UPDATE!!!! Limited BETA testing of the new DD is now open. Anyone wishing to participate, please PQ me and I will add your username to the list. We're only accepting the first 100 users whose PQ I receive.
Hi everyone,
We've got a major announcement for you guys today. DrunkDuck is currently in the middle of undergoing a site redesign. We're very excited to have the opportunity to examine the site in its current state, figure out a list of new features, current issues, and the general UI flow of the site, and come up with a general unified look to the site that will address what both the loyal and casual members of the DrunkDuck community have been asking for.
We wanted to wait until the redesign process was firmly underway before revealing it to you guys, as we not only wanted to give you a preview of the new look of the site, but also to assure you that this is something that is really happening, and not just a vague promise.
Obviously the feedback of the DrunkDuck community is very important to us as well, so previewing the new site design in advance also gives us a chance to gather your feedback and incorporate it into the site as well, the result of which will hopefully satisfy as many people as possible.
First up, the homepage: (CLICK ON ALL IMAGES TO VIEW THEM AT FULL SIZE)
NEWEST VERSION
OLD VERSION
http://img213.imageshack.us/i/ddsitemainr1v9open.jpg/
We've made several refinements to the homepage, not the least of which being the new color scheme.
- The news posts have now taken a more prominent position in the center of the page (veterans of DD from way back in the day may be reminded of the previous iteration of the homepage before the current one).
- The columns have turned into rows, and we're replacing the Quail's Random section with a Most Liked of the Week, which incorporates the new “Like” system of voting. We're replacing the 1-5 scale of voting the site currently employs with a simple “Like” button. If you like a comic update, click “Like”. If you don't like the update, simply move on. The comics with the most “Likes” over the past 7 days will appear on the homepage in that section.
- The Latest Updates row will now update in real-time, which means that if you hang around the homepage long enough and a comic happens to update, the whole row should shift to the left automatically. Not a major feature or anything, just a nice little touch.
- The Featured Comics list has been moved prominently to the top of the page and expanded to the most recent 8 featured comics.
- The My Favorites and My Webcomics drop-down menus have been streamlined and made a bit more intuitive to use.
- There's also a new Spotlight section on the left of the page, which will highlight some notable DD-related links, not the least of which being the Featured Comics Archive, hopefully making it easier for users to browse some great comics on DD that happened to make the featured comics list at one point or another.
Next, a look at the Featured Comics Archive page and the News Page
NEWEST VERSION
OLD VERSION
http://img26.imageshack.us/i/ddarchiver1v3alist.jpg/
NEWEST VERSION
OLD VERSION
http://img440.imageshack.us/i/ddnewsr1v1list.jpg/
- The Featured Comics Archive page will also feature a thumbnailed grid view and be fully browsable and searchable by date and title. You can also filter by genre/style/rating/etc.
- The News archive page will also be fully searchable.
Next, a couple pages from the User Control Panel
NEWEST VERSION
OLD VERSION
http://img534.imageshack.us/i/ddcontrolr1v1bfavorites.jpg
NEWEST VERSION
OLD VERSION
http://img832.imageshack.us/i/ddcontrolr1v1bquacks.jpg/
This is just a sample of the pages we're working on redesigning on DD. Eventually every page on the site will be refreshed to fit a unified, cohesive look and feel. Because some parts of the site require more work than others, the plan is to do a gradual roll-out of new redesigns and features over the next several months.
The first big roll-out of the new DrunkDuck redesign is scheduled to come out next month, in October. We'll provide more specifics as the date approaches. The last thing we want is to spring an entirely new site design on you without warning or a chance to try it out for yourselves, so there may be an opportunity for DD members to play with the new site design and test it out before it actually goes live.
More details to follow.
Comic Talk and General Discussion *
DrunkDuck is being redesigned! Pics and info inside!
srhdt
at 3:15PM, Sept. 20, 2010
last edited on July 14, 2011 3:54PM
carly_mizzou
at 3:37PM, Sept. 20, 2010
this is so awesome. It's like a limecicle dream! I can't wait for the launch!
last edited on July 14, 2011 11:36AM
alwinbot
at 4:18PM, Sept. 20, 2010
Looks nice. I like how there's a like function. Though, it'll just be another top 10.
last edited on July 14, 2011 10:50AM
Kroatz
at 4:36PM, Sept. 20, 2010
I think it's amazing that there's some thought put into the design!
