Thread: Applying new design

Applying new design

From
Alexey Borzov
Date:
Hi!

As usual, the results are available at http://alexey.beta.postgresql.org/

I also took the opportunity to create a simpler and more consistent
navigation (although it's not yet finished).

Praises, comments and texts to replace "blah-blah" are most welcome.

Re: Applying new design

From
"Dave Page"
Date:

> -----Original Message-----
> From: pgsql-www-owner@postgresql.org
> [mailto:pgsql-www-owner@postgresql.org] On Behalf Of Alexey Borzov
> Sent: 14 September 2004 15:43
> To: pgsql-www@postgresql.org
> Subject: [pgsql-www] Applying new design
>
> Hi!
>
> As usual, the results are available at
> http://alexey.beta.postgresql.org/
>
> I also took the opportunity to create a simpler and more
> consistent navigation (although it's not yet finished).
>
> Praises, comments and texts to replace "blah-blah" are most welcome.

It's looking good :-) The only thing I noticed that I quite liked in
Lukasz's design that is missing is the narrow font on the headers of the
right hand column. I realise the difficulties this might cause though -
I'd rather they weren't images, but if there is a similar font thats
common (Arial Narrow?) then it might look better.

As for the slogan across the top - this is probably one for the advocacy
group but any suggestions? "The worlds most advanced Open Source
Database"?

Regards, Dave

Re: Applying new design

From
Peter Eisentraut
Date:
Alexey Borzov wrote:
> As usual, the results are available at
> http://alexey.beta.postgresql.org/
>
> I also took the opportunity to create a simpler and more consistent
> navigation (although it's not yet finished).

A designer who was once hired to advise on the "art" stuff while I was
coding told me, the human eye always looks for lines and edges.  I like
your design and organization overall, but the fuzzy, weak, double lines
that you use to delimit boxes are definitely a design mistake under the
above rule.  Go for sharp edges and some color contrast.

--
Peter Eisentraut
http://developer.postgresql.org/~petere/


Re: Applying new design

From
"Dave Page"
Date:

> -----Original Message-----
> From: pgsql-www-owner@postgresql.org
> [mailto:pgsql-www-owner@postgresql.org] On Behalf Of Peter Eisentraut
> Sent: 14 September 2004 16:55
> To: Alexey Borzov; pgsql-www@postgresql.org
> Subject: Re: [pgsql-www] Applying new design
>
> Alexey Borzov wrote:
> > As usual, the results are available at
> > http://alexey.beta.postgresql.org/
> >
> > I also took the opportunity to create a simpler and more consistent
> > navigation (although it's not yet finished).
>
> A designer who was once hired to advise on the "art" stuff
> while I was coding told me, the human eye always looks for
> lines and edges.  I like your design and organization
> overall, but the fuzzy, weak, double lines that you use to
> delimit boxes are definitely a design mistake under the above
> rule.  Go for sharp edges and some color contrast.

Hi Peter,

The design was submitted by a guy called Lukasz who was kind enough to
produce it for us for free. When it was submitted I forwarded the design
to the list and the overwhelming response was that everyone thought it
was just what we wanted. As I recall, the only, even slightly negative
comment was that we should maybe try a non-shiny version of the logo.

Whilst I agree that the eye does look for lines and edges, in this case
I think the lines are sufficiently sharp that they do the job they are
intended to, but are soft enough to retain the style that we all liked.

Regards, Dave.

Re: Applying new design

From
Robert Treat
Date:
On Tue, 2004-09-14 at 10:42, Alexey Borzov wrote:
> Hi!
>
> As usual, the results are available at http://alexey.beta.postgresql.org/
>
> I also took the opportunity to create a simpler and more consistent
> navigation (although it's not yet finished).
>
> Praises, comments and texts to replace "blah-blah" are most welcome.
>

If it's not too much trouble can we stick with the original navigation
for now? I hate to change the navigation without actually doing some
real site re-architecture.

