New Zealand Local Weather Forum
Management => Site Rules, Announcements and Suggestions => Announcements => Topic started by: JennyLeez on July 17, 2014, 12:18:48 PM
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Aim: To allow visitors to our forum access to all Weather Information posted each day.
Conclusion: A second Shout Box was needed.
In summary, the Left Menu has moved to the Right and a new Social Shout Box has been added.
The Shout Box at the top has been renamed and we ask that only weather related information be posted in this one.
Please note, The top shout box or as named ‘Current Weather Chat’, is visible to all members plus visitors.
However only members logged in are able to post in it.
When posting we ask that you add your Location now and again. Otherwise New Members and Visitors will have no idea where in New Zealand your weather conditions pertain to.
The Social Box on the Right Menu can only be read or used by logged in members. It is hidden to visitors.
The reason for swapping the Left side menu to the right is to bring the focus more to the Weather Shout Box and the Weather Topics that are below it.
Mostly what is on the right menu is for the benefit of the forum members.
Because the Social Shout Box is on the right menu, it now appears on all pages. You are able to view and post in this as you are typing or reading under any topic.
Try logging out and have a look at the altered layout. It now appears a little less confusing and messy for our visitors searching for information :)
As always, feedback welcome whether moans and groans or more suggestions :)
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Here's some benefits of the new layout as I see them
1. When guests first visit the forum, I think high up on their expectations, will be to find up to date weather info that is and / or / either, not available, different, perceived to be more accurate or more current than that available from "official" providers.
With the weather chat style of shoutbox, immediately anyone visits as a guest, they will be able to see a dynamic, updating chat of local weather conditions, plus other forum content.
This would hopefully encourage people to register and participate.
2. There's obviously no longer a conflict for admin in weather related chat being posted.
3. The current "Local Weather Chat" topics in the forum do not really generate much discussion.
A weather chat style shoutbox would promote and encourage discussion about weather.
4. When there is a significant weather event, it is likely this will be the time that the highest number of users are accessing the site - not just members but guests as well, looking for and wanting information.
A weather chat style shoutbox would provide this in a very dynamic way. Being able to view and contribute (by registering) to a shoutbox of live storm updates from those experiencing it at the time would be a significantly vaulable aspect. One which would completely set this forum apart from the others.
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Also, once you have read any posts on the forum boards themselves, if you stay logged in on the home board, you can scroll the screen to show both the weather chat and social chat in full, and follow whats going on.
See the image below - note that different sized monitors will show different amounts...
Whoops - looks like I needed to resize that before posting... (I've posted a smaller image in a new reply below :) )
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Good example as to why I was not stoked on both left and right menus.
That bottom scroll bar would keep coming up.
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And here's that smaller image
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I think a sideways scroll bar beneath an image that is too big is fine - at least you see it in reasonable/normal readable size compared when resized smaller. And you do not lose the social chat box on the right or submenus either. It's looking gpod!