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!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Done....I just don't want to see any data lost. I would also like to see the blogs limited per person, so that one person doesn't have 7 blogs on the front page all at the same time.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Amen.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I feel the same.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Good point.

[Gail and Bailey]

I agree.

[Carol and Banjo]

Ditto!!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

: ) good point.

[ClarkP]

No data will be lost!  Promise.

As for blogs, we are working on that.  We would like the solution to be a part of our DK Guidelines rather than a gut feeling of "Whoa, that's tooo much!"

In the meantime we are enforcing our existing DK Guidelines more strictly.

[F, Calla & Luca]

nteresting, what guidelines are being enforced more strictly. I see no difference : )

[ClarkP]

"Members agree to not use any of the following ways to advertise, promote, or repeatedly link to their website: Status Updates, Comments, Chat, Videos, Photos, Groups, Blogs..."

This encourages blog posts for the benefit of the community rather than the benefit of an individual / their own website.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

LIKE!!!!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Me too!!! Now the difference is obvious to me. Not too observant here I guess although I did note the absence of some blogs.