What do we do to improve the Layonara community?

[Leanthar]

We are trying to improve Layonara as well as grow the community. Clearly we want to do this in a way that supports role-playing and the World of Layonara as well as the community in general. We would like your input on what else we could add to the website (not the game world at this time) in order to provide you something that you value.

[Skywatcher]

This new site is awesome. I think its well balanced and I wouldn't change a thing right now.

[Chongo]

I clicked on other. I thought it was going to be anonymous input... bugger, guess there's some personal accountability on the internet after all.

I do think this site has a lot of potential and is obviously the best way for Layonara to go to help in sustaining itself. I actually like some of the sponsor links, especially the computer gear and parts ones. Its useful to see and grab at deals. So way to go on that one.

People will grumble learning a new layout, but they'll get over it and learn to feel the same way about it in time I'm thinking. Crotchety veterans mostly I'm guessing.

I almost checked 'more visuals', but that's a bit misleading. I think Layonara specific banners are important amongst all the other visuals. For new visitors, headers are going to be what they grab at first. With the surplus of advertisements we see everywhere we go on the internet, I would only be concerned that the biggest 'top label' banner is an advertisement and may confuse or repel the internet generation. Granted, the Layonara label is the upper left label, so its obvious they're in the right place. But what is the website all about to someone new? I would think that seeing and identifying with a roleplaying campaign would be the major draw. So the Dragon Storm emblem that's at the bottom of the front page right now might be better served as some sort of visual header so they know immediately that:

1) They're on Layonara
2) That this website is for a NWN roleplaying world
3) That there is a major and impressive roleplaying campaign underway and a visual representation is the first thing they see.

I hope that was useful input, I'm definitely not complaining or trying to stack too many thoughts on the web admins.

[havoc]

I am undecided with the new site, but mostly thats because I hadn't learned where everything was on the old site, and I am having difficulties finding the things I'm interested in here on the new site. Change is unsettling for me.

I do applaud the effort to advance and grow and this progress is good for Layonara in general. I'm convinced that when I grow used to the new way it will be wonderful.

You have quality staff and have built a quality world to play in and I do so enjoy my time here.

I would like to see more forum ways to interact In Character beyond the Inn threads... of course .. I cant find those forums..so...

the character development forum could be more prominent in the forums. Perhaps have a navigation link for those of us who are website befuddled like myself.

A push to increase forum interaction for those of us hostage in the real world with limited time would be cool too. Those like me who can log in for a half hour here and there we could contribute.

[stragen]

Lots of potential here.

Graphics should be clean. I'm not a big fan of lots of of extra distractors.

Tools? I really liked, make that loved, lore. It had a great search (if a bit slow) and a clean interface. Making it much easier to find information then via the old forum search. I hope you bring back something like lore.

[hawklen]

I wouild like to see a bit more graphics personally. Also, a color or theme chooser would be nice. I like the darker colors personally, as its easier on my eyes.

So far its good. You can do alot with Vb, the CMS of it is great.

[oneqtbebe]

I'm hoping that they'll be more graphics of Layonara or graphics from the server updates, such as Fire steep. I love the artistry and creativity that went into creating it. My kudos goes out to the staff(s)that made it possible to enjoy such a sight of ingenuity :-D *thumbs up*

[NEXUS7]

I have no idear who hard this is but Auto-quests that need partys of more than 1 o do would be cool as players would need to lick up

[Harlas Ravelkione]

I would personally like to see threads ordered into forums when I click on new posts. I find the current way they are ordered (latest post above, then the next latest, etc.) to be confusing.

Harlas

[Leanthar]

".....I would personally like to see threads ordered into forums when I click on new posts. I find the current way they are ordered (latest post above, then the next latest, etc.) to be confusing.

Harlas....."

Me too!! I went looking for that option in the administration set up this morning, but couldn't find it. But yes, me too--in a large way. I think that is the last "fairly major" concern I have about the site so it is on my list of things to do if we can figure out where (or if) it can be done.

[Nibor21]

Well I agree with Harlas about the ordering of the new posts, but really my gripe is the current colour scheme. I loath it - too many different colours going on all over the place

I'm not sure who picked the colour scheme, but I am guessing that they are even worse dressed than I am. (sorry to whoever you are).

The colours don't look too bad on the actual forum page (like this one) but i find them really confusing on the forum list and new forum pages

So at least one new colour scheme would be nice please. Oh and used the alternative scheme on the old forums.

[Witch Hunter]

ohh just one suggestion... could new posts be added into a small box in the main page?.. i've seen it done here: Planet DarkAges Forums and it's really useful!

[orth]

Originally Posted by Harlas Ravelkione

I would personally like to see threads ordered into forums when I click on new posts. I find the current way they are ordered (latest post above, then the next latest, etc.) to be confusing.

Harlas

New Posts now have a drop down to how you wish them displayed.

