Blog added to Forum, seamless integration

[shardex]

<a href="http://www.shardex.com" target="_blank">www.shardex.com</a>

I modified a style, changed some permissions and hacked some of the php files to make a pretty sweet blog. The point was to integrate the search and user information of my vbulletin forum with the blog for a seamless user experience. What do you guys think?

One example of the tweak is the fact that the posts in the blog are ordered only by the initial post, and not any new comments. I also tweaked the rss php files for easier integration into blog roles.

Anyway, just thought I’d share.

Cheers,

[Princeton]

the site needs character--a bit more styling is needed and you'll turn heads

the links in navbar needs to STAND OUT more

[shardex]

I totally know what you mean but I intentionally designed it sparse. I figure most of these forums are way too indulgent in graphics and features that the whole point of them...the content...gets pushed to the side.

I conducted several UI studies on varying demographics and found that the majority of users prefer less graphics and features (I call them toys) as it is distracting.

I am a Flash coder/ graphic designer by trade so this is very opposite to what I love to do, but I look to successful content driven sites like Google and even Craigslist (although I still thinks it looks terrible) and see that the majority of the population just wants to see the content and not be distracted by all the toys.

Anyway, there is probably a happy medium somewhere. Like this site. I love the header. Simple, elegant and not distracting.

Thanks for the input!

[Princeton]

I never said to fill the site with graphics.
You can add some character and still keep it simple.

Right now, the site looks unprofessional and may deter viewers.
I recommend adding some color (using CSS) -- make navigation links more prominant -- take advantage of the 'real estate' you have on every page (use every space available) -- add an image to the article listings (an image is worth a thousand words).

Take a look at http://news.ask.com/news?q= -- similar to what you are after but it looks more lively.

[shardex]

Yea I assumed you meant adding graphics, sorry bout that.

I agree with the colour, needs more. But I do like the white space, and am not sure using all available space is a good idea as it can clutter content. I am going for the linear approach with one thought/idea/message on it's own imaginary horizontal line. I am also doing this for text readers, and PDAs etc.

I thought it was sparse but not unproffesional. Was that really your first impression? Man, that sucks. I will have to do some more usability studies on it cause that was not what I was going for!

I have been wondering about the nav links. Hmmmm, I'll have to revist that.

What did you mean about the Article Listings?

Thanks again for your input, It is appreciated!

[Princeton]

I am also doing this for text readers, and PDAs etc.

why? vbulletin already has one built-in (archives). direct your pda users to it.

It does look like you are targeting text readers/pdas; but, you are ignoring your biggest audience -- which is every other group. Remember, it's all about your viewers. You need to find a balance.

What did you mean about the Article Listings?

on the front page ... your listings should have an image associated with the content (at least some of them) ... currently, all you have is a little paperclip (attachment). Adding an image (jpg) will certaintly add some eye-candy to the site and may attract viewers to enter.

can you tell me what 'shardex' stands for? For some reason, it reminds me of 'JAWS'.

I thought it was sparse but not unproffesional. Was that really your first impression?

My first impression was that you didn't spend enough time on your design.


All I'm saying is that the 'design' can be improved.

oh, by the way, the attached images:
IE and firefox (window width 684)
it looks fine at 800 -> 1600

[shardex]

Thanks much for the input, you rock!

Shardex stands for 'A Shared Index'

I wanted a name that was seven or less characters and easy to spell if it was heard aloud. Not so sure that its as easy to spell as I had hoped for though!

Sharek is also my surname, and after much research, it was the one word which I could get an official USTrademark for, which I just got recently...after a year!

I would absolutely love to add an image to the main page of the blog instead of that silly paperclip...but I have no clue how. The actual post text on the main page is actually the preview text as well. I would love that text to be able to include the live links without making users actually have to click on the post to view the links...and the photos for that matter.

And yea, it's the google ads that are throwing off the widths at less than 800*600 Still working on that.

So I added my old header back and made a few tweaks. Yea, I'm kinda liking it. Needs work but it's commin along

[TheComputerGuy]

I registered for the site...its local..

I really like what you did for the front page and I am hoping to achieve the same affect for a site I am trying to work with and create a custom blog feeling like that. Maybe you could show us how to get the affect you do?

[shardex]

Hey TheComputerGuy,

Thanks much for registering! Spread the word if you think it is worthy.

I'd be happy to share the style I created and the tweaks to the php page. Some of it is hardcoded using the actual forumid number of the blog (29), so it may not be as impressive as all that, but it does the trick!

Let me know the best way to show you. I guess I could just download the style...I'll have a look at doing that.

cheers,

[shardex]

I also just added a small hack to allow images to display on the forumdisplay page. I like the results so far.