[Bf-webcontent] Bf-webcontent Digest, Vol 41, Issue 4

Wed Jun 12 00:58:06 CEST 2013

Hey all,

I really like where the design is going, and have to agree with the 
previous feedback on most fronts.

However, although I love cleanliness and simplicity, I do have to say 
that there seems almost like there is a lack of visual representation 
(on the homepage, at the very least).
Many interface studies suggest that users are used to scrolling now and 
have no issues doing so, in fact many users naturally try to scroll to 
find more information, where previously the exact opposite was true (I 
think you can blame all of social media for this shift). I wouldn't be 
afraid to add more content to the homepage, in terms of column heights 
and in the form of images and carousels (I assume the header is meant to 
be a carrousel, but possibly in addition, if applicable), depending on 
the content, might even help with SEO. I think images could be helpful 
in the news feed, even if just thumbnails, to get a visual 
representation of what the content is referring to. The users you are 
targeting are visual people, and most likely are ADD like myself. Pretty 
images can help with user flow and comprehension. Like I said, clean is 
good, but there is a tasteful way to integrate some more visual appeal 
and communication through some leading imagery/graphics and thumbnails 
alike.

That's my two cents, take it or leave it.

Either way, like I said, it's looking great!

Thanks.

--

On 2013-06-11 5:23 PM, bf-webcontent-request at blender.org wrote:
> Send Bf-webcontent mailing list submissions to
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> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of Bf-webcontent digest..."
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>
> Today's Topics:
>
>     1. Re: Design feedback (PabloVazquez.org)
>     2. Una simple simple (A Ch)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 09:56:41 -0400
> From: "PabloVazquez.org" <venomgfx at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Bf-webcontent] Design feedback
> To: "Blender3d.org web editors maillist" <bf-webcontent at blender.org>
> Message-ID:
> 	<CAGdK4terb5SvUzJrBdw+fBxw-k6DgDiAqu9=5KqAqC62fC1U4Q at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Hi Scott!
>
> Thanks for the feedback.
>
>> What type of information are you going to rotate with the slide show. As
> long as you leave the download link box on the top at all times, it should
> be good.
> Yes, the download button is at the very top of the slides, so it stays
> there regardless the content of the slide.
>
>> Does anyone think site search would be valuable at all for this site?
> Search is definitely valuable for any site IMHO, on b.org is not super
> important but still a big point. So I might implement it in a non-obtrusive
> way like on mobile, in the form of a magnifying glass icon that expands the
> search field on click or something like that.
>
>> I think it would be nice if this page could auto-detet which OS they are
> running ( user agent) and just show the appropriate content.
>
> It does! :) The mockup shows Linux because I took it on my computer, but it
> shows OSX / Windows as well when you're on that platform. Having a direct
> link is more tricky though, since I couldn't find a way to detect 32/64 bit
> reliable on Windows using just client tools. If anybody knows a good
> reliable way to do it without asking the user, and being able to show the
> donate options afterwards, please share!
>
>> Do all of the internal pages need such huge page title areas.
> Not all pages need it indeed, and this is super easy to change. Pages like
> Download can make use of it because of showing new features of the latest
> release. Get-Involved could also make use of it. We developed a system for
> the layout to easily switch headers from No Header / Just Title (slim
> header), or Carousel slides (full size like frontpage, or half like
> download/get-involved).
>
>> I also echo Peter's comment on the site being responsive.
> The new Blender.org is responsive and totally mobile friendly, we'll be
> testing this on several resolutions from retina to tablets and phones.
>
>
> Thanks for the feedback! We are reading everything and will be replying
> mostly here on the mailing list, is just that sometimes takes more time to
> type an answer to the several messages from the community than to actually
> work on the site, sorry if we miss any. I'll try to post captures on the
> new small details more often.
>
> Cheers!
> --
> Pablo Vazquez
> CG Artist - Blender Foundation Certified Trainer
> Twitter: @venomgfx <http://twitter.com/venomgfx>
> Blender Network: blendernetwork.org/pablovazquez
> Email: contact at pablovazquez.org
> Website: pablovazquez.org <http://www.pablovazquez.org>
>
>
> On Mon, Jun 10, 2013 at 11:08 PM, Scott Petrovic <scottpetrovic at gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> I LOVE the direction and design with these mockups. It does a great job at
>> communicating the purpose of this organization. There are tweaks that I
>> think might be nice, but definitely not critical issues in any way.
>>
>> mockup 1 ( homepage)
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Does anyone think site search would be valuable at all for this site? I am
>> not sure of the depth of content, so it might not be beneficial if there
