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Very Hot Topic (More than 25 Replies) Site redesign wish list! (Read 52970 times)
GMTonyKosten
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Re: Site redesign wish list!
Reply #15 - 12/14/13 at 11:13:25
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LeeRoth wrote on 12/14/13 at 03:48:51:
1.  The navigation arrows under the board definitely need to be larger.


Do the forward and back arrows on the keyboard work on mobile devices (for playing through the moves on the JS popup games)?
  
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LeeRoth
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Re: Site redesign wish list!
Reply #14 - 12/14/13 at 03:48:51
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I usually download the monthly games and play them over in ChessBase.  I can't imagine doing serious analysis on my iPad.  I generally use it to take a quick look at a new update.  I'm on the road.  I see the new Daring Defense update is out with a Benko game annotated by Bogdan Lalic.  So I'll take a quick look at the game on the iPad, but wait until later to really go through it.  That said, two things would make the iPad experience better:

1.  The navigation arrows under the board definitely need to be larger.

2.  I'd like to be able to move the pieces on the board.

I suppose a new layout, larger fonts, a cleaner look, etc might be nice, but for me it's really the chess content that matters.

  
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GMTonyKosten
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Re: Site redesign wish list!
Reply #13 - 12/14/13 at 00:27:11
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Thanks for all the feedback, I don't use internet on my phone so I really need your views - keep them coming!

TonyRo wrote on 12/12/13 at 04:10:53:
Another obvious thing would be an app (Android too please!) for playing over the updates.


This made me think that there was a ChessPub.exe app many years ago (from 1999 onwards) where you could search for games and play through them. I might be wrong but I think we had to scrap this as it only worked on Windows.
  
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Göran
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Re: Site redesign wish list!
Reply #12 - 12/13/13 at 17:54:09
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On my wish list for my iphone would be:

1 Search by position and then browse the game(s) and text
2 Walk through the games (and text) of a new update

I have no clue though if it would be technical feasible.

Actually I would be extremely glad if only no 2 was available on the iphone. It is working now but the layout should be adopted to the small screen and my fat fingers.
  

What kind of proof is that?
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lnn2
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Re: Site redesign wish list!
Reply #11 - 12/13/13 at 16:42:36
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I agree that the site needs to be redesigned for touchscreens - and not just because of phones and tablets.

I am using the latest Windows 8.1 on a new touchscreen laptop and the arrows on the javascript pop-ups are not big enough for my fingers! These days people hardly use the mouse with Windows 8.1 PCs as the Metro interface is designed for touchscreens.
  
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TonyRo
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Re: Site redesign wish list!
Reply #10 - 12/13/13 at 16:09:52
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I am starting to realize that perhaps I use the subscription end of ChessPub differently than a lot of other users, though perhaps you've got some data to shed some light on this. I almost exclusively use the web-viewer for the content. When I'm searching the forums and notice that there's new content, I head over to that section and study the newest games using the web-viewer, then go about my business. I rarely use the PGN Archives at all (though perhaps I will use it more in the future).

So for me it's most important to be able to easily view that content no matter where I am, and also to find old content most efficiently. If I'm at home and I have Chessbase, a small amount of work will get me to where I want. If I'm not at home, and don't have Chessbase, there's currently not a great way to simply find all the web content that covers a specific line. You can do a generic text search on ECO code, but it doesn't work that well and doesn't organize the found content in any way. As an example, if I want to learn more about 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 5.Nb5 d6 6.N1c3 a6 7.Na3 Be7, a popular line these days, I can search for ECO code B32, but this covers everything after 4...e5, and the text search will sort these in order of relevance and provide little in the way of a preview until I click and go to that month's games.

My posts were mostly meant to suggest that perhaps an upgrade to the way content is stored and is searchable is in order. The most user-friendly and powerful way (in the time I've spent thinking about it) is to allow users to search based on position, but I realize that might not be technically feasible. Ideally a user would be able to peruse all of the content via some explorer, and download a PGN containing all of the games from any position they choose. An easily sortable list of weblinks to those same games would also be highly desirable. With that said, it seems tough to manage people that don't have subscriptions to all of the sections with this method!

Adding extra search options may do it if you can find some way to actively search through PGNs with a string of containing a variation. This would be fine too, but less user-friendly.

One other thing I'd suggest is to perhaps combine the "Search" function that's at the top of the site with the PGN Archives on the right into one "Find Content" link or something. I'd prefer one-stop shopping when I'm trying to find stuff. Of course, these are just my views. The website as is is pretty wonderful!

