After returning from a particularly fruitful tutorial with my operations management lecturer at university today I set about working on a few site layout changes I've been meaning to make. First of all let me apologise to those people trying to browse the file database while changes were being made, by the time I realised I was doing live changes instead of changes on my test server it was too late. Oops.

The main focus of these changes has been on increasing the overall size of the main content area, not least for those users who are still in the archaic blind-man 1024x768 resolution. I've pretty much given up on the 1.55% of visitors to this site who still use 800x600 or lower resolutions.

The edits made yesterday with the introduction of an AJAX page loader were a precursor move to gauge feedback and assess a new file page layout that would have this AJAX loader at the core of the layout in the form of a tabbed navigation. The navigation reduces the number of information boxes on the page (see: clutter) and replaces most of them with a centralised, tabbed navigation. This has enabled me to completely remove the right-hand columns taken up by the image gallery, files, actions and tags information boxes respectively. This has saved on 210 pixels of space, enabling the main content area originally taken up by just the file description to expand into this new space. The gallery has been moved to the top area with the author name, uploader name, file version, number of downloads, number of views and rating boxes wrapping around it. The other sections have been moved to the new centralised tabbed navigation.

So the plus side is that 210 pixels have been freed from captivity and put to use expanding the width of the core content area. Similarly certain features, such as the file comments, tags and action log were originally displayed in seperate pages or pop-up windows, but are now displayed on the same page at the click of a button. This reduces the need for the user to traverse multiple pages in order to get the information needed.

The down side is that the new system is not browser tabbing friendly. You can't directly open new tabs for the description, comments and images, for example. That is, not unless you access the file page three times and click each navigation tab in each tab. Similarly certain pieces of core information, such as the downloadable files themselves are now an extra click away. Web developers are often taught the common sense concept that the less clicks users need to make before getting what they want, the better. My choice was between making the downloadable file links available directly on the page somewhere, adding to the clutter I'm trying to remove, or adding it to a tab that is an extra click away.

I can't really find a place for the downloadable information on the page. I have to take into account that there are some entries, like Midas Magic Spells of Aurum, that have a lot of downloadable files. If I put the downloadable information at the top of the page then it has the possibility of making the user scroll to reach the central information (i.e. the description) on the page. Putting it to the right of the central area, as it was before, would defeat the whole point of the changes, and putting it below the main central area would mean users would have to scroll a mile and a half on some pages just to get to the downloads. So you see the riveting predicament.

I've made my file layout changes and set it out in the most aesthetic and efficient manner possible, in my own eyes. After 6 years of developing this site I've learnt that, for one (wrong) reason or another, people don't always agree with my opinions on these things. So here is your time to shine and express your opinion on the layout of the file page. What would you change? Where would you put things? Are you taking into account that advertising is paying for this site and has to be in the top-fold (visible without having to scroll)? Mumm-Ra forbid that you might actually like this change!

Ah cheer up... I like it! It's much more organised and it's easier to navigate thoughout the site IMO. Great job!

I have to admit that I liked the old layout better, since my eyesight isn't the best and I have to strain to see any text if my out-of-games screen resolution is over 1024x800.

Of course, you have to develop for the masses, so it's understandable from that viewpoint.

I do have one design gripe though; now I have to switch around the specific tabs while browsing mods whereas the old layout seemed more of a whole package. Is there any change for using the old layout as an alternative? That's my 2cents.

The new layout is just great!
As Ellknight said: its much more organized and easier to navigate through
so, imo, this layout is MUCH MUCH better!

Great job!

Very nice, DarkOne!

It is an improvement for 1024x768, but I can't say whether it is for 1152x864, as I've only now switched.

I'm inclined to put more emphasis on how easy it is to find what information you're looking for, and how readable it is once you get there, so an extra click or two isn't significant to me.
Overall, I like it.

When testing with TESNexus prevented from running scripts (which may or may not be an adequate simulation of a browser without a javascript plugin), I got the following error:

on these pages:
http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file/description.php?id=10260
http://tesnexus.com/modules/comments/index...5&fid=10260
http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file/actionlog.php?id=10260
(I checked another file and got the same error on the same pages)

That problem should now be fixed. Thanks.