I think it will work very well, although the scrolling on the homepage may be a little bad for usability.
I think a next project, when it comes to the visual aspect of the site, should be a function for people to choose between different color themes. The green used now will be fun for a while, And it fits the general attitude of DD very well, but people that spend a lot of time on this website like me will be plagued with headaches within a couple of months.
Maybe a similar page as the template chooser for comics should be made available for the rest of the site too? It should be a matter of altering the images to have a different palette of colors and recreating the already existing page for templates.
But, my grumpyness aside, congratulatorium to the designer(s) I especially like the new logo's in the spotlight section and you've managed to keep the important parts intact!
I'm looking forward to the launch as well.
I think it will work very well, although the scrolling on the homepage may be a little bad for usability.
I think a next project, when it comes to the visual aspect of the site, should be a function for people to choose between different color themes. The green used now will be fun for a while, And it fits the general attitude of DD very well, but people that spend a lot of time on this website like me will be plagued with headaches within a couple of months.
Maybe a similar page as the template chooser for comics should be made available for the rest of the site too? It should be a matter of altering the images to have a different palette of colors and recreating the already existing page for templates.
But, my grumpyness aside, congratulatorium to the designer(s) I especially like the new logo's in the spotlight section and you've managed to keep the important parts intact!
I'm looking forward to the launch as well.
The feeling you get, right before you poop.
That's the best feeling in the world.
- Albert Einstein
That's the best feeling in the world.
- Albert Einstein
last edited on July 14, 2011 1:24PM
alwinbot
at 4:50PM, Sept. 20, 2010
I'm also wondering if the interface for editing your comic page will be different.
last edited on July 14, 2011 10:50AM
Red Slayer
at 5:20PM, Sept. 20, 2010
Finally!
There's a full moon coming soon. It is a time for…changes.
There's a full moon coming soon. It is a time for…changes.
last edited on July 14, 2011 3:03PM
Product Placement
at 5:27PM, Sept. 20, 2010
KroatzVery much agree with this statement. I'm kinda iffy about the green and would very much like to choose my own color.
I think a next project, when it comes to the visual aspect of the site, should be a function for people to choose between different color themes. The green used now will be fun for a while, And it fits the general attitude of DD very well, but people that spend a lot of time on this website like me will be plagued with headaches within a couple of months.
Maybe a similar page as the template chooser for comics should be made available for the rest of the site too? It should be a matter of altering the images to have a different palette of colors and recreating the already existing page for templates.
Another thing that I notice is that the new PQ format only seems to display 10 PQs at a time as opposed to 50, like it does now. That's going to be a problem for me cause I use the PQ's ALLOT. Is it possible to include the option of displaying more then 10 at a time?
Also, can you post an example of how the forum is going to look like?
Those were my two cents.
If you have any other questions, please deposit a quarter.
This space for rent.
If you have any other questions, please deposit a quarter.
This space for rent.
last edited on July 14, 2011 2:53PM
srhdt
at 5:59PM, Sept. 20, 2010
Product Placement
Another thing that I notice is that the new PQ format only seems to display 10 PQs at a time as opposed to 50, like it does now. That's going to be a problem for me cause I use the PQ's ALLOT. Is it possible to include the option of displaying more then 10 at a time?
We can certainly look into that. I think displaying 10 at a time was simply an arbitrary choice.
Product Placement
Also, can you post an example of how the forum is going to look like?
We haven't gotten to the redesign of the forums yet, and honestly that redesign probably won't be done until a later date past October. The reason being that there are several additional features we'd love to add to the forums as well beyond just an aesthetic redesign.
We're planning on transferring the site code to an updated framework on the back-end, which will make it a lot easier to program in new features in the future across the entire site. We'll probably wait until that is done before tinkering with the forums or messing with other involved site features.
last edited on July 14, 2011 3:54PM
Ozoneocean
at 6:04PM, Sept. 20, 2010
I'd prefer about 50 PQs in the display too- also the ability to flag individual PQs for attention like you can do in any e-mail system :)
last edited on July 14, 2011 2:37PM
same
at 6:19PM, Sept. 20, 2010
Looks great.
I particularly like the email alerts on the user control panel.
