Join the Neopoet online poetry workshop and community to improve as a writer, meet fellow poets, and showcase your work. Sign up, submit your poetry, and get started.

Site suggestions. Feel free to discuss

This is a few suggestions I have come up with concerning the site. Right now, the site is minimal and looks nothing like what it will when the official launch happens.

. Whether they can be done or not I don't know.

1) Is there a way to lock to top menu bar so it always remains visible?

2) The left side bar is too wide and if there is a way to lock it in place it would be nice also.

3) Need more room width wise for the posts. Too much unused space.

4) The navigation doesn't seem to be intuitive enough yet..

5) Could use some more color

Comments

We're doing a big redesign -- will be up in a few weeks. In the meantime I hope to post a few mockups and start to get everyone's opinion.

Any other suggestions? This is very helpful.

A way to make the print larger - it's difficult for us old foagies to read the small text sometimes, especially when tired (my normal state of being!).

Friend's work, new work and undiscovered work were all very useful tools, can they be re-instituted? I am assuming they were SQL queries of some sort, shouldn't be too hard.

e-mail notifications are very handy, too.

Respectfully, Race

"Laws and Rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" - Race-9togo

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Race_9togo

If you browse using firefox you can hold down the ctrl key and press the + key to enlarge the page. ctrl and - will make it smaller and ctrl and 0 will return it to the original resolution..

Hope that helps temporarily. I have to use it with these old eyes a lot.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

How's that for service on the text size? *L* Andrew did great!

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

I'm very curious what size % ends up being "right" for you all.

But in the morning I am sure it will have to be larger.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

At 3:47 AM, 136% is very easy on the eye, no strain at all.

Thanks again.

Respectfully, Race

"Laws and Rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" - Race-9togo

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Race_9togo

The text sizer is wonderful! No more sqinting!!!!

Thank you so much!

Respectfully, Race

"Laws and Rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" - Race-9togo

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Race_9togo

Great suggestion.

The text resizer is awesome man, a lot of people are going to be using it, especially us old folks!
Thanks a bunch!

Jim

Respectfully, Race

"Laws and Rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" - Race-9togo

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Race_9togo

I reinstated undiscovered work -- only to realize that no work currently posted qualifies!

Friends work will have to wait until we get the friends list feature back.

I was wrong -- it was actually configured incorrectly.

OK -- there are three works.

http://new.neopoet.com/tools/undiscovered

Read. Set. Go ...

.

The colors are great! Thank you so much! I love the print sizing too. After reading about the colors that might cause difficulty for some people, I am not sure if my original thoughts on having red text on black base would be a good idea, but it might be worth investigating.
~ Gee

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

Can anyone point me to some research that shows what color combos are really best?

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

Yes I agree with race to go. I am having a hard time reading the font size now also, but know you are working on things so we will see. There is alot of open space like Rett has said also. Hard to figure some things out still.

Magics

Should the "New" beside the title still display after being read, or is that only
on my end?

One workshop should most definitely be for rhyming poetry.

;)

Right, Rett?

Hmmm, now I wonder, who would be running THAT workshop...

Heehee

Respectfully, Race

"Laws and Rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" - Race-9togo

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Race_9togo

One for free verse and one for rhyming, maybe haiku and sonnets also. Hmm an idea what do you think? I am still having a time following the small print too Jim. Hope all is well by you and the family.

Love,Magics

that there isn't an indication as to which comment is
unread on a thread that you've been keeping up with,
anyone else see this?

Hi rett
thanks for the blog....
i hope someone - best bet i guess is andrew - can help me
i logged on at work the other day
(naughty of me as i’m not supposed to)
And i can’t log off there....
The tools etc are all horizontal to each other at the top on the left hand side - if i click onto tools it just goes to stream
there doesn't seem to be any way of logging off as there is on the page my home computer has which has the tools etc in a row across the top and when i click on it it gives me a choice of where i want to go

hope you can help me as i need to log off from the work computer before i get the sack... smile...
thanks
judy

'Each for the joy of the working, and each, in his separate star,
shall draw the Thing as he sees It, for the God of Things as They are.'
(Rudyard Kipling)

I am not having any trouble. I run my mouse over tools at the top, go down to my account and a side menu pops open, logout is on that menu. I am using firefox, but I will check it out with IE and get back to you.