[orth]

Originally Posted by Nibor21

Well I agree with Harlas about the ordering of the new posts, but really my gripe is the current colour scheme. I loath it - too many different colours going on all over the place

I'm not sure who picked the colour scheme, but I am guessing that they are even worse dressed than I am. (sorry to whoever you are).

The colours don't look too bad on the actual forum page (like this one) but i find them really confusing on the forum list and new forum pages

So at least one new colour scheme would be nice please. Oh and used the alternative scheme on the old forums.

Too many colours? We only use black (and shades of grey), steel blue, orange and white? Those are Layonara's new colours. I am interested in how you perceive the colour as confusing. Colours and confusion seem odd to me when there are only 4 of them. I understand this is constructive feedback, I'm just looking for more clarity.

Incidentally - prefacing your request with a slag of the developer's fashion sense are not really a good way to have your suggestions addressed.

-orth

[Nibor21]

Originally Posted by orth

Too many colours? We only use black (and shades of grey), steel blue, orange and white? Those are Layonara's new colours. I am interested in how you perceive the colour as confusing. Colours and confusion seem odd to me when there are only 4 of them. I understand this is constructive feedback, I'm just looking for more clarity.

I think its the very background colour that does it. Now maybe its the way my graphics card is setup but the background colour (very background at the edges) - #3f5561 that does it. It looks almost a sea green colour to me and doesn't work with some of the other colours especially the fading nice fade in post headers.

In addition I dislike white ( #F5F5FF ) of the "directory structure" blocks (a concept which incidentally makes the forums really user friendly). I would prefer to see it in the rather less glaring colour used in the reply to windows (#F4F4F4) or even the colour of the "reply to thread" window ( #CCCCCC )

I appreciate that any that anything to do with colour is subjective and subject to the likes and dislikes of individuals - but feedback was asked for and given.

Incidentally - prefacing your request with a slag of the developer's fashion sense are not really a good way to have your suggestions addressed.

- It was meant as moment of humour - apologies if any any insult was given

[orth]

Originally Posted by Nibor21

I think its the very background colour that does it. Now maybe its the way my graphics card is setup but the background colour (very background at the edges) - #3f5561 that does it. It looks almost a sea green colour to me and doesn't work with some of the other colours especially the fading nice fade in post headers.

In addition I dislike white ( #F5F5FF ) of the "directory structure" blocks (a concept which incidentally makes the forums really user friendly). I would prefer to see it in the rather less glaring colour used in the reply to windows (#F4F4F4) or even the colour of the "reply to thread" window ( #CCCCCC )

I appreciate that any that anything to do with colour is subjective and subject to the likes and dislikes of individuals - but feedback was asked for and given.

Thanks for the more detailed feedback, I really like how the blue comes out on my monitor but as you indicated that can change depending on computers. Perhaps if you run an eye dropper over our logo in the top left, you can come up with a blue that might work better and offer it as a suggestion.

I do agree with you on the white though, and toned it down a bit with the #F4F4F4. I think it's a little more settling. Perhaps Klaatu can work out some secondary styles that are more on the darker side.

My reaction to your statement may have been a bit on the defensive side. Incidentally it was Klaatu who worked all the templating and styling out and I really like the way they all work with out logo. Just a team member coming to someone else's defense.

[orth]

Originally Posted by Witch Hunter

ohh just one suggestion... could new posts be added into a small box in the main page?.. i've seen it done here: Planet DarkAges Forums and it's really useful!

It's there now.

[Witch Hunter]

Oh dear, that was really quick!

Thanks a LOT!

[Rowana]

I'm missing my old site skin. I would love to see skin customization for the site like what we had on the last. I'm not resistant to change.. *twitches* Really!
*winks*
~row

[hawklen]

Originally Posted by Rowana

I'm missing my old site skin. I would love to see skin customization for the site like what we had on the last. I'm not resistant to change.. *twitches* Really!
*winks*
~row

*grins* Yeah, chooseable skins, that wouldnt hurt my feelings, and maybe turn the post count bar on too

[Nibor21]

Originally Posted by orth

Thanks for the more detailed feedback, I really like how the blue comes out on my monitor but as you indicated that can change depending on computers. Perhaps if you run an eye dropper over our logo in the top left, you can come up with a blue that might work better and offer it as a suggestion.

To be honest my preferred backing colour is the same colour as the header (#202020), but I appreciate it doesn't then pull any tones from the logo. Therefore I would probably go for #283A45 - an darker shade which pulls the eye to it less than the current one.

[SuperMunch]

I prefer compact fonts, darker colors, less clutter and more text on my pages so I've skinned the forums using Stylish.

[Nibor21]

Would it be possible to have date strings formatted as per user preference? I use dd/mm/yyyy and am always a bit dumb up to the 12th of each month, as when I see 04-03-2007 I assume its the 4th of March not the third of April