Major Theme Changes

NorioDS · 2013-10-02T19:14:26+00:00

Just a heads-up on some major theme changes... Dropped the GFSA theme song in the header. Made it a little bit more mobile-friendly (moreso on tablets than phones!) Dropped the crowd Made the header-height "shorter" Moved the RSS icon down, next to the top menu Removed header-ad on smaller displays Removed majority of navigation-links like Articles, Reviews, etc. (they will be back later) Got rid of the popup (it might be back in another form) Added 2 large ads on the right Added 1 large ad after every first post Made the site not show anything to anyone using AdBlocker. Just turn it off for GFSA and you're fine Made the header stay put when you scroll Replaced the old, tiny, ugly social sharing buttons with new, pretty ones These changes were made to: Improve forum display for most people on very wider AND narrower displays Simplify the header a bit Improve forum usability Help us pay bills Notes: Most of the ads don't show on tablets or devices smaller than 1280 pixels in width The ads aren't going anywhere. Don't ask me to take them off Edit: Floating header has been reverted due to problems on tablets. Paid subscriptions are now available to those who don't want to see any ads (see link @ top of every page) Re-fixed some problems with mobile. Works nicely on my phone now, if it's turned sideways. Not bad in vertical either. Shold work well for most people running at least iPhones, iPads, Samsung Galaxies, Samsung tablets, etc.

MikeM

Brent, I'm quite in the same boat. Over the past 5 years or so, I have learnt a lot from this forum (Again from a small minority that contribute meaningfully) and now I'm trying to contribute back. Besides the community and the classifieds, I've had very little to gain from this forum in past 2 years. Once I'm done finalising a couple of things, I'll be seen far less frequently here again. I guess that'll help cut the costs of the forum too, considering I've spent the 3rd most time online here.

[deleted]

Norio wrote Brent, that's some seriously valuable input there.

I'm not a fan of the off-topic stuff either. I virtually hate it in EVERY forum I (used to) frequent. It adds a LOT of noise and virtually no value that can't be gained from stuffing around on Facebook.

Perhaps a poll is in order (in a new thread)? Seeing how many people are in favour of placing hard-limits on the numbers of posts in the off-topic boards. An extreme idea but one I like a lot and maybe the other valuable members agree.

I love guitarforum, but really. waaaaay to much rubbish..
I say strictly guitars and music... OFF TOPIC is pianos as far as I am concerned ?
maybe put up a poll; would be a good way to see what people would like to see on guitarforum..

MikeM wrote Brent, I'm quite in the same boat. Over the past 5 years or so, I have learnt a lot from this forum (Again from a small minority that contribute meaningfully) and now I'm trying to contribute back. Besides the community and the classifieds, I've had very little to gain from this forum in past 2 years. Once I'm done finalising a couple of things, I'll be seen far less frequently here again. I guess that'll help cut the costs of the forum too, considering I've spent the 3rd most time online here.

Agreed, last two years.... ☹ spot on with you Mike..
luckily we can still sit and talk crap to each other over a beer.

BTW i'll call you later.

Hammeron

As a young guitarist I have gained much from this community. I have learnt masses, bought most of my kit and advertised my gigs. Every single transaction I have had has been a pleasure from the pedals to the the critique. I have certainly taken more than I have given, that's for sure.
It will be a very sad day if we start to lose the likes of Mike.
Very sad indeed.

PeteM

I would think that it would be in the interests of the Admin guys to pay serious heed to MoreCowBell, who speaks a lot of sense and obviously has professional experience in the medium, both from a design / layout point of view as well the psychology behind attracting new visitors and holding the interest of existing members. After reading MoreCowBell's posts I feel it would be a waste of time for me to add anything more to this thread.

+1 MoreCowBell

Psean

I don't have time to read the whole thread at the moment, or chip in much but I also agree that it will be sad to lose any of the guys who consistently make meaningful contributions. I've learnt a LOT from you guys in my time here. I hope whatever needs to be done to keep the forum financially viable, easy to use, and keeps those of you whose post are valuable, gets done. This forum is as good as it is because of the guys Brent mentioned.

Changes in the Off-topic section are fine by me too.

Kalcium

Must say I agree, I have found lately that I just log on to check the classifieds...