Just checked it out in IE and it works fine there also.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

and hold the mouse over tools for a bit longer
it is a different set up page to the one i have on my home computer
anyway, thanks heaps for checking it out for me rett
i greatly appreciate your taking the time
love judy

'Each for the joy of the working, and each, in his separate star,
shall draw the Thing as he sees It, for the God of Things as They are.'
(Rudyard Kipling)

Hope it helped.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

The problem you're experiencing with the menu being vertical when you are at work could be caused by having an old browser, or it could be that the security settings of your work network do not allow the kinds of formatting used to make the menu.
Try using a different browser at work, if you can (firefox is good, thanks Rett), or try upgrading your existing browser, or click on Tools/Internet options on your browser's menu, click on the "Advanced" tab, and make sure that the "Enable visual styles on buttons and controls in webpages" (phew) is checked. These things may help.

Respectfully, Race

"Laws and Rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" - Race-9togo

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Race_9togo

i'll have to write that all down (smile)
your help is greatly appreciated
love judy

'Each for the joy of the working, and each, in his separate star,
shall draw the Thing as he sees It, for the God of Things as They are.'
(Rudyard Kipling)

Just one little thing : not enamored with the 24 hr. clock for time when poem is posted. Don't go to much trouble to change as I'll get used to it lol.......stan

Fixed.

So I noticed and thanks........stan

Oh please keep any bits and bobs of colour out of this site it is so clean and good that we don't have to stare at ads. and such while reading poetry; silly jumping figures etc. distract from it. I like the colours as they are the brightest colours surly are provided by the poems themselves?

What's Firefox? My mac hasn't got anything by that name, or has it? I do like to take away my texts to my own prog. to edit because I cannot see to correct this tiny script so well, and another things when I copy it in Windows it can be differently spaced, but I suppose that's normal in your PC world? Not so extremely technically minded on these matters being a lazy old fogey!!

I must think up more but that's it for the moment, love to all Ann.

"The image of yourself which you see in a mirror Is dead,
but the reflection of the moon on water, lives." Kenzan.

On the right side of Neopoet now is a text size tool where you can adjust the size of the text to where it is comfortable for you.
Respectfully,
Rett

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

Dear Andrew & Rett...

the way you are interacting and responding to suggestions and querries rased by folks is really praiseworthy...i am sure that with the pace you are working and contriobutions of suggestions from members New Neopoet is not only in safe hands but it augurs well for the times ahead...

warmly...

raj (sublime_ocean)

Andrew is working his fingers to the bone on this. Paul and him are extremely dedicated to this site and I for one and very glad they are. Without them, I wouldn't have a place on the net to call home. The Neopoet family is awesome!

Thank you for the kind words.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

You're gonna LOVE this one.
When I view my account, guess whose poems and blogs appear under my name, instead of my work?
YOURS
LOL.
Seriously, I think the database's key indexes may be a little screwed up!

OK, so now it's back to rights, but for about 5 minutes there, when I accessed my page, my info displayed, but your work was listed!

Respectfully, Race

"Laws and Rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" - Race-9togo

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Race_9togo

I'm trying to promote more hits on my stuff.

Seriously, things like may happen temporarily for awhile because Andy is working on things constantly. Sorry about that.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

Dear Rett...

I am using Internet Explorer as browser...i read through your comments on this blog but i am not getting the "lot out" option via tools, neither by Mouse Over function nor by right clicking on tools...shall appreciate your inputs on this..

warm regards..

raj (sublime_ocean)

It should be on the tools menu.

Tools
My account > notifications/subscriptions
...........................Log out

Hope this helps raj. Please let me know.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

No Rett...double click on the tools link leads to a page which displays/lists only latest posts...

warm regards..

raj (sublime_ocean)

I get the same thing if I double click. Running your mouse over the menu should give you a drop down without clicking. running your mouse down to the first menu item should open a side menu with two items on it with the second being logout and a single click on it should let you log out. I have tested it in both Firefox and Internet explorer and it works for me. I'm not sure I understand what is going on with your browser. Is it the latest version of IE or Firefox?

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

A button that adds and removes line numbers to each line of the poem, for the purposes of clarity when editing/critiquing. For longer pieces this would be quite helpful, when critiquing.

Respectfully, Race

"Laws and Rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" - Race-9togo

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Race_9togo

I think this is a great idea you have here Jim and one that would work for all of us. I really think this is a good idea and just wanted to share my support of it here with you all.

