Upcoming Site Re-design: I need your thoughts on this.

[ClarkP]

Hello all!

The inevitable is happening:  We are being forced to migrate DK to an updated website platform.  There is not a firm date yet, but it sounds like we will have to be updated within the next 6-8 months

This upgrade is both good and bad.  I wanted to give you a heads up and get your opinions on a few things.

First the GOOD:

• DK will remain wild and free for everyone.  :-)
• All our content from the beginning of time will be available on the new site.
• The new site will have a more contemporary, clean look to all features
• The site will look pretty similar... same logo, colors, etc.
• Improved functionality on many features that we use daily:  forum, groups, blogs, photos, etc.
• The new site will be faster.  This current one is a slowpoke (84% of sites load faster).
• It will work much better for tablets and mobile devices.

Now the BAD:

• We think we might lose functionality that we like
  - points that determine Hopeless Doodle Addicts might not be possible (this is a BIG problem... and we are working on it.  We want this as much as anyone.)
  - music player will not be included (but embedded music will be available)
  - no native video upload:  Videos will all be embedded from YouTube / Vimeo / wherever.
• I'm sure there will be bugs and glitches when we "flip the switch" to start using the new design.
• There will be a learning curve as we all get used to the new layout and how it works.
• It will force us to invest substantial money in the design/upgrade

Here is an example of a different site that has just been upgraded to the new platform.  [Edited to add:] This example site looks completely different than ours will.  It has different navigation & features than ours will.  Only look at this site for it's better functionality across all devices, NOT for how it looks.  [end edit]:  http://lenscience.ac.nz  Try it out with different devices and screen sizes.  You can see how it is much cleaner and handles tablets / mobile devices so much better.

And that is the main reason for this upgrade.  Our current site is slow(ish), dated, and doesn't work very well on tablets / mobile devices.

Now where I need your help.  We need to know what features of DK you value to the most.  We want to know how you use DK and what features you can't live without.

Take this short survey for me if would be so kind:  DK Site Upgrade Survey

Comment below when you've taken the survey.  Comment below with the ONE thing you value most about the current DK site.

Thanks so much!
Clark "DK tech slave" Pearson

[Added]  PS.  I will be creating a "sandbox" version of the new site.  It's a separate site where we test the new design/features before we go live.  If any of you would like to be members of the sandbox site to give additional feedback, just let me know.  Thx!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Here is what I forget to mention in the survey.

One thing about DK, that is not found on other sites such as Facebook, are the long and meaningful responses and conversation.  All is just a short blurb of ... stuff.

Hope that stays

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

So, more thoughts from me today and my final conclusions after visiting the example site once more.

I"LL TAKE SLOW over the exampled format.

For me, this site is worth it and the changes just might change everything I love about visiting DK.

If it aint broke... dont fix

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Joanne, I agree with you wholeheartedly!

[Gail and Bailey]

I agree wholeheartedly as well !!!

[ClarkP]

Yeah, I think I made a mistake by giving any example site at all.  As a web developer I can see the improvements in that site over ours.  As a user, it just doesn't look like a good site for us.

So... nevermind.  I take the example back.  :-)  Don't put too much weight on that site.  Ours will be much better and very similar to what we have now.

Cheers!
Clark

[F, Calla & Luca]

Clark, I would be delighted to be a member of the sandbox beta. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I would like to play in the sandbox too.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Something I really like about the current design is that when you click on member page, the member's town, state is listed under their name. I just enjoy seeing where our members are from, at a glance.

[Becka]

I took the survey. My favorite thing about the site is the sense of community--I'm not sure how to quantify that or offer any helpful advice about how to maintain that when migrating to a new platform. I guess what I'm saying is that I value the people most, and I don't think the platform will change anyone in any significant way. ;)

[GBK]

Took the Survey...

[Wendy and Myla]

I love this site and have learned so much on it!  I found it by accident while lurking on different breeder's sites while waiting for Myla!  When I discovered the site (and didn't have Myla yet) I was only reading the forum so put that under my "favourites". I never changed - I joined a few groups but only went on there when I was looking for some "pertinent" information.  That was 2 1/2 years ago and being "older", I haven't changed.  Now I realize that if I "favourite" the "main page" I would have all of the newest information at my fingertips.  That being said, I love all of the blogs!  I just go from the forum and click on the "blogs" and absolutely love them all!  Even now when we're getting daily blogs, I love reading them!  I don't care how many.  I do agree that one blog was blatantly "advertising" and that annoyed me, but to be fair, I did enjoy that bloggers other blogs.  I don't think that there should be limits on blogs - after all, we don't have to read them!  I for one, really enjoy them all whether they contribute to other discussions or not.  I do believe that if the blogger is only doing so for advertising, then we should make comments to that blogger.  We have some very awesome posters (and bloggers) on this site who I follow religiously.  Again, I absolutely love this site - I hate changes but trust you and Adina completely!  Again, I love this site and have learned so much on this site - Myla is definitely a better doodle because of this site!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Done!