I particularly like the email alerts on the user control panel.
last edited on July 14, 2011 3:21PM
usedbooks
at 6:21PM, Sept. 20, 2010
It looks nice. :) Organized and functional.
I like the return of news on the front page. We've been missing that.
I am a little concerned about featured comics. They seem somehow even less noticeable at the top like that. I think people are used to seeing ad banners frame a site on top, and to put the featured comics above that sort of pushes them into the background, imo. I might be the only one who thinks that way, but it felt a bit off to me to see the site logo below a bunch of thumbnails. It would make more sense in my head to see the logo as the first thing. I tend to “not see” anything before that… But if it's just me, please ignore the criticism. Heh.
It would be neat if there was a spot dedicated to the most recent feature (the description, etc.) specifically instead of just lumping it in with the newsposts. – Although including the newsposts on the frontpage is in itself a HUGE improvement, so thanks for that. :)
I like the return of news on the front page. We've been missing that.
I am a little concerned about featured comics. They seem somehow even less noticeable at the top like that. I think people are used to seeing ad banners frame a site on top, and to put the featured comics above that sort of pushes them into the background, imo. I might be the only one who thinks that way, but it felt a bit off to me to see the site logo below a bunch of thumbnails. It would make more sense in my head to see the logo as the first thing. I tend to “not see” anything before that… But if it's just me, please ignore the criticism. Heh.
It would be neat if there was a spot dedicated to the most recent feature (the description, etc.) specifically instead of just lumping it in with the newsposts. – Although including the newsposts on the frontpage is in itself a HUGE improvement, so thanks for that. :)
SomeoneThe 1-5 ratings never served much of a purpose. Just served as a method for people to leave “blank” comments of support or detest, so that's a good change, imo. I doubt the “most liked” list will vary much from the “top 10” list, but we'll see. This won't alter the comment system, though; will it? It would seriously suck to lose or change that too much. Comments are awesome.
We're replacing the 1-5 scale of voting the site currently employs with a simple “Like” button. If you like a comic update, click “Like”. If you don't like the update, simply move on. The comics with the most “Likes” over the past 7 days will appear on the homepage in that section.
last edited on July 14, 2011 4:38PM
same
at 6:27PM, Sept. 20, 2010
usedbooks
It looks nice. :) Organized and functional.
I like the return of news on the front page. We've been missing that.
I am a little concerned about featured comics. They seem somehow even less noticeable at the top like that. I think people are used to seeing ad banners frame a site on top, and to put the featured comics above that sort of pushes them into the background, imo. I might be the only one who thinks that way, but it felt a bit off to me to see the site logo below a bunch of thumbnails. It would make more sense in my head to see the logo as the first thing. I tend to “not see” anything before that… But if it's just me, please ignore the criticism. Heh.
It would be neat if there was a spot dedicated to the most recent feature (the description, etc.) specifically instead of just lumping it in with the newsposts. – Although including the newsposts on the frontpage is in itself a HUGE improvement, so thanks for that. :)SomeoneThe 1-5 ratings never served much of a purpose. Just served as a method for people to leave “blank” comments of support or detest, so that's a good change, imo. I doubt the “most liked” list will vary much from the “top 10” list, but we'll see. This won't alter the comment system, though; will it? It would seriously suck to lose or change that too much. Comments are awesome.
We're replacing the 1-5 scale of voting the site currently employs with a simple “Like” button. If you like a comic update, click “Like”. If you don't like the update, simply move on. The comics with the most “Likes” over the past 7 days will appear on the homepage in that section.
The “obligatory leave a 5 even if i dont like it just so i dont insult the artist” thing is now gonna be replaced with the “Obligatory like even if i dont just so i dont insult the artist” thing.
last edited on July 14, 2011 3:21PM
Macattack
at 6:33PM, Sept. 20, 2010
Looks great! I'll miss actually seeing the duck and quail but can't wait to see the new site. It looks really user friendly
last edited on July 14, 2011 1:49PM
usedbooks
at 6:35PM, Sept. 20, 2010
sameNot if it's anonymous (I don't know if it is). And I doubt artists are insulted by “unranked” comments. Very few I know of have disliked a comment with no number attached, but some get upset at rankings with no comment (yes, even 5's).
