The New CHUD - Page 2  

Despite what my name might imply I'm not trying to be overly judgmental regarding the new look. I'm just offering the opinion of someone who codes websites for a living and hears people rattle this shit off just about every week in meetings.

The main page is great example of what not to do as far as user experience or information architecture go.

There is a ridiculous amount of wasted space. Someone used the term 'above the fold' which is something I hear a lot during site development (its not just a newspaper term anymore). That 'above the fold' window of space is the most important real estate on any website. Current users won't give a shit about scrolling but new users will judge you by it once they can't find what they want immediately.

Some specific issues are the logo is unnecessarily large as is the amount of space wasted by the 'radioactive creature grill' and the 'Welcome to the Sewer' tagline.

The line of thumbnails offer no description of what they are unless a user hovers over them for a second and see the tooltip text. Considering you're already using JQuery there are dozens ways you can improve the user experience in that section without slowing the page down.

The ad on top of the right column should be below the 'Latest' stories, since that's really you're most important block of information on the main page.  You've already got the 1 banner across the top, as well as the random full page ad that hijacks your screen every once in a while. And its not like many users won't have to already scroll down to see the right side ad anyway. The font for each headline in that section should be larger as well.

I could go on about a lot of other shit, but I'm sleepy.

^  That.

I'm in total agreement with Belligerent Nerd.  What greets you when you first open up the page is a vacuum of information, following by what's basically an extremely dense blockoftext - which is painful to read.

Love the website Nick and I'd normally be checking on Chud like I've OCD, but yesterday I was only here once.  This morning, while sitting in front of my laptop, i fired up chud on my iPhone rather than face what is on the desktop.  On the positive side, the boards do seem much improved.

The site is getting some tweaks. i think I'll be moving the creature grill to mid-page. But a lot of discussion went into this both with the art team, the programmers, and our ad reps. The whole "above the fold" thing was discussed intensely but so was next year and the year after that. I exclusively use a trackball with a scroll wheel and it's the easiest shit in the world. I also use an Ipad and Iphone and scrolling around just isn't what it used to be. I think in a year or two you're going to see more aggressively designed sites that don't stick to what the standard of 2009 was. But I do take people's concerns into mind and you have to weight what the site WAS to what it is. We're moving forward. So, balance your nitpicky stuff with being in my shoes. It's very easy to sit on the MB and throw your opinion around.  But this is a very calculated and MASSIVE undertaking. A few weeks and it'll be second nature. Plus, we can make contest at least 200% less frustrating today that four days ago. Be patient, and give us time. This is an evolution. As an aside... GUY.com's design is going to challenge you too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belligerent Nerd 

The ad on top of the right column should be below the 'Latest' stories, since that's really you're most important block of information on the main page.

That depends on how you look at it.

What is the database that the lists pull from?  I just finished Mother and looks like I will have to manually enter it.  Not an issue just wondering how that database was populated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Dickson 

I just wish it had a little more flexibility.  I went to manually enter The Ladykillers and I had no option to mark it as "Seen It," just "Own It," "Want It," or "Had It."  Plus, you'd think, with two versions of the film out there, it would appear on the list.

Yes, just added Mother manually to one of my lists and no "Seen It" option.

What happened to CHUD FRIENDS? I just went to my profile for the first time on the NEW CHUD and can't find any of my friends listed

Quote:

Originally Posted by TzuDohNihm 

What is the database that the lists pull from?  I just finished Mother and looks like I will have to manually enter it.  Not an issue just wondering how that database was populated.

It seems to pull from the same list the tags do.

BTW, while the main page is interesting and I want to explore it more, I have to say I am surprised that the boards have become (IMHO) needlessly complicated and glitchy. The bugs can be fixed, but the design issues vex me. I am not sure what was wrong with vbullitin, because this one just runs slowly, and has more steps than necessary

Example: using an image on the board, when you push the button now, there is a delay while this box pops up, which is hard to read, and the first option is to load an image off your hard drive and save it to an album. For 99% of images on the board I ever post, I use a URL (mostly to link to my photo bucket), instead I have to click over an extra step and this whole process involves many more clicks

The integration of images into the editing process is also wonky. Now rather than having clean mark up to type around, you have the actual image itself in your face as you compose, and because the actual "reply" window has been shrunk (there used to be an option to go to a seperate reply page where you had more room to work), it's extremely hard to figure out where you are in your post

I am sad to say that I have found the NEW MB to be extremely frustrating, and difficult to use. The old mark up was simple and clean, and the NEW MB seems to hardly load on my iPod. I used to check the site and the board 50 times a night from my iPod. Last night I did it once, and gave up

In Firefox 3.6 it's almost perfectly fine, aside from little nuances.

