goodbye old friend

Curiously, every second year or so Wincustomize.com goes through this rebirth/regeneration/revision.

It's certainly nothing novel....or rather....after a while even new shoes are comfy like the old ones....;)

Well, Jafo's certainly right about the shoes...

I like the 'phase in' of the new site. Old codgers like change to be 'gentle'...and face it, change is. There will be pluses and minuses, and that's a given. It's also a given that if certain features can be changed and there's enough demand from paying customers, changes will be enacted.

Unfortunately, a target was set which wasn't met. So, this is coming about. Maybe if enough interest is generated, who knows what the response will be?

Anyway, I do agree that navigation was a lot easier with the old (current) site. Also, it should be noted that the current Forum bugs aren't really being addressed yet. That should be part of the overall plan, and I do hope it is, since we all 'live' there.

I like the look and feel of the new site; however I must say that I also think the old site is a bit easier to navigate.

I think the old site only SEEMS easier to navigate because that's what we're used to everyday.  Give the new site a little time and the navigation will become second nature just like it is on the site now...

Think of it as getting a new car.  At first you don't know where the hell all the buttons and levers are, but after a while it's like you've been driving this car your entire life.

Forums really aren't being address specifically in the WC2010 update.  That is an ongoing project Bara is taking care of.

When the current WC was launched the biggest complaint was the navigation.  I do find it surprising that some don't like the new system.  How would you improve it?

The focus on users and the skins will still there.  

First, although I realize that's not a promise to take my recommendation as anything more than just that, I would like to thank you for asking.

I would like to see the ability (which might already be there and I just haven't seen it) to "pin" say, "Recent Forum Activity" to the Home Page. I love my software and have very few issues with it, so I keep it updated, and really don't need the ads.

I'd like subscribers to be able to replace sections (ads) of the Home Page with Galleries and Forums (eg.)  much like one can "Customize" the Home Pages of Google, MSN, etc.

It would be a 'perk' to encourage subscription...there could even be a monthly Post like "January 2010 Desktops" ... for example,  "March 2010 Home Page" to show prospective subscribers the range of flexibility of the site...

There is always so much resistance to change when it happens all around us every day, hmmmm.

On visiting the personal profile page of a skinner, I just see the latest skins whereas in the old site there was an option to browse through his/her whole gallery.

Also, will the new site not show the access class of the skinner ?

I think doc said it best.

I do plan on checking it out in earnest once I am able to log in. maybe the sterile newbie look changes once it recognizes me??? will there be any customizing allowed???

I guess that means that all changes are good, hmmmm. (general comment, not reflecting topic material)

gmc2, from my perspective, change is change, whether it is precived as good or bad is up to the individual. 

Now, having said that, yes, if the updated site took us 'backards' then that would not be good.    

I too, am having the same problem gmc2 cant log in , was gonna check the new site out a bit more! But it doesnt accept my username or password!

That doesn't mean it's a good thing...just that it's happening.

So far....thats how it looks. 

Ok..here's my 2 cents for what it's worth.  

Honestly...I really don't understand this need for yet another new site.

Rather than wasting time redoing the site yet again...I'd think the time would be better spent on the software and just fixing the bugs on the current site rather than creating new bugs. But I'm sure it's a done deal at this point. For the most part the current site works just fine...for me anyway.

The navigation on the current site is far better than the new one. The galleries and everything else...except for the software...are right there in your face on the front page...as opposed to having them hidden and not even listed on the new site. Yeah...they are there...but you have to hunt for them now.
 
And when you do find the galleries not everything is listed unless you think to click "Explore" when you mouse over it rather than scroll down...and find them hidden at the bottom of all places listed as "Other" instead of "More Galleries." And even when you do click "Explore" it's not really evident that the galleries are there even though it says "Featured Galleries"...it looks more like a page to just download software.

The current site has a more welcome feel to it...and it has personality. The new one feels cold and commercial like many other sites...unless of course that was the goal in which case you have a hit.