As far as the mobile game viewing goes, don't most websites with mobile versions use some PHP script on the back-end to determine which version of their website gets served to the end user? It definitely seems possible to make a simplified, second version of the web-viewer, perhaps with larger buttons and an easier way to view the text and position at the same time.

  
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GMTonyKosten
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Re: Site redesign wish list!
Reply #9 - 12/13/13 at 12:06:14
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TonyRo wrote on 12/12/13 at 17:41:59:
I'd like the option to do this completely from the web instead of needing Chessbase - this functionality would be really powerful and helpful if you ask me. The advantages of having this are much more apparent on a mobile phone though, where Chessbase isn't available. 


Do you think that adding some search capabilities to the PGN Archive would be enough? If so which additional searches would be most useful?

TonyRo wrote on 12/12/13 at 17:41:59:

An app isn't necessary if the mobile version of the site embraces some of the difficulties in using your phone instead of a browser and a mouse.


Yes, I agree, this really needs sorting out. I suppose that redesigning the site to look good on a phone should be simple enough, but I'm not sure what it would take to make the popup games mobile friendly.
  
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TonyRo
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Re: Site redesign wish list!
Reply #8 - 12/12/13 at 17:41:59
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I was referring to both mobile and normal computers with my first comment. It's not that much effort to download "all.pgn" (having to redownload this a bunch of times is very slightly irksome) and filter the games by position in Chessbase (so if nothing changes regarding this I won't be heartbroken), but it would be cool (in my opinion, others can way in) to not need Chessbase and to be able to do this quickly from a browser. I'd like the option to do this completely from the web instead of needing Chessbase - this functionality would be really powerful and helpful if you ask me. The advantages of having this are much more apparent on a mobile phone though, where Chessbase isn't available.

An app isn't necessary if the mobile version of the site embraces some of the difficulties in using your phone instead of a browser and a mouse. I'm not sure what the general plan would be here. My only point was that it's not super easy to navigate the user controls on the pop up screen while still reading all of the text. I have a Samsung Galaxy Note II, one of the biggest phones out there today, and clicking the forward arrow is still sort of cumbersome. Even if I succeed, I have to zoom and refocus on the text, when I can't fully see the board.
  
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GMTonyKosten
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Re: Site redesign wish list!
Reply #7 - 12/12/13 at 10:49:02
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TonyRo wrote on 12/12/13 at 04:10:53:
One thing that I struggle with is that I'd really like to be able to find all the material and games that have been analyzed in specific variations.


I suppose we are talking about mobile devices here, otherwise you would just download the games and search on your database program?!

TonyRo wrote on 12/12/13 at 04:10:53:
Another obvious thing would be an app (Android too please!) for playing over the updates.


Does that mean the JS popup games don't work on Android phones?
  
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TonyRo
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Re: Site redesign wish list!
Reply #6 - 12/12/13 at 04:10:53
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One thing that I struggle with is that I'd really like to be able to find all the material and games that have been analyzed in specific variations. A generic text search almost always fails (and is methodologically the wrong way to approach finding chess positions in general), and the eBooks are less convenient than I'd like for this task.

I'd kill for something like the Opening Explorer that Chessgames.com has, but with the ChessPub version directing you to the annotated games that have appeared in the updates. That way, if hypothetically, I wanted to find all of Richard's wonderful annotations in the Kalashnikov Main Line 7...Be7!? variation, it would be very easy to do so. That would be unbelievably powerful. The number of annotated games on this site is pretty staggering, so the required manpower seems high, but that would be out of sight.

Another obvious thing would be an app (Android too please!) for playing over the updates.

  
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Göran
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Re: Site redesign wish list!
Reply #5 - 12/12/13 at 01:34:31
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I agree. It would really be nice with an app to be able to browse the games of the updates in the chesspub.com on my iphone especially (it is always available) but also on my ipad.
  

What kind of proof is that?
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GMTonyKosten
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Re: Site redesign wish list!
Reply #4 - 12/11/13 at 23:11:44
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TonyRo wrote on 12/11/13 at 15:37:07:
Is this in regards to the forum, or the actual Chess Publishing site?


ChessPublishing.com - the Forum will also get a makeover in the future, but that depends on when they produce the next version of the YaBB software!

GabrielGale wrote on 12/11/13 at 21:32:44:
Seriously, Tony, if you wish to attract more subscribers (and I assume this as a basis for this post), I think you need to make it more user friendly.


