The last 2 years have been crazy. Technology is advancing, mobile usage is increasing, user behavior on the Web is changing (misinformation), and then COVID comes along. UGH.
So to improve the site we now have to make changes...
I'm aware that most of this is not easily understood. Just know that the end results will make the pages load faster and more user friendly.
Below are just some changes that we have made so far...
Cluttered Pages (too many distractions)
We try to cater to our long-time members by keeping features they love but we are at a point were we have to make some hard choices.
You may find some features completely removed. Some features that are needed but not used frequently may be moved to a dropdown menu. Other features, may be available when you hover or click on the page. We prioritized removal of items based on usage.
Pagination REDUCED
The number of pagination buttons have been reduced.
Next Topic / Back to Forum link (bottom of topics) REMOVED. We found that this feature is seldom used by users. It requires more resources to display so this decision was an easy one to make.
Color usage on the site REDUCED. We are trying to minimize the colors we use on the site. We started doing this by replacing all the colored labels found throughout the site. (Having too many colors are a distraction to many.)
Breadcrumbs REPLACED. Use Labels to move page to page. These are found everywhere. I do need to add labels to parent forum when in a child forum. For example, Site Feedback should have a Label to the Announcement forum (parent). Done!
Post CHANGES. We started cleaning up the posts template. This is now what's seen by Guests. All the noise removed.
Slow Pages
A cluttered page not only affects user experience it also slows page loading time. This is a priority as most of our traffic is coming from mobile these days.
We've already made changes to our servers. We started making changes to the design. We are now upgrading the code that runs allnurses.
We expect changes to continue throughout the next few weeks.
Breakroom
We've been thinking about this for a while now. We believe it's time.
We want to keep all discussions on allnurses. You can bookmark the current Breakroom link to continue any discussions you may have there. You will no longer find the Breakroom link on the main navigation.
Specializes in Programming / Strategist for allnurses.
2 hours ago, Rose_Queen said:
@Joe V is the go to first unread arrow leaving? I noticed it’s not there when I go into individual forums. Clicking the thread title goes to the original post.
I'm just finding out about the site changes now. Please clarify. Will the "Breakroom" no longer be its own web-page? If not, will there be a "Daily Diary" on the Yellow Side.
For what it's worth, I've been a member here for a long time. (Heck! I used to be an Administrator here! L O L!) I've cut back on my postings here and on the internet as a whole. But I do enjoy and appreciate the Allnurses web-site, especially the "Breakroom". I've been "cyber friends" with several members from Allnurses . . . for a long time. I do want to continue on corresponding with them, at least through the "Daily Diary" forum.
Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.
Also, there are some members who only post in the Breakroom, who are NOT computer-savvy much, who are pretty much home-bound (not due to Covid), and who depend on us for their social fix, and for friendly contact. They are very anxious about upcoming changes: Is the Breakroom moving?? How will I find the Daily Diary each day? Several other members are attempting to help during the transition. We appreciate clear and simple "how to" instructions. Thanks!
Specializes in Programming / Strategist for allnurses.
Sorry, was off the past few days.
allnurses-breakroom.com is not going anywhere. We encourage continued participation over there. The rules here are more strict than it is on allnurses-breakroom.com.
What we are going to do is create our own Breakroom here on allnurses.com.
Moving forward the Clubs Directory will be renamed to Breakroom Clubs. We will than have a "Breakroom" link going to the new breakroom (aka clubs).
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Did you guys get rid of the little colored bar that tells everyone how popular or important each of us is? Because I kind of needed that for my self esteem.
Joe V
7 Articles; 2,625 Posts
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This is now fixed.
(Link moved top right)