Some thoughts on the current stuff though... can we reduce or even
better eliminate the margins on both sides? They are a waste of screen
real estate we could do without.

Also make sure that downloads points to the ftp mirrors page, and that
mirrors points to the www mirrors page, right now they both point to the
ftp mirrors.

We also need to move the language preference up to the top of the
screen, i think a drop down where you currently have the search box
would probably work.

speaking of, good move making the search link into a search box, but can
you move it back into the black navigation menu by any chance?

Can you replace the what is? text with the following:
"PostgreSQL is a highly-scalable, sql compliant, open source
object-relational database management system. With more than 15 years of
development history, it is quickly becoming the defacto database for
enterprise level open source solutions."  (yes, it's marketing fluff,
but we need to say who we are and what we do right on the main page)


PgFoundry text should read "A home for PostgreSQL related projects where
users can find additional software and modules for PostgreSQL and
developers can take advantage of free tools like Bug tracking, CVS, ftp
space and much more."

then change the Gborg text to read "The precursor to the current
pgfoundry website, you can still find a lot of great software under
active development at gborg"


Thats it for now, thanks again for your work done so far.

Robert Treat
--
Build A Brighter Lamp :: Linux Apache {middleware} PostgreSQL


Re: Applying new design

From
Oleg Bartunov
Date:
On Tue, 14 Sep 2004, Peter Eisentraut wrote:

> Alexey Borzov wrote:
> > As usual, the results are available at
> > http://alexey.beta.postgresql.org/
> >
> > I also took the opportunity to create a simpler and more consistent
> > navigation (although it's not yet finished).
>
> A designer who was once hired to advise on the "art" stuff while I was
> coding told me, the human eye always looks for lines and edges.  I like
> your design and organization overall, but the fuzzy, weak, double lines
> that you use to delimit boxes are definitely a design mistake under the
> above rule.  Go for sharp edges and some color contrast.

I support your's opinion ! New design is faded and boring. Elephant is
small and sad.

>
>

    Regards,
        Oleg
_____________________________________________________________
Oleg Bartunov, sci.researcher, hostmaster of AstroNet,
Sternberg Astronomical Institute, Moscow University (Russia)
Internet: oleg@sai.msu.su, http://www.sai.msu.su/~megera/
phone: +007(095)939-16-83, +007(095)939-23-83

Re: Applying new design

From
Alexey Borzov
Date:
Hi,

Dave Page wrote:
>>I also took the opportunity to create a simpler and more
>>consistent navigation (although it's not yet finished).
>>
>>Praises, comments and texts to replace "blah-blah" are most welcome.
>
> It's looking good :-) The only thing I noticed that I quite liked in
> Lukasz's design that is missing is the narrow font on the headers of the
> right hand column. I realise the difficulties this might cause though -
> I'd rather they weren't images, but if there is a similar font thats
> common (Arial Narrow?) then it might look better.

The original font used by Lukasz is Futura Medium Condensed. The main problem
with the font he sent me is that it does not have Cyrillic letters.

Arial Narrow is quite a bit wider than that and does not look as cool.

Re: Applying new design

From
Alexey Borzov
Date:
Hi,

Robert Treat wrote:
>>As usual, the results are available at http://alexey.beta.postgresql.org/
>>
>>I also took the opportunity to create a simpler and more consistent
>>navigation (although it's not yet finished).
>>
>>Praises, comments and texts to replace "blah-blah" are most welcome.
>
> If it's not too much trouble can we stick with the original navigation
> for now? I hate to change the navigation without actually doing some
> real site re-architecture.

If I add all the stuff which is currently in the left and right columns to the
right, it will take 5+ screens to scroll.

Therefore, I suppose "What is", "Licence", "FAQ", "Case studies" stuff should go
to the "Welcome" part of the home page and "Quick Help", "Contact the
webmasters", "Report a bug" will go to the (currently missing) "Support" page.

> Some thoughts on the current stuff though... can we reduce or even
> better eliminate the margins on both sides? They are a waste of screen
> real estate we could do without.

