Vote on a new forum layout!

[LukeAbbott]

The default layout of the forum currently shows the categories and latest posts side by side. I picked it initially because it seemed like a good way to both show the categories (i.e. the topics the forum covers) as well as the latest posts. But it’s also pretty “busy” to the eye, and I’m not sure if it’s the best layout anymore, especially since the new version of Discourse (the forum platform) includes a new option (#3 below) to choose from.

Here are the various options available to me. I wonder if any of these strike you or anyone else reading this as preferable? (UPDATE: I just changed the default design (#1) a bit.)

1. Categories and latest posts side by side (recently updated):

Luke’s opinion: (+) easy to see latest posts, (+) shows a list of categories along with descriptions, (–) kind of busy (though perhaps improved from before), (–) posts from all categories mixed together.

2. Categories with latest posts in each topic:

Luke’s opinion: (+) puts more attention on the categories, (+) probably more welcoming to a new user, (+) easy to see activity on a category-by-category basis, (–) not immediately apparent what the latest discussions are, (–) no user names or avatars, makes it feel more impersonal?

(Live example: Obsidian forums)

3. Latest topics with categories in sidebar:

Luke’s opinion: (+) latest posts are front and center, (+) categories are clearly visible, albeit (–) no category descriptions shown… also, (~) personal novelty bias as the forum software just added the option this month.

(Live example: Hookmark forums)

Shall we put it to a vote?

I don’t think I’ve ever done a poll here… let’s try this out!

Which view do you like best? (pick one, or two if it’s a tie or close call)

• 1. Categories and latest posts side by side (current setting)
• 2. Categories along with latest posts in each category
• 3. Latest topics with categories in sidebar

[LukeAbbott]

UPDATE: I did some design work on the forum index page and now I might prefer it after all… but I want to hear what you guys think:

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Old one for comparison:

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[RobertBiggs]

Well, since a lot of us are older or have less than optimal vision, I think the currently launched version (number 2 in your poll) is probably the best. Reason? The boxes around the topics really makes it easier to see and and find them quickly. I like the concept of number 3, but with the topics that small it would be a bit of eye strain for me to find what I’m looking for. Number 2 is alright, but, like I said, number one with the boxes just makes the topics stand out. Seeing it in action as the default has only confirmed my feeling. I like that it gives you a couple of viewing choices as well.

[TimothyCannon]

I like the side bar because it is similar to many of the other apps I use (mostly on the computer not mobile).