Wider Daily Bulletin? -- Your Prefs Wanted

[Forum Boss]

Folks,

Our Daily Bulletin is one of the most popular features in the site. Now that there are over 1000 entries, I've contemplated making some upgrades. We can go to a layout that would be wider on screen. This will let me put in LARGER PHOTOS and embed videos directly--so you won't have to click out to YouTube. Embedded videos could display and PLAYBACK inside the Bulletin.

However, if I make those changes, it will be difficult to continue to have the Bulletin display on the front page.

On the other hand, the Bulletin would probably be easier to read for those people that click into the Bulletin directly from outside the site.

Which format do you PREFER??

Here is the Current Bulletin:

Here is how it might look in a wider format. Left Nav would be replace with 4-5 navigation buttons near the top:

 

[Forum Boss]

WORKING PROTOTYPE

Click this link to see how the actual enhanced Bulletin Template could work, with larger photos and embedded,streamable) Video. This is a prototype I built last year.

http://tacshooter.wordpress.com/

ACTUAL 100% SCALE

 

[rstreich]

The wider format would be far better. My only,silent) critique of the bulletin has been how skinny it is. As to the home page, why not just terminate the left nav bar and have the bulletin shift over to the left. You'd want some sort of transition, but it should be fine.

 

[mrbill2]

In your example above of the wider format, I think the text is too small and harder to read.
Mr. Bill

 

[FroggyOne2]

In your example above of the wider format, I think the text is too small and harder to read.
Mr. Bill

I will second that.

 

[AJ172SBCT]

Personally, I kind of like it just the way it is as it is the first thing I read when I visit the site. No link to clink on, it's here.
And by the way, thank you Paul for this feature,the daily bulletin), I am looking forward to reading it everyday.

Jacques

 

[Forum Boss]

The wider format would be far better. My only,silent) critique of the bulletin has been how skinny it is. As to the home page, why not just terminate the left nav bar and have the bulletin shift over to the left. You'd want some sort of transition, but it should be fine.

Re Type Size: The first screen shot I put up was not 100% scale. What you see now is 100%. Do you guys still think the type is too small?

Re LEFT NAV:
I know this is incredibly stupid, but the site is built on templates which cannot be changed. Unfortunately there's no way to use the space directly under the left nav without putting the home page on another server and building from scratch.

Otherwise it's logical to do what you say. I've been debating for months getting another server just to host a redesigned home page, video vault, and bulletin page. The issue is that, with our traffic, it could increase costs very significantly, and now I have the headache of ANOTHER server and ANOTHER host to deal with.

 

[brfun]

Personally i agree with AJ172SBCT i like it just the way it is! its kind of hard for me to even think about fixing something that isn't broken and dose the job very well. thanks to all your hard work and long hours Paul!
Brian

 

[kitsap]

I vote for a wider version of the bulletin with a link back to the home page. I would just keep two book marks, one for 6mmbr.com - Home and one for 6mmbr.com - Bulletin.

 

[Ogre6br]

to me
Aint broke- dont fix it

Works good how it is

thanks later
p

 

[coolt]

Ain't broke. Don't waste your time.

 

[mrbill2]

,Re Type Size: The first screen shot I put up was not 100% scale. What you see now is 100%. Do you guys still think the type is too small?)


Text size at 100% scale is the better of the two examples posted, but I'll still cast my vote to keep the orignal format.
Mr Bill

 

[rstreich]

Re LEFT NAV:
I know this is incredibly stupid, but the site is built on templates which cannot be changed. Unfortunately there's no way to use the space directly under the left nav without putting the home page on another server and building from scratch.

Otherwise it's logical to do what you say. I've been debating for months getting another server just to host a redesigned home page, video vault, and bulletin page. The issue is that, with our traffic, it could increase costs very significantly, and now I have the headache of ANOTHER server and ANOTHER host to deal with.

Then I just wouldn't worry about it, Paul. Someday you'll want to break it all down and start from scratch. Until then, just leave it. The bulletin material belongs on the home page so it has to fit in what space you have available.

If I were you, I'd take a step back and think about how I'd tear it all apart and put together a whole new site. There is just so much good content tucked away here--sometimes in the nooks and crannies. How would you make it easy for people to gain access to all that content? How would you design the pages if you didn't have the constraints of the templates? How would you handle the banners? How might you mix in other ads? Etc.

Just treat it as a mental exercise. I do it all the time at work when I start feeling like I'm examining the bark on one of the trees and I should really be looking at the forest. It doesn't always change anything, but it does help me gain some perspective and get new ideas. You're certain to come up with a few good ideas that you can fit into the current format. Defer any of the big stuff that would require new hosting until you decide that's what you really want to do.

Someday in the future, when you decide you want to rearrange the forest, I'm sure there are several people here who'd be willing to roll up their sleeves and help you move some trees around. I would. Until then, be happy. You've got a great site.

 

[SnakeEye]

I like larger print but the way I read the bulletin is scroll thru and right click the link and open another tab with just that article. That way I just increase the view size and if I want to send that link to a friend, they get just that link. To be honest I would rather have the bulletin at the top of the page so I don't have to scroll down to it. I'm just blind and lazy....

www.varmintsforfun.com

 

[Forum Boss]

Guys,

I've created a new home page template in raw html. This can display the bulletin wider.

SnakeEye--I'll see about moving the Bulletin up higher--but that means something has to be moved out of the way. A lot of people simply click on the Bulletin Link,which is really the preferred way to navigate). But for those who need the Bulletin on the home page, this should help.

I think the page displays a little faster. This is just a prototype, so do NOT change your bookmarks yet.

http://www.accurateshooter.net/homenewtemplate50.html