They can definitely be reduced a bit.

> Also make sure that downloads points to the ftp mirrors page, and that
> mirrors points to the www mirrors page, right now they both point to the
> ftp mirrors.

You are wrong, they do point to different pages. Though the mirrors are outdated
in the DB beta site uses and it's difficult to tell. :)

> We also need to move the language preference up to the top of the
> screen, i think a drop down where you currently have the search box
> would probably work.

This is a waste of space. Bear in mind that the actual visitors will face a
static mirror of the site and the language will be selected by Apache's content
negotiation *on every page request*.

> speaking of, good move making the search link into a search box, but can
> you move it back into the black navigation menu by any chance?

Makes sense, I'll try doing this.

> Can you replace the what is? text with the following:
> "PostgreSQL is a highly-scalable, sql compliant, open source
> object-relational database management system. With more than 15 years of
> development history, it is quickly becoming the defacto database for
> enterprise level open source solutions."  (yes, it's marketing fluff,
> but we need to say who we are and what we do right on the main page)

You mean the "Welcome" part?

> PgFoundry text should read "A home for PostgreSQL related projects where
> users can find additional software and modules for PostgreSQL and
> developers can take advantage of free tools like Bug tracking, CVS, ftp
> space and much more."
>
> then change the Gborg text to read "The precursor to the current
> pgfoundry website, you can still find a lot of great software under
> active development at gborg"

OK, will do.


Re: Applying new design

From
"Gavin M. Roy"
Date:
Please find the attached alternate header logo...  I think it may be
worth a try, the current header logo is fuzzy and what not.  If people
prefer a glossy elephant I can make one to size.

Gavin

Oleg Bartunov wrote:

>On Tue, 14 Sep 2004, Peter Eisentraut wrote:
>
>
>
>>Alexey Borzov wrote:
>>
>>
>>>As usual, the results are available at
>>>http://alexey.beta.postgresql.org/
>>>
>>>I also took the opportunity to create a simpler and more consistent
>>>navigation (although it's not yet finished).
>>>
>>>
>>A designer who was once hired to advise on the "art" stuff while I was
>>coding told me, the human eye always looks for lines and edges.  I like
>>your design and organization overall, but the fuzzy, weak, double lines
>>that you use to delimit boxes are definitely a design mistake under the
>>above rule.  Go for sharp edges and some color contrast.
>>
>>
>
>I support your's opinion ! New design is faded and boring. Elephant is
>small and sad.
>
>
>
>>
>>
>
>    Regards,
>        Oleg
>_____________________________________________________________
>Oleg Bartunov, sci.researcher, hostmaster of AstroNet,
>Sternberg Astronomical Institute, Moscow University (Russia)
>Internet: oleg@sai.msu.su, http://www.sai.msu.su/~megera/
>phone: +007(095)939-16-83, +007(095)939-23-83
>
>---------------------------(end of broadcast)---------------------------
>TIP 5: Have you checked our extensive FAQ?
>
>               http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs/FAQ.html
>
>


Attachment

Re: Applying new design

From
Robert Treat
Date:
On Tue, 2004-09-14 at 14:14, Alexey Borzov wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Robert Treat wrote:
> >>As usual, the results are available at http://alexey.beta.postgresql.org/
> >>
> >>I also took the opportunity to create a simpler and more consistent
> >>navigation (although it's not yet finished).
> >>
> >>Praises, comments and texts to replace "blah-blah" are most welcome.
> >
> > If it's not too much trouble can we stick with the original navigation
> > for now? I hate to change the navigation without actually doing some
> > real site re-architecture.
>
> If I add all the stuff which is currently in the left and right columns to the
> right, it will take 5+ screens to scroll.
>
> Therefore, I suppose "What is", "Licence", "FAQ", "Case studies" stuff should go
> to the "Welcome" part of the home page and "Quick Help", "Contact the
> webmasters", "Report a bug" will go to the (currently missing) "Support" page.
>

What do you mean by the "welcome" part of the home page? Do you mean a
main introductory paragraph describing postgresql?  I think your right
in that you could work in all of those links into such a paragraph.