Folks need to be more positive.

Scrolling was even easy in the '90s. And now with my Apple Magic Mouse™ it's a cinch!

What was wrong with the old boards again? I mean, they're pretty, I guess, but I shouldn't have to solve the goddamn Lament Configuration in order to make a post about Season of the Witch.

[REDACTED] forever!

Watch Renn's video.

I did. It doesn't change the fact that the board and site crashed multiple browsers over multiple platforms both at my home and work multiple times last week, and the perfectly fine boards are now the fucking Winchester House of navigation, as designed by Ellen Page in between visits to Jezebel.com (because she wasn't getting paid).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Princess Kate 

BTW, while the main page is interesting and I want to explore it more, I have to say I am surprised that the boards have become (IMHO) needlessly complicated and glitchy. The bugs can be fixed, but the design issues vex me. I am not sure what was wrong with vbullitin, because this one just runs slowly, and has more steps than necessary

 

Example: using an image on the board, when you push the button now, there is a delay while this box pops up, which is hard to read, and the first option is to load an image off your hard drive and save it to an album. For 99% of images on the board I ever post, I use a URL (mostly to link to my photo bucket), instead I have to click over an extra step and this whole process involves many more clicks

 

The integration of images into the editing process is also wonky. Now rather than having clean mark up to type around, you have the actual image itself in your face as you compose, and because the actual "reply" window has been shrunk (there used to be an option to go to a seperate reply page where you had more room to work), it's extremely hard to figure out where you are in your post

 

I am sad to say that I have found the NEW MB to be extremely frustrating, and difficult to use. The old mark up was simple and clean, and the NEW MB seems to hardly load on my iPod. I used to check the site and the board 50 times a night from my iPod. Last night I did it once, and gave 

 

Kate, the full-page editor is available by clicking the large "Full Page Editor" button in the top right of the "Reply" section. Perhaps watching the video would illuminate a few things for you (not that I wish to subject anyone to my voice for any extended amount of time). 

As for image posting, the extra click you lose to moving to the image link tab should be saved by not being forced to open up an entirely separate image service and linking to it. I understand if you feel the need to catalog all of your linked images somewhere or something, but for the vast majority of users it is a much more streamlined process to integrate an image into a post.

I promise, give it a week or two and you'll develop the same muscle memory and prowess with the new platform that you'd developed with the old.

I was just getting used to the old CHUD and now THIS???  Kidding, I've been exploring the site for the last few days and everything just seems...better. Love the design of the main page and the new forums too. Way of the future Mr. Nunziata and co., WAY OF THE FUTURE! 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renn Brown 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Princess Kate 

BTW, while the main page is interesting and I want to explore it more, I have to say I am surprised that the boards have become (IMHO) needlessly complicated and glitchy. The bugs can be fixed, but the design issues vex me. I am not sure what was wrong with vbullitin, because this one just runs slowly, and has more steps than necessary

 

Example: using an image on the board, when you push the button now, there is a delay while this box pops up, which is hard to read, and the first option is to load an image off your hard drive and save it to an album. For 99% of images on the board I ever post, I use a URL (mostly to link to my photo bucket), instead I have to click over an extra step and this whole process involves many more clicks

 

The integration of images into the editing process is also wonky. Now rather than having clean mark up to type around, you have the actual image itself in your face as you compose, and because the actual "reply" window has been shrunk (there used to be an option to go to a seperate reply page where you had more room to work), it's extremely hard to figure out where you are in your post

 

I am sad to say that I have found the NEW MB to be extremely frustrating, and difficult to use. The old mark up was simple and clean, and the NEW MB seems to hardly load on my iPod. I used to check the site and the board 50 times a night from my iPod. Last night I did it once, and gave 

 

 

Kate, the full-page editor is available by clicking the large "Full Page Editor" button in the top right of the "Reply" section. Perhaps watching the video would illuminate a few things for you (not that I wish to subject anyone to my voice for any extended amount of time). 

 

As for image posting, the extra click you lose to moving to the image link tab should be saved by not being forced to open up an entirely separate image service and linking to it. I understand if you feel the need to catalog all of your linked images somewhere or something, but for the vast majority of users it is a much more streamlined process to integrate an image into a post.

 

I promise, give it a week or two and you'll develop the same muscle memory and prowess with the new platform that you'd developed with the old.

Thanks for the full page editor tip, I'll check out your video when I get time

As for images.. it's not just the extra step. It's that I have to wait for some applet to load and then insert the image into my post as a giant image, rather than concise mark up I can type around. I used to be able to quickly enter the markup on my own, but now it's become this whole involved process.

