suggestions for the front page

[mrs_potatohead]

Right now, folks coming to Fanlore see a lot of words, text that doesn't change and isn't that interesting.

A new user might poke at the templates along the left side, something not intuitive and not very interesting. Or that user might type something into the search box, navigating the "go" and "find" function AND the dodgy search engine to find something that interests her or him. That's a lot of hurdles for the casual visitor, a person that may be enticed into staying and contributing. :-)

I'd like to see a prominent section on the front page that adds some enticement to go further. Perhaps a box, right up front, that has "quick links" to things like: glossary terms, vidding, conventions, fanzines, fandoms, awards, publishers, fans/people...

Plus, it would be nice to have some visual on the front page, even if it changes just once a month. It doesn't need to be anything with text, even, perhaps a teaser to a page: a convention program, a logo, a cartoon...

I don't know enough about Fanlore to know if these things are possible, but I think something along this line would be a good idea.

MPH

Comments

[meri_oddities]

Thanks for the suggestions. I think it is possible to add enticements to the front page. In fact, we're going to be working on redesigning the front page very soon. Do you know anything about design? Do you want to help?

[mrs_potatohead]

I wish I did, but I know nothing about design or technical things. Nada.

I'd be happy to help in picking a basket of images from which to choose, and I will help with what I can.

MPH

[meri_oddities]

You've been a great help to the wiki. All that zine work that you do, that's amazing. We totally appreciate it, too.

When we get ready to redesign the front page, we'll probably put it out for comment. So your opinion will be valuable.

Thanks!

[msilverstar]

great idea!

[christycorr]

It is possible, and as meri_oddities said, we plan to redo the front page soon. Thanks for the suggestions!

[meg_r]

I'd love to see a stub(s) and wanted page(s) Of The Day on the front page. And maybe a featured page of the day, if we have enough pages worth featuring.

[(Anonymous)]

I've bemoaned the boring front page before, so there's no use in repeating myself here.

But another suggestion, one that could be incorporated into a big "New Visitors Go Here for the What and How" page: I notice that meri_oddities is going around asking commenters whether they would like to help. Which is all well and good. But with what exactly? And if the wiki needs help in terms of volunteers, tech people, layouters ect, why is there no concerted effort to draw them in?

When I visit Fanlore at the moment, I don't see anything about how I could participate apart from signing up and editing the wiki). Even finding the admin team is a bit of a hassle. So how about a page that 1) collects (contact) info for everyone on the admin and 2) calls for whoever the wiki needs most at the moment - someone writing up a FAQ, someone designing the front page, someone with html knowledge. It seems Fanlore could do with a few more volunteers, but in contrast to just waiting for them to land in your lap you could at least put the call out.

Michelle (http://michelle.fancrone.net)