This is not really the reason for this post, (although I'm obviously happy to get more subscribers!) No, I'm talking about a cosmetic site redesign, nothing to do with the content. I'm really interested in making the site easier to use (especially for mobile devices, tablets, etc.), and if anyone has any good ideas I will ask the specialists to include them if at all possible.

Nevertheless your post is very interesting, but maybe I should splice it over to the PGN eBook thread?
  
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GabrielGale
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Re: Site redesign wish list!
Reply #3 - 12/11/13 at 21:32:44
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In light of TonyRo's question, I will assume this is a re-design of subscription part of ChessPub.
I will out myself as a lapsed subscriber who is only a novice sub-2000 rated player with an inordinate unhealthy fascination with opening theory blessed unfortunately with a very leaky memory.

Seriously, Tony, if you wish to attract more subscribers (and I assume this as a basis for this post), I think you need to make it more user friendly. The majority of chess players in the world are club-level sub-2200 rated players. I think (and here I might be overgeneralising) they may be interested in compact succinct easy-to-learn opening repertoires. At present, I think the existing e-books and pdf-books, whilst excellent, are a bit unwieldy. They are designed like a reference tome. Need to make them more user friendly. Distilling from my years of lurking on the Pub, reading tons f chess book and my educational background, my humble suggestions:

In line with another thread (http://www.chesspub.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1382573395)and a suggestion by Matemax on the usefulness of material/resources on/behind an opening, how about combining that with what Chess Stars are doing (there is no copyright in ideas), i.e. their quick repertoire. Also, how about adding to the mix, ideas from books like Sicilian Attacks, where the standard tactical themes et al, positional considerations are considered. But make them opening specific.

So, perhaps something like this:
1) Sicilian GP (just as a totally random example) Introd/historical - 2 f4 vs 2 Nc3 3 f4
2) Strategic aims - exchanging light-sq bishop on c6 for a doubled-up pawns? (sorry I did say I am only a novice and making this up based on what I see my friend plays in a GPA)
attack K-side? pawn storm hacking style? Q-side?
Knight manoeuvres?
3) Tactical themes/ideas
4) Endgames - any typical endgames
5) Opening theory
6) Complete games annotated

This is like a template but does not mean each field has to be filled with stuff. depends on the opening/var.
Important this is simple, succinct, short. A subscriber can learn this in 1-2 hours, go an delay a few games OTB, online etc and come back to check ideas, theory.

Also make these modular (which means you can actually drill down to Variations level as well) so that subscribers can chop and change their openings in their repertoire. Perhaps have a few suggested repertoires with different themes (the ones on ChessPub is really old and not that interesting). One that I found interesting reading here on the Pub as well as from Lars Bo Hansen's book is based on strategic ideas, i.e. his mixing of French Winawer with Ragozin 'cos of Bb4 move.
There is also the Qa5 Scandi with the Triangle based on the c6 and e6 pawns clamp.

If you like, you can make these as part of special member package for an additional one-off payment. Since they are modular, you can charge them using iTunes method, i.e., 1.99 or 2.99 per module.

I would suggest continue to maintain the existing pdf/e-book reference on theory as additional for a subscriber who has gone past the initial stage of learning the opening.

PM me if you wish to discuss.
  

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TonyRo
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Re: Site redesign wish list!
Reply #2 - 12/11/13 at 15:37:07
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GMTonyKosten wrote on 12/11/13 at 00:22:09:
I was thinking that it might be time to get the site redesigned, in particular with regard to mobile devices, but I guess technology has also progressed since the last time I had this done.
I asked one company who suggested 'a more modern look and feel with a Membership section' which surprised me as I hadn't considered changing the subscription options.
The problem is that I have my own view of the site, the pluses and minuses, but everyone else must see it differently. So, I was wondering what subscribers would like to see changed/improved/added to the site? Undecided


Is this in regards to the forum, or the actual Chess Publishing site? 100% chance I suggest things for the wrong site otherwise!
  
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Matemax
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Re: Site redesign wish list!
Reply #1 - 12/11/13 at 07:32:28
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As a subscriber I am mostly interested in the chess content of the site. I don't care too much about a member section and so on... I will NOT use it - I just want to download the monthly games and have my fun replaying them.

Getting new subscibers? Well - you will need some refreshment and a more clearcut message. Perhaps some free stuff to bring back people to the site more than once - they may become subsribers in the long run. Moreover I think there are a lot of old contents that should be deleted. But that's a decision the owner has to make and I am (luckily!) only a customer.
  
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