The “obligatory leave a 5 even if i dont like it just so i dont insult the artist” thing is now gonna be replaced with the “Obligatory like even if i dont just so i dont insult the artist” thing.
I can't really visualize how that will be set up on the comic pages. I assume our custom html won't be too severely affected or changed (I hope).
Could we see screenshots of the way the comments/like system will look on the comic pages?
last edited on July 14, 2011 4:38PM
Ironscarf
at 6:39PM, Sept. 20, 2010
last edited on July 14, 2011 1:02PM
HippieVan
at 7:36PM, Sept. 20, 2010
Glad to see you guys are making changes, here's hoping they go smoothly.
However, I have some complaints.
1. That green everywhere is way too bright. Ouch.
Edit: I should make it clear that the design other than that is quite fine, I just dislike how loud it is.
2. THERE IS NO DRUNK DUCK! :'(
3. The “Like” system instead of Quail's random seems like a really bad idea. Clearly it will just mirror the top ten comics.
Also, what will comic pages look like? Because a big lime green thing at the top of those pages wouldn't match with a lot of people's comics…
However, I have some complaints.
1. That green everywhere is way too bright. Ouch.
Edit: I should make it clear that the design other than that is quite fine, I just dislike how loud it is.
2. THERE IS NO DRUNK DUCK! :'(
3. The “Like” system instead of Quail's random seems like a really bad idea. Clearly it will just mirror the top ten comics.
Also, what will comic pages look like? Because a big lime green thing at the top of those pages wouldn't match with a lot of people's comics…
last edited on July 14, 2011 12:49PM
AQua_ng
at 8:28PM, Sept. 20, 2010
It's not plastered with images of me. This…this displeases me.
K.A.L.A-dan! Brigade Captain :D
K.A.L.A.-dan forums!
last edited on July 14, 2011 10:59AM
elektro
at 10:22PM, Sept. 20, 2010
Other than the really awful green color, the site design looks pretty cool, and far more modern looking than the current one.
How much of this redesign will affect the comics pages themselves? Will it redesign the whole format, or will the pages stay the same only with a few modifications (like the comments box and the top banner advertising the site)?
How much of this redesign will affect the comics pages themselves? Will it redesign the whole format, or will the pages stay the same only with a few modifications (like the comments box and the top banner advertising the site)?
last edited on July 14, 2011 12:21PM
Ozoneocean
at 10:34PM, Sept. 20, 2010
I'm told that the comic template will be pretty much the same…
But I'm still dubious till I see something in action.
I'd LOVE for the standard unmodified comic template to change though, that grey thing has always been butt-ugly!
As to the green colour, I like it. Anything at all would be better than this boring grey.
But I'm still dubious till I see something in action.
I'd LOVE for the standard unmodified comic template to change though, that grey thing has always been butt-ugly!
As to the green colour, I like it. Anything at all would be better than this boring grey.
last edited on July 14, 2011 2:37PM
Skullbie
at 11:07PM, Sept. 20, 2010
I think the design is awesome and the ads look like they're a part of the site instead of vomited at you. :)
I'd like to see more of the blue in DDs logo i guess if i was gonna be all nitpicky.
I'd like to see more of the blue in DDs logo i guess if i was gonna be all nitpicky.
last edited on July 14, 2011 3:48PM
DAJB
at 11:45PM, Sept. 20, 2010
Looks okay. No doubt some people will love the new look and some people will hate it with a vengeance. Eventually we'll all get used to it, though!
The one thing that seems a huge mistake to me at this stage is the Top 10 “Liked” comics. I can foresee this being almost identical to the current Top 10 since any comic which is already in the Top 10 is almost certain to have more fans to “like” it than others. It will also continue to favour comics which update daily as opposed to, say, weekly. If there are to be rankings for “liked” comics I'd have thought these should replace the current Top 10, not simply duplicate it.
Personally, I'd have preferred it if - instead of duplicating the Top 10 - some thought had been spent on making the “random picks” more useful. The introduction of the “random picks” should have been a great way of introducing people to comics outside the Top 10. It failed, I think, because it was always cluttered up with too many dormant comics. A simple line of code to exclude comics which haven't updated for, say, six months, would have been far more useful than two identical Top 10s.
Also, is anything being done about the PQs? A “Sent” box is surely long overdue!