<snip>
> > Also make sure that downloads points to the ftp mirrors page, and that
> > mirrors points to the www mirrors page, right now they both point to the
> > ftp mirrors.
>
> You are wrong, they do point to different pages. Though the mirrors are outdated
> in the DB beta site uses and it's difficult to tell. :)

No, the problem is when you go to
http://alexey.beta.postgresql.org/mirrors you get the following:
--
Please select a download mirror:

We could not query the database or no mirrors could be found!

Download PostgreSQL from the primary site
--
so that needs to be fixed.

>
> > We also need to move the language preference up to the top of the
> > screen, i think a drop down where you currently have the search box
> > would probably work.
>
> This is a waste of space. Bear in mind that the actual visitors will face a
> static mirror of the site and the language will be selected by Apache's content
> negotiation *on every page request*.

Ah... ok.  The issue was that users who don't speak english can't be
expected to find their way down to the links on the bottom of the page.
If content negotiation will take care of that it works for me.

<snip>
> > Can you replace the what is? text with the following:
> > "PostgreSQL is a highly-scalable, sql compliant, open source
> > object-relational database management system. With more than 15 years of
> > development history, it is quickly becoming the defacto database for
> > enterprise level open source solutions."  (yes, it's marketing fluff,
> > but we need to say who we are and what we do right on the main page)
>
> You mean the "Welcome" part?

I didn't, but I guess I do now. Need to add in phrases about bsd license
and the other links from above.

Robert Treat
--
Build A Brighter Lamp :: Linux Apache {middleware} PostgreSQL


Re: Applying new design

From
Oleg Bartunov
Date:
It's better, but why it's sad and/or pensive ? I'd like to see more
attractive and powerful elephant. Have you seen
http://www.pgastro.org/img/pgsphere.png ? It's a bit shallow, though :)


Oleg
On Tue, 14 Sep 2004, Gavin M. Roy wrote:

> Please find the attached alternate header logo...  I think it may be
> worth a try, the current header logo is fuzzy and what not.  If people
> prefer a glossy elephant I can make one to size.
>
> Gavin
>
> Oleg Bartunov wrote:
>
> >On Tue, 14 Sep 2004, Peter Eisentraut wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >>Alexey Borzov wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>As usual, the results are available at
> >>>http://alexey.beta.postgresql.org/
> >>>
> >>>I also took the opportunity to create a simpler and more consistent
> >>>navigation (although it's not yet finished).
> >>>
> >>>
> >>A designer who was once hired to advise on the "art" stuff while I was
> >>coding told me, the human eye always looks for lines and edges.  I like
> >>your design and organization overall, but the fuzzy, weak, double lines
> >>that you use to delimit boxes are definitely a design mistake under the
> >>above rule.  Go for sharp edges and some color contrast.
> >>
> >>
> >
> >I support your's opinion ! New design is faded and boring. Elephant is
> >small and sad.
> >
> >
> >
> >>
> >>
> >
> >    Regards,
> >        Oleg
> >_____________________________________________________________
> >Oleg Bartunov, sci.researcher, hostmaster of AstroNet,
> >Sternberg Astronomical Institute, Moscow University (Russia)
> >Internet: oleg@sai.msu.su, http://www.sai.msu.su/~megera/
> >phone: +007(095)939-16-83, +007(095)939-23-83
> >
> >---------------------------(end of broadcast)---------------------------
> >TIP 5: Have you checked our extensive FAQ?
> >
> >               http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs/FAQ.html
> >
> >
>
>

    Regards,
        Oleg
_____________________________________________________________
Oleg Bartunov, sci.researcher, hostmaster of AstroNet,
Sternberg Astronomical Institute, Moscow University (Russia)
Internet: oleg@sai.msu.su, http://www.sai.msu.su/~megera/
phone: +007(095)939-16-83, +007(095)939-23-83