Opening up an entirely separate image service and linking to it? I CHUD from a work computer. The images I use are NOT on a hard drive. They come from the web. To avoid hotlinking, I use a photobucket so that CHUD won't get virused or something, but who has the perfect image for a given post on their hard drive at a given moment? Images are on the web, and hotlinking (either to photobucket or other locations) is where 99% of the images used on this site come from. This is not easier by any step of the imagination

The muscle memory is one thing, but the fact is that many of these functions now are prone to errors, require load times, and are generally difficult to use

I like the main page, but again, I feel this is a step backwards for the board. I don't like having to say that, and I don't say it to complain, I say it because it's the truth from where I'm sitting and I thought you guys would like to know

Good luck with fixing the bugs, and I hope this redesign turns out to be a success for CHUD

for the record, this system has run beautifully on everything I've subjected it too. The only drag on my really shitty work computers I find is the Avatars. But I think that is because of the auto-resizing feature now, rather then limiting peoples kb limit.

as for design, I love it, but I can see where the 'cluttered' comments are coming from. Its a big gap between top of the page and the information that makes up the site. I love the grill, but I would have found another place for it.

but hey, its not my site. I just live here rent free ;)    I will never stop coming here or repping the shit out if it to everyone I know.

Kate, you're talking about the [img][/img] tags, right?  You can't use the old BB code for anything anymore.  I've seen a couple of posts with stray [b][/b] and [i][/i] marks in them.  It's all HTML now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Dickson 

Kate, you're talking about the [img][/img] tags, right?  You can't use the old BB code for anything anymore.  I've seen a couple of posts with stray [b][/b] and [i][/i] marks in them.  It's all HTML now.

Yes, and I found it infinitely easier to compose that way

ETA, re viewing thread activity: figured it out, no worries

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Nunziata 

In Firefox 3.6 it's almost perfectly fine, aside from little nuances.

 

Folks need to be more positive.

I can't post at all using Safari. It just hangs.

I'm using Firefox, and I'm still having problems posting to the message board with any regularity. More than half the time, I just get a "please wait" message that continues on unresolved forever. Then I have to back out and try again.

Same thing happens to me. On Chrome. I already gave up trying to post from work. IT works every now and again at home.

Are you guys posting bug reports for Jeremy?

We will fix this.

Does Jeremy know all the smart, reasonable people who used to post here have become so fed up with the cult of personality, shitty design, and complete disregard for improvement (home team 4 lyfe) that surrounds this place that they've thrown up their hands and left? That it's gotten to the point where Cleo, who is an intelligent person but who I've never ever seen make a post about movies, is a moderator now? Does Jeremy know what a shell this place has become?

But hey, I look forward to seeing the challenging design for Guy.com, because what better way to say "fuck my readers" then by making them work to read a list about the Top Ten Hollywood Hotties Who Never Got Naked, But Totally Should, Because McCockpunch Horseface says so.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluelouboyle 

'Complete disregard for improvement' ?! WTF?

I think he's referring to how even constructive criticism is sometimes taken as an assault upon one's very soul around here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Dickson 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluelouboyle 

'Complete disregard for improvement' ?! WTF?

I think he's referring to how even constructive criticism is sometimes taken as an assault upon one's very soul around here.

Sometimes I take it personally, but mostly because of how much time and energy and effort is put into this place by a lot of very caring people. Bottom line: Few of you realize how personal and important it is for this place to work and be a great site to read and hang out at.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RathBandu 

Does Jeremy know all the smart, reasonable people who used to post here have become so fed up with the cult of personality, shitty design, and complete disregard for improvement (home team 4 lyfe) that surrounds this place that they've thrown up their hands and left? That it's gotten to the point where Cleo, who is an intelligent person but who I've never ever seen make a post about movies, is a moderator now? Does Jeremy know what a shell this place has become?

 

But hey, I look forward to seeing the challenging design for Guy.com, because what better way to say "fuck my readers" then by making them work to read a list about the Top Ten Hollywood Hotties Who Never Got Naked, But Totally Should, Because McCockpunch Horseface says so.

You don't know shit from shit and I think it's time for you to go away.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RathBandu 

Does Jeremy know all the smart, reasonable people who used to post here have become so fed up with the cult of personality, shitty design, and complete disregard for improvement (home team 4 lyfe) that surrounds this place that they've thrown up their hands and left? That it's gotten to the point where Cleo, who is an intelligent person but who I've never ever seen make a post about movies, is a moderator now? Does Jeremy know what a shell this place has become?

 

But hey, I look forward to seeing the challenging design for Guy.com, because what better way to say "fuck my readers" then by making them work to read a list about the Top Ten Hollywood Hotties Who Never Got Naked, But Totally Should, Because McCockpunch Horseface says so.

