Network Criticisms

This is one reason why we are going to completely change the design :) Rest assured that will we address this issue with the new design change.

Great, can't wait!

I like the very first image, like robin. I like that the header image of the first idea doesn't flow past the nav and the box below it. The first idea simply looks cleaner to me.

I think it has to do with the image then. I don't really wish to center it because you get wasted space at the margins. What if instead of the background being white, we make it a little darker?

I think it has to do with the image then. I don't really wish to center it because you get wasted space at the margins. What if instead of the background being white, we make it a little darker?

Fair enough. If the real estate is valuable and you don't want to waste the space then the last one is probably the best way to go. :) I do prefer the navbar under the header image.

I'm not sure what would help balance the page for me...a slightly darker background might work, but it also might detract from the nice, clean design overall...

Take the new yc violin logo and put it in white space next to the banner image, instead of literally on top of the banner image, you know what I mean? You're essentially making the banner wider. Then center the whole entire thing - it doesn't need to be left aligned. As it is you're wasting space on the right, which is why it's lopsided. Do we really care about NEW members on the homepage? Maybe "top members" according to scores. I know that's insignificant and you put it there to show that you can dock stuff there. I like that arrangement - it works.

Minor detail: did anyone else think the "Join Now" button should actually be a button, like the login button?

You must have a really large screen - that screenshot is huge! xD

Ending periods should be out of website autolinks.

And I'm still (often) having shoutbox issues. I type something, press enter, and the text disappears but does not show up in the shoutbox.

Then center the whole entire thing - it doesn't need to be left aligned. As it is you're wasting space on the right, which is why it's lopsided.

If I do this, then we have to do the same thing with the forum. However, the problem is, we want 95% width. So even if we do center the banner, we will still have the white space problem. The only way to eliminate the white space problem is if we have a width of 60%.

If I do this, then we have to do the same thing with the forum. However, the problem is, we want 95% width. So even if we do center the banner, we will still have the white space problem. The only way to eliminate the white space problem is if we have a width of 60%.

But the banner is already white(ish) on either side, so it's not like the white space is atrocious. Look, it's only a subtle difference and see also how I moved the logo outside the smoke:

IMG: http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm102/Musicmanj4/mockup-yc-redesign-v2-changesNEWBAN.jpg

See how there's room on the right that would be filled up with the welcome box when you're logged in. You could even put the logo all the way to the left instead of just ... sorta-left, like I have it. Might make more sense that way. But either way, keep the violin centered.

Ahhh I see what you are saying. It looks slightly awkward when the logo is placed aside to the left though. I actually did like the logo on top of the image. I will have to stare at this some more.

OH, another observation - the orchestra is black. The rest of the page is light. Sticks out WAYY too much. Maybe take that orchestra image, cut down on the saturation just a smidge, lighten it just a smidge, and fade to white transparent instead of black.

And I'm still (often) having shoutbox issues. I type something, press enter, and the text disappears but does not show up in the shoutbox.

Try uploading a work -- doubt it'll work. This sounds like the same problem I'm having.

IE 7.0.5xx, XP. Crappy little IBM thinkpad.

Try uploading a work -- doubt it'll work. This sounds like the same problem I'm having.

I'm able to upload my works. The shoutbox issue seems to occur when I first go to the forum. If I navigate to another page on the forum then click in the nav to return to the forum home page, then the shoutbox works. I have a hard time duplicating the shoutbox issue because it doesn't always happen.

It's also strange that if you edit an upload post to contain italics you visibly see the in the same post that shows up in the network. Perhaps this happens with bold and underlining as well?

Just found a small bug, demonstrated on this piece:

http://forum.youngcomposers.com/t23057/-manopap/page__pid__328949__st__0entry328949

http://www.youngcomposers.com/pg/Music/DJ%20Fatuus/composition?entry=27815

I wasn't logged in. Listened to "Manopap" on the network, while in a separate tab, logged in and browsed other YC pages. Then I posted a my comment on Manopap. So when I posted, I was logged in to the site in principle, but not on that specific tab - if that makes sense.

At a guess, the easiest way to stop this is to remove the comment box for non-logged-in viewers, since you can't leave comments without logging in anyway. So in my situation, I would have had to refresh the page to type a comment.

Ok, I've said "logging" too much now.

I agree - no comment box. Instead put a link. "Please <a>log in</a> to comment on this work." I've had this problem occur as well. I'll log in (via network homepage) and I'll be in, I'll go to the forum for a while, and next time I visit the network part of the site, it's not logged in, but the forum is.

^^ This happens to me as well. I just get automatically logged off the network for no reason when I've been on the forum for a few minutes. ^^

I've only read the first few pages of this thread so forgive me if this thought has already been said.

If I add a description or a reply to a piece in the thing previously known as the record hall (it's known as the network now, right?) my lines of blank spaces get deleted.

For example: the previous two sentences look like this.

I've only read the first few pages of this thread so forgive me if this thought has already been said. If I add a description or a reply to a piece in the thing previously known as the record hall (it's known as the network now, right?) my lines of blank spaces get deleted.

That doesn't look good. It certainly doesn't make the network and forum feel very integrated if they behave differently with something simple like replies.

As for the logo, it's crap. I'm working on something now, not necessarily related, but something that could possibly work for the website. Should I consult Hillary?

Are you talking about the old (current) Christmas tree logo, or the new (proposed) treble clef logo seen in upper left here? http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm102/Musicmanj4/mockup-yc-redesign-v2-changesNEWBAN.jpg

I have a problem! When I comment on a piece through the add reply box on the page where it actually plays the music, it doesn't add spaces in between the lines in my post even though I put them in my reply.

Edit: Do I use some sort of code? Maybe html's <BR>

I am a newcomer and I am probably doing something wrong, but prefer to report anyway:

- the birthday date seems registered one day in advance than what is chosen on the pop-up calendar;

- I was unable to comment a video (I commented music easily), does this require any habilitation or something?

- The comments of others to my pieces are introduced by their names, but the people must be searched manually. Transforming the user prompt in a link to their webpage would be really pleasant

- I am unable to search a composer (Silasj) which commented my page.

- there is no simple way to understand some features of the personal page (e.g., what "Member rank" means?) or this very forum (e.g., what the affiliations here reported such as "Reviewers" or "Seasoned composer" mean? They don't seem links to groups.

Please let me thank you for this website, useful and ecellent for many other reasons you already know.

You joined a time where we are currently under construction. Some of the bugs you mention should be weeded out in our next update. For now, let me try to answer what I can.

Member Rank is a variable that constantly changes. The more you contribute to this site (uploading music, reviewing music, contributing to the forum and the wiki) the lower your rank will be which is a good thing. Our number 1 ranked member right now is Jawoodruff. I am sure you will see him around plenty. The number reflects your search rankings in our custom search on the network, and it also is a way for us to determine how loyal you are to our site :)

As for video comments, video will be depreciated. We will still allow mp3s and videos to be uploaded, however it just wont have its dedicated video section in the next update. Reviewers are people who are on staff who's main job here is to review music. Reviewers have 800 megs of upload space, so there is an incentive to become one. Seasoned composer is just a member title, it isn't a group.

Where are notifications going to pop up on the new design? The current location on the current design is horrible. Might I suggest on the new design to put them just to the left of the search button? And not green. Perhaps red oval bold white text. (oh, like the home button)

The proposed logo is much better than the current one. All I can think about with the current one is "Where's the ornaments?"

I'd also recommend putting the sign up/newest members gadget (kind of like how it is on the current forum page)at the top of the page next to the logo, then widen the description/newest works gadget to fill the page. I just think it would look better.