The Freethought Portal

[viscousmemories]

We're adding a portal to the Freethought Forum, but we want to make sure it renders properly for everyone and get feedback about the layout and such before we move ahead with it. Click here (http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/cmps_index.php) to see it as it is now.

So, what do you think?

Also, if you have any issues with the layout, etc. please make sure to tell us what version of which browser you're using. Thanks. :)

[AspenMama]

It's all cool.

[viscousmemories]

It's all cool.
Thanks. :)

I haven't finished adding modules to it, but as it is now what do you think of the layout? (ie. the location of each of the blocks?) It's all easily customizable. Unfortunately the only user customization we can offer right now is the ability to disable blocks you don't want to see. We don't have any way yet of letting you organize the page to your wishes.

[dave_a]

It doesn't scale down to fit my browser so when I first saw it I was like 'what is this?'. Nothing made any sense as I didn't see anything to the right of the title bars (USER CP). then I noticed I had scroll bars so scrolled.

I am using Firefox .92 and Windows 2000. Screen resolution 1280x1024

Other than that I do like it.

[reprise]

Looking good with Opera 7.53.

[viscousmemories]

Excellent feedback. Thanks, guys. I'm looking into the issue with Firefox now.

[Blake]

Girl, you are wicked aaaawwwwwe...some! It's very cool.

[LadyShea]

Rock and Roll on IE

[viscousmemories]

Thanks you wacky kids.

Okay, I got it tweaked to work on Firefox 0.9.3, should be kosher on 0.9.2 also.

Word? :pimp:

[LadyShea]

Word? :pimp:

Dork ;)

[livius drusus]

I'd love to hear from you clever artistic types (Adora, nvexio, freemonkey, et al) how best to arrange the modules. So far, I'm not really happy with anything we've tried and I bet y'all know right off the top of your heads.

[viscousmemories]

Dork ;)
Did you know that 'dork' is slang for 'penis'?

[dave_a]

Thanks you wacky kids.

Okay, I got it tweaked to work on Firefox 0.9.3, should be kosher on 0.9.2 also.

Word? :pimp:

Word, G. It formats fine now.

[livius drusus]

Okay so I dicked around with the forums it plucks thread from for the middle column and it got all freaky looking. I've set it back to Current Events for now, but clearly there's some frigging to be done in that rigging.

[viscousmemories]

Okay so I dicked around with the forums it plucks thread from for the middle column and it got all freaky looking. I've set it back to Current Events for now, but clearly there's some frigging to be done in that rigging.
Bug fixed. :yup:

[SharonDee]

I don't know, it seems so... crowded.
:scared:

[viscousmemories]

Don't fret, SharonDee. I know exactly what you mean. I've always disliked portals for that same reason. This one has grown on me, though. It's really the most efficient way to advertise all the various components of the site.

Anyway the portal won't be mandatory (you'll always be able to just bookmark the forum index so it remains as it is now if you wish) plus you'll have the option of disabling various blocks on the front portal page to make it a little less tight.

[SharonDee]

Ah, I can disable blocks? That's what I needed to hear.
:cloud9:

Thanks!

[Goliath]

Wow...earlier today, I checked out the portal but didn't get around to commenting on it. Then tonight, when I saw that the default page of the FF had been changed to the portal, I nearly shit my pants.

Now I understand why a portal would seem desirable to a lot of people...it's just that I don't like it. If I want a bunch of random crap smeared on my screen, I'll adopt some monkeys. :P

Seriously though, I don't like not being able to see at a glance which fora have new posts, I don't like seeing new posts ripped out of the context of the original threads, and..well, call me old fashioned, but if I wanna google something or check up on the news, I'll google something or check up on the news.

Again, not trying to make this personal, it's just that I like the old layout much better.

liv, my thanks goes out to you for telling me how to make the sane version of this site appear again. :)

/me , trying to hold it back, can't help but softly sing "If it says livvy livvy livvy on the label label label..."

/me also wishes he knew the rest of the old Libby's jingle...lol...

[viscousmemories]

Thanks for the feedback, Goliath. I know how you feel about the portal. As I said earlier I've always felt similarly. In the end we decided to go with it because the benefits outweigh the negatives. Well, mostly because there aren't really any negatives. Anyone who doesn't like the portal can just bookmark the standard forum index page (http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/index.php) and bypass the portal altogether.

On the other hand, the portal provides an easy way for us to illuminate a few of the "hidden" features here, like the articles and (coming soon) the links directory. Plus there's the BBC newsfeed that might stimulate some interesting discussion, as well as other little features and gadgets.

