Sun Oct 17, 2004 12:36 am
Sapphire Thank You 
I think what alot of us would need to see is how this new thing looks on an actual Lookup - like how will it affect topbanners, sidebars, the whole lookup in general. Our lookups are important to some of us - especially with the new Lookup of the Week contest. I'm having a hard time picturing a fully made lookup - background, banner, sidebar, etc. with this huge ad on the top of the page, you know?
So Borovan, any chance of seeing a "mock up" of what this will look like on a lookup? Pweeeeeze?
The button changes themselves don't seem too radical, I know I'll be clicking create instead of pet central for awhile, LOL, but that's not a big deal; and a bit wider of a sidebar I think is a good thing - easier to read. It's that extending up and across the top with the big ad thing I just don't like.
I think what alot of us would need to see is how this new thing looks on an actual Lookup - like how will it affect topbanners, sidebars, the whole lookup in general. Our lookups are important to some of us - especially with the new Lookup of the Week contest. I'm having a hard time picturing a fully made lookup - background, banner, sidebar, etc. with this huge ad on the top of the page, you know?
So Borovan, any chance of seeing a "mock up" of what this will look like on a lookup? Pweeeeeze?
The button changes themselves don't seem too radical, I know I'll be clicking create instead of pet central for awhile, LOL, but that's not a big deal; and a bit wider of a sidebar I think is a good thing - easier to read. It's that extending up and across the top with the big ad thing I just don't like.
Sun Oct 17, 2004 12:40 am
I like the new board! 
However, the games logo is a bit ho-hum with a little baby alphabet block still there...maybe something more games-appropriate? Shape it like a puzzle piece or something?
ALSO: Why is the word of the day "Meecra"?
I assume that was supposed to be Meerca...*cough* I take it the Neopian Word of the day selection isn't done by hand, eh? *laughs*
Anyhow, I couldn't help but notice that little mistake in the screenshot.
However, the games logo is a bit ho-hum with a little baby alphabet block still there...maybe something more games-appropriate? Shape it like a puzzle piece or something?
ALSO: Why is the word of the day "Meecra"?
I assume that was supposed to be Meerca...*cough* I take it the Neopian Word of the day selection isn't done by hand, eh? *laughs*
Anyhow, I couldn't help but notice that little mistake in the screenshot.
Sun Oct 17, 2004 12:42 am
NO! NO No no no no! I spent 5 HOURS on my custom sidebar for my lookup. 5 HOURS. I just entered Lookup spotlight and now my entry will pretty much be null and void?! Great. Just perfect.
So totally against this.
So totally against this.
Sun Oct 17, 2004 1:06 am
I like the new sidebar and it would be great if we could change the color, for example if I want a white one I could just write "white" or "#FFFFFF"
Although it will also mess my lookup entry, I wouldn't mind that new toolbar.
Could there be a button in the new toolbar that directs you to your shop front/gallery? That would be very useful too.
Although it will also mess my lookup entry, I wouldn't mind that new toolbar.
Could there be a button in the new toolbar that directs you to your shop front/gallery? That would be very useful too.
Sun Oct 17, 2004 1:33 am
meowth1982 wrote:NO! NO No no no no! I spent 5 HOURS on my custom sidebar for my lookup. 5 HOURS. I just entered Lookup spotlight and now my entry will pretty much be null and void?! Great. Just perfect.
So totally against this.
meowth, I'm really hoping (can we get a confirmation here?!) that anyone who already entered the Lookup of the Week will be ok ... as in their entries will be eligible as they were done and entered before the new toolbar is put in place. I don't think it would be fair to "disqualify" us for doing our best, entering before changes were made without knowing those changes were coming.
The sidebar? Yeah, it will take some time to redo them ... once all the various buttons are decided upon and put in place. but those are doable.
It's that long extension from the top of the sidebar that stretches across the top of the page I'm really not liking the more I look at it.
It's very ... BIG, very distracting, pushes the rest of the page down, and I honestly don't think it's an attractive thing or an asset to any of the pages. Especially since we'll still have our shockwave banner/ad under the sidebar. I really think that should not be added, IMHO.
Just change the sidebar to reflect the new look/changes in navigation and leave the top banner part alone.
Sun Oct 17, 2004 2:04 am
I really don't like the addition of a top banner ad. Adam, a lot of users already have problems with the little flash buttons in the existing toolbar -- some of them are glitchy and cause pages to load incorrectly, and for those of us with slower computers, they slow our load time a lot. I'm afraid adding a large banner ad will make the problems worse.
Other than that, I like the design.
Other than that, I like the design.
Sun Oct 17, 2004 2:07 am
When I was reading the first few posts before the ss I was like oh my gosh this is going to be horrible!! When I saw the ss I just aabout screamed! Its really cool!
Maybe change the block on the games link to a hand controler and the tv on news to maybe a mini looking isue of the neopian times or something.
I think maybe the World link can be put on the Pet Central page and move the stuff around a bit. Maybe add a My Items, My Shop, or My Guild link onto there.
