Forum header change

[Computer Hope Admin]

I'd like to change the forum header (top section) to a more clean look and would appreciate any feedback, suggestions, or other comments from the community before I implement this.

An example of what I've done so far is on the below link. This is just an trial page to test the look and feel, none of the links work, but would work in final version. Also anything could be changed and or added to this.

http://www.computerhope.com/del.htm

If implemented I'd remove the Computer Hope forum above box and this would take its place.

[evilfantasy]

The current header looks more polished to me.

[CBMatt]

I agree for the most part.  Although there is a lot of empty space, I think the font and size right now are just about perfect.  Also, changing the icons into text links makes them a lot less obvious.  Maybe it's just me, but text seems less...friendly.  I also don't like the links being positioned all the way up there, but that's more of a personal preference than anything.

I think your new design idea could work if you kept the current font and perhaps included small icons (about the size of favicons or perhaps smaller) with the links.  I just feel that eliminating the icons altogether is a step in the wrong direction.  A bit of change certainly wouldn't hurt, but having visual cues is incredibly useful.

[Computer Hope Admin]

Thanks guys for your feedback. I've made some additional revisions to hopefully help accommodate what was said.

- Linked the forum CSS file so it changes the size to how it would appear on the forum.
- Added picture icons.
- Because pictures caused lost real-estate to help accommodate smaller displays moved "Calendar" into "Home"

...
I also don't like the links being positioned all the way up there, but that's more of a personal preference than anything.
...

I'm doing this because I believe most new users are having to hunt for the icons in the middle because most users are used to navigation being at one of the sides (top/left/right) of the screen. I know sometimes when I'm on the forum I've mistakenly hit the home button on the top bar trying to get back to the forum home page. This type of instinctive behavior to me indicates something is broken.

[kpac]

I'm doing this because I believe most new users are having to hunt for the icons in the middle because most users are used to navigation being at one of the sides

Have a look here: http://browsersize.googlelabs.com/

[Computer Hope Admin]

Have a look here: http://browsersize.googlelabs.com/

Cool site, I've never seen that before. However, I'm using Expression Web which has the capability of making a window the sizes of different resolutions. I usually try to accommodate 800x600 and greater since that is a a vast majority of my visitors.

1.     1024x768 = 24.06%    
2.    1280x1024 = 16.48%    
3.    1280x800 = 15.61%    
4.    1440x900 = 8.67%    
5.    1680x1050 = 7.36%    
6.    1366x768 = 4.52%    
7.    1920x1200 = 2.81%    
8.    1152x864 = 2.38%    
9.    1920x1080 = 2.29%    
10.    800x600 = 2.15%

[kpac]

If you Google's Browsersize page along with IE8's Developer Tools to change the size of the browser window, you'll get a good picture of what can be seen.

[CBMatt]

Thanks guys for your feedback. I've made some additional revisions to hopefully help accommodate what was said.

- Linked the forum CSS file so it changes the size to how it would appear on the forum.
- Added picture icons.
- Because pictures caused lost real-estate to help accommodate smaller displays moved "Calendar" into "Home"

Well, I can't speak for anyone else, but I think it looks much better now.  It's easy on the eyes, it looks good, and the icons make it much easier to find everything quickly.  Although I personally don't ever use the Calendar, it's too bad that it has to be moved.  Would using slightly smaller icons help?  Or would that still not leave enough room?

I'm doing this because I believe most new users are having to hunt for the icons in the middle because most users are used to navigation being at one of the sides (top/left/right) of the screen. I know sometimes when I'm on the forum I've mistakenly hit the home button on the top bar trying to get back to the forum home page. This type of instinctive behavior to me indicates something is broken.

Oh yeah, I totally understand that.  Like I said, just a matter of preference for me.  I'm used to them being where they are and I tend to not like change.  I do think what you've posted looks quite good, though.

[Allan]

Very nice.

[BC_Programmer]

And, they're menus... very nice, good work. 

[Quantos]

I must need more coffee, I didn't even notice what was different until I read this...

[Allan]

I must need more coffee, I didn't even notice what was different until I read this...

I don't believe there have been any changes yet. The link to the proposed new header is in the first post in this thread

[Quantos]

Okay, I'll go find out what is changing my display.  Something is different, just not sure what or why now.

[BC_Programmer]

Okay, I'll go find out what is changing my display.  Something is different, just not sure what or why now.

Well, he <did> change the top header since the last time you frequented the forums. Maybe that's what you're seeing?

[Quantos]

Maybe that's it, yeah, my internet went the way of the dinosaurs for a couple of months.