[Scummvm-devel] Fancy pantsy javascript for the downloads page

Fredrik Wendel fredrik_w at users.sourceforge.net
Sun Jun 28 12:33:42 CEST 2009


Hi,

Sorry for the slow reply, but it's so damn hot (both outside and inside) now 
that I don't enjoy sitting infront of the PC.

Pierre-Yves GĂ©rardy wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> I have some suggestions regarding the layout of the page.

Great!

> If you squeeze the text next to the main platform links, you can get
> rid of the TOC since most of the content will then be visible without scrolling.

Well, I've removed it now, lets see what the others think about it.

> I'd use a more regular scheme for the expandable menus, ie, use only the
> red layout with section titles. Implicit conventions trump
> explainations (although you can keep them too). 

If you mean I should use the same style for the subsections then sorry, it just 
looks horrible. I would have to flatten the structure for it too look good, and 
then we'd probably need the TOC again.

> People are used to foldables (and to hyperlinks ;-) these days. If you make it clear that
> the header sections are interactive (change background  olor or
> underline the text on hover, beside the cursor turning to a hand),
> people will click them. I might be (well, I am) biased, but I think
> that, by now, almost everyone is web savvy enough to understand that.
> Animating the foldables would make what happens more clear...

I've made the elements change background color on hover to make it more clear 
that you can manipulate them.

> For the order, (keeping in mind that most people are there to play
> games on their current OS) I'd put:

Since they are all collapsed now I don't really want to change the order. Unless 
you have a really tiny screen you will see all sections right away.

> Regarding the text at the top: I find it too long. People tend to skim
> over web pages, and will probably miss it, or read the first
> paragraph, find if too technical and jump elsewhere. If you implement
> the changes suggested above, it becomes mostly superfluous.

They went away together with the TOC.

> * The "compiling and porting" text could be moved where conextually
> relevant, as noted above.

I've added that text to the source subsection.

  > * By separating the "Free Games" and "Game Extras" in separate foldables
> and adding a "(required to play some games)" next to the latter, the
> third bullet becomes mostly irrelevant. You may still want to mention
> the free games titles (or put a link to the games dl page, if you
> chose to make it that way), but there is no need to detail what the
> "game extras" are for there.

Those have been separated, sev wants a completely separate page for them. But I 
don't really think that's a good idea. I'd rather have all the downloads on one 
page so the users don't have to look for them.

To give the freeware games some spotlight I've made that section expanded by 
default.

> At last, it's a personnal matter, but I don't like "in page"
> (anchored?) links, like the "more downloads' one Max suggested, I find
> them confusing. The "More platforms" section would be visible without
> scrolling assuming you implement the suggested ideas above. Changing
> the "Click here for more" into "See the 'other platforms' section
> below" would be better IMO.

Even though the section is just below, I think some people are going to benefit 
from having that link.

So everyone should really take a look at the stage 
(http://fredrik_w.users.sourceforge.net/downloads/) again and respond with new 
feedback.


Regards,
Fredrik




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