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New website design

Posted: 24 Apr 2010, 03:18
by Zarel
I've been working the last few days on a new design for the Warzone 2100 website, in preparation for the 2.3 release. I've already rolled it out to the home page, Addons, and Guide pages, and I'm working on updating the rest of the site over the coming few days.
Screen shot 2010-04-24 at 4.38.58 PM.png
And yes, this means that 2.3.0 will be released very soon now. ;) Stay tuned!

Re: New website design

Posted: 24 Apr 2010, 03:23
by grim4593
Just piping up to say I love the new front page layout.

Re: New website design

Posted: 24 Apr 2010, 03:25
by Sraer
I love it! Much more interesting than the last one

Re: New website design

Posted: 24 Apr 2010, 03:26
by macuser
Zarel, one bug that has been eating at me for some time now is that there are about 3 pixels at the top of the image transparency thingy at the top of the page that are not covered by the overlay.

-regards macuser

Re: New website design

Posted: 24 Apr 2010, 03:27
by Zarel
macuser wrote:Zarel, one bug that has been eating at me for some time now is that there are about 3 pixels at the top of the image transparency thingy at the top of the page that are not covered by the overlay.
That's not a bug, that was an attempt at a gloss effect that didn't work. ;) It'll be removed in a few hours.

Re: New website design

Posted: 24 Apr 2010, 04:01
by natbob1
Looks great!

Re: New website design

Posted: 24 Apr 2010, 09:09
by some1
May I suggest giving the current 2.2 and 2.3 versions on the frontpage the labels "stable" and "testing" or something like that? I wouldn't expect users to understand what RC1a means :)

Re: New website design

Posted: 24 Apr 2010, 09:28
by KenAlcock
@Zarel

Great work BTW on the new header design!

I would suggest adding some text to the lobby server page. When there are no games in the lobby (i.e. waiting for players), the lobby server web page looks something like a web server error, since the main body area is just blank. To a potential new WZ player, this web page could make the game appear unpopular when no games are listed. So use some of the white space to educate and market the game, and its community. There isn't even a description of what the lobby server actually is.

Post a paragraph explaining to users that the lobby server web page lists only games that have not yet started and are currently waiting for enough players to join. Mention something about version compatibility. Also mention that once a multiplayer game starts and is in-progress, it will no longer be listed in the lobby server. It would also be fair to mention that during peak times there could actually be several multiplayer games in-progress that are not shown and to check back often.

As a future idea, post on this page when the busiest times are for MP games, based upon your web logs, so new people have an idea when they are more likely to find other WZ players online.

It would also be helpful to list a link to the Warzone IRC Channel, where they can chat with other WZ fans. In fact, this page might even rate it's own tab in your new site motif.

Re: New website design

Posted: 24 Apr 2010, 10:14
by Zarel
some1 wrote:May I suggest giving the current 2.2 and 2.3 versions on the frontpage the labels "stable" and "testing" or something like that? I wouldn't expect users to understand what RC1a means :)
Good idea. Now they're "Download" and "Try testing version". How's that? :)
KenAlcock wrote:I would suggest adding some text to the lobby server page. When there are no games in the lobby (i.e. waiting for players), the lobby server web page looks something like a web server error, since the main body area is just blank. To a potential new WZ player, this web page could make the game appear unpopular when no games are listed. So use some of the white space to educate and market the game, and its community. There isn't even a description of what the lobby server actually is.
Unfortunately, the lobby server page is written in Python, which means I really can't do anything about it. :( The best I think I can do is scrape it, which I might at some point.
KenAlcock wrote:It would also be helpful to list a link to the Warzone IRC Channel, where they can chat with other WZ fans. In fact, this page might even rate it's own tab in your new site motif.
I'm still thinking about how to mention it...

Re: New website design

Posted: 24 Apr 2010, 10:28
by some1
Zarel wrote:
some1 wrote:May I suggest giving the current 2.2 and 2.3 versions on the frontpage the labels "stable" and "testing" or something like that? I wouldn't expect users to understand what RC1a means :)
Good idea. Now they're "Download" and "Test". How's that? :)
A little bit better, but perhaps still a bit confusing in my opinion. You want to explain that one is the recommended stable version. Calling that one 'Download' doesn't really capture that message. The other version is the version that you would like people to test and receive constructive feedback about. This version will probably contain more bugs than the current stable version. Users other than those that are going to provide constructive feedback should use stable. This one is usually referred to as: 'testing', 'unstable', 'beta', 'bleeding edge', 'this may eat your cat', etc (pick anything you like). I still think that the current headers are confusing to a new user. If you don't like this distinction, maybe you could use a Play/Test distinction (more in line with the current setup).

EDIT: oh, I just noticed a change. This Download / Try testing version that there is now is pretty clear IMHO, good job :)

Re: New website design

Posted: 24 Apr 2010, 12:57
by Terminator
Zarel wrote: Unfortunately, the lobby server page is written in Python, which means I really can't do anything about it. :( The best I think I can do is scrape it, which I might at some point.
I wish to make that page in java, instead of python. I'll see what I can do, but I don't promise anything.

Re: New website design

Posted: 24 Apr 2010, 13:13
by Kamaze
Terminator wrote:I wish to make that page in java, instead of python. I'll see what I can do, but I don't promise anything.
Please don't. I won't setup a Tomcat or something similar just for that. It would also work with PHP as well.

Re: New website design

Posted: 24 Apr 2010, 13:52
by gesierfou
I love the new front page web site.
Very interesting for new player on this game.
This new presentation add more professionalism to the GREAT Warzone 2100.
Thanks to all the equip to offer the best str game !

Re: New website design

Posted: 24 Apr 2010, 19:22
by theArmourer
Thumbs up. XD

Re: New website design

Posted: 24 Apr 2010, 21:44
by mcdebugger
Looks great! I was surprised when I came for site with the new design )