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WinCustomize 2K5 Update

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WinCustomize 2K5 Update

Home page changes

from JoeUser Forums

We're in the process of doing another update today. The home page is different.  We haven't changed the color scheme or other image styles yet because that'll take quite a bit more time.  We do plan to make the whites a little bit less white and the tangerine of the home page is likely going to change to something else.  But we're getting there.

Let us know what you think of the new home page layout.

16,817 views 42 replies
Reply #26 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I used to be able to get to nearly any page on winc with 1 click from nearly any page.Now I have to click and click and click...then when I finally get there,I'm presented with a light view and have to click again and again


~ I have to agree. Although I like the new layout I did like the fact that one could get to wherever they wanted to go with just 1, maybe 2, clicks. While navigation is easy, it's also time consuming and a little frustrating.

I truly think since the site is full of creative minds, let them be creative with the site. Enable us to change the colors as we see fit.


~ I still think this is the biggest and most important opinion/suggestion of all. With so many concerns over the colors, give us the ability to change them to whatever we like.
Reply #27 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well, I thought I would add to the pot and see what kind of stew we come up with.

When I heard the news of a new website, I thought you would take the old site and improve and tweak the heck out of it. (If it's not broke, don't fix it). I do feel the 2 columns are a waste of space. Guess I'm old school and like the 3 column feel.
I do agree that the navigation needs improving. Have to click more to get to where you need to go. On 56K, it can get a little frustrating.
I have noticed that in the descriptions of skins, if they're to long, seems to get cut off and you have to click the details to finish reading it.
I not sure about the name chage for the windowblinds. It's been that for the longest time.

(This is just my opinion) I would have just gave the old site a new coat of paint and an oil change, instead of trying to build a whole new car.
Offworld Trading Company
Reply #28 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The old site has:

A much better design, and the option to change siteskin.
Fewer clicks get me where I want to go.
It's a lot easier on the eyes with any of the layouts available, and for those of us who like to spend a lot of time here, that matters a lot.

The personal page should contain more information on the front page instead of endless clicking through a lot of tabs. Most of the info available on those pages are text, and don't take long to load regardless of connection speed.
Reply #29 from WinCustomize Forums Top
well, personally, I think its just a matter of getting used to. the new site is still betterthan the old one.

the only problem I have is the design/color of it. It could still use the same skin I think from the old site. maybe that would help.
Reply #30 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yeah, I'm back again to say it official, other than getting used to the new design, it is way better than the old one. For the most part you can get to where you want to go on one click, but other times it will be 2 because WinCustomize has more content; For example, the forums. It not has about 4 different forums (no default one) so you have to click again to go to the default on IF the thread you want to see is no the top ten threads.

The main page is perfect (its just missing textbanner.net community ads *hint hint*). Plus I do think the casual user will get the idea. The side menu is long, of course, because of the amount of content so maybe it would be better if it was collapsible or something? No clicking on a button and the whole page reloads; it should just expand. Or maybe a menu with anchor links to the different sub-menus below. Start with 'Recent Forum Activity' as the first anchor and work your way down.

Gallery pages are fine:
http://www2.wincustomize.com/Skins.aspx?LibID=32

3 columns is the only way to go here.

The OVERALL gallery:
http://www2.wincustomize.com/Skins.aspx

It works too. If you put the textbanner.net community ads on top of the middle column that would work fine.

Other tabs like newest, popular, software, and articles:
http://www2.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx

are excellent!!! (maybe a little space between 'gallery' and 'newest' [like it is between 'home' and 'gallery'] and a small space between 'sites' and 'stores')


Oh and on the home pages, we should have our own stores (subscribers should anyway) so we can sell Object Desktop software and stuff we made too... like Café Press except for skins.
Reply #31 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not to worry about the theme color/design of the site. We've taken your suggestions and are working hard on a new design.

"We have the technology to rebuild this [website]! We can build [it] faster, stronger..." -- The 6 Million Dollar [website]

*insert cheesy theme song here*
Reply #32 from WinCustomize Forums Top
at Dark-Star

I wanna thank yous guys for listening to us.
Reply #33 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I wanna thank yous guys for listening to us.


Oh trust us Essencay, we do listen, and we do appreciate all the feedback. In the end, the more feedback we get from our community, the better the site will be in the end. All opinions are welcome, for the most part , and they are taken into consideration.

Flyin [Part of WC Development Team]
Reply #34 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I, personally, like a 3 column layout, but I also think that that top tab setup makes up for it in a way. I currently find myself using the new site more than the old one for navigating the libraries and stuff.

Edit::: When you post in a thread or article, the page should reload and scroll you to the bottom of the page so you can see your post.
Reply #35 from WinCustomize Forums Top
OMG I love it!!!
Reply #37 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hey, guys.. what's going on with the original wincustomize??? can access it even through the wincustomize browser.
Reply #38 from WinCustomize Forums Top
There's a huge, huge amount of wasted space at the top right of every page. For people who don't see ads, why not fill it with something a little more useful? Maybe a quick summary of new comments on their skins, or on forum threads they were following, etc?
Reply #39 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Great idea!
Reply #40 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not a bad idea GR.
Reply #42 from WinCustomize Forums Top
the old WC had a link to the authors skins...on this new one i cant seem to get to them unless u have a WC Site which means to sign up and pay...how come this link isnt available like it was on the old WC?