New Divers and Basic Scuba color changes

[RJP]

Our Madison Avenue man is working on the weekend.

The "usability" experts in my interactive group seem to have exerted their influence on me.

"This is not the website you want..."

 

[Scott L]

The "usability" experts in my interactive group seem to have exerted their influence on me.

Perhaps Princess Leia awaits you at the end of this mission...

 

[Cave Diver]

Also note, that I would suggest moving the "Q&A For Agencies" forum out of the "Scuba Diving Central" or at least out of the top and down to the bottom of the section. Listing "New Divers and Those Considering Diving" and "Basic Scuba Discussions" first (and in green) would also help to convey that these two forums are "entry level" forums...

Another good suggestion for us to consider RJP. I seldom browse the board this way, choosing instead to just hit "new posts" so that is something that would likely not have occurred to me. Great example of why user input is valuable.

 

[eponym]

We are testing a change to the titles of the New Divers and the Basic Scuba forums to a bolded navy color. The purpose of this test is to give a visual reminder when people select new posts that they are entering the "friendly, flame free zone" and that special rules apply.

Depending on feedback and results of this test, this may or may not be a permanent change.

I saw the forum title bolding (didn't perceive it as a different color) today in a "new posts" listing and guessed at the reason for it. Searched posts in Site Support and found this thread.

Feedback:

1. The darker shade plus bolding takes too much focus, is stronger than anything else on the new posts list, distracts from the post titles column. I think just a color shift (to dark cyan, for example) would be less arresting.
   
   
2. It might be an impossible hack but my first reaction on seeing the new look of the new-posts list was to look for a clickable gadget (question mark, say) next to each bolded forum title. They do shout "I'm special" when in boldface and If I were a new visitor I would want to know why before entering.
   
   
3. From my experience in commercial design and typography, bold looks loud, like a warning. This might or might not be the effect you're looking for.
   

Hope this helps,
Bryan

PS. I use the default site and forum display settings and skins.

PPS. Quick work on the thanks re-hack, kudos.

 

[D_B]

looks beautiful and legible on my screen, I like the text in bold .. noticed it right away when using New Posts
SB Default
1280x1024
IE 8

 

[FireInMyBones]

I did not notice a difference when browsing the forums until after I read this thread. I like RJP's suggestions. The green makes me think "safe."

 

[wrybosome]

I'm with Jeremy, never noticed the bold navy color till it was pointed out.

 

[D_B]

Deferent computer/monitor ... looks good
when clicking new posts, the regular forums are a faded blue, the Basic Scuba forums are bold dark blue to me

 

[Akimbo]

When reading "New" posts not listed in forum order, it is easy to think a question is in a more advanced group. I often open several windows from the "New" post list which confuses the issue more. Would it be possible to display the forum and thread title above the reply boxes as a reminder? You may be considering a critical reply thinking it was in an advanced forum, but it is before posting a reply that a reminder would be useful.

 

[Cave Diver]

Would it be possible to display the forum and thread title above the reply boxes as a reminder? You may be considering a critical reply thinking it was in an advanced forum, but it is before posting a reply that a reminder would be useful.

A similar reminder had already been tested. It was found that for low trafficked areas it might be workable but in higher traffic forums it was distracting to most users.