[arch-general] [arch-dev-public] Get Arch Link

[Dieter Plaetinck]

Aaron Griffin wrote:
> On Tue, Nov 18, 2008 at 4:38 PM, Dusty Phillips <buchuki at gmail.com> wrote:
>   
>> I think there should be a download link in the "About" text, a
>> download link on the right hand side, and leave the "Get Arch" link on
>> the menu. If anybody misses it in all three places they probably
>> wouldn't pass Simo's "Are you human" test on the forum anyway.
>>     
>
> I still think there needs to be one in the giant "what's arch" blurb
> on the main page. If you're reading that text, you're probably new and
> looking for a download.
>   
1) +1 for general UI revamp.  I think most of us agree that it's at 
_least_ "weird" to have so many important links in the bottom right 
corner, which is pretty much the least likely place to scan.
2) +1 for renaming "Get arch" to "Download"
3) I would put a new menu item in the top menu, called "About" which 
also links to the /about page
4) At the end of the 'about' talk, you can put a download link, you can 
really make it stand out there (after text, few empty lines, then in the 
center the blue 'download link')
5) I think 2 + 3&4 are better solutions then Aarons "adding a link to 
the download page in the "what's arch" blurb"-idea: it could be useful, 
but I think the top-right links really attract the eyes already, and 4 
is a good fallback for users who take the other route.
6) The 'releases' block on frontpage: how relevant is any of the 
information in there?.  Only the last release is somewhat relevant on 
the front page.  I suggest removing the block there and moving the 
information to the download page.  (which also needs a 
revamp/restructure btw, there is lots of wasted space there. 
7) the 'package repositories' and 'recent updates' blocks and 'package 
search' field on the frontpage.  Is any of that relevant on the 
frontpage?  Maybe we should put an item 'Packages' in the top menu, and 
link to /packages. We could extend the packages page (or divide packages 
related things over multiple pages) to add an overview of available 
repositories, recently updated packages etc.

Putting the above things together: the blocks on the right are gone, the 
'documentation' , 'community' etc links can go up, replacing the blocks 
and making the links more visible.  (I do think that having all links 
visible separately can be good thing - eg they are not hidden because of 
a menu with 2 levels whether it be dropdown or a tabbed menu with main 
items and subitems)
When we get that far, we might as well swap right and left too: the top 
menu items aligned left, the links on the left, and the 'about box' and 
the news on the center/right, but this is more a matter of personal 
taste I guess.


Just my 8 cents :-)


PS: I can help with the redesign/restructure if needed, but preferably 
only after a consensus is reached.  It's not that I really like 
designing things "for fun" but if  we reach a (sort of) consensus and 
you lack the manpower, I would be glad to help.

Dieter
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