...really?  I know more about this site and how, why and in what capacity it exists than you could begin to.  If you have something constructive to say, then please do, because at this point it feels like you just really, really, really hate every single thing about this place no matter what, in which case you should just move on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JGButler If you have something constructive to say, then please do, because at this point it feels like you just really, really, really hate every single thing about your lifeno matter what, in which case you should just move on.

Corrected.

I usually avoid these board dust-ups at all costs, but Rath, you have to be pushing 30. These complete meltdowns on the boards aren't cute anymore.

Not a meltdown at all! Just using some "friendly" hyperbole. I have a good life. And I have gone away, for the most part. But when I get utter ridiculousness pointed out to me like some of the things I've mentioned above and I happen to be bored at work, I figure, "what the hell, let's tweak Nick. That's always good for a laugh."

In short: Get on with it, mother --

Quote:

Originally Posted by RathBandu 

Not a meltdown at all! Just using some "friendly" hyperbole. I have a good life. And I have gone away, for the most part. But when I get utter ridiculousness pointed out to me like some of the things I've mentioned above and I happen to be bored at work, I figure, "what the hell, let's tweak Nick. That's always good for a laugh."

 

In short: Get on with it, mother --

Enjoy Badass Digest.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tati 

Same thing happens to me. On Chrome. I already gave up trying to post from work. IT works every now and again at home.

Tati, do you use Firefox at all or just Chrome?

Is there a link to look up members like there used to be? I can't find it if there is.

Use the long search bar near the top. Type a user's name in there, you'll get results with three tabs: Posts, Threads, and Users.

What about a Members List?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin Clark 

Use the long search bar near the top. Type a user's name in there, you'll get results with three tabs: Posts, Threads, and Users.

That worked. Thanks!

Long time reader reporting in (10 years!).  I don't mind the new design and have had no problems using Chrome or Firefox.

I have a couple of comments.  The first is to Rathbandu.  Please, stop acting like a spoiled, little child.  Your petulant outbursts are, as Misfit said, no longer cute.  Go direct your rage at something worthwhile.  This is a free-to-view movie website.  Are people so disconnected from reality that a few message board comments can send them into a frothy mouthed tirade?      

I am late to the party to comment on the design, but I do like the new message board features.  I don't believe anyone who traverses the interwebs on a daily basis will have issues with the redesign.  However, I do think that the main page does have a "cluttered" look to it.  I have adjusted to it, but I wonder what the first impression is to the casual reader.  The header portion is slick, but it feels like you have to travel quite a ways down the page to reach article links.   I like the idea of the grill, but it almost seems too much.  Once you do reach the articles, the three columns seem to merge together.  Again, I will adjust, but I thought I would provide some feedback.

I appreciate the work you do Nick.  I wouldn't have read this site nearly every day for a decade if I didn't.  In fact, I may have set the record for lowest post to time-on-boards ratio.  I enjoy seeing the site move forward and hope the re-working proves to be a benefit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Nunziata 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tati 

Same thing happens to me. On Chrome. I already gave up trying to post from work. IT works every now and again at home.

Tati, do you use Firefox at all or just Chrome?

Just Chrome!
 

What did Firefox ever do to you!!!!!

Kidding. We have dudes on the case.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RathBandu 

Does Jeremy know all the smart, reasonable people who used to post here have become so fed up with the cult of personality, shitty design, and complete disregard for improvement (home team 4 lyfe) that surrounds this place that they've thrown up their hands and left?

Which begs the question of why you haven't. I mean I'm not in total disagreement with you, but it seems like you take no pleasure whatsoever in coming here or posting here. I'll admit I have no particular desire to get to know people here, but I have gotten to know some of their opinions, and the Music and Politics forums are second to none for recommendations and for discussion. Why are you here? This is more like Tourette's than hyperbole. It certainly isn't friendly.

Nick, regarding taking it personally... You can't put up threads asking for feedback and then respond with "Folks need to be more positive". No, folks need to be honest. I think that kind of put-upon posturing chafes people, especially when some are themselves web designers offering constructive criticism. It takes a thick skin.

For myself, I'm grateful that that posting in Safari seems to work now, and especially that reply quotes no longer appear as white text on white background. That was a nightmare. Good changes.

I love honest. But this is a discussion and we're being VERY available. People need to respectful here on our couch.

I suddenly cannot connect to chud from work anymore.  I simply get the cannot connect page every time.  Anyone else getting this?  I don't really have rights to change any of my security settings or anything and obviously, I can't call IT about this.  Anyone know if it might be something simple that I need to get around?  Never had problems getting to the site before the site update.  

Won't let me post in the Hider in the House thread for some reason. Tried several times in both Firefox and Chrome. It just hangs. Like cattle thief in the wild west. What I had to add to that discussion would have blown minds.