Over the last few months in-between a full time job and looking after my 2 year old daughter I’ve been working on updating the look to LibDemVoice.
Whilst the layout change isn’t massive, we’ve worked on highlighting the authors more, bringing back the recent comments to the right hand-side and introducing the most requested feature:
Verified Comments
If you are a paid up party member and have signed up to our Forums, you can now use this username and password to sign in to leave a comment on the main site, you just need to sign in here.
Whilst we have carried out testing, there is a chance that the layout will break with your OS/Browser, if it does, please send a screenshot to me [email protected] stating your setup and if you have any problems using the Verified Comments also drop me a line.
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23 Comments
Well I personally really like it!
I think the bright orange lines might be a little too loud… I’ll give it a few days to see if it grows on me…
I think the new lay out looks great.
Especially like the recent comments feature as it keeps more active threads current.
Well done Lib Dem voice.
My only request would be for a non member registration where you were able to provide personal details and which political party you where inkling towards
Looks good. Definitely an improvement. The new mobile interface looks better as well. And I like the strapline š
Both white on orange and, particularly, orange on white are bad for people with poor visual acuity. I’d be very surprised if the new design complies with the W3C web accessibility initiative.
In fact I’m surprised that LDV, unlike Prater Raines for instance, doesn’t seem to bother with W3C web standards.
All the white is horribly glaring. Especially the white on orange on a white background. It’s just painful to look at.
Nigel is right, but the default font size also looks a bit on the small side. Correct those two things and it’ll look really good!
It hurts my soul.
Testing š Actually all this orange is pretty good for the economic liberal soul!
I’m sorry for using it, but everytime a forum changes it’s design I have to (as I have a connection to Doctor Who):
“You’ve had the place redecorated haven’t you? Mmm, don’t like it!”
I personally like it a lot – nice and clean. As well as the features mentioned, I like that the share buttons move as you scroll down too.
I am somewhat concerned about the W3C comments. Personally I also think that the orange could do with being turned down a bit and perhaps go for more black on yellow than white on orange?
I like the new setup, although I’d like the four articles at the top open in a new window when I click them so that I don’t have to leave the front page, or at least set them up so that one can right click and open in a new window (this doesn’t seem to be posisble at the moment?).
Testing the member login …. one thing I notice immediately: if you log in from the posting window underneath a post, can you be sent back to there directly?
I am not a fan of the white text on a coloured background, I find it difficult to read and a bit too, erm, loud? Don’t like using that as an adjective but it’s what comes to mind.
I do like the looks of the log in system though (maybe it’ll encourage me to comment more!)
Looks really good Ryan !
It’s growing on me…
Thanks for bringing back the “recent comments” feature, Ryan. I really think it can help draw people from the front pages into active discussions.
Maybe more of this feature could be made on the front page? But it would need some thought as to how best to do that.
Another old feature (which I may have imagined) but you might consider for the wishlist is commenters on an article being able to opt into email notifications of further comments on that article. This helps people to continue discussing, rather than requiring them to keep checking back for new comments.
After giving it two days to get accustomed I’ve decided that I really, really don’t like it!
I was going to start begging you to change it back, but everyone else seems to like it… š
RYAN: Some comments on the new design: I’m glad you had a go at it and thank you for taking on such a daunting job; somehow the site was a bit dull in presentation although excellent in content.. The new layout is clearer.
I am so glad you have made it possible to identify LD members postings; I can see a case for allowing anyone to comment, but the site describes itself as “LIbdem Voice , Our place to talk” , so it is important to be able to filter the responses so you know who you are talking to.
Although the site has more “Buzz” in the form of ads and things, and that is good, I find that the FLASHING ads are very irritating until you adjust the screen so they can’t be seen. They sort of hit you in the face when you enter and are difficult to delete.
One of the things I most appreciate about LDV are the articles that keep us informed about what is being said behind the firewalls of The Times, FT and Spectator, by our people. Very good for those of us who can’t afford the subs.
Nice one! And very professional. Many thanks.
The font isn’t suitable for the default size on lower resolution screens (like netbooks and older monitors); it’s a stylish font that but it’s not as practical as boring old Arial.
I like the colour, style, font size, and even the comments! And of course the ads. On the version of this website that I access, there are ads for Asian girls for dating, love, and marriage, and the piece on persuading Osborne to give a tax cut has an ad for investors with 10,000 to spare to get at 10-20% return for investing in cutting down (and hopefully re-planting) parts of the Brazilian rainforest.
I love Asian girls, I’m just a little surprised the ad appears on this site. I suppose it’s the modern way – I’m ancient. The Brazilian rainforest investment ad might seem misplaced to some.. I hope it’s not a con, and that their operations are consistent with our envioronmental and social policies.