Ivan,
Similar to Drew I have been watching with interest but not commenting.
Well done to everyone involved in making such great improvements.
on 09/02/2008 07:38 Ivan M wrote:
Hi all,
(if you haven't already done so, please read the previous 7 emails,
otherwise this might seem out of context)
A working prototype of the new icon action statements can be seen at:
www.patentpending.co.nz/openoffice
I've read all the emails ;-) I too think that the action statements
are much better for new users. I tend to agree with Graham about the
icons (in this context), but as long as they aren't too obtrusive, think
they can add some interest to the page.
Currently there is only one icon in action - the simplified download
icon, so some imagination will be required :). See
www.patentpending.co.nz/images/openoffice/siteconcept-actionicons.png
for a static example of all the action statement icons.
To fit the icons in better, I have reduced the left margin of the div
housing the action statements. I have also shortened the download
action statement's sub-text ("customize your download to suit you"
instead of "we can show you other ways of getting it")
I understand why you've done this, but I think it changes the meaning.
"other ways of getting it" doesn't just mean customizing a download, it
also means CDs, DVDs etc.
How about "You can download a copy for {DETECTED OS} now, or see other
ways to get it" ?
This layout leaves room for a 42x42px icon (this is the max size - it
can be slightly smaller but this size works well as it is of a similar
height to all the text in each action statement) to appear left of
each action statement. The normal state and rollover states are housed
in a single PNG image - this will be an estimated 5KB per action
statement (* 5 action statements = ~25KB extra).
I have one extra reason for simplifying the icons - uniformity. The
icons used in my previous proposal were all done by different
designers, and by customizing them, we can make them more consistent
in appearance and colors. I could post a message about this on the art
list if others agree that this is a good idea.
I agree with your reasons for simplifying the icons.
Additionally, I have converted the tab's top css property to em's as
was suggested earlier - can anyone confirm that it looks OK in Linux
(i.e. the tab borders should not overlap at all)? We also still have
IE6's problem with the tabs to work through. But other than that,
progress is being made!
Don't have IE6 anymore so can't test that for you easily. Using Ubuntu
it looks fine in Firefox, Galeon, Epiphany, Opera.
Regards,
James
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