I like that idea david_ross, and will probably implement it when things are finalized. Thanks.

--jeremy

great idea on the menu categories.

I prefer the new design but IMHO I feel that on long threads and pages a lot of space is wasted on the right when the ad has finished. Is there anything that can be done about this?

I also like david_ross' idea.

Jon

It seems that with all the new features that get added here, links to access them are getting spread all over the page, some at the top, some, the bottom, some the side etc...

It's a pain sometimes to find the 'certain' link you are looking for. I would be all for a consolidated list of all links in a fixed place on all pages, no matter where it is, as long as it is in a standard spot.

One thing I have just noticed, as I was looking for an icon to use on my website as a link to LQ, was the LinuxQuestions.org logo in the top left corner is a .GIF file.

It is my understanding that there are some copyright issues using this graphic format. I am pretty sure the compression algorithm used in the .GIF file format is copyrighted by Unisys and Compuserve (et. al).

Maybe the PNG format would be a better choice?

J

The LZW copyright I think you are referring to expired June 20, 2003 in the USA.

--jeremy

Jeremy,

Good call, I had a bit of a look around and discovered that there was even some controversy over whether the patent applied here is Australia.

Just wondering that, in the spirit of Open Source/Community that using a once, but now 'free', copyrighted/patented entity is sending the right signals to the powers that be? Shouldn't we be striving to use only open standards to make closed proprietary thinkers think twice. Maybe even lawyers could become a distinct race ;-)

My 0.02 worth
Jim

I've meant to have the person who does the graphics for LQ convert it on numerous occasions. It's one of those things that just keeps getting pushed aside for more pressing issues. Some browsers also unfortunately don't properly support PNG's, but I think that list is shrinking.

--jeremy

Other:

Whether you use buttons or text is irrelevant. I'll get used to either one, though the buttons are easier to read quickly and select. Some of those text links are probably very rarely selected by anyone. Would be okay on the home page, but a bit of overkill having them on every page. Once a person is in a thread, they're probably not really interested in jumping out to a quiz, or site faq, etc.

My objection to the new layout is putting the menu bar and ads on the right (or left) hand side of the page. It makes for a smaller horizontal area for reading the threads, more horizontal scrolling for code and quotes, etc. I know that wasn't part of your poll, which is why I selected other.

If you put the new ads at the top and/or bottom of the page, and leave the buttons as they were before, you have no need to add the menu bar anywhere.

It's still about the page style, not the LZW patent thing.
Can the user set their preferences
I really prefer the old look because of how easy it is to jump from one place to another.
Maybe the side panel too should be an option, not that the ad is annoying, the side menu is useless to me , is use the buttons at the top

I like a horizontal layout better than a vertical.

One of my suggestions for a vertical layout:
a simple java script, a remote on the side you could "minimize" somewhere at the bottom of the page.
I bet some people seen those ads that look like a window, and I bet some people say those JAVA SCRIPTS that looks like remote on the side on the screen, well my idea is a compound of the two.

I'm not criticizing, your site is great, I'm making suggestions to make it better.

But do everyone have java script, or java, on their linux machine?

I prefer the old look, but not so much that it matters.
Both would work fine.

I like the top horizontal meny bar under the logo and add. However, it maybe should be just a little bit closer to the content.

The new look is really nice. Hopefully it will take away the need to rearrange the future counterparts to the buttons as is done currently, i.e. Forum <-> Home. Even though it doesn't make the navigation more difficult I get confused!

ahues said in post 5 that "an interface doesn't have to look good in order to be a good one. Of course I like eye candy too but functionality is very important to me." I agree to some extent, but would also like to add that layout is extremely important: without good layout, readability - and thereby also easy "access" to the material and the reader's interest - is lost. I my opinion layout is half the content. In this context, LQ's layout is very good (except from the double newlines in the HCL and Reviews sections, but that's another thread )

Also, I was going to say something about the strange ordering of the entries in the Main Manu on the right, but I saw david_ross's post (29). I agree completely - that order is perfect!

(So many opinions and I haven't even had my daily dose of caffein yet... How's this day gonna end...? )

Cheers

Second idea, drop down list instead of side menu, Jeremie just might be happy, more space for ads and more allowance for this site budjet!