlyPerfection]

Shhh... I never pay attention to those things... :P lolz... but thank you good sir. As for the header link, can we make it go to the home page instead of the forums... or do people use that to access the forums... I don't know about you guys, but I would love to have it link to the homepage instead.

And don't think I am just trying to get my way cuz I'm AZN. I am a member of this community to and I have a right to voice my opinion too :P... sorry just reminded how everyone thinks I'm so self-centered when it comes to opinions and how I always want my own way no matter what... well I have a right to want somethin for a site I'm part of.

[Null Parameter]

Given current input, I think we will probably go with something like this:


Home
Forum
Maps
User CP
FAQ
Community
New Posts
Search
Quick Links

Add Blogs here, Competition and XBL are already available


Log Out

So, we're effectively removing 1 item from the navbar, but adding two more items.


Now, for the Maps Dropdown.....
I have a general plan for it, and you can see that in the Beta Style, but here is a quick screenshot of it, so you can see my plan. Does anybody want to see anything changed?

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo114/Null_Parameter/Features/Map%20Menu/mapdropdown.jpg

[Fenian Bhoy]

that looks good and easy to use when will it be complete?

[Null Parameter]

As soon as I get a few more confirmations that it looks good.

[PsychoBucket]

I don't know if you guys would mind or not.. but ALOT of standard websites utilize the title header bar image thingy of their site to link to the actual home of the site. When I first joined, I automatically thought the same would happen for this site but instead it came up with the forums. I don't know how many would agree with me on this, but can we remove home from the navbar and put the link of the image header to it instead?

I hate when websites use that as the only link to the home page. I don't care if the image brings you there as long as the "Home" button says there.

Given current input, I think we will probably go with something like this:


Home
Forum
Maps
User CP
FAQ
Community
New Posts
Search
Quick Links

Add Blogs here, Competition and XBL are already available


Log Out

So, we're effectively removing 1 item from the navbar, but adding two more items.


Now, for the Maps Dropdown.....
I have a general plan for it, and you can see that in the Beta Style, but here is a quick screenshot of it, so you can see my plan. Does anybody want to see anything changed?

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo114/Null_Parameter/Features/Map%20Menu/mapdropdown.jpg


I think it looks good.

[GodlyPerfection]

Can we change "Map" to "Content" and have a Gametype Tools section? One for submitting gametypes and one for just viewing gametypes. It would make that section used more often and set us up for getting a good gametype system going. Plus "Maps" makes us sound like just another forging site. We don't only feature maps, but gametypes too. Also maybe add a link to features above the "Map Tools" category?

[Null Parameter]

"Content"
I like the idea, but that just doesn't sound right. If I were a new user and saw "Content", I wouldn't assume it was maps and gametypes.

[GodlyPerfection]

I know... I was a bit skeptical on that too... how bout "Halo Content" or "User Content" or something like that...

[Null Parameter]

This has all been taken care of.

:threadclosed: