Makeover

Dr. Roy Schestowitz

2010-01-31 09:38:42 UTC
Modified: 2010-01-31 09:38:42 UTC

Summary: Few notes about changes that are coming to Boycott Novell

AS longtime readers may know, the site's layout has been pretty much the same for over three years. We are occasionally being pressured to make changes to it, so we will start by removing the banner at the top (which has been there since day one). We will also attempt to soften the message a little.

While we will not change the page style (we did assess this possibility before, but page content sometimes depends on it), we ought to organise the content more effectively. There are over 10,000 pages in total. The Wiki was merely a first step towards this goal (it is about a year old), but a lot of work remains to be done. ⬆

Comments

NotZed

2010-02-01 02:10:59

I know you don't want to mess with the style, but is it really supposed to look this ugly?

http://users.on.net/notzed/images/bn.jpg

(yes, i override the typeface and font-size for all windows)

I only ever read the rather narrow white column in the middle, so it's kinda crappy to read with this style. And on my laptop with a lo-res screen i don't even see the right-most column, although that's a plus really.

TBH the banner was about the only 'branding' you had, so it's a big step to remove it (for a very 80's 'print shop' type banner too!) ... on the other hand I didn't even notice till you pointed it out.

MarcusKoze

2010-02-01 05:22:33

There have been some talks about some refreshment of the templates/site-theme, there was the issue of some attachments/special bits from here-and-there that were tailored based to this layout (Roy can give details). I too think that a new, simpler and better space-management kind of a theme would be suited. Perhaps this could turn into a more debated subject on the IRC or here in the comments.

PS: i offer as volunteer to sketch some html/css templates for the wordpress templates or implementation of design. I'm not, however, a graphic designer, so if there's any artistic spirit among us ...

Needs Sunlight

2010-01-31 12:38:23

How about Microsoft-free Fridays again? That used to be rather common on tech sites. It might be bit much to completely block the jerks running MSIE, but a banner or side bar reminding them to stop making a mess and pointer in the right direction would help.

These days that gentle boot in the ass should include steps for those that try to deny responsibility for their system by pleading that <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073631/"decisions are made "above".

Roy Schestowitz

2010-01-31 12:45:29

It would not be a good (diplomatic) way of reaching those whom we need to reach the most.

dyfet

2010-01-31 15:25:11

While I certainly have been one to say the style of the site is not what I personally consider ideal, I have always been very glad the community has had this site available. However, I never thought the problem is with the message, or a need to "soften" it. The simple truth remains by far the most effective persuasive tool we have, hard as it may be for some to hear at times. The only means of persuasion they have is fraud and deception.

Roy Schestowitz

2010-01-31 16:07:59

Navigation is still a major barrier (unless one uses Google site search).
Robotron 2084

2010-02-01 07:46:13

Would "the simple truth" include things like the pictures of Steve Ballmer and others in the industry defaced with silly captions included?

I'm sure most people outside this website would agree, those pictures have little to do with truth and more to do with hate and jealousy. The "simple truth" is presenting people with the facts in a clean and fair way without name calling, jokes, rumors, slander, put-downs, insults, derogatory labels (liar, cheat, evil), or poorly constructed cartoons and graphics.

I think your support of this website had more to do with your need to be engrossed in some pseudo real-life "good vs evil" campaign rather than wanting people to be informed. Roy presents some truth in so far as collecting links and news from other websites, yes, but then perverts it with these ridiculous articles that spend most of their time preaching to the choir and taking a dump on anyone associated with proprietary software.
your_friend

2010-02-02 05:52:51

I agree, a "softened" message is bad idea. Just keep telling the truth as you see it. Keep the humor, without it we should all be crying because the crimes you report are truly horrible.

Keep the images. It is good to defuse people's perception of non free software figures who project themselves onto people's imagination with multibillion dollar advertising budgets. At Boycott Novell they are deglamorized. Images can be more honest and funny than text alone. If mutex hates it, you know you are doing it right.
Robotron 2084

2010-02-02 08:57:22

Please, I am not Mutex and you are not Twitter. Don't assume that only one person would disagree with your little game, though certainly few have the time or desire to play. His style is clearly different that mine and I haven't set foot inside the IRC channel.

I can't speak for Mutux, but I don't hate Boycott Novell. Yes, I might mock your foolishness, but I think to "hate" would make me no better than you. You are either so consumed by hate to the point it not only affects your judgment but shapes your entire world view, or your life is so empty that without something "evil" to identify and fight you can't find a reason to get up in the morning. I haven't yet decided yet which is worse.

Makeover

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