Re: Applying new design

From
"Dave Page"
Date:

> -----Original Message-----
> From: pgsql-www-owner@postgresql.org
> [mailto:pgsql-www-owner@postgresql.org] On Behalf Of Robert Treat
> Sent: 14 September 2004 20:53
> To: Alexey Borzov
> Cc: pgsql-www@postgresql.org
> Subject: Re: [pgsql-www] Applying new design
>
> No, the problem is when you go to
> http://alexey.beta.postgresql.org/mirrors you get the following:
> --
> Please select a download mirror:
>
> We could not query the database or no mirrors could be found!
>
> Download PostgreSQL from the primary site
> --
> so that needs to be fixed.

That's just because all the mirrors in Alexey's database have expired
because the mirror tracker is only updating the live database.

/D

Re: Applying new design

From
"Dave Page"
Date:

> -----Original Message-----
> From: pgsql-www-owner@postgresql.org
> [mailto:pgsql-www-owner@postgresql.org] On Behalf Of Gavin M. Roy
> Sent: 14 September 2004 19:57
> To: Oleg Bartunov
> Cc: Peter Eisentraut; Alexey Borzov; pgsql-www@postgresql.org
> Subject: Re: [pgsql-www] Applying new design
>
> Please find the attached alternate header logo...  I think it
> may be worth a try, the current header logo is fuzzy and what
> not.  If people prefer a glossy elephant I can make one to size.

I'd like to see one if you have some time. IMHO, the shiny elephant was
one of the elements that made the new site look fresh (sorry, best word
I could think of - but you know what I mean!).

Regards, Dave

Re: Applying new design

From
Robert Treat
Date:
On Wednesday 15 September 2004 03:24, Dave Page wrote:
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: pgsql-www-owner@postgresql.org
> > [mailto:pgsql-www-owner@postgresql.org] On Behalf Of Robert Treat
> > Sent: 14 September 2004 20:53
> > To: Alexey Borzov
> > Cc: pgsql-www@postgresql.org
> > Subject: Re: [pgsql-www] Applying new design
> >
> > No, the problem is when you go to
> > http://alexey.beta.postgresql.org/mirrors you get the following:
> > --
> > Please select a download mirror:
> >
> > We could not query the database or no mirrors could be found!
> >
> > Download PostgreSQL from the primary site
> > --
> > so that needs to be fixed.
>
> That's just because all the mirrors in Alexey's database have expired
> because the mirror tracker is only updating the live database.
>

You guys are missing the point :-)  When you go to the web mirrors page it
should ask you to pick a _download_ mirror, or ask you to _download_
postgresql from the main site, it should ask you to pick a *website* mirror.

Also we need to add links to these pages for how to host a mirror
(http://www.postgresql.org/mirrors-howto.html)

--
Robert Treat
Build A Brighter Lamp :: Linux Apache {middleware} PostgreSQL

Re: Applying new design

From
Alexey Borzov
Date:
Hi,

Robert Treat wrote:
>>>No, the problem is when you go to
>>>http://alexey.beta.postgresql.org/mirrors you get the following:
>>>--
>>>Please select a download mirror:
>>>
>>>We could not query the database or no mirrors could be found!
>>>
>>>Download PostgreSQL from the primary site
>>>--
>>>so that needs to be fixed.
>>
>>That's just because all the mirrors in Alexey's database have expired
>>because the mirror tracker is only updating the live database.
>
> You guys are missing the point :-)  When you go to the web mirrors page it
> should ask you to pick a _download_ mirror, or ask you to _download_
> postgresql from the main site, it should ask you to pick a *website* mirror.
>
> Also we need to add links to these pages for how to host a mirror
> (http://www.postgresql.org/mirrors-howto.html)

I updated the mirror database... OK, you are somewhat right, the page
asks to select download mirror on both pages:
http://alexey.beta.postgresql.org/download
http://alexey.beta.postgresql.org/mirrors
but actually lists FTP and HTTP mirrors on respective pages.

I'll fix the pages' templates soon.