I don't think people understand just how primitive the old site is.  On the old site, the actual layout contains database calls and such. It makes it much harder to maintain and updates.

Moreover, the old site is just a mess organizationally.  

Brad,

Will it be possible to 'Customize' the new site as I asked about in reply #6 ?

Well, there are some areas where skins are mentioned instead of displayed, as depicted below.

Personally, the fact that WC always seemed to display some sort of preview or thumbnail of a skin rather than simply list the name of the skin was the biggest draw that got me hooked. I personally can't stand how many other skinning sites tend to list the skins. I want to see them. And to me, adding a click in-between just makes it more difficult.

Also, I like having the personal navigation bar that contains usability options for me personally. On the old WC, I feel like when I come to the site, that it's mine. On the new WC, I feel like somewhat of a visitor; and I think that the lack of any type of navigation bar is partly the reason.

I know that the "My Skins" section will be put in later, but the screenshot below might partially explain why I feel like the current site is mine:

In my living room, I have my sofa; my place on my sofa; my tv; pictures of my family, etc. In my living room, I feel comfortable. I'll relax, grab a Coke, kick back, relax and stay a while. When in someone else's living room, I am not as comfortable--I won't be as ready to "take my shoes off," so to speak.

I'm not trying to complain; I sincerely hope that the new site will be "a little more about me." Cuz if it is, then I'll frequent it as much or more than I do the current site. I love WC--it's my online home, and I'm comfortable here.

I know that sometimes we have to break out of our comfort zone; but I still want the new WC to feel like home.

Not sure yet.

You mean like this?

couldn't agree more, well said.

Yes. I saw that.

I was referring to the same section on the right side. The view you show doesn't display DL counts, either.

Also, the "Top Skins" section on the right is the only section on the right that lists the skins rather than show a thumbnail.

And now that I've gone and dug in a little more...

(all of the following are under the "Home" section)

It would be useful if the "Most Popular Skins" section were able to be filtered by type of skin, like WindowBlinds, ObjectDock, etc.

It would also be useful if the "Highest Rated Skins" would display the rating and could be filtered by type of skin.

In my younger days if I wanted to be dazed and confused,I spent 30 bucks on drugs and/or alcohol.

Now all I need is a WC subscription. As a bonus the effects last much longer. Ain't progress grand.

The new site looks good but it  will take a lot of getting used to.

I wouldn't go as far as to say it's primitive...maybe underneath code wise...but not on the surface. The current site appearance wise I think is perfect. Like I said, everything is right there at your fingertips...I wish every site was like that. The one thing I would have added was a more visible link to the software.

Not really sure what you mean by a mess. If it's regarding the code I'd have to take you at your word on that since I can't see under the hood. But appearance wise I think the site is perfect. I really hate to say it since I'm sure someone likes it and put a lot of work into it...but the new site made me cringe. It was like someone stole my home of 6 years and replaced it with a generic one.

But again....the bottom line is it's your site Brad...I was just along for the ride.

In terms of getting to "stuff" quickly, the new site is just so much quicker, easier, and faster for doing it.

Here's a video demo of me finding and looking through your dock themes:

http://www.screencast.com/t/YjAwZTIzMzI

Nice plug! 

For some reason I'm not seeing those navigation buttons or "Return to List" on IE8 when looking at individual skins.

Currently all of that functionality is available just not on the home page/drop down menu...  if you go to an actual gallery (IE Windowblinds ect) or a skin it will filter all side content to be only from that gallery.  The stuff in the other areas is more general overview stuff, if you had to apply filters to those lists then that would require as many clicks as just clicking the gallery you want information on in the first place. 

You will only see the "Return to List" button if you navigated to the skin from a list of skins (IE from browsing a bunch of skins or search results ect).  Basically you should have those buttons assuming you didn't directly link to the skin you are looking at or jump to it from a side box. 

Also of note all the login issues people have been having should (hopefully) be resolved.  Let me know if this is not the case.