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])

... which doesn't actually seem to work atm

What a difference. I really thought i would hate it.

It looks great, more tidy and easier to read.

It must have taken ages to sort out!

(whispers) Looks a bit NM to me (sneaks away before she's shot )

I like the links at the bottom of the page, much easier to flick around as well.

Ooooh trolls and troublemakers now eh?

But arent they one in the same?

First impressions are that it looks, well, quite good. And I'm changephobic. But why does Stockport still always show for Mumsnet local?

Mind you, mn is set at active convos for me; I never look at any other page so never think about whether or not it is easy to navigate. Certainly better than those off-the-shelf forum sites

Anyone notice that on the test site it's a full moon, whereas on RLMN it's waning gibbous?

Is that a coincidence, or YMT's litle joke.....

i know rd,

but say, at the moment, i remember something someone said, or i said, so i go to search messages,

i have a number of 'search' options,

so for example 'miscarrige' (sadly i know too much on the subject) i know someone about 3 months ago told me something, or, 2 weeks ago i linked something, or someone a year ago mentioned something interesting,

at the moment i have the option to search in many different ways, by name, by title, by detail or in general,

on the new search method, i can only see one way, i type 'miscarrige' (in this instance) and trawl though 500+ messages,

there must be a quicker way,

as in, the old way

i have looked .groaned and looked away

Okay, I have a serious question.
I have repeatedly deleted photos from my profile and they keep reappearing, and they are on my profile on test site now.
So why is that? Is that just cos it is 'old data'?

I like it BUT can't see the Chat thread anywhere, one I find notoriously difficult to remember where it is listed - is it at all possible to have all topics in each list visible without having to click on the More button?

And are you planning on keeping the list below as it is? (STILL can't see the Chat topic - where the heck is it??)

I did have a thought today, actually - don't know how possible it would be or even whether other people would find it useful - would it be possible to have the colour bar a different colour for the OP? So that it is really easy to see when the OP responds on a thread, or to read all the OP's comments on a thread, especially when it is very long and you are late coming to it. Just an idea...

It's looking great tech

if you are after feedback, which I am going to assume you do and wade on in there...

I think the blue poster bars are unnecessarily busy with the "post a reply" attached to all of them.

In general. it has a much more user friendly and well just 'pretty' look to it. It is certainly easier to navigate IMVHO and much more modern looking

So far.

I say, I like new shoes.

snoopdog, first keep in mind that search doesn't work at all on the test site. But, in answer to your question, just click Advanced Search (under the search box). All the original options are still there.

But you need to scroll down before you have a scobby if there is anything on the page or not - ads on RHS take up an inordinate amount of space, no wrap-around thingy going on. Caveat I am currently posting from a dinky laptop but am not alone in often using a lapdog I think?

But looks good when you do get to what is actually going on.

I like it too. I like that it's shorter. Trying to track a line across a 17" screen is hard when your eyesights failing. Missing active convos though.

Active conv is there though.

Just look at the top in the quick links. right next to "threads"

thumbElf, lack of chat link visible on the topic list is an oversight. We'll address it forthwith.

Slur, it has been said in the past that people get frustrated because they're reading through the thread and get to a point where they want to add their tuppence worth. They then have to scroll all the way to the bottom to get to the "add post" form. And we get emails from people asking how they add their message, believe it or not. Lastly we want to encourage posting! Hence, repeated "Add a message". Other than that, glad you approve - let us know if you need any help slipping off those old shoes for something more fancy.

It is easier to navigate and less overwhelming for people to look at. I have to admit I don't really use the topics list atm as it's hard to find what I'm looking for. I am not good with change though so it'd take some getting used to if I were to use it. Tis nice though

Hmmmmm...I think I like it. I have never looked at the other site(you know the one) so I have no idea if it looks a bit that way inclined

On the front page, I would like to see all the sub-topics listed under each topic rather than just a few and "more....", or a drop down menu with them all on. I know that it will annoy me to have to keep clicking on "more..." to find the topics I want.

Other than that, it's looking good.

I like it, but I don't like the way the thread is on one huge page. Makes scrolling interminable...

Let me assure you.

NM and MN are about as far as two similarly named sites could be.

on one hand we have real drama, grit, swearing, decent cake, fashion not involving bling and uncensored intelligent and stupid and funny and fab talk.

on the other hand you have tickers.

meh.

YMT.

Oi! hands off my shoes, they wouldn't fit you anyway.. blardy thieving techs>

Though you have redeemed yourself with your prettiness so I'll post you some old blahniks... kaaaay?