I dunno if it's just me, but there seems to be a problem when viewing the comments section (this happens in the changelog section as well):
http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/656/screenshot002ct4.jpg
The grey lines shouldn't be there and they appear randomly it seems.

I'm also unable to view or add new tags...

When i search for something and click an mod NOTHING stays thare BUT of this "Description:Files:Images:Comments:Change log:" Etc. they are all as links but all of them are broken.

This happens to me in FireFox too, but doesn't happen in IE. It seems to be a bug with Fire Fox that I'm willing to allow, since they can be removed with a bit of scrolling.



What error do you get?



What browser?

You've got my vote, very concise and easy to navigate.

great;
hope the gallery- case will be removed;!?

Huh?

1024 x 768 is archaic?

I've only just started using it instead of 800 x 600, but this monitor won't run any higher and large TFT monitors cost far too much.

As for the changes, personally I like it much better, saves having to open up tons of extra tabs.

Imean;hmpf; my english knowledges are to bad
but :

Gallery : No images uploaded yet
Author : Bethesda Softworks
Uploader :
Version : 1.0
Downloads : 0
Views : 0
Rating : author has blocked ratings

and

Description
Files (1)
Images (0)
Comments (0)
Mirrors (0)
Action log
Tags
Options

its double; hope u know what imaen; -
thanks

Actually I don't see anything in Tags section, and there's no "button" to tag files either. I've checked all tabs in a mod, but I simply couldn't find it.

What file is this for?



What file is this for?

was just an example; sry
think its tautologous; -
its integrated and I think that the "gallery"- box its no longer necessary now!
or not?

Sorry; error post, to remove it please. Thank you.

Ah, I see what you mean now. I've kept the gallery link there for the example image that shows.

ah; understand!
well well;

It's for every mod... I also checked this in IE7 and - the Tags tab was still empty.

Try now.

I liked the old layout better. The descriptions usually don't take up enough room, so it wouldn't hurt to put the downloads right below it. There are a couple of mods that have multiple choices for download files, and I hate going back and forth between the tabs to ensure I got the correct download I wanted. But, if you must seperate into tabs, I think the mirrors should be located on the files page, since they are just other locations for downloading the same files.

Oh my... I totally forgot I must be logged in to tag files. Sorry for the trouble.
It works well by the way. The only very little annoyance is that when I want to agree/disagree with multiple confirmed/pending tags, I need to press one tag and it gives me message that it was registered, and then I need to click on Tags tab again to agree/disagree with another confirmed/pending tag and so on. It would be simpler when I would just click on them, and then click somewhere to register the tags at once.

Oh, and something different - post snapback doesn't work in TESNexus(no matter if I'm logged in or not), just on The Nexus Forums.

I like the current layout more than the previous because web pages are shorter than before. However, I've gotta say I prefer the layout in TES Source more. The current layout is sort of loose for my taste.

It's much better than it was, love it!

Interesting. Takes a bit of getting used to, but shows promise. I would really like to be able to right click and open new tabs in my browser with files, pics, etc though. Pretty please?

As I've said before, I really like the new setup. However, tagging is rather awkward. After every agreement or disagreement, the tag tab doesn't refresh on it's own. Even worse, suggestions lead to a confirmation page like before. Just a heads-up.

Absolutely love it, Dark0ne, really makes it easier to find all the different aspects of the files, and also frees up lots of space. Nice work.

I have rated this change 10/10 ;-)

Wahey!
Popped in for my daily browse and found that things had changed a bit,hehe.
I was pleasantly surprised too,the 'tabbed' browsing works a treat and the layout is even more accessible than before.
So far,no probs.

I luv it!

Thanks for fixing the ads bug on the tabs.

I like the additional changes you've made to the site, the only problem I have with it is that when I save the web page, it doesn't save the description but leaves the tabs section blank.

The reason I save web pages with the files is that there can be insufficient details (in the readme) on the mod in question or there's no readme for it so I save it for easier reference.

ANYTHING that has with javascripts to do with i just cant have a s**t to do with its so anoyiong!!!!!!!!!!!!....please help!

