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atari-legend / legacy

Source code for the legacy AtariLegend site (Still used for the CPANEL)
https://legacy.atarilegend.com/
GNU General Public License v3.0
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MAIN SITE - LAYOUT - What happens to the search box? #238

Open Brume-AL opened 7 years ago

Brume-AL commented 7 years ago

Looks like the search box disappears sometimes when I tried to reduce the windows of Firefox on my PC (same with Google Chrome). It currently displays a picture in 1920 x 1080, but here is what happens when I try to reduce the size of the window: 2017-09-11 3

stefanjl commented 7 years ago

yes if you reduce the width then the search field disapears and can be found in the upper left corner... the icon with the three white lines.

Brume-AL commented 7 years ago

Too bad, I didn't notice this change. When was it done? I remember the search box was still in the bar when we reduced the window in the first versions of the website.

Brume-AL commented 7 years ago

Sorry if I sound a bit rude in my previous message... I wrote it at the office, we are working in an open-space and everyone can look at my screen. So I had to be fast when I post something not related to my work.

Well, let explain what I meant: moving the search field to the hamburger menu is something that looks strange. I'm pretty sure 90% of the users won't notice the hamburger menu, which is more usually a feature for mobiles than a feature for desktop (most of the people have probably never noticed the hamburger menu introduced in Windows 10 Start Menu, and they'll probably ignore it for their whole life). The search field really deserves to be placed in the main bar: it's a great feature and it offers autocompletion. We don't have to forget that people will visit the site to get information (later they'll can downlad games, menus, but that's too early to speak about this option). We have to facilitate their researches as much as possible. For me, it's fundamental to have the search field on the first page and it should be findable at the first look. The "About" button is less important.

Let me know what you think about it.

Thanks

stgraveyard commented 7 years ago

Hello Bruno,

This was done way way in the beginning :-) I just tried to come up with the most consistent solution. When we go to lower rez, the buttons won't fit the screen. I didn't want to do a resize so I thought to add 1 additional step and that is putting the search field in the 'hamburger' tile (if that is what it is called :-) ). Also, I believe the input field is based on a graphic, so I made be able to change this and make it resizable. I don't know yet. I do agree with you that it is a bit confusing perhaps. That being said, I will put the 'Hamburger' tile very much in the spotlight in the near future, with the release of a beautiful new version of 'TOS 2.07' skin ;-) If it is ok with you, I like to think a bit about this to come up with a good solution. All suggestions are welcome of course.

stefanjl commented 7 years ago

The missing search field was something i noticed when i first browsed the new AL design, i do not use the full 1920 width when browsing the web as you might know already :), eventually so did i find it. I agree with Brume that it should be as available as possible.

Many years ago when Atarimania and Atari Legend was equal... so was the main reason why i started to use Atarimania instead of AtariLegend was the availablilty of the search field... it was alsways visible at the top of any page regadless of resolution and therefor very easy to access, (also same with HOL) I don't think the search field should be the first thing to disapear when you don't use the fill 1920 width.

stgraveyard commented 7 years ago

I have an idea and will solve it this week...

stgraveyard commented 7 years ago

@stefanjl I would also like to point out ... even though I'm flattered that you compare AL to the best ST database on the net, I don't even see a search bar at AM on the front page ??? I only get one when I go al the way to the game section of the ST section? Or am I missing something?

stefanjl commented 7 years ago

Never thought about that since i only visit Atarimania for it's ST-section... i don't care about the other stuff :) So i use the ST game frontpage as my bookmark: http://www.atarimania.com/pgemainsoft.awp?type=G&system=S

nguillaumin commented 7 years ago

I agree on this, we should try to maintain the searchbar on lower resolutions, I thought it was a bug initially when it didn't show on my second monitor (which is only 1600px wide).

I also agree with hamburger / dropdown menus on desktop, they're often not considered good UX because they're not "discoverable" (i.e. you need to notice them first, then click on them to see what options are available). On mobile they're a bit more common.

One option could be to have a slim, unobtrusive navbar at the very top, that would always display things like a search button (or input field), the link to the profile, CPANEL, Skin switcher, etc (everything we have in the hamburger menus), a bit like:

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It degrades ok by stacking the elements inside a menu on smaller devices:

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