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

"All this thread proves is that people hate change. In a few months everyone will be used to it and the complaints will stop."

DrAmanda - it's not that I don't like the new font - I cannot read it on the PC - perhaps you can explain how that is going to change 'in a few months'?

Frankly, it is bloody patronising to have read all the comments on here from people like me who are genuinely struggling to read this new font, who are getting migraines etc - and to come back with a comment that basically says we are just complaining because we are Luddites who can't handle change, but that if we try it often enough, we will come to like it. We are not toddlers refusing to try broccoli - we are adults with actual visual impairments/difficulties - those are not going to change in a few months!

Where has "Unanswered messages" gone please? I don't like this new look....hate it in fact. But then I find change difficult.

Really, really don't like this please change it back mnhq

Matt press the arrow next to talk, there is a drop down box.

I don't think anyone from MNHQ is reading anymore

MattDillonsPants there is a little arrow I. The top left next to Talk. Unanswered Messages is inexplicably there.

Hmm, fontchanger doesn't change anything on MN for me. All I really want is to do is make it a bit bigger but applying that on Chrome settings doesn't change the size on this site either.

BYOsnowman they never were. Some pointy head will have told them how to move the product forward and further reduce the member content to a minor detail in the site.

nemno - on chrome, I can increase font size by pressing 'zoom in' in 'view' next to edit at top of screen if you haven't tried that?

On Chrome you have to click another button next to the font size and then increase the minimum font.
The problem I noticed is that it also increases the fonts on other sites that are fine.

MNHQ, most of what you'd have to do is increase the font by one or two points.

I don't mind all the other changes, so it isn't me being averse to change, it was just the fact I couldn't read the threads. I do have mild vision issues, so I don't know if it was down to that. Thanks to the font changer for chrome, I am now able to read threads perfectly well, and now don't have any issues with the new layout.

I've given it a couple of days and I really don't like the font, it makes my eyes ache reading it, with and without my glasses.

All other changes are seamless enough for me to not notice but I still miss the logo. I know having a text-based logo is new and trendy and cool but we don't have to be new and trendy and cool do we? Can't we just be us? It's worked so far.

nemno - I googled font changer Chrome and it came up to install.

Once installed you get a little FC icon on the top bar on the right hand side, next to Adblocker etc.

Once on MN click the FC icon and it gives you a list of fonts. Pick one.

The first time I picked one I had to refresh to get the page to update, but from then on as soon as I picked a font it updated the page.

I have found Verdana to be the clearest. I've also turned down the brightness on my laptop when looking at MN and that has also helped.

Thank you bookbook, that works and doesn't seem to affect all my other sites

I already have a fontchanger in settings but as it doesn't appear to change MN I'll bear your way in mind Anne if I can't get used to this text in 110 zoom, thank you.

It's actually making me feel sick now.

I do have eye problems but MN have to be open to everyone to use fully.

I thought it wasn't meant to affect the mobile site, but it had for me. Seems to now be the desktop version even from mobile? And it's hard to use.

I like the new look and I like the new font, but I do find it a bit too small to read comfortably.

What I find odd is that the font is quite large on the Active Conversations list, but when I click on a thread it is much smaller.

I use Chrome on a laptop and I've just changed the font size to 110%, which has made all the difference to my reading comfort.

Phew, managed to revert to mobile after some searching through tiny writing at the bottom.

I've given it a bit of time and I have to say the font is awful. The whiteness of everything is awful. I hate it.

HTH

I've just looked at YouTube to see how this font looks there.

1. they don't have walls of text like we do.

2. they have grey text, not black. This font, black on white, kind of bleeds slightly and makes my eyes have to work very hard to focus.

What was wrong with the old font, specifically? Why did you want to change it? I know changes never go down well to start with and then everybody gets used to it or quietly leaves but ideally change should be for a reason and not just, 'yay! change! new stuff!' for the sake of it.

I've reported your post plenty in the hope MNHQ read it and come back and respond!! They've gone very quiet

Oh my god! The font changer is a revelation - I've got a lovely lightly serifed, non-heavy typeface which is perfect for reading big bits of text. Thanks so much for the rec, I can seeeeeeee!