Not to change the topic too much, but as a new postgresql user I have to say
that it takes quite a bit of time to find even the basic postgresql
tools/interfaces/etc that are available.
The main thing I noticed was that most of the stuff people commonly want to
find are not listed on the index page. You have to dig just to know WHERE
to find a tool like pgadmin, or to see if there is a perl DBI module, or
what ODBC drivers are available. How am I supposed to even know what gborg
IS?
As for constructive criticism, replace license, case studies, user survey,
and gborg areas with something intuitive like api's, graphical clients, a
link to the faq, etc..
The top menu is better but I would make a couple of changes. First the
download/mirrors link is redundant. The Users link is confusing as to what
it is. The search link, well ok but IMO should not be a top menu item. The
developer link? Hmmm I like the developer page, but is it something you
want to showcase on the top menu?
I would probably not have a left, center,and right content area. Just one
content (news) area and then a menu on either the left or the right side.
Two site tempates that I like are Mysql and Freebsd. The Freebsd layout is
simple yet well organized, probably more suited to a postgresql type
project. Mysql is more suited for a business, but it's a good, simple,
effective layout.
Just an idea off the top of my head... I like gborg, but it's a developer
interface and it's hard to find stuff. You could have static pages one link
from the front page that have downloads for all the most popular stuff so
people don't have to dig. Look at it this way, gborg should be where
active participants in development go, or where experienced users go, but
don't make a new user wade through gborg to find something.
Another thing, I know postgresql is an all volunteer project and it's not
always easy to find people who have the time to do some of this stuff. You
guys do however have a number of commercial businesses that develop tools
for your user base, and they have an interest in seeing postgresql do
better. I would talk with some of them and get them to help on the website.
Give them credit for doing so also and link to them or work out some
mutually beneficial agreement. Some of the best tools like the EMS
Postgresql Manager must be completely word of mouth driven because until I
saw them posted on this list, I had no idea they existed. It shouldn't be
that way!!
Also, I would have more links to commercial support/training options that
are available. It's not readily apparent that commercial support can even
be had.
IMO a lot of what needs to be done is just some fairly simple re
organization. You could dramatically change the impact of the site without
rewriting much of the content.
Just my thoughts, and I hope it is taken as constructive, that is how it was
meant.
Chris