Bravo and keep those ideas coming.

Mona

Rett,

I have an idea which I feel I should post here and get a feel for others opinions and if agreeable I will forward to Andrew.

I have spoken with a few and read comments on the new Neo where people want to bring some of their older work previously posted on old Neo back into the new site. Also many had saved links to their favourite poems on Neo by their friends and others on Neo. The risk with all this talk of bringing back some of the old work is that members may begin posting their old work and begin to clog up the server and the stream. These older poems that may still be beneficial to others by being viewable on the new site should not be posted again in the stream in my opinion, so I propose:

that those members who have paid their subscription, should have a back catalogue feature added to their profile. This feature will be a template for members to add maybe their own favourite 10/15 or 20 poems. This way we can read our friends previous work without upsetting the stream of new poems and also allowing us to feature our own favourite work for others to read...there is no need for comments to be added to these back catalogue poems as they have already had the benefit of comments when previously posted.

So, members...what do you think?

regards,

HS

--------------
Workshops are now open:
http://new.neopoet.com/workshop/find
--------------
With all that I am and all that I could be, I walk this earth, yet nobody sees me.

I personally have no problem with that myself. I am reposting some of my old stuff, but only once in a while. As you said, we have already had the benefit of the comments, although sometimes you do get another suggestion that helps. Good idea in my opinion.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

I would also like to see mine and others poetry listed back in here under their profile. Afterall the time spent here and writing there were so many poems I did that I would go back months later or even a year later to continue to polish it up. Like the workshop it is I think this a valuable commodity and I would like to see that become available as there was so many wonderful poems of friends and our own poetry to reflect or work with.
I also miss the spoken word and again alot of poets favorites and also the informative aspects of writing be put back in here. Brian was excellent and there are others that shared some very valuable information to the writers in here. I have to say I learned alot through all of it and think it will be great to see that part of the site up and going.

In closing, Hood I also like your ideas and commend you for them.

Love and Light
Mona

But I think what I will do is catalogue my old ones on a website of my own, then, if I can, link to it from my Neopoet page. Obviously this is not for everyone, but it's what I intend to do.

Respectfully, Race

"Laws and Rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" - Race-9togo

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Race_9togo

I am not frustrated in the least, I simply did not know where to report the problem.
Thanks.

Respectfully, Race

"Laws and Rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" - Race-9togo

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Race_9togo

Please fill out a report: http://new.neopoet.com/contact

And please e-mail me a copy of what you are trying to upload

Posting your frustration in the comments doesn't really help fix the issue

For fixing the problem, Andrew, all is good now.

Respectfully, Race

"Laws and Rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" - Race-9togo

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Race_9togo

I hate to bring this up again, but in my opinion what we have
is outdated. Instead of "give me the raw truth, feel free to knock
me on my back", which some seem to find is opening an "I like it
rough" tag, how about something more simple, like ...
"I'm here to improve and am open to all suggestions"
In my opinion, that should be the only one available, and it should
have to be selected to post.

For those that feel their poem is finished and have no intention of
even considering a critique (which I've already given my opinion on)
perhaps another selection could be this ...
"This poem is finished, thank you for reading"

I so agree with that one and may I add my tweak in here as well. It would be great to have a drop down menu for the type of poem it is. For instance here are a few ideas.

Biographical
Humor
Satire
Non-fiction poetry
Ficton poetry
Family
Love
Spiritual
Dark
Self-Improvement

Something along these lines as this is just a few catagories that can be used. Also for new beginner aspiring authors and writers like a classroom setting that would be beneficial to alot of writers.

There is alot of subject matter and poems to apply these to. I have always liked this idea and as it may not be workable I would like to see more instructions and helpful articles to allow others to review and learn by, this could be for newcomers and established writers.

I also like your idea as This poem is finished thank you for reading. I actually love this idea for it will be finished in the writers eyes and while feedback is still encouraged on any write it is always in my opinion left up to the writer to re-create, polish up and move on to their writings.

Moonman I like your ideas and I share them with you also. Great suggestions from the community here and it is wonderful to see alot of my own ideas as well as others to speak on them for it is a team and everyone's voice should be taking into consideration.

Great job to Rett and Andew and Paul for this blog.

Blessings
Mona

I'll implement it tonight.

I'm not sure about the first idea -- can you clarify?

Clarifying the first idea ...

