I wanted to respond to possible new homepage look. (took me a while to figure out how to post to the cutting edge blog)
General impression - great look. The tech-person-coach at our school was also impressed.
I like the way the left frame protects the calendar from being squished by my oversize right frame; and I like the way we can subdivide that right side by adding additional content boxes. Can we default + display or - close them?
I thought at first glance that the calendar directional arrows at top and bottom went opposite directions. Did you fix it or did I totally mis-recall what I initially saw?
My biggest interest is the staff window. Other than the avatar on the forum site, will there be a way to add coaches, pictures, and especially to control display order? I (a volunteer) do not want to be listed alphabetically ahead of the AD/Head Coach. (Additionally, in setting up the Pacific schools, I was accidentally listed as coach at Kadena, ISSH and Seisen; I really do not want to show up in their staff boxes; could you remove me?).
Can the Store box be reassigned/renamed?
I like the public button - would be very useful when setting up one`s page. But why do "Files" disappear in public version? And how will "map" information be accessible to the public?
There are questions about how other things will work, eg editing "other sites" box, adding files, store box etc. but those questions can wait till you show us a more complete prototype.
New users often ponder the meaning of things, like what is a "related school"? With your new layout, you could easily add the word "middle" ( "related middle schools") to the high school page. And at the bottom right, "Coach Info" could easily be more clearly stated as "Information For Coaches" (as opposed to Information About Coaches or From Coaches).
Bruce
Thanks for the comments & suggestions!
Bruce Carrick:I like the way the left frame protects the calendar from being squished by my oversize right frame; and I like the way we can subdivide that right side by adding additional content boxes. Can we default + display or - close them?
The top one is open by default - the rest are closed. You can re-order them.
Bruce Carrick:I thought at first glance that the calendar directional arrows at top and bottom went opposite directions. Did you fix it or did I totally mis-recall what I initially saw?
We haven't changed the direction of them. Are they not intuitive?
Bruce Carrick:My biggest interest is the staff window. Other than the avatar on the forum site, will there be a way to add coaches, pictures, and especially to control display order? I (a volunteer) do not want to be listed alphabetically ahead of the AD/Head Coach. (Additionally, in setting up the Pacific schools, I was accidentally listed as coach at Kadena, ISSH and Seisen; I really do not want to show up in their staff boxes; could you remove me?).
A little duplicate info from my email to you: We've removed you from those schools. In addition we are still determining the purpose and function of the staff box - so these suggestions are great. Any more from any coaches are welcome!
Bruce Carrick: Can the Store box be reassigned/renamed?
Not at the moment, although we may add in options for additional content (feel free to convince us of the necessity/benefit of other content!)
Bruce Carrick:I like the public button - would be very useful when setting up one`s page. But why do "Files" disappear in public version?
"Files" currently disappear simply because it is a feature that does not yet work. Once we have this working, these would be available publicly.
Bruce Carrick:And how will "map" information be accessible to the public?
Map links give the user the opportunity to simply pull up a map of the location, or to enter their Zip Code and get driving directions to the location. This map functionality is currently based off only the Address and the Postal Code, so I'm not sure how useful it will be to those Overseas?
Bruce Carrick: There are questions about how other things will work, eg editing "other sites" box, adding files, store box etc. but those questions can wait till you show us a more complete prototype.
The other sites box is generated by our internal links between teams (XC & TF, and HS-MS). Adding files has not been developed yet, and the store box has a bit more work to do (auto turn-off if no store, etc).
Bruce Carrick:New users often ponder the meaning of things, like what is a "related school"? With your new layout, you could easily add the word "middle" ( "related middle schools") to the high school page.
We may be using this for related high schools in some cases, so we will have to continue to consider how this should best be stated. Thanks for the input.
Bruce Carrick:And at the bottom right, "Coach Info" could easily be more clearly stated as "Information For Coaches" (as opposed to Information About Coaches or From Coaches).
Have changed it to "Information for Coaches," thanks!