I know this is pretty major, but I've been thinking about this for a long time. Hopefully this will at least lead to some useful discussion!
While inbox, profiles, ? and settings are very clear and awesome, nation is instead a vague word, and its contents feel very cluttered. The roleplays themselves feel lost between the other listings, despite being a central element to the website. I worry that it might be holding back people from finding roleplays and especially Ads.
The site might be better served by doing three things:
Rename nation to roleplays, and dedicate that page to roleplays, the same way profiles is dedicated to profiles. Separate RPs into these listings: chats, ads, in-progress, and finished. I think this will also simplify RP searches, reducing the needed search terms.
Move traits, interests, categories, and canons listings to both the ? pages, and/or a view all profile elements link within profiles.
Feedback listings can also be moved to its ? section. It helps that feedback is already easily reached by the inbox. This is what I'm least comfortable with, as feedback is hugely important, and some people probably already go to nation to find it. Is there a better option?
meta info
endorsement points: 0
created: 27 January 15 at 06:34 AM (build: 1/26/2015 1:37 AM alpha)
closed: 01 February 15 at 06:02 PM (build: 2/1/2015 3:09 AM alpha)
I don't really like the word Nation either, just as a name for this section. And since the focus of the site is Roleplays, and the other sections in Nation are really related to the general category of Feedback and Suggestions then I agree with this suggestion. I mean Roleplays should be front and center in Nation, and the other stuff would be secondary, there, OR moved to another place, possibly as Tyne suggests, to the '?' section or a 'Suggest' section.
Seems good. I know the word 'Nation' messed with my initial navigation of the page as far as my mind going "This makes sense for what I'm looking for." Certainly enough room up top for the longer word without messing up the balance of the page. It'll still fit in a half window, and certainly look good for folks using mobile.
The discussion here is pretty positive, but I'd still like to have this sitting as "in discussion" for a few days so everyone can get their two cents in.
Personally, it's really important to encourage people to view and endorse feedback. It's one of the major conceits of the site. I don't think it makes sense, given that, to demote it to a second-level navigation. I also believe it's important to have an "overview" page like nation is currently, so people can get an idea of what's changing without visiting like 9 pages.
I agree, however, that "nation" isn't the best of names. There really isn't anything that describes "comunity contributions" in such a short word. I'm open to suggestions here.
My first guess looking at 'Nation' was it had something to do with RP universes or something. Seeing what was in it was confusing at first, because I didn't know any of the basics of the site. Why was Feedback at the top? What's this other stuff? (not knowing that traits and interests are suggested to the site.)
My first mental translation of Nation would be 'Global' but that's not what I'm suggesting as a replacement!
Another possible idea is that Inbox could be expanded to update you on newly added Endorsements & Profile Elements. Admittedly, the Inbox is very visually pleasing the way it is now. I have no idea if that would degrade or not.
I just realized that "Litphoria" title in header takes you to the Inbox, which is redundant. Maybe that should take you to the "Nation" page, and then a "Roleplays" link in the header takes you to a page dedicated to Roleplays?
Ok, I like Forren's idea so much I'm going to close this and create a concrete suggestion only of that for people to endorse.
Got something to say?
Why don't you register and participate?
Litphoria has a unique community feedback system, where the community decides what profile options are available, and what order new features are developed.