N/A
Please use care (this is a sensitive subject for me, do not critique harshly)
I appreciate moderate constructive criticism
I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Instead of these three values to choose from, I suggest only the two,
which in my opinion would eliminate some of the strife on critiques,
it would be more apparent to each member who wanted suggestions,
and who did not.

I just went to a "submit a poem" and saw your addition
on "editing stages" ... great, in fact, that would eliminate
the need all together for the "intensity" values, or do you
agree?

I am unsure if you were asking this of Moonman or my comment. Please clarify.
Thanks for all your hard work lately.

Mona

I have a suggestion - this is due to my terrible bad memory - I sometimes forget whose poems I have read
( sounds terrible I know ). It would be great if - some how - it would flag up on my page who I have visited so I know to return and see their reply etc.

Love Mand xxxxx

We'll have a view which will show your missed updates.

It's in progress.

If we are looking to help one another with our skill...i am not sure i will read poems that
are already considered 'finished' by the writer. Maybe I would..not sure. Since the site is supposed to be a workshop. I know it is irritating to shell out time to review and it not be apreciated or taken in the spirit it was meant, but if it is encouraged or such an option is open there will more than likely just be statements saying..'this is great, i love it.. ect..ect.. ' of course we see that anyway. Maybe it doesn't matter one way or the other. Feeling a little disillusioned i guess.

Tonya

I agree with you, but... the person giving the time offering suggestions is important,
and when their time is dismissed, or not even acknowledged, it hurts the workshop
as a whole. Personally, I feel that anyone submitting poetry to an online workshop
should be ready for any and all critique, be it hard or soft. I'm just offering suggestions
on how to improve the quality of time for both, the poet and the critic. I doubt if I will
ever comment on a poem marked "finished", but ... someone may just blow me away
with a poem, it has happened!

I guess we would know and be forwarned, without using up time!

Ton

I'm used to not criticizing any poem whose author does not want raw truth. It is a question of time, and to be honest, I found that many of those kinds of authors on the old site were only interested in having their egos stroked, and didn't want their work criticised at all.
So I think that the new editing options will work well on this score. You don't want anything but empty accolades, then tell everyone you won't edit.
Of course, that makes the whole workshop thing kind of redundant, doesn't it?

Respectfully, Race

"Laws and Rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" - Race-9togo

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Race_9togo

Turned out tob e alot of egos thrown around. Hurt feelings ( I admit mine were too) I will be quite frank here that part I do not miss, and look forward to working with all of this community to better hone in on the skills of writing.
Also may I mention in the help of another writer without all the negates. I will not partake in any more of that nature as it was useless and held no value to this workshop whatsoever. I find it is more relaxed now in here and look forward to chat as that was one of my favorite times to share and learn the many things I did about poetry.

I like to see the site flourish and the fun of learning and sharing given freely. That is my two cents tonight:)
Magics

That's why it's helpful to know what poems are deemed "finished" (if there is even such a thing...). That way you can focus on poems that need your feedback.

Eventually, we might have a way for you to filter out all the "finished" poems automatically.

It's high on the todo list. There's a serious bug that's standing in the way, but we'll have this for everyone soon.

It was surprisingly tough to do ... next on the todo list is the "missed updates" feature.

It is perfectly okay to do so, just don't post them all at once. Abide by the 1 in 24 hour rule and there should be no problems.

I don't get time to comment much anymore, but I try to read at least one/two a day. Looking forward to seeing them.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

Yes -- but only if this is work that you are currently actively revising. You might consider just focusing on a few poems at a time. And make sure the feedback you are giving other poets is (at a minimum) balanced with the feedback you are receiving.

How about a stream only for contest poetry? Or a filter based on contest code. It would be good to be able to read all contest poetry in one place, even for those of us who don't often enter contests.

Respectfully, Race

"Laws and Rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" - Race-9togo

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Race_9togo

Is there a way to delete poems now? I want to be able to post a poem for feedback and editing, but when I'm ready to publish my next book I will need to remove the poems in the manuscript from the site. Am I missing something or is that still not available yet?

It is such a secret place, the land of tears. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

At the moment, the easiest way is to change the publishing options on the bottom of the edit form. You can unselect the box that says "published". That way only you will be able to view the poem -- it will not be available to the public or to other members of Neopoet. And this way you don't have to lose all the feedback and comments attached to a poem.

I thought there might be something that I was overlooking. Thank you Andrew.

