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MNHQ

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

24 replies

JustineMumsnet · 16/03/2016 11:09

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 Grin). 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.

Flowers Justine
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MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 16/03/2016 11:20

@Ninjagogo

Excellent! Not that I get the chance to MN whilst using a desktop these days.... Hope it works out for you.

Thank you Smile

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 16/03/2016 11:21

@00100001

boooo change booooo

Wink

MNHQ

PresidentOliviaMumsnet · 16/03/2016 11:27

@00100001

oooh and a new drop down menu.... exciting :)

Change is indeed, good.

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 16/03/2016 11:28

@00100001

maryz if you want minimal, install an adblocker.. it's BLISS.

But not very community spirited...

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 16/03/2016 11:32

Re the font - It's Roboto which is a Google font and passes all the accessibility tests etc. The line height is also greater now, which helps readability for some people but, of course, everyone is different so we're very keen to get your feedback.

What I would say is use it for a little bit though, as often it's the change that you're getting used to - but if you still find it tricky after a bit of use then please do let us know.

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 16/03/2016 11:37

@Maryz

I have a pre-change thread open, and it's much easier to read. I dunno, maybe I'll get used to it.

Justine, I only have adblocker on the desktop because of the kids and all the sodding links they click on. So I see all your beeyootyfull ads on my laptop, ipad and phone, you'll be happy to know Grin

Well that's something I suppose - thank you Smile

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 16/03/2016 11:39

@Thurlow

I like the font, but when previewing TIO it is really small.

Thanks for pointing that out Thurlow - I agree - and we'll change it.

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 16/03/2016 12:11

@ThumbWitchesAbroad

Just seen the 2 new blue buttons on the left. As a laptop user, can I just say that the writing on those is all but illegible. Thin purple on solid blue = pretty much invisible.

And the thin purple anywhere is not very visible for that matter either.

That definitely doesn't sound right Thumbwitches - should be white on blue. Are you still getting that if you refresh and if so, can you tell us what browser?

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 16/03/2016 14:15

Hi again,
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.

But obviously everyone's experience is different and we clearly don't want to cause migraines. So we'll give it a few days and then see how folks are feeling about it. If it's still causing problems we'll look at alternative options.
Thanks for the feedback,
Justine

MNHQ

KateMumsnet · 16/03/2016 15:29

@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.

MNHQ

SarahMumsnet · 17/03/2016 09:34

Morning everyone, and thanks to all of you who've posted.

Right then: clearly many of you are finding this less than optimal. We're going to have a look at a couple of other possibilities today, which we'll show to you for feedback.

Hope this helps, and thanks again Flowers

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 17/03/2016 09:50

Hello Thumbwitchesabroad and SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius TIO being tiny sounds like it might be a bug. Would you mind taking a screenshot so we can see what you're seeing?

MNHQ

FrannyMumsnet · 17/03/2016 13:01

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
MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 19/03/2016 10:14

Thank you all. These are good questions and we are continuing to work on this. Threads I'm on/watching/started aren't right for some people and we're working on a fix for that. We've also been investigating alternatives and recruiting volunteers to help us test our options.

You're correct that one of the challenges is finding a solution which renders legibly across all the different operating systems and browsers. Roboto did very well in our cross-browser, cross-device tests for the greatest number of people but it's hard to predict or replicate every set up out there and every person's own particular vision characteristics which is why some of the best testing is with real people on their own systems.

We'll be setting up tests after the weekend and we're keen to include as many users with different needs as possible. If you'd like to be involved please let us know by sending an email to [email protected]

Please tell us:

  • what your vision is like
  • what main way(s) you use Mumsnet Talk (phone, desktop/laptop, tablet)
  • what system and browser you use (PC/Mac, Chrome/Firefox etc)

Thanks again

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 19/03/2016 12:58

Hello again,

Those reporting different sizes would you mind clarifying a little? We know about TIW/TIO not being quite right in some situations and we also agree that topic titles as seen on active or talk home could do with being bigger but are there other instances you want to flag?

Sorry to be a pain but if you could also add screenshots to illustrate and tell us your browser and kind of computer/device it really helps us track down any bugs.

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 19/03/2016 13:02

@BlackeyedSusan

still shit. head ache and nauseas

We're really sorry to hear this BlackeyedSusan if you'd be willing we'd like your help with future testing so we can try to make things better for you. If you're interested could you email [email protected]?

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 19/03/2016 15:06

Thanks very much SoupDragon and BoreofWhabylon for those and noted SDGT - we'll look at these asap on Monday

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 19/03/2016 15:35

Thanks bookbook!

Remus, very sorry to hear that. Would you be interested in being involved in testing next week? If so, would you mind mailing [email protected], we're specifically looking for people who are struggling with the current font.

Flowers
MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 19/03/2016 16:44

Super, thanks SDTG have replied Smile

Remus it will likely involve visiting a url and having an opinion - very much like mumsnetting generally Wink

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 21/03/2016 13:23

Hello,
Just checking in to let everyone know that we are working on addressing the display of the font on TIO/TIW which isn't right for some people on some browsers.

We'll also be experimenting with a larger version for threads and thank you to all who volunteered over the weekend to help us with testing.

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 21/03/2016 13:48

@ApocalypseSlough

Yep otbt still shows in advanced search

Thank you have flagged to Tech to sort asap

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 21/03/2016 13:51

@OhYouBadBadKitten

Thank you for the update Jessica - have you also looked at changing the font for the threads? I'm finding the site easier on my desktop where I have changed the font to Times New Roman - I know its old fashioned, but it is a wider font which I find easier to read.

Hello, yes we're looking at the size of Roboto and also potentially a different font.

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 21/03/2016 16:10

@ApocalypseSlough

Not rtft nor looked at it on the desktop when when I advance searched over the weekend otbt was returning results.

Quick update: we've spoken to tech and there's been no change here. OTBT is excluded from Google but not advanced search.

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 22/03/2016 20:46

Hi Athelstane and Remus, thanks for taking part in the test, we've amended the survey to give people more space to explain their response to that question. If you've already completed the survey already would you mind emailing us your thoughts?

Thank you Smile

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