Wormwood

I thought this thread was going to be about tackling musical theme changes in a composition or something ☹

AlanRatcliffe

I have to add my voice in support of MoreCowBell - I am one of those users that if I run into a site with a "disable adblock to view, I go elsewhere ...and there are plenty of competing "elsewheres". If a site lets me view however I please, but gently asks me to consider disabling adblock if I stay, I'll do it. What about a gentle reminder once a day (like the "joke" popups you just got rid of, but only for adblock enabled users)?

I'm pretty sure that this exact thing was one of the top website usability sins on Gerry McGovern's list last I looked...

I still say, rather have fewer ads (and less obtrusive ones) so users won't feel the need to block them. Make the ads we have more useful to advertisers so we can have fewer, more focused ads and we can charge more to offset that. The problem of course is (as ever) that we need to find the time to properly manage and sell those ads.

Norman86

This is one issue now.
Using chrome on an iPad mini to browse, but i find the same thing on chrome for windows.

Thats another...
And its from the static top :-\

Norman86

Im not totally against the ads, and understand the reason for them.
But i wont mind echoing MoreCowBell's sentiments.
I also wouldnt mind paying the subscription, though maybe the fee could be slightly lower?

But my buggest gripe really is the static header now, with the ads secondary.

NorioDS

There *is* a plan in place to sell ads direct to music stores. I'm starting small with them and will grow it over time until they can sponsor the whole site at a huge packet. The ad-space is FAR more valuable to them than to most advertisers.

That said, it will take time, so the ads are place-holders and money-makers in the meanwhile.

As for the AdBlock notice, I will happily remove it after the site has grown to a point where it's making serious money (enough to cover BIG ideas I have)...

-OR-

...if I can genuinely see from the Analytics that it has hurt growth.

NorioDS

Norman, those screenies were very helpful! Thank you.

In the first one, does the menu pop-down by itself?

In the second, it's clear to see the issue. Will kill floating header now as tablets + desktops make the most common devices used to view this site.

Norman86

Norio wrote Norman, those screenies were very helpful! Thank you.

In the first one, does the menu pop-down by itself?

In the second, it's clear to see the issue. Will kill floating header now as tablets + desktops make the most common devices used to view this site.

No, i can touch on the menu to pop it down.

But, let me say when i used android, i could not get the menu to pop down at all.

As to the floater being killed, thanks Norio ?

Psean

Norio wrote Will kill floating header now as tablets + desktops make the most common devices used to view this site.

Thanks Norio. It's already much more comfortable to use.

NorioDS

Norman86 wrote No, i can touch on the menu to pop it down.

Ah, okay, so the issue is it never goes back? I'm using a modified-for-jQuery version of the Suckerfish library. I've read that the Superfish library is better for touch devices. Will look into it when I have time. Otherwise, try touching elsewhere on the screen in the meanwhile.

Norman86 wrote But, let me say when i used android, i could not get the menu to pop down at all.

I struggled a wee bit on my phone but it worked. Will see what I can do - in time.

Norman86 wrote As to the floater being killed, thanks Norio ?

Thank YOU! It's embarrassing that it looked so bad!

NorioDS

Psean wrote Thanks Norio. It's already much more comfortable to use.

Plesh ? I wasn't terribly attached to it.

flatfourfan

Brent............different levels, different abilities and different interests.

Norio.......if you agree (as an administrator) with Brent about the rest of the guys (me included) who are time wasters, then lemme know and I'll go. Why would I want to be somewhere where I'm not wanted.

Big-G

Mr Norio sir! Removing that banner at the top has made a huge difference on my viewing! Thanks so much! Now if you could just make the ads on the right a teeny bit smaller that would be ideal for me. ?

Appreciate all your efforts.
Regards
G!

NorioDS

Big G wrote Mr Norio sir! Removing that banner at the top has made a huge difference on my viewing! Thanks so much! Now if you could just make the ads on the right a teeny bit smaller that would be ideal for me. ?

Appreciate all your efforts.
Regards
G!

Will seriously consider that but I'm just waiting on more reliable stats. Will take at least a week before I'll feel comfortable making a decision, either way.

NorioDS

flatfourfan wrote Norio.......if you agree (as an administrator) with Brent about the rest of the guys (me included) who are time wasters, then lemme know and I'll go. Why would I want to be somewhere where I'm not wanted.

I'd rather you stayed and I found a way to prioritise the GUITAR stuff on this forum.

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