The one thing that seems a huge mistake to me at this stage is the Top 10 “Liked” comics. I can foresee this being almost identical to the current Top 10 since any comic which is already in the Top 10 is almost certain to have more fans to “like” it than others. It will also continue to favour comics which update daily as opposed to, say, weekly. If there are to be rankings for “liked” comics I'd have thought these should replace the current Top 10, not simply duplicate it.
Personally, I'd have preferred it if - instead of duplicating the Top 10 - some thought had been spent on making the “random picks” more useful. The introduction of the “random picks” should have been a great way of introducing people to comics outside the Top 10. It failed, I think, because it was always cluttered up with too many dormant comics. A simple line of code to exclude comics which haven't updated for, say, six months, would have been far more useful than two identical Top 10s.
Also, is anything being done about the PQs? A “Sent” box is surely long overdue!
A WW2 fighter pilot, a First Century warrior queen and a prehistoric shaman. Oh, and their tailor. These are not your common-or-garden heroes!
last edited on July 14, 2011 12:04PM
Genejoke
at 1:30AM, Sept. 21, 2010
DAJB makes a good point about the random bit.
Also is it possible to show more than the top ten comics? maybe to top 20 or even 50. just smaller or something. That may help the more casual visitor to discover other titles.
Also could more forum topics/projects get more news post exposure. things lie the DD reviews and interview project.
Have the main site promote the community a little more.
Also is it possible to show more than the top ten comics? maybe to top 20 or even 50. just smaller or something. That may help the more casual visitor to discover other titles.
Also could more forum topics/projects get more news post exposure. things lie the DD reviews and interview project.
Have the main site promote the community a little more.
last edited on July 14, 2011 12:33PM
Ozoneocean
at 2:05AM, Sept. 21, 2010
GenejokeBecause of the horizontal format that's limited since the design has a fixed width…
Also is it possible to show more than the top ten comics? maybe to top 20 or even 50. just smaller or something. That may help the more casual visitor to discover other titles.
Unless they made some sort of scrolling section there's not going to be an increase.
GenejokeYes, this will happen. Since the News will return again to the front page, anything we post about will be there for all to see, instead of hidden away like it is now.
Also could more forum topics/projects get more news post exposure. things lie the DD reviews and interview project.
Have the main site promote the community a little more.
last edited on July 14, 2011 2:37PM
Genejoke
at 2:20AM, Sept. 21, 2010
SomeonePeople are too lazy too scroll anyway.
Unless they made some sort of scrolling section there's not going to be an increase.
As for the other bit. Yay!
last edited on July 14, 2011 12:33PM
seventy2
at 2:21AM, Sept. 21, 2010
facara
Running Anew an exercise blog.
I'm gonna love you till the money comes, half of it's gonna be mine someday.
Running Anew an exercise blog.
I'm gonna love you till the money comes, half of it's gonna be mine someday.
last edited on July 14, 2011 3:31PM
same
at 6:53AM, Sept. 21, 2010
One thing id like to see is being able to edit or delete comments youve left on comics.
last edited on July 14, 2011 3:21PM
DAJB
at 7:22AM, Sept. 21, 2010
sameThat would be useful.
One thing id like to see is being able to edit or delete comments youve left on comics.
Also, maybe comic creators could be entrusted to delete/mute other people's comments on their own comics - the same as they can delete posts in their comic's individual forum.
A WW2 fighter pilot, a First Century warrior queen and a prehistoric shaman. Oh, and their tailor. These are not your common-or-garden heroes!
last edited on July 14, 2011 12:04PM
Ozoneocean
at 7:30AM, Sept. 21, 2010
DAJBHaha, we've ALWAYS wanted that.
lso, maybe comic creators could be entrusted to delete/mute other people's comments on their own comics - the same as they can delete posts in their comic's individual forum.
It's one of the things that is part of the new design :)
last edited on July 14, 2011 2:37PM
Terminal
at 7:52AM, Sept. 21, 2010
Hopefully, this new redesign is alot easier on older computers.
last edited on July 14, 2011 4:13PM
PIT_FACE
at 8:17AM, Sept. 21, 2010
hey, it seems like a step up, i really like it. it seems a bit more user friendly and the layout is nice! i just hope it can change over smoothly this time. the duck doesnt need any more big hic ups to tarnish its reputation.
last edited on July 14, 2011 2:45PM
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