>> aren't that many pages.
>>
>>
>> mockup 2 ( get Blender )
>>
>> I think it would be nice if this page could auto-detet which OS they are
>> running ( user agent) and just show the appropriate content. I think it
>> would be more seamless than making people select which OS they are on. I
>> know other software that has fast release cycles have been doing this for
>> years (ie Chrome, Firefox ).
>>
>>
>> mockup 2 & 3 ( internal pages)
>>
>> Do all of the internal pages need such huge page title areas. The homepage
>> makes sense since it is a slidehow and has actionable things in it, but the
>> internal pages seem to be just titles. I like the images, but feel they
>> don't need to be such screen hogs (completely subjective though).
>>
>> I also echo Peter's comment on the site being responsive. I think all new
>> websites that are built now really need to be thinking about mobile first
>> and build out from there.
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Bf-webcontent mailing list
>> Bf-webcontent at blender.org
>> http://lists.blender.org/mailman/listinfo/bf-webcontent
>>
>>
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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:53:13 -0400
> From: A Ch <decha071088 at hotmail.com>
> Subject: [Bf-webcontent] Una simple simple
> To: "bf-webcontent at blender.org" <bf-webcontent at blender.org>
> Message-ID: <BLU176-W11F4139366CC1040DC9328A2850 at phx.gbl>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Me parece muy bien el nuevo dise?o, pero ciertarmente comparto algunas de las observaciones, hechas por los dem?s, en mi opini?n algo que se podr?a tomar en consideraci?n y que quiz?s pueda complacer un poco algunas de esas observaciones sin que involucre un gran cambio en el dise?o podr?a ser:
>
> http://www.pasteall.org/pic/show.php?id=53341
>
> Ciertamente puede ser mejorado, pero ustedes saben mas que yo sobre eso...
>
> Claro! Se trata de una simple sugerencia...
>
>> From: bf-webcontent-request at blender.org
>> Subject: Bf-webcontent Digest, Vol 41, Issue 3
>> To: bf-webcontent at blender.org
>> Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:00:03 +0200
>>
>> Send Bf-webcontent mailing list submissions to
>> 	bf-webcontent at blender.org
>>
>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>> 	http://lists.blender.org/mailman/listinfo/bf-webcontent
>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>> 	bf-webcontent-request at blender.org
>>
>> You can reach the person managing the list at
>> 	bf-webcontent-owner at blender.org
>>
>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>> than "Re: Contents of Bf-webcontent digest..."
>>
>>
>> Today's Topics:
>>
>>     1. Re: blender.org upgrade - Design (Sparkwood and 21)
>>     2. Re: blender.org upgrade - Design (Tom M)
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 09:21:36 +0200
>> From: Sparkwood and 21 <info at sparkwoodand21.com>
>> Subject: Re: [Bf-webcontent] blender.org upgrade - Design
>> To: "Blender3d.org web editors maillist" <bf-webcontent at blender.org>
>> Message-ID:
>> 	<CAHHVxto-cnN4Egyb9qXjq8oA7-nWQuby02nm4GJML9uMcKmsVw at mail.gmail.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> Thanks for sharing. It's looking really good.
>>
>> I'm going to take a look in more detail later on today, but these are my
>> first impressions and thoughts. Do with them what you will:
>>
>> *Users*
>> Your identified users (very roughly) for the website are amateurs,
>> professionals and developers. Just keep in mind that on the front page
>> there ought to be something directed at each of these groups. I'm not a
>> developer and the current site can feel a bit developer-centric and puts me
>> off trying to participate.
>>
>> *Showreel*
>> Needs to be on the frontpage showing a range of blender uses, users and
>> styles to great non-invasive music. plus, a message about community and
>> that's what makes blender so great. I want to know what great things
>> blender can achieve (I also want to be awesome in space, but that is a
>> different story).
>>
>> *Download*
>> Add the phrase *free download* underneath the download button. And make it
>> recognise what operating system I'm using to give me the right one, with a
>> link to alternatives.
>>
>> *Get Involved*
>> Again, this should be broken down to developers and non-developers. I'm not
>> a developer and so my interest will lie in promotion, documentation and bug
>> reporting. allow me to do this easily without scaring me with code.
>>
>> *Visual*
>> Blender makes pretty pictures. Show more of them. There's a lot of text on
>> some of these mockup pages and a lot of blender users do not speak english.
>> Are you providing location aware page translations? If not, pictures are a
>> lot easier to translate.
>>
>> *Consistency*
>> Blender has a lot of sites allocated to it: lists.blender.org,
>> network.blender.org, wiki.blender.org, code.blender.org, etc... They really
>> ought to look the same, or at least reflect the style of the main website.
>> Have you seen the BBC style guide? It's great inspiration:
>> https://static.bbc.co.uk/gel/0.2.14/downloads/GEL_web_styleguide.pdf yes, I
>> know that's a bit project, but it might be something to bear in mind if you
>> are thinking of expanding this design out across the board.
>>
>> *Also*
>> Have you thought of having a place to put global events for blender:
