Heads up - we're about to introduce a wee (it's really not that big) site update...

[JustineMumsnet]

Morning folks,

As some of you pointed out at the time, the new navigation bar we introduced a little while back on the desktop site sits a little uncomfortably with what goes underneath it, design-wise.

So today we're introducing a little refresh of the rest of Talk. This update is also a bit closer to the mobile version, which it currently clashes with, so those who frequently switch from desktop to mobile will get a less variable experience.

If you use Mumsnet solely on mobile or tablet: as you were! Nothing’s going to change for you.

For desktop users, the functionality is unchanged (except for the addition of a threads I'm on button on the left hand side) but the fonts will look a little different.

We realise that any change can be difficult (and not necessarily welcome!) but please do give it a few days, as very often, we find, things like this just take a little getting used to and soon enough you've moved on and won't remember the difference.

As ever, we’re really keen to have your feedback, though, so do post below with your thoughts (we’re confident that you will ). Also, if anyone fancies getting involved in the testing of this kind of stuff, do shout, we're always looking for volunteers.

We’ll switch everything over in the next hour or so - let us know what you think! We’ll keep this thread stickied in Site Stuff and Active Conversations throughout at the day.

Justine

Thumbs down from me on the font, it looks as if the screen has been squidged sideways and it's too faint.

Maryz

they are offering prizes to lurkers who start posting. I feel a new persona emerging

I will be sticking to the mobile site til this is fixed, I only briefly looked at the desktop and got a headache, it's completely unusable.

The response of "oh well, X does it" really isn't on.

Looks like I'm in the minority here, but I actually find the new design far easier to read. I really like it.

The font/typeface is fine when I open an actual thread. But it's very faint everywhere else eg. when I'm typing in the message box, 'I'm On', in any of the subforums.

For those who are on chrome on a pc, can I recommend the extension 'font changer'.

I've just installed it. It hasn't sorted out the spacing issue entirely but it is a bit

easier to read.

Of course there is no such option on safari. And we really shouldn't need to go

to such lengths to have to use a site that was perfectly useable.

Obviously eyes and heads hurting is not a great outcome - sorry about that! It's disappointing given it's a recently introduced Google font that will have been tested to the nth degree. That font is now used for Google+, Google Play,YouTube and Google Maps.

Which, as others have pointed out, don't have reams of text to read. It is a very attractive font (especially in the Message Box) except when you have to read paragraphs of it.

It looks fine for one-liners, jasmine, but my eyes are becoming very tired after trying to read blocks of text. With some difficulty, I should add. I'm not one, these days, to rail against changes, having been through so many in the past but this one is proving a little difficult after looking fine on the surface.

(I went back to the app to write that. )

I really don't like the new -font- typeface.

It makes my eyes hurt. (Am old and crumbly with an astigmatism, stupid short sight and varifocals)

Plus as I scroll down to read the threads the white background blinds me and makes me feel all wibbly.

mn hq your response is odd.. people are saying that it hurts to read it, that because that are VI it is making it harder,, so what will giving it a few days do??
they will be gone by then.

@squoosh

The font/typeface is fine when I open an actual thread. But it's very faint everywhere else eg. when I'm typing in the message box, 'I'm On', in any of the subforums.

Thanks to those who've mentioned this - we'll be updating the font in the message box soon.

OhYouBadBadKitten that helps thanks

Sorry but I'm another who is really struggling to read the new font. I think I'll have to take a break until it improves because it's giving me a headache. :(

I don't like this at all.

Very faint.

MNHQ you've really messed up here, and nothing to feel bad about, but please admit to it and change it back! Giving it a few days just means, as Samcro said, that we'll be gone, given up. Just reading this thread has given me a headache and I'd normally spend hours a day on here. Not going to help your advertising revenues, is it? (assuming they're paid per page viewed etc)

Thanks to those who've mentioned this - we'll be updating the font in the message box soon.

More importantly, update the font in "I'm on"!!! It's way too small.

I just turned social media back on (in Customise via the drop down box next to Talk) and the buttons for 'Active' and 'I'm on' appear on the left above the Social media buttons. I really loved the viewport bar so it is good to have the easier links again but I'd really love it with an ' I'm Watching' button and without the social media ones please.

I may get used to the font but can't say I think it is easy to read at the moment. Has it changed twice today? I'm sure this is the third font of the day . The first (original) was best and this one is better than the middle one but is a bit small with the proportions too short and wide. Desktop using Chrome here.

Kate and other MNHQ have a look at your last message here, pale pink/purple inside blue... it is much easier to read than the white background text immediately above and below it.

Could you just add a warmer colour to the background as a whole, rather than the rather stark white - as is common practice for anyone preparing text for people with dyslexia?

I really do think that would solve most people's immediate trouble.

Yes, i think the mass of stark white is what's making my eyes hurt.

It's definitely easier for me to read HQs posts with the colour background.

Yes HQ's posts are certainly easier to read.

It is making my eyes hurt as well - don't know if it is the background or the taller thinner letters. Not comfortable viewing though

It's all very flimsy and cheap looking.

and I have adblocker too....community minded or not, you all would if you had the shite internet speeds that I have to endure
...by the time the page has loaded up all the detritus on the page and deigned to let me read actual MN stuff I have lost the will to live.

I am wondering if MNHQ have done a deal with Specsavers similar to the Cadburys one.

Will we be getting a 'spectacles' smiley?