My view of things is that new users are put off by the site - whether it be the layout, organization or the members itself.
A complete re-haul of the layout/coding would bring in a lot of new users, but would probably upset a lot of the regular members who are used to everything here. So it would be a difficult decision to make in that regard (plus the fact something like that would take a hell of a long time to complete). Clubby and some other guy were talking about this the other day - the code for TDC is something like 6-7 years old, and it is completely out-of-date compared to other websites. Considering new users will base their opinions on first impressions, that might not necessarily be a good thing for TDC.
I think it will be very difficult to alter the site itself in order to attract new users - all we can really do is add new features, and change the layouts of some pages a bit (like we have tried with the downloads,projects pages - but which still have to be designed in tables).
In my opinion, a new layout which fits todays standards completely would be necessary to bring in the amount of users we are looking for. As far as I am aware, the only thing that would affect is the skins (and the fact you have to redesign every single page on the site). That's just my opinion, and I think most people will disagree - becuase people don't like change to something they are used to.
I don't mind changes to the site layout all too much. Although I must say that even if the code is getting older, it still seems up-to-date to me and this is one of the most complicated of sites I've visited. Perhaps a redo to make it more efficient would be wise, but there's nothing here that really screams "old" to me and I don't think that steers anyone away. I think anyone that comes here will likely enjoy themselves, it's just that not many people actually come here.
As a web designer and programmer, whenever I visit this site it pretty much screams old to me
If you visit sites like YouTube, Digg, Facebook - they all follow specific standards, whereas this site completely ignores them. Those kind of sites are also a lot cleaner, whereas this site has many things going on; which can get confusing for new users. Even many smaller sites follow those standards now, and it can certainly have an effect on how the site feels and performs.
Clubby would probably have a better idea about this - as I haven't actually designed many websites myself (that follow those standards anyway). I just think it would be important for us to get up to date, rather than keep re-using code that is so many years old.
you use a copy of the current database, and put all the new source code in a folder and test it, keeping the current site intact.
then let users link to the test site and essentially beta test. theres some problems with cookies and logging but you just need to delete your tdc cookies.
no server downtime. no screwing up the current site.
im an avid site overhaul/php recode supporter.
i think all the admins need to get together on your forums and discuss a new site design, needed features, wanted features, presentation, orientation, etc. then begin coding it. whoever does that.
Originally Posted by Cecil its actually reallllllly easy.
you use a copy of the current database, and put all the new source code in a folder and test it, keeping the current site intact.
then let users link to the test site and essentially beta test. theres some problems with cookies and logging but you just need to delete your tdc cookies.
no server downtime. no screwing up the current site.
im an avid site overhaul/php recode supporter.
i think all the admins need to get together on your forums and discuss a new site design, needed features, wanted features, presentation, orientation, etc. then begin coding it. whoever does that.
Oh yeah if something like this were to go ahead, then it wouldn't affect the current site until it's complete. The problem with it is time, and Clubby doesn't have much time on his hands considering he has a job and everything.
I wouldn't be against a new coding. I don't think this site layout is all too bad though. The new clean and shiny stuff seems a bit too simplistic to me, and I admire TDC as one of the few sites with a database that doesn't buy into the "web 2.0" scheme of things.
Oh yeah if something like this were to go ahead, then it wouldn't affect the current site until it's complete. The problem with it is time, and Clubby doesn't have much time on his hands considering he has a job and everything.
i think we need to stop relying on clubby. there are a lot of good programmers. if someone had access to the database structure, they could develop together faster. if security is a problem, the whole site can be coded on a different but itentical database and clubby can go through and change all the code connecting to the database.
Oh yeah if something like this were to go ahead, then it wouldn't affect the current site until it's complete. The problem with it is time, and Clubby doesn't have much time on his hands considering he has a job and everything.
i think we need to stop relying on clubby. there are a lot of good programmers. if someone had access to the database structure, they could develop together faster. if security is a problem, the whole site can be coded on a different but itentical database and clubby can go through and change all the code connecting to the database.
The database itself doesn't need changing really - and if it did, then it's very easy to do. And it's not so much relying on Clubby, I'd just imagine he would like to oversee everything in order to make sure nothing is going to get screwed up. Though to be honest, a complete re-code is very unlikely so there is probably no point in discussing it any further.
Actually, some Web2.0 tech would be very useful for this site.
I guess you couldn't add a Spotlight style search here given the DB is probably epicly sized.
But yea I think a full blown overhaul would be useful. The site does feel old. Solid, but old.
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Edited by Flava
I don't think this site layout is all too bad though. The new clean and shiny stuff seems a bit too simplistic to me, and I admire TDC as one of the few sites with a database that doesn't buy into the "web 2.0" scheme of things.
