positive but useless note on the website

jiu · 2008-06-13 11:37:36

Hello,
I just wanted to mention how much I liked the archlinux website. It's one of the clearest and altogether most functional I've seen so far. I also like the way it reflects the philosophy of the distribution. It's a pleasure to browse!

Great work to whoever's built it!

I was used to using Ubuntu for a couple years before I switched to Archlinux (with the release of Ubuntu 8.04 actually, the Hardy Heron) and their website is really appalling. They redesigned it, changed the colours... but the basic flaws in the ways they are presenting information are still there. THat's when I realized there were some other aspects of the processes in the making of an ubuntu distro that were flawed too, and that their website was just reflecting that. As examples: the inflexible release cycle, the existence of releases, bad structuring of the website, no style homogeneity between the different parts of the website (whereas the ubuntu look n feel is "in your face" on the desktop), the bloat and low speed/lack of optimisation (this was the factor that had me switching for good in the end).

wonder · 2008-06-13 11:54:23

this is another argument to demonstrate that archlinux are guided by KISS principle . keep it like that devs

sniffles · 2008-06-13 12:26:03

I don't know, for the very least I think the link to the Installation Guide should be higher up the page. I never look at the Recent Updates listing, nor at the Package Repositories / Releases listings, but if those are more imporant than the links which reside beneath .. so be it.

Ruckus · 2008-06-15 21:45:48

sniffles wrote:

I don't know, for the very least I think the link to the Installation Guide should be higher up the page. I never look at the Recent Updates listing, nor at the Package Repositories / Releases listings, but if those are more imporant than the links which reside beneath .. so be it.

Honestly, I agree, The other links should be above the recent updates and all of that as it's more geared to new comers and people looking for information. The recent updates etc are for the regulars.

toofishes · 2008-06-15 22:59:49

Ruckus wrote:

sniffles wrote:
I don't know, for the very least I think the link to the Installation Guide should be higher up the page. I never look at the Recent Updates listing, nor at the Package Repositories / Releases listings, but if those are more imporant than the links which reside beneath .. so be it.
Honestly, I agree, The other links should be above the recent updates and all of that as it's more geared to new comers and people looking for information. The recent updates etc are for the regulars.

You guys confuse me. So we should ignore the so-called 'regulars' in favor of appealing to new users?

Arch has never been about trying to gain hundreds of new users, and regulars don't need the install guide listed first, so I think our website layout makes a lot of sense.

rson451 · 2008-06-16 00:05:30

I agree with toofishes. When someone comes to the website in search of how to install archlinux, if they cannot find the download links then they've got some serious issues. Meanwhile the users who come to the site every day can get the information they need without any extra effort.

sniffles · 2008-06-16 02:10:02

I'm not getting it. So I'm an Arch user.. I go to archlinux.org and look on the right..

"Recent Updates" column: why would I want to read that list? "just in case" there is a package somewhere in there that I have on my system? I can just let pacman's update-related features do that.

"Package Repositories" column: Static content. Have a "Repositories" link or something in the top main link-bar, if it's that important.

"Releases" column: again mostly static content, I'd see the point behind printing the date of the latest release, but seriously, "regulars" need to read when "Homer" was released every time they visit archlinux.org ?

neotuli · 2008-06-16 08:38:44

sniffles wrote:

I'm not getting it. So I'm an Arch user.. I go to archlinux.org and look on the right..
"Recent Updates" column: why would I want to read that list? "just in case" there is a package somewhere in there that I have on my system? I can just let pacman's update-related features do that.
"Package Repositories" column: Static content. Have a "Repositories" link or something in the top main link-bar, if it's that important.
"Releases" column: again mostly static content, I'd see the point behind printing the date of the latest release, but seriously, "regulars" need to read when "Homer" was released every time they visit archlinux.org ?

Was there a suggestion (or for advanced mode: a patch) in there? Or are you just trolling for shits and giggles?

sniffles · 2008-06-16 08:53:17

I thought my suggestion was obvious: either move the columns / listings lower on the page (putting the link menu in their place) or completely remove them.

Playing the troll card is lame, but what do I know, I'm not a "developer with a big stick", I'm here just for shits and giggles

Last edited by sniffles (2008-06-16 08:54:05)

iphitus · 2008-06-16 09:03:05

Sniffles: Regulars would probably get more out of the planet, http://planet.archlinux.org, or just the main page RSS feed. I can't really think of much more that would be useful for regulars there.

If you want a homepage, you can use this nice pretty link from rss2html.com. I even themed it blue for you!
http://www.rss2html.com/rss2html.php?TE … eeds/news/

Last edited by iphitus (2008-06-16 09:03:29)

wonder · 2008-06-16 09:04:06

i like the layout of the main page. i want to know what packages were updated and if i'm interest i will update. i'm not doing -Syu every hour like most users in here do.

and why do you want removed it? how to you mark packages out of date?:)

Last edited by wonder (2008-06-16 09:07:30)

Misfit138 · 2008-06-17 02:42:46

sniffles wrote:

I thought my suggestion was obvious: either move the columns / listings lower on the page (putting the link menu in their place) or completely remove them.
Playing the troll card is lame, but what do I know, I'm not a "developer with a big stick", I'm here just for shits and giggles

Don't pick on Neo. I'm the one who gave him his title.

Arch Linux

#1 2008-06-13 11:37:36

positive but useless note on the website

#2 2008-06-13 11:54:23

Re: positive but useless note on the website

#3 2008-06-13 12:26:03

Re: positive but useless note on the website

#4 2008-06-15 21:45:48

Re: positive but useless note on the website

#5 2008-06-15 22:59:49

Re: positive but useless note on the website

#6 2008-06-16 00:05:30

Re: positive but useless note on the website

#7 2008-06-16 02:10:02

Re: positive but useless note on the website

#8 2008-06-16 08:38:44

Re: positive but useless note on the website

#9 2008-06-16 08:53:17

Re: positive but useless note on the website

#10 2008-06-16 09:03:05

Re: positive but useless note on the website

#11 2008-06-16 09:04:06

Re: positive but useless note on the website

#12 2008-06-17 02:42:46

Re: positive but useless note on the website

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