Things that are supposed to be for the component writers are buried in the Merlin docs--this is not intuitive. If I need to know how to write a component (new user hat on) I would not think to click on "Merlin" instinctively. I know there are no formal specs, but there is the "Specifications" and "Systems" sections under the "Merlin" umbrella. These together would suffice enough to define an Avalon X (whatever version number you choose)--but that is only meant as a suggestion for now.
My proposal is to place a link under the "Planet" section for "Systems"
and "Specifications"--you can even have one link for both, I don't mind a bit.
Now, another very important thing that the front page is missing is detail. I'm of the opinion news should be on the front page, but that is not really what I'm after. Since the user is left needing to guess what all the links are really going to get them, I suggest you take advantage of the "alt" tag to provide some tooltips. The tooltips need to include what they are going to find under the link.
For example, what are facilities? That was the closest thing I could think of when I was looking for Framework, but they appear to be extensions to Merlin. The tooltips should give the user a good hint on what it is that they are going to see if they follow the link.
The systems link should refer to framework specifically along with any other of the systems that are considered important.
Icons look nice and all, but they don't necessarily convey meaning alone. People need to see them associated with something before they can get a meaning from the icon. That's why the text is so important, and it just isn't being used to its full advantage.
--
"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning."
- Rich Cook
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