Forums » The Lounge » Read Thread

I think so... it looks very 2004-ish, which is precicely about when the last major layout changes were done. It doesn't look very modern... but it also doesn't look very retro, either. Just feels.... clunky.

I think the quality of the writing here deserve an equally-sharp website, and as I mentioned in the previous post, the codebase is now in a state where things like a newlayout wouldn't be too difficult to implement.

What do you think? Would a nice, simple layout be weclome? Should we go retro? 

Are there any websites you find particularly sexy and/or cool?

There's nothing wrong with the current layout but you're right about it looking 2004-ish. I'm all for a layout change.

The layout for Khan Academy would work really well for browsing through storygames, especially if the "tags" feature took off. The current sidebar could be shifted to be horizontal along the top of the page, and then all the other sections of the site could operate normally. User profiles could be shifted around too (hate to use Khan Academy as an example again but the member page of a random member here - the trophies could go where the achievements are, all the important information could go in that top bit and the sidebar could have options for "biography / storygames / articles / recent forum posts" (ie. you click on recent forum posts and it'll show you all the recent forum posts by that member, you click storygames and it'll show you the storygames that appear on their profile etc.)).

That's just a suggestion; I'll keep looking around at other sites because font/graphic-wise Khan Academy isn't the classiest. But yeah, I'm not adept at Photoshop by any stretch but if chocobot's not around and you don't have anyone else who's willing to do basic graphics for the site I'm happy to create some images if needed).

Thanks, this is great feedback -- and actually, this is just the kind of inspiration that's great for providing a new look & feel. Khan does has a modern look, but it maintains its own brand (unlike a lot of the generic gray/flavourless websites that seem popular today).  Please share if you can think of more :-)

I think the site looks great as is. If you want to change it though, I think a member spotlight (like from this thread http://chooseyourstory.com/forums/message.aspx?MessageId=2858) would be a great idea.

you can try something simmilar to the layout of www.Kongregate.com or just put a background image.

I also head that the color Green incrases creativity.

As a new user, I see nothing wanting in the current set up  :)

No. Just my 2 cents.