[design] Which site's designs do you like best? [XOOPS.org redesign]

1

[design] Which site's designs do you like best?

2006/1/3 15:33
Herko
XOOPS is my life!
Posts: 4238
Since: 2002/2/4 1

List those websites you like best for design elements that apply to the XOOPS.org redesign here. The sites that inspire you, elements you found usefull and that make the user experience better.

Here's a list of my own:
CSS Zen Garden. Does this site require an introduction at all? I like the very simple but very elegant fact that by using sematic markup, one can create many different styles using the full power of CSS. This IMHO is what webdesign is about: true separation of design and markup.

The Kurafire network. Made by someone who is very much into accessibility and web standards, he managed to create a website that is a visual presentation of the power of current web technology. Just look at the smooth animations, how the whole site fits together, even when different styles are applied to different sections. Very nice.

I'll start off with these two, there are literally hundreds more out there

Herko

2

Re: [design] Which site's designs do you like best?

2006/1/3 15:47
carnuke
Home away from home
Posts: 1955
Since: 2003/11/5

For me the style needs to be minimalist, allowing content to be uncluttered and with a professional layout. XOOPS is not a new CMS needing to shout about gimmicks and gismos. We have grown up, matured and thus should reflect that in the presentaion of this site.

Interpreting that in sample websites I recommend the following, for simplicity, classic styling and well ordered content.

http://www.alistapart.com/

http://happycog.com/

http://nicklewis.smartcampaigns.com/

In addition I must comment about the new logo briefly: On this site, either it's been resized and not resampled or the designer has not used a pixel font. This is clearly seen in the blurring of the letters'Powered by you' This should be reworked with a pixel font to make the tagline clearer.

hhttp://houseofstrauss.co.uk Resource for alternative health and holistic lifestyle
search xoops

3

Re: [design] Which site

2006/1/3 16:24
kaotik
Just can't stay away
Posts: 861
Since: 2004/2/19

A big problem (IMHO) is how to use a cms without it looking "blocky". Some sites acomplish this quite well through the use of graphics and images or by rearranging in a non-standard way their content. For this resoning I like these sites:
http://www.joomlaya.com/
http://cssvault.com/
http://www.vieilleforge.fr/modules/smartpartner/
http://www.xoops-mexico.net/modules/news/

whttp://www.kaotik.biz

4

Re: [design] Which site

2006/1/3 16:46
gestroud
Home away from home
Posts: 1538
Since: 2004/12/22

Here's another 2 cents!

This question involves layout. Would it be possible, once the new theme has been decided upon, to make on itsy-bitsy addition to the menus on either the left or right column? What I'm suggesting is adding a block to one of those columns that would lead a person directly to the different subsections in the FAQ section. Specifically:

HOW TO USE A XOOPS WEBSITE
ALL ABOUT XOOPS:- BASIC QUESTIONS ANSWERED
ADMINISTRATING AND BUILDING A XOOPS WEBSITE
DEVELOPMENT AND CUSTOMISATION

I don't think four links would take up a lot of space, and it could really be helpful for newbies who don't know where to start looking for answers. Yes, I know that there is a link in the Main Menu that says "XOOPS FAQ," but how many times have question been asked and answered that could have easily been found going through the FAQs?

5

Re: [design] Which site

2006/1/3 17:16
Herko
XOOPS is my life!
Posts: 4238
Since: 2002/2/4 1

Quote:

gestroud wrote:
Here's another 2 cents! This question involves layout. Would it be possible, once the new theme has been decided upon, to make on itsy-bitsy addition to the menus on either the left or right column? What I'm suggesting is adding a block to one of those columns that would lead a person directly to the different subsections in the FAQ section. Specifically:

HOW TO USE A XOOPS WEBSITE
ALL ABOUT XOOPS:- BASIC QUESTIONS ANSWERED
ADMINISTRATING AND BUILDING A XOOPS WEBSITE
DEVELOPMENT AND CUSTOMISATION

I don't think four links would take up a lot of space, and it could really be helpful for newbies who don't know where to start looking for answers. Yes, I know that there is a link in the Main Menu that says "XOOPS FAQ," but how many times have question been asked and answered that could have easily been found going through the FAQs?

You're a bit early in the design process mate

But yes, these in-site banners or blocks with quick links to the most important information are part of the new sites, if I have anything to say over it

Hold that thought

When the design and the content is ready, I think a big usability overhaul would be great, where special attention is placed on issues like these

But lets get the content written and the design designed first

Herko

6

Re: [design] Which site

2006/1/3 17:19
gestroud
Home away from home
Posts: 1538
Since: 2004/12/22

I agree. I jumped the gun a little bit there

Could we move that post to a different forum and delete this one?

7

Re: [design] Which site

2006/1/4 23:59
Lance_
Home away from home
Posts: 983
Since: 2004/1/12

Take a look at a portal we have here in Quebec. You must look at the french version, cause the english is totally different.

Have fun going to the different sections in the menu on the left. You will see a whole slew of sections under the same portal with different looks and feel.

http://www2.canoe.com/index.html

Go to the Sports section and check out the Beer Publicity.
Cheers.

GDL-Web.com :: Website development.
Xoopslance.com::Freelancing and Projects
thelionsden-arena.net:: Clan/League/Ladder Hosting

8

Re: [design] Which site

2006/1/5 16:10
ClubNUKE
Just popping in
Posts: 83
Since: 2004/9/1 2

My vote is for something like http://happycog.com/ or http://www.cmsenespanol.com/.

Maybe something like this http://ez.no/ ...

9

Re: [design] Which site

2006/1/5 18:36
panigrc
Not too shy to talk
Posts: 133
Since: 2005/4/14

ClubNUKE I aggree these are really amazing websites.

CSSGarden is also very nice. And tableless layout can be really a challenge.

[size=xx-small]X-Park Greek Pc Modding Community
Official Greek Support at XoopsGreece.gr[/size]

10

Re: [design] Which site's designs do you like best?

2006/1/5 20:38
Mantooth
Friend of XOOPS
Posts: 189
Since: 2004/11/2

i was impressed with CSS Zen Garden. I had no idea that a css-based design could look so good. i like the mozart design the best.

...

I hate Mortal Kombat

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