Also, by the end of the day tomorrow it should be possible for anyone to disable any of the blocks on the portal page thereby leaving only those things they want to see. And hopefully before long someone will code a module that gives every member the ability to completely customize it to their own wishes.

Anyway if you ever get trapped on that page just click "Forums" on the menu bar (to the left of "Articles") and you'll be right back at the good ole' forum index page again. :)

[Goliath]

:yup: I noticed the lil "Forums" menu bar option this morning. As long as you don't take the old forum page away, I'll be happy with any kind of portal that you wanna put up.

[pescifish]

:yup: I noticed the lil "Forums" menu bar option this morning. As long as you don't take the old forum page away, I'll be happy with any kind of portal that you wanna put up.
I'm with Goliath on this sentiment.

But, since you asked for opinions...
I've got to ask -- just what is it you want the portal to do?

I mean, I understand if a forum is only a part of a larger site. Then the portal provides teaser highlights and gave access to all sections (articles, interviews, chat, forums, etc.). But to have a portal that just features a set of forums doesn't make sense to me.

Also, how do you decide what goes on the front page like that? I'm gonna think twice before opening a dumbass thread in case somehow it shows up featured on the portal... :blush:

[viscousmemories]

I'm with Goliath on this sentiment.

But, since you asked for opinions...
I've got to ask -- just what is it you want the portal to do?

I mean, I understand if a forum is only a part of a larger site. Then the portal provides teaser highlights and gave access to all sections (articles, interviews, chat, forums, etc.). But to have a portal that just features a set of forums doesn't make sense to me.
Erm... uh... well I'm not really getting your question. I mean, have you looked at it? It's basically all the same info you get on the standard forum index but with the addition of a BBC newsfeed box, links to the articles, etc.

Hmm... did you know we have an articles section? If not then that's one good reason for the portal. :)

Also, how do you decide what goes on the front page like that? I'm gonna think twice before opening a dumbass thread in case somehow it shows up featured on the portal... :blush:
It's totally random, but if at any time you see something you don't want up there just let us know and we can make it go away. :)

[pescifish]

Erm... uh... well I'm not really getting your question. I mean, have you looked at it? It's basically all the same info you get on the standard forum index but with the addition of a BBC newsfeed box, links to the articles, etc.
That's the way I see it: same info as the standard forum index but...
But it's not in a format I think is as useful as a standard forum index.

Hmm... did you know we have an articles section? If not then that's one good reason for the portal. :)
Yes, I did. And yes, that's one example of what would make an additional portal page useful. Still, to me, the majority of the info on the current portal is not presented in as good a format as the standard forum index.

Maybe the portal would make more sense to me if there was more information about the other aspects of the site (articles, games, journals, etc.) than the forums. The standard home forum index has good links to those areas, but doesn't give much in the way of 'highlights'.


It's totally random, but if at any time you see something you don't want up there just let us know and we can make it go away. :)Nah, it's not a problem, really, but I appreciate the willingness and the offer.

[viscousmemories]

That's the way I see it: same info as the standard forum index but... But it's not in a format I think is as useful as a standard forum index.
Ah, okay I see what you mean. Right, right. That makes sense.

Yes, I did. And yes, that's one example of what would make an additional portal page useful. Still, to me, the majority of the info on the current portal is not presented in as good a format as the standard forum index.
Okay, sorry. It just occurred to me that the only place to get to the articles section is that one little menu option and I thought you might've overlooked it and the thread or two on the subject.

Maybe the portal would make more sense to me if there was more information about the other aspects of the site (articles, games, journals, etc.) than the forums. The standard home forum index has good links to those areas, but doesn't give much in the way of 'highlights'.
I hear what you're saying. In fact your last post got me thinking along those same lines.

Now I'm starting to think we should consider blending the portal with the forum index. Maybe have only a left column with the forum index on the right. Or put the forum index in the middle. One reason I didn't think of that to begin with is because I thought some people might prefer the busy portal look while others prefer the not-so-busy forum index look, so I wanted to leave both. But you're right that practically speaking we're not making much use of the portal in its current configuration.

Hmm...

Nah, it's not a problem, really, but I appreciate the willingness and the offer.
Sorry if my last post came off sounding dismissive. I understand what you're saying about that. In fact I considered suggesting that we have one forum that doesn't get posts put up on the front page (like Watering Hole or something) so everyone could know there's one place where they can let their hair down, so to speak.

Thanks for the input. :)