New Layout, Opinions Wanted

[Jack]

Hey all, I spent some time today finally working on that new layout I've been meaning to do for some time.

Here's a link to my work in progress: new layout.

Things to keep in mind when looking at it:
1. The brown bar near the top with "Game Guides" "Compendium" etc. will be link tabs for each main section. Clicking on a tab will take you to that section and fiddle with the tabs so the tab for the section you're at will turn like brown and the rest dark (that is, stand up/stick out).

2. Easter Eggs will be hidden in the top desert image. One is kinda alreayd there, btu it's more a test.

3. The "What's New" bar will be where I link to the three newest sections/articles at the site. I need to format it a little so it can fit three buttons/text comfortably.

4. My main goal with this layout is to make each section apparent and readily available from the front page. As such, the tabs and the new links format on the right side column where there are paragrpahs and link lists. I need to expand that a little, but is that format a good idea, or just too wordy and hard to navigate?

5. What do you think of the Colossus at the top left? Too gaudy/sticks out too much?

6. What about the top image in general? Does it take up too much attention?

7. Is the new, wider content column too big? Or, jsut right?

8. Any other issues you think are important? Anything you'd like to see added or removed?

Please be brutally honest where applicable! Thanks for your help in advance!  ;D

[kamakaziplumber]

1. Well, I definitely think that tabs make things a lot easier when moving around the site, so using them can't possibly hurt.

2. Come now, everybody likes easter eggs!

3. A "What's New" bar seems like it would be helpful, as I think it will aid in finding the newest additions rather than wading through the whole website looking for them.

4. I myself don't mind the paragraphs describing each section of links, but the links forming a paragraph themselves seems a little too unwieldy. I suppose we could all get used to it, though.

5. I think it looks cool, but it does seem a little out of place at the very top. Why not bring it down a little and make it part of your introduction paragraph (like Link in the current version)? Then, you could have it sticking up just a little so the top ends up next to the tabs. Makes it a little more exciting than just being bunched up at the top, no?

6. A little bright, perhaps, but not much else.

7. I think its just right, especially considering that you need to fit your new paragraphs in it.

8. Nothing much, except that I kind of miss the little brown column at the very left of the page. This new layout seems forced to the left, but I think it looks a little better when it's somewhat more centered.

[Pickles]

1.Yeah, that's pretty cool.

2. Easter Eggs?? For Easter or all the time? That's a bit strange but okay then.

3. Great idea!

4. I think it's a good idea. The Game Guides and Compendiam, I like how it says what it basicly is, and the links underneth, but the Community Section, I'm not sure I like how the links are in the paragraph. It'd probally be harder to find certain things, so I think it'd be better if the Community Section was.. er, "put like" the other two: Paragraph then links.

5. I agree with kamakaziplumber, bring it down like Link in the current layout, and have about one third of it beside the tabs.

6. A little bit, but I wouldn't worry about it.

7. No, it's good.

8. The other two Leevers deserve to talk too, you know! lol

[Darth Wyndisis]

I like it.  Only thing I can think to say is about the top image.  It looks fine, except the little sprite things stand out quite a bit.  Maybe you could fade them down or something to make them look more like they are in the picture.

[Vampire]

Like the tabs at the top, don't like the paragraphs down the right side.

[phantompig]

The picture plus the desert colossus equals way too much yellow. It stings the eyes. There is no need for paragraphs in the right side. All you need is a title that gives a good hint as to what people are going to see and the things under it already do that. I also like the brown bar at the extreme left. It centered each update and centering is the key. C+ is my final score.

P.S. The tabs at the top should be round at the edges. Just a little thing that always bothers me.

[Jack]

C+ is my final score.

Now, THAT is brutal honesty.  ;) But, despite the tease I really appeciate the help, all. The more input I get means the better I can make this new layout.

I've taken everyone's opinions into account, and I've tweaked it a little (use the link above). You'll notice the brown bar on the left has returned. Also, I've darkened the desert scene a little. Let me know if it is still too bright.

I'm going to play around with the left bar and find a way to comfortably put links there, without the paragraphs (yes, they're going away).

The sprites are kind of meant to stick out, as a contrast of the scenery from OoT with the images of sprites from LA. It's kind of a... er, retro (if that's the word) thing.

Pickles, an easter egg is a hidden thing that can be a fun side thing (like the talking Leever).

I'm probably not going to round the tabs, since they're meant to be somewhat "pixelated", if that makes any sense.

Anyways, thanks for the opinions. My main question for everyone is this, ultimately: which layout is better, the new one or the old one?

Until I can get nearly everyone to say the new one definitively, the old one will be around.

[kamakaziplumber]

I like change. Change is good.

However, I am a firm believer of getting the full picture before I make a decision. Therefore, I'm gonna abstain from a full-on "yes" until there's a rock-solid example for me to check out and criticize.

[Jack]

I like change. Change is good.

However, I am a firm believer of getting the full picture before I make a decision. Therefore, I'm gonna abstain from a full-on "yes" until there's a rock-solid example for me to check out and criticize.

Definitely. I'm looking more for a running critique as I edit the layout and add things.

[LtCmd.Lore]

I like the new layout, but I think the image on top is just not the right colors, I'd recomend using a direct screenshot from the game, and then cropping it to fit. Like this one for instance. http://flypicture.com/bin/?id=rd/xm6zd

Also I have to point out that I have dial up, so when I hovered over the leever it took about ten seconds for the text to come up, so I would have never found that if I hadn't been looking for it. Other than that I think you're doing great, you have a good website going here.

[phantompig]

Much better. The top picture doesn't hurt anymore. It's actually kind of good looking. O.K, the brown bar that you added. Make it a bit wider and have it say "The Desert Colossus."

B. is my new score. Good.

All in all, I still like the layout we have now but I feel a little better that this layout is coming out nicely.

[Linkrules11]

I think it's great this is probably better and cooler. I like easter eggs they make stuff more fun. ;D