Yellow is okay I guess but different colors would be cool too. Maybe make them themed ones too like in the corner where the Neopets image is it can be a roll over and the whole side bar can have a theme like asparagus and the rollover could have a little asaparagus chia bouncing around the Neopets image. Maybe we can even have a contest to design a sidebar and whic ever wins can have that side bar as an option.
I think we should also have an option to have the new sidebar or the old sidebar. Some people who have dial-up will have it load slowly and liek me a Mac user might have my computer freeze if all this stuff loads.
Maybe change the block on the games link to a hand controler and the tv on news to maybe a mini looking isue of the neopian times or something.
I think maybe the World link can be put on the Pet Central page and move the stuff around a bit. Maybe add a My Items, My Shop, or My Guild link onto there.
Yellow is okay I guess but different colors would be cool too. Maybe make them themed ones too like in the corner where the Neopets image is it can be a roll over and the whole side bar can have a theme like asparagus and the rollover could have a little asaparagus chia bouncing around the Neopets image. Maybe we can even have a contest to design a sidebar and whic ever wins can have that side bar as an option.
I think we should also have an option to have the new sidebar or the old sidebar. Some people who have dial-up will have it load slowly and liek me a Mac user might have my computer freeze if all this stuff loads.
Sun Oct 17, 2004 2:17 am
I would really appreciate the option to choose between the new and old styles, for all the reasons Gatekeepers has mentioned. There are certain things I didn't like about the new lookup style and it was frustrating to not simply be allowed to choose which one I preferred. I think the background color for the clock should be the same color as the circle behind the login arrows as my eye was immediately drawn to it and it doesn't seem to blend in with the page. Overall, I think the banner takes up too much space as everything will now be pushed downward forcing you to scroll just to read a page. The empty white space on the right that users with resolutions higher thant 800x600 is more pronounced, making a very obvious cutoff. The image placeholder used instead of text seems a bit convoluted. The purpose of instant messages is to be instant and I'd find not being able to read immediately what messages were about annoyingly inefficient. In the case of optimum usability, I think less is more.
Sun Oct 17, 2004 2:48 am
I think you're adding extra bits for no real reason. All you need is a nice well ordered and streamlined sidebar. I like the reorganisation of the sidebar, and I like the clock. Stop there, please.
The little blinky banner ad we already have on the sidebar can be distracting enough, having a huge ad across the top will make my eyes bleed, not to mention that all that yellow on one page just makes it too bright.
There seems to be no real point in having the top bar at all, it doesn't aid navigation, it just flashes an advertisment and while i know neopets needs to advertise, that is just over the top. People avoid websites that have top advertisment banners. And it will make the page slower to load.
I like the 'new event' notices, they are part of the neopets culture, and I like being able to see what the event is, and, for example if someone has given me something, I can go straight to my inventory and not fuss around.
If you had just shown us the reordered sidebar I'd be delighted (although it could be made a little thinnner) but the top bar just spoils the whole thing for me.
The little blinky banner ad we already have on the sidebar can be distracting enough, having a huge ad across the top will make my eyes bleed, not to mention that all that yellow on one page just makes it too bright.
There seems to be no real point in having the top bar at all, it doesn't aid navigation, it just flashes an advertisment and while i know neopets needs to advertise, that is just over the top. People avoid websites that have top advertisment banners. And it will make the page slower to load.
I like the 'new event' notices, they are part of the neopets culture, and I like being able to see what the event is, and, for example if someone has given me something, I can go straight to my inventory and not fuss around.
If you had just shown us the reordered sidebar I'd be delighted (although it could be made a little thinnner) but the top bar just spoils the whole thing for me.
Sun Oct 17, 2004 3:05 am
I really like the new look! It's much more encompassing, and draws you into the game more. It's great. The extra features will be useful, especially the clock. The only problem is that gigantic top banner. It's going to extend loading time even more especially if its flash-based, and it's also pretty distracting :/
It's much more encompassing, and draws you into the game more. It's great. The extra features will be useful, especially the clock. The only problem is that gigantic top banner. It's going to extend loading time even more especially if its flash-based, and it's also pretty distracting :/
Sun Oct 17, 2004 3:17 am
I have to agree, that banner/ad thing on the top is going to be quite distracting, and as someone who used to have 56k internet, the loading time might even be doubled for some pages. Other images I could turn off through IE, but the flash ones kept loading themselves and slowing me down. This could be horrible for the few out there who still only have 28k too.
Please, the top bar is cool, but maybe you could shrink it down to the size of the one we have now, and have the time up there. that way people with monitors who run at 640 x 480 (either because of a low-end computer or a vision disability) won't have to have their eyes bleeding and do horrendous amounts of scrolling.
Please, the top bar is cool, but maybe you could shrink it down to the size of the one we have now, and have the time up there. that way people with monitors who run at 640 x 480 (either because of a low-end computer or a vision disability) won't have to have their eyes bleeding and do horrendous amounts of scrolling.
Sun Oct 17, 2004 3:43 am
Ooh....I LOVE the reorganization and the clock(helps me sets my desktop time). The banner IS way too big. I think I like it on the side more. If you want to put stuff on the top, it should be some "My ___s"....and events, if you get any.