It is such a secret place, the land of tears. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

I was trying to find the publishing options on the edit form andd I do not see them. Does anyone else have that problem?

It is such a secret place, the land of tears. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

I looked at this with a test account and it wasn't working. I've fixed it now, and actually made it a little easier to use in any case. Try again. It should be straightforward (and let me know if it isn't).

You are awesome! Thank you!

It is such a secret place, the land of tears. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

add

style="position:fixed; top:0; background:#2E2E2E; width:100%; z-index:1"

to your navigation-wrapper div

hope this can help
cheers,
logic

raffy

Also, for those who have Firefox or Chrome with the Stylish extension,
I just created a style so you can try out the floating menu

http://userstyles.org/styles/41886?r=1293528641

it works great

cheers,
logic

raffy

Want to be the lead developer on our theme? I can send you the uncompressed version of our style.css file so it will be easier to work with. I can also upload any images or make any changes to source code on our side if you have suggestions.

We could use your help!

Andrew

Thanks Andrew, but that's too much credit. I would love to but I'm deploying in a couple days and thus won't be able to allot time for any such position. If there is a clear vision of what you want this site to look like or how you want it to function, I would be more than happy to provide input whenever I am able. If there are later opportunities, I will be looking for more extensive pickup projects towards the end of this year.
Thanks, and good luck with the site.

cheers,
logic

raffy

Good luck and stay safe on your deployment! We'll talk toward the end of the year.

I'm just happy we're up and running, can't wait till get on the other server, and everyone to include new member joins in.
thanks to all for the hours you have put in from your own life's
HAPPY NEW NEOPOET
Eddie

LIFE ISN'T ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS
IT'S ABOUT LEARNING HOW TO DANCE IN THE RAIN.
VIVIAN GREENE

I've now solved:

1) Top menu bar is locked (thanks in part to Breakinglogic's help)

2) Removed.

3) Think we made progress on this, but any other thoughts?

4) Made some small progress on this. Solving #1 helps. Any other suggestions?

5) OK -- we now have some color. A more sophisticated theme is on its way (but we'd appreciate everyone's help -- if anyone is a graphic artist or has experience doing webdesign for sites like Neopoet, let us know!)

Ever since you started the new, neopoet...there's been a black bar covering BOTH of my computer screens. I'm on my mother's computer at the moment, and it looks totally different! Why? Now, I can see the edit bar, and everything! What gives, Andrew, or Rett?

Neopoet is "newtriffic" !
...from the heart, or a reasonable faxcimile;
david a. goodwin #{:>{)} @==

Are you using Firefox or Internet Exploder? Try upgrading to the newer version. I haven't experienced any trouble on My wife's laptop of my desktop either when I was running XP or now that I am running windows 7. You might also try to see if you have the latest drivers for you video, etc. Let me know if you continue to have the problem and I will talk to Andrew about it.
Respectfully,
Rett

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

It's Saturday night, the first week of July, and I couldn't even find geezer's chat group...take a walk on the dark side!
Also, when one gets to the "home", there's no where to type in a poet's name to access him, or her. That's not a design flaw...that's oversight!

Neopoet is "newtriffic" !
...from the heart, or a reasonable faxcimile;
david a. goodwin #{:>{)} @==

There should be a search under the top "tools" menu. It is on mine and has been since we restarted. Let me know.
Respectfully,
Rett

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

I actually prefer the blander colors as the poems are the important part, perhaps it needs a Neo logo as well as the words if there is one. And I am wondering if there is a way to get the advance format to come up on the header of the body of the poem like it does on Microsoft word? So you can use a drop down format and click on to change to italics etc...Also the 'block' ppl on private messages I am wondering if that shouldn't be across the board? Also perhaps if it allows somewhere in a space not used to have a list of who is online at a given time so for favorites you can see although privacy I know some people prefer, it may be something you can either be cloaked or visible to see? Think you guys are doing an amazing job here.

Chez
"The perfect woman perpetrates literature as she does a small sin: as an experiment, in passing, to see if anybody notices it - and to makes sure that somebody does." - Nietzsche

I'm so computer illiterate I can't even think of anything to suggest lol........stan

The main thing to remember is no one was born knowing about computers. Every one of us had to learn in spite of how we may sound at times.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment
(c) Neopoet.com. No copyright is claimed by Neopoet to original member content.