AfraLISP Redesign

[David]

I'm nearing the end of a complete redesign of the AfraLISP site (see original site (http://archive.afralisp.net)). The new site (http://www.afralisp.net/index.php)is 85%content complete but the design is more than 95%. I aim to launch the new site in a few days. Any comments would be very welcome.

[Stewart]

This looks a big improvement on the previous site.

3 thoughts:
1. I found the main nav a little surprising given that you get different results if you click the v or the text. For me the v signifies that their is likely to be a drop down menu but I expected the same result if I'd clicked the text. The text is linked to a navigational page which doesn't currently seem to add any additional value to the user ?

2. The home page is quite text heavy - I would try to segment the page more by adding some design elements to graphically group the main sections/areas which should improve readability.

3. Right and bottom of page has a light blue line running around it between the page border and drop shadow visible in Firefox 3.6.3 (Mac) which to me looks like an error rather than a design feature.. but that could just be me :-)

[David]

Stewart, thanks for the comments, and in answer to your points:

1. The idea behind the main nav is that by clicking the text, the user gets to the main generic page for that topic. These pages are not content complete and will include a short introduction to each topic. In addition, these pages will display a full listing of all resources in that topic group. The drop-down menu allows the user to filter the topic by sub-group. So for example, you may view only Beginners' Tutorials for a particular topic rather than all tutorials.

2. Agreed. I hope to include some graphic content.

3. A case of too many sweeties - experimenting with drop shadows in FF etc. It does look odd and will be removed.

The information architecture of this site has been the most challenging aspect of the redesign and it's been through a number of iterations. I think I have it about right but it's still more complicated than I'd like.