Sun Oct 17, 2004 3:48 am
Here's my opinion on the whole toolbar thing...
I don't think "Create a Pet" needs to be on the yellow toolbar, because space IS limited, and people dont create neopets that often! They can only create up to 4, and sometimes they dont want 4..... either way, after a while you wont need to use that button!
I really wouldnt mind that long banner on the top, as long as it isnt a big flash animation like that. Like others said, that would take alot of people a LONG time to load... banners is a fine idea, just maybe not banners with large file sizes?
I do think that the main important things that should be linked to from the yellow bar are the Battledome, New Features, Your Inventory, Games, Neoboards, Explore, Neomail, Shops/your shop, help, and maybe something that combines the "World" section with the "Pet Central" section... Those are the ones that would be most commonly used, I say.
The Clock = Fantastic Addition
I would just say... majorly think through everything before finalizing the toobar.... I know your saying "well, duh!" but make sure they are links that people would actually use and that would be helpful to the people moving across Neopia all day. And those are my opinions!
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On another note, I know you were being sarcastic, but you brought up "OMG, ADAM HAS 5 PETS!!"..... Ive heard that the possibility of normal users having 5 pets is slim, but its not a 100% no.... but, it IS a slim chance.... Well, the way things are working on my account, I would LOVE a 5th pet right about now... I wouldnt be saying "Oh, I want a 6th PET!" afterward either, but what I've worked really hard and take care of my pets... so I could take care of a 5th pet, and I bet others could too....
So, heres an idea I thought of... is it a possibility that a person could EARN a 5th pet if they can prove that they can take care of 4 allready? Like for example, once a person has 4 pets that are all over level 10, are all extremely happy, are well fed, and have no sicknesses, THEN you will be elligible to create a 5th pet.... or something of that sort? I wouldnt want more than 5 pets.... but these days, things come in 5's... I think having people have to EARN a 5th pet would be a good idea... so thats my opinion on a whole other subject, while I know you are reading
I don't think "Create a Pet" needs to be on the yellow toolbar, because space IS limited, and people dont create neopets that often! They can only create up to 4, and sometimes they dont want 4..... either way, after a while you wont need to use that button!
I really wouldnt mind that long banner on the top, as long as it isnt a big flash animation like that. Like others said, that would take alot of people a LONG time to load... banners is a fine idea, just maybe not banners with large file sizes?
I do think that the main important things that should be linked to from the yellow bar are the Battledome, New Features, Your Inventory, Games, Neoboards, Explore, Neomail, Shops/your shop, help, and maybe something that combines the "World" section with the "Pet Central" section... Those are the ones that would be most commonly used, I say.
The Clock = Fantastic Addition
I would just say... majorly think through everything before finalizing the toobar.... I know your saying "well, duh!" but make sure they are links that people would actually use and that would be helpful to the people moving across Neopia all day. And those are my opinions!
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On another note, I know you were being sarcastic, but you brought up "OMG, ADAM HAS 5 PETS!!"..... Ive heard that the possibility of normal users having 5 pets is slim, but its not a 100% no.... but, it IS a slim chance.... Well, the way things are working on my account, I would LOVE a 5th pet right about now... I wouldnt be saying "Oh, I want a 6th PET!" afterward either, but what I've worked really hard and take care of my pets... so I could take care of a 5th pet, and I bet others could too....
So, heres an idea I thought of... is it a possibility that a person could EARN a 5th pet if they can prove that they can take care of 4 allready? Like for example, once a person has 4 pets that are all over level 10, are all extremely happy, are well fed, and have no sicknesses, THEN you will be elligible to create a 5th pet.... or something of that sort? I wouldnt want more than 5 pets.... but these days, things come in 5's... I think having people have to EARN a 5th pet would be a good idea... so thats my opinion on a whole other subject, while I know you are reading
Sun Oct 17, 2004 4:06 am
I'm frankly not sure I see a whole lot of difference between this and the old sidebar. The graphics are a little spiffier, but that's all. I agree that the clock should be farther up and that "World" should be renamed something like "Reference" because that's what it is.
I also agree... do we really need a sidebar link for "Create-a-pet" given that no one goes there more than 4 times?
I hate hate HATE the bar with the extra ad at the top.
I also agree... do we really need a sidebar link for "Create-a-pet" given that no one goes there more than 4 times?
I hate hate HATE the bar with the extra ad at the top.
Sun Oct 17, 2004 4:11 am
bgryph wrote:I'm frankly not sure I see a whole lot of difference between this and the old sidebar. The graphics are a little spiffier, but that's all. I agree that the clock should be farther up and that "World" should be renamed something like "Reference" because that's what it is.
I also agree... do we really need a sidebar link for "Create-a-pet" given that no one goes there more than 4 times?
I hate hate HATE the bar with the extra ad at the top.
The major difference IS the part on top. So I can see that if you don't like that, then you probably don't like the changes.
Personally, I really like the top bar. It looks very sleek and cool. Maybe this is coming from someone with a fast computer that can take the loading.
Also, getting rid of create a pet? C'mon guys... just because we don't use doesn't take away from it's importance. I doubt that they will ever get rid of it, and I personaly dont think they should.