Well as a dial up user, this makes it quite faster in my browsing, this is a good thing considering the itinerant disadvantages to slow connection speeds. Fluid and extremely easy to navigate.

A definite improvement from my standpoint.

Buddah

When I click the thumbnail on the description tab, it switches over to show all the images, but shows that you're still on the description tab. Can this be fixed?

Here's a suggestion....
If you're wanting to get more space on the page for the main file info, have you thought about putting everything in the right-hand navigation columns into just one long row instead of two? (I mean the "latest news", "file search", and "community" links and such)

The main page, including comments and info blog stuff and such, is certainly long enough that it wouldn't make anyone have to scroll down any farther than they would in order to read the comments section anyway.
Then you'd have more than enough space to fit everything into a smaller screen.

I guess I just belong to the loser "archaic 1024 resolution" crowd....
Heaven forbid a website be more easily navigated by a larger crowd of people

I like the new file page layout - it's definitely much easier and ever more so handier

Excelent, much easier to use and loads quicker. Thankyou.

I definitely like the redesign; if for no other reason, the description area is not so narrow anymore.

Small issue with page flow with the navigation change.

Somebody has trashed the Midas Magic tags by tagging EVERY SINGLE stinking tag and using the checkmarks, it's very easy to tag everything and submit once. BUT if you are somebody that is confirming or voting against a tag, you click on the x-mark or check-mark and it takes to you another page and you can no longer click the BACK button because that takes you too far back (all tab clicks act as if on the same page regarding browser history).

It would be nice if the workflow for confirming/denying tags took you back to the exact same page with a refresh of what you just did.

Oh, I do like how the content page now has more room!

Thanks,
LHammonds

Good Improvement! Just a suggestion, you should combine the "Mirrors" tab into the "Files" tab, similar to how it was before. Also, you may be able to get rid of the "Options" Tab by adding its functionality to other areas. For example, you could make it so clicking on the author's name in the box on the top of the page shows you their other files.

I've been on a file page for 10 minutes. couldn't find where I'm suppose to click to download the file of interest. Looked around the page and found some news on page layout. Read that, which said the file download is a click away, and that tabs have to be hit three times. I refreshed the screen three times, hit every tab three times, another 10 minutes. Then I read the comments to new page layout, hoping to find some specific direction. Didn't. Could you highlight where my download is just a click away? Thanks.

Perhaps the file you're viewing hasn't had any files uploaded yet?

It's under the "Files" tab

Wow tabs rule.

This is revolutionary at least and will probably become a new standard for sights offering data and files.

I'm not sure I've ever seen this style in use before.
Get a patent
File Your Patent Today LOL just Kidding

Update: I see a few of what look like confused folk so If you haven't seen this type of organization used before have a look at this:
Tabbed document interface

• multiple document interfaces
• TDI(tabbed document interface) Comparison to MDI(multiple document interfaces)
• """" Comparison to SDI(single document interfaces)

This is by far an improvement. The really thin band of text had been driving me nuts. All that remains to annoy me is the scroll bar on the top comment on a page.

The site still doesn't look as polished as before, but its getting there. Well done, and thanks - because this site, however bad it might look, is awesome.

F*** it would be great if someone changed all the f***** up javascript links into REAL INTERNET links....

There's no need to curse...

Could you please make the browser remember the tab it was at? So that when you press back button, it would take you back to the tab where you were before, and not to the default one?
I went to Images tab to download the pictures for a certain mod, to have them near the 'installation' file. I clicked one of the tumbnails, got the original size picture, saved it, pressed "Back" button... and it took me back to Description tab, not to Images tab.
My browser is IE 6.0, if that makes any difference.

In general, the layout isn't bad; it just takes time to get accustomed to all those changes in the site.

EDIT: Oh OK, I can save them just from the gallery. But the question remains. ;P

Great new layout: Nice and clear, and no awkwardly aligned text

I must be daft. I have explorer 6, I use the tab button, and can see a little highlight around the file tab description. However when I try to open, open in another window, hit enter/return, and/or scream - nothing happens more than blank pages. I've tried this on various file pages, so I know it's not empty. Tried same concept with images, description, etc. Has you downloads dropped significantly, or am I the only one that's really stupid? Thanks.