Testing Testing - Ok so now here's our new look (but you don't have to have it, do you hear?)

[JustinExcelsisMumsnet]

This is a sneak preview of our redesign - it's planned across the whole site but we thought we'd give you a preview of Talk so you could give us your thoughts. ETA is early in the new year (God willing).

Two things we should make clear:

First Customise talk and Mn Classic WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE so don't panic if you really hate it!

Second it's not finished yet so not everything works perfectly - it's a test site.

You might wonder why we are bothering with a redesign by the way. We have had quite a lot of feedback that newcomers find the site a little hard to find their way round at first so we are trying to simplify it. We haven't changed much overall in nine years but we've added quite a few bits and bobs on, and to newbies it can be quite daunting we think.

And one more thing - we've found in the past (and we know ourselves) that change can be disorienting but do give it a go for a wee while before you trash it completely, please? .

There's no link to it yet - YetMoreTech will post it in a minute - he wants to add more caveats before he posts it up!

Hope you like it (or at least don't loathe it) - let us know your thoughts.

(Please address all complaints to [email protected])

Same as before Nick it seems that the right side ad bar runs a long to half way and the thread topics run from then.

This is for topic's whereas in Active they start at the top of the page with the ad bar.

I like the layout of the new one but once you get into the threads themselves, prefer the colours and layouts in the current style...

Nick - I can't check IE at the moment as I'm at my sisters - actually on an iphone. It seems to work pretty well - there is a wide blank space at the right hand side - the bar with add message refresh display etc goes right across above the ad but nothing else does (this is on the thread pages themselves btw). It's actually quite convenient on the iPhone because it gives me a blank space I can use to scroll down without accidentally tapping a link, but then I'm not very good at the keypad yet, I've only had it since Christmas Day. I don't supppose it's going to stay that way though.

I also really like it. Clean design. Much more user friendly !

I don't like it. I don't think. But will give it a chance.

I can't even get the new site to load.

It just says Page load error.

Grrgh

Hmm, it looks like Ivillage to me!

the home page is a big improvement. but the list of active conversations just looks awful to me- really puts me off wanting to post. but at least we will have the option of mumsnet classic.

Having tried earlier and got the page error, I just tried again, and like it. Looks like earlier reported problems have been resolved (am using IE... 7 I think).

One idea I have just thought of (though it will probably cause more work than will be made use of IYSWIM) is would it be possible to link one posting to several threads? I have an issue which could go under sleep, behaviour/problems and lone parents. Rather than posting the same OP in 3 threads, and watching three convos, would it be possible to post it once, but linked to all three threads, so all the replies are in the same convo?

"Ooooohhh! I like it!" says Lola.

I say, "Don't touch it!"

(sorry, our household has become a living shrine to Charlie and Lola so I can only express myself through quoting them)

I like it but it doesn't like me sadly.

Message withdrawn

You know, I like it! Neat, tidy, not too revolutionary - good work!

The logo at the top is genius

Yup, bring it on.

i like it

I am not sure yet.

It looks okay............

change can be good

I shall get back to you, okay?

likeitmatterswhatIthink

I like it in general.

Two (quite specific) things I'd like to suggest though... (haven't read the whole thread, so forgive me if I am repeating what someone else has said).

Can the miscarriage topic please be one of the ones that comes up as listed under "Body and Soul" (without having to click on "Body and Soul") as otherwise it is hard to find. Also please could you rename "miscarriage" as "pregnancy loss"? I recall there was some discussion of renaming the topic a couple of months ago, because right now it does not obviously accomodate other sorts of loss, but don't remember what the outcome of the discussion was.

I think if you did this it would help people find the right place to post more easily when they are losing a pregnancy. At the moment people sometimes end up posting in pregnancy or conception and then not getting much of a response.

Twil take some getting used to but yeah, I like it.

Must have been a right bu**er to set up... how long did it take, Tech?

Looks good to me, and I am a fussy person who can code.

Is this why the real Tech took off to USofA?

Is it? Is it?

The reason he took off? hahah. We bought him the ticket.

I have always though Childminders ought to get a special separate thread because the issues there are completely different from nanny and au pair ones.

Are we going to swap from This MN to That MN or do we have to save that one to use it?

(not making much sense sorry am hungover!)

hmm, tbh, I prefer the way it is right now....not keen on the new design....but I don't like change, lol!

Tbh, I don't think there is anything difficult about mumsnet site at the moment, not sure how it will be made easier with the new design...hm...