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

Chrome on Android tablet is fine for me, Chrome on laptop is hard work. I am however, astigmatic and short- sighted with poor night vision. My opinion on all things visible can be probably discounted because of my bad eyesight.

Hmmm I think some of us are having a different experience than others. Maybe due to browsers, tablets vs laptops etc.

I am laptop and Chrome.

The only time the writing is spindly is on "Last 15 minutes" or "Last Hour". Once I click on a thread, it is absolutely fine and quite clear and I honestly can't remember what it was like before.

I wonder if some of you are getting the spindly bit on everything?

I was hoping it would be better now. Its no good it looking good if many of us can't read it.

It's the actual threads I'm struggling to read. It is really hard work.

I do like the fact that MN have tried to have a spring clean and overall effect is fresh and modern and appealing but like a lot of others I'm finding it hard on the eye if I stop admiring the "look" of it and start trying to read lengths of text.

I've tried to compare lap top, iPad and desktop - all using the desktop version - and all on Safari and also laptop with Chrome. The experience is certainly different. Personally I find the desk top easiest - but I have an enormous screen. The iPad comes in second and lap top third.

Safari certainly a lot easier than Chrome.

It had never hit me so forcefully before how differently all the devices and growers render the same page.

Come what may I think MN should sort out the Active and I'm on buttons on the left of the screen - the button is a darkish-mid blue with possibly blue or purple writing. To all intents and purposes the writing is invisible.

On the laptop the font appears quite dark so there is high contrast with the very white screen. I am finding that quite aggressive. Nothing like as hard on iPad though where the text seems less black but also less compressed.

So, my bet for the chief problem in reading is that it is a narrow font and some of the platforms are accentuating that narrowness more.

The new font reminds me of Arial Narrow - and sometimes I put work docs in Arial Narrow because I like the general look of it. And every time I promptly work out I find it harder to read and change it into something else. Not a serif font as that's also tough for me on the eye on a screen, but something less tall and thin.

I think poor old MN took a new font from a reputable source but didn't do enough thinking about different purposes fonts were used for. Hopefully not too late to find a new font that will work well.

Hello everyone

Thanks for all your comments so far.

We are always looking at ways to improve our testing process. Especially in the area of accessibility.

So if you are a user with a visual or cognitive impairment who would like to be on our list of future testers, we’d love to hear from you.

You can volunteer by sending an email to [email protected]
Please tell us:

• what type of impairment(s) you have
• what main way(s) you use Mumsnet Talk (phone, desktop/laptop, tablet)
• if you use any assistive technology when using MN

TIO font size is ok for me (laptop/chrome 100% zoom)

Active, the font is large and blue, and actually easier to read than this spindley grey on the normal threads.

message box font is same as the thread posts.

the "start new thread, watch this thread" bit is almost unreadable.

couple of screen shots of what im seeing for ref.

Any feedback on the actual comments or are you going to put all the people complaining of headaches in the 'people with visual or cognitive impairment' category?

and yes, the font on watching is teeny weeny. its coming up the same size as the "start new thread/watch this thread" links at the bottom of the threads above the social media buttons.

I've found some parts that were really hard to read yesterday much better today.
Not sure if they have already made some changes?

I wonder if our account settings are also making a difference.

Adrift's screenshot of TIO looks much better than mine, even though we are both using laptops and Chrome. I'm still using the 'Mumsnet classic' option though, so the layout of TIO is very different and tiny.

I have volunteered.

I'm laptop/Chrome, find the screen white really glaring and headache inducing. TIO/TIW also tiny.

In her OP Justine wrote: 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.

There seems to still be variable experiences depending on the device/browser each poster is using now though.

I suspect you're in a (fast) dwindling %, Maryz. I'd just move to New if I were you - before they force you off the gang plank.

You can always then concentrate on retention of the big Customise because that's probably coming down the line at us.

Have MNHQ tweeted the new font a bit, it looks bolder and thicker than it was this morning.

I don't know whether it's just me?

It's better than it was earlier.

I meant I tweeked not tweeted.

Yes, it's much better

On Maryz, I hope you're ok.

I just went into customise.

The only option is $style_description. Heh?