>> meetups, conferences, etc...
>>
>> Anyway, these are just thoughts really. Keep up the good work.
>>
>> Duncan
>> *Sparkwood and 21**
>> *
>> Small Design Studio*
>> *
>> *sparkwoodand21.com | info at sparkwoodand21.com**
>> *
>>
>>
>> On 10 June 2013 17:19, Francesco Siddi <francesco.siddi at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Hello everyone,
>>> we are finally able to share some images from the work in progress
>>> website. Comments and feedback are welcome.
>>> During the week we will be able to start content migration, so who has
>>> given availability will be contacted for further planning.
>>>
>>> Btw, all images used in the carousel and banners are placeholders.
>>>
>>> http://www.pasteall.org/pic/show.php?id=53262
>>> http://www.pasteall.org/pic/show.php?id=53263
>>> http://www.pasteall.org/pic/show.php?id=53264
>>>
>>> Francesco and Pablo
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Bf-webcontent mailing list
>>> Bf-webcontent at blender.org
>>> http://lists.blender.org/mailman/listinfo/bf-webcontent
>>>
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>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 2
>> Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 00:19:16 -0800
>> From: Tom M <letterrip at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [Bf-webcontent] blender.org upgrade - Design
>> To: "Blender3d.org web editors maillist" <bf-webcontent at blender.org>
>> Message-ID:
>> 	<CALazOyz9LGR_wLRSSStwjE-NhahAtiprs_oRWuNBDG=SnhVw0Q at mail.gmail.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>>
>> You guys might want to have a look at some of our competitors sites
>>
>> http://pixologic.com/
>> http://www.luxology.com/
>> http://3d-coat.com/
>>
>> are the 3 best in my view.
>>
>> Doing a comparison, the first thing that comes to mind, is that our
>> landing page is a bunch of text.  Each of our competitors, text takes
>> a minor role.
>>
>> The second thing that comes to mind is that pixologic, luxology, and
>> 3dcoat sites all fit on my netbook screen just fine (1024x576).  Will
>> the Blender site design be viewable on non huge screens?
>>
>> Next thought is that I've no idea what you want me to do, where you
>> want to lead me.  The only thing that draws my attention is the 'Your
>> Own 3D Software', but there is nothing to do there.  So next my mind
>> wanders to the download button, but I've not yet been given a reason
>> to want to download blender.  Then my mind sees a bunch of text and my
>> eyes kinda glaze over.
>>
>> Luxologys site is excellent in that they tell me exactly what they
>> want me to to.  I have three appealing options 'Take the Tour', to
>> 'Try' or to 'Buy'.
>>
>> Now lets visit the download page of each site.
>>
>> http://pixologic.com/zbrush/downloadcenter/
>> http://www.luxology.com/trymodo/
>> http://3d-coat.com/download/login/
>>
>> Modos is by far the best, it tells me what I'm getting, and why I want
>> to get it.
>>
>> For Blenders download page I'm not really sure what I'm getting or why
>> I should get it.
>>
>> The plus for Blender is that I don't have to sign up for anything,
>> whereas for luxology and 3dcoat they want your email first.
>>
>> For Blender another point is I have a confusing array of options - I
>> have 6 possible links to download from - what do they mean?  If I
>> download from USA will that mean it defaults to english?  What is an
>> NL1 and NL2?  Also why is it telling me it has technomumbo jumbo - it
>> has a 'python 3.3 and ffmpeg', why is it telling me this?  Where am I
>> supposed to download a 'glibc 2.11' how to I know if I have one?
>>
>> The point is that we are providing the user with an overload of
>> technical knowledge which isn't necessary.  If they don't meet the
>> requirements - blender should just pop up a message on startup that a
>> requirement needs to be installed.  For a non technical expert our
>> download page is quite scary and has huge unknowns.
>>
>> For the download link if we really want the user to pick which country
>> to download from - I'd do a 'click on the download link' then a popup
>> that they select which country - and with an explanation that it only
>> changes (slightly) how fast the file downloads, not what language.
>>
>> Hope you find this feedback useful,
>>
>> LetterRip
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Jun 10, 2013 at 7:19 AM, Francesco Siddi
>> <francesco.siddi at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Hello everyone,
>>> we are finally able to share some images from the work in progress
>>> website. Comments and feedback are welcome.
>>> During the week we will be able to start content migration, so who has
>>> given availability will be contacted for further planning.
>>>
>>> Btw, all images used in the carousel and banners are placeholders.
>>>
>>> http://www.pasteall.org/pic/show.php?id=53262
>>> http://www.pasteall.org/pic/show.php?id=53263
>>> http://www.pasteall.org/pic/show.php?id=53264
>>>
>>> Francesco and Pablo
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Bf-webcontent mailing list
>>> Bf-webcontent at blender.org
>>> http://lists.blender.org/mailman/listinfo/bf-webcontent
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Bf-webcontent mailing list
>> Bf-webcontent at blender.org
>> http://lists.blender.org/mailman/listinfo/bf-webcontent
>>
>>
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