Thank you for the feedback. More below the cut.
We were thinking about trying a new layout, tell us what you think in the comments!
(This is especially important if you don’t like it.)
Changes/Highlights:
– The newest posts will always be on top/higher. Just let your eyes follow the page down~
– Wider layout, but still good for min. width of 1024.
– Header = Home button.
– At the top of each post are links to the previous and next posts
– Comment boxes look more distinct and cooler.
– About/Crediting/Meta at the bottom.
– 2 column post layout means less scrolling on front page
– The overall look is much cleaner.
– Links turn pink on hover!
We’ve received a much more mixed reaction than was expected. In general, the overall reaction was positive. It seems most people having troubles with the layout find the 2 staggered columns confusing. We’ll try it out for a bit and see how things go. It’s also a big change for the staff here as well, but it may end up being more beneficial once we get used to it. I personally really liked the staggered newspaper-like look, it gives the site a bit of.. character? I just let my eyes follow the page downwards and the flow (in a weird way) made sense. In chaos, there is order? But that’s just me.
Unlike other sites using the self-hosted wordpress platform or paying for the ability to use CSS, we actually lack a lot of customization options since we don’t pay. We pick one of the preset layouts, do what we can, and that’s about it. We would never put ads up to help supplement this cost, any ads on this site are put in by wordpress (since again, we’re using the free one). So as far as some suggestions go, unfortunately we can’t do them.
I think when it comes to multiple column layouts, people are used to seeing a more grid-like setup *ahem*. The problem with that type of layout is that it usually requires an image (to be cut for the preview box), and also restricts the length of how much text comes before the cut to keep things uniform. As writers, we like the ability to put an appropriate intro/teaser/image/video to our posts for the front page, and not just cut the first 140 characters with ‘…’ like many ‘professional’ blog sites do. This is why our front page is not a uniform direction in the new layout, because it won’t always be left -> right, left -> right due to different heights. The next post will just go to the highest available space. This particular layout would work better with shorter post previews on the front page, which is why it probably doesn’t look so hot with those long images we currently have in a few posts that offsets everything. But again, we don’t like to be restricted to what we can and can’t do, and those big images are awesome so there’s positives and negatives.
That said, I do understand how it may be confusing and crowded, especially on a netbook screen (I have one). Overall though, I do think this theme is a big improvement from our last one. Maybe we’ll get used to the 2 columns, maybe we won’t. Only time will tell, and we’ll make a decision when appropriate. Until then, please continue to stand by our side.
-greeentee//SK.
SNSD Korean 
Not feeling the two column design really. Feels a bit too cramped for me, but the overall design looks more professional. Will probably take a bit of time to get used to it, but I’m sure it’ll be fine. Loving the header btw ;]
Nice i like the new layout~~
yea. I agree with Scott. I don’t really like the two column design but other than that I really like the new layout. It’s so much more spacious.
It’s very readable, so good, the only thing that I’ll change are the colors, so much white, the past skin color (creo que asi se dice), cream colors love, good luck 😀
It’s really nice! ^^
It’s kinda confusing to me (2 columns design :/) but it’s a nice change 🙂
like it!
gotta give a big round of applause to GT for makin’ this all possible 🙂 i really like the change, its refreshing for me. yeah ill admit now that im really staring at it though, the two column makes me wonder which post is newer but thats all right. we all can adjust.
continue leaving comments and suggestions to help us make teh site even better!
I really like the new look but I’m not too happy bout the 2 column feature…it gets really confusing as to which one is newer and its a little bit cramped
personally, i like it. i like a two column feed for more news and quick skimming with the eyes. it’s quite overwhelming at first. we just need some time to transition and adapt.
Yeah the two column feature gets me confusing, dunno which update is new, i need to look for the dates first before knowing but other than that new layout is jjang! Its a breath of fresh air ❤ Oh! I like the comment boxes and the PINK link! <33 Good job guys! ❤
The layouts okay…i miss the old one :'(…but ill get use to it just like how I got use to black soshi ^^
Like most, I like the new layout. It looks clean and cute. But I’d stick with 1 column only. 😉
I like it. but the arrangements of the stories are a bit confusing. other then that VeRy cool
I like the calendar and archives menu. I’m fine with the new layout. I think the font could be larger, it seems small compared to the large task panes and backgrounds.
Sorry for DP
But I also think the comments could have a pink color on the comment text box background. to add more color. or even just random color. but it seems bland.
I think the most common ppl have with the new layout is the arrangement of posts with the 2 columns.
Theres no problem adjusting to it though XD
It looks really nice but it seems harder to navigate throught the site in comparison to before. I guess its the two columns that causes most of the difficulty. I feel like I have to search for the new posts rather than have them in order right in front of me. I guess I just need time to get used to it.
i like archive menu
i like the new layout alot.and Seobaby’s banner is just splendid awesome.maybe we could change the banner according to the birthdays when one of the girl’s birthday is approaching and an overall SNSD banner when its normal days (i.e no members’ birthday is approaching) next up is brighter than gems Tiffany hehe^^. keep it up fantastic snsdkorean writers& graphic designers~ Nothing w/o 9.
we already do change the banner according to the birthdays, along with a normal banner. =) thanks for the complements~
i’m fine with 2 columns^^
it’s….. easier for me? lol~ but, seriously i like that
yep, less scrolling and…. i don’t know~ i just like the 2 columns^^
the new article is on the left, right? i think it’ll be easy to get used with this new layout^^ (well, at least for me xP)
new layout JJANG!!!!! *thumbsup* you really did great =)
newest article is on the left at the top, then top right. after that, whichever is highest (left or right doesnt matter).
In my opinion, this layout is much more better and the Seohyun banner is awesome!!! 😀
i’m sorry but i don’t like this layout much. it makes the posts look so clutter especially since some are longer than others. i’m sorry to say it.
that’s okay~ we appreciate the feedback.
i like the 2 column design but the layout of the 2 columns is what bothers me. like the others said it’s quite cramped so i don’t know which story’s which. otherwise everything else great!
Its great, and i like the idea of 2 columns but i think it could definitely be better. I suggest that for the homepage, in order to make it less cramped, limit the number of words shown for each post so that the post for both columns will be equal, which will make everything quite neat. As you can see, for the first two stickied posts it looks quite ok, but then continuing on it starts to get rather messy because both posts doesn’t end at the same line. (I’m not sure whether you get what I mean cos I’m not exactly sure how to express myself either lol)
hahah yeah i get what youre saying but it would be so hard to make every post even
I understand what you mean, but:
The length of each post on the front page depends on where the author decides to place the cut. WIth different image sizes and intro lengths of each post, you may have a long post next to a short post with a bunch of space underneath it (due to the ‘balancing’ of the post lengths. And we actually don’t have that much power over the layout since we have to pay for css or to have a self-hosted wordpress blog. =/
i like this new layout(maybe i’m pink biased)…go pink!!!
Ooo okay, haha. But the overall layout still looks fantastic though. Great work done there ^^
Its quite of confusing, cause one page is filled of so many posts and you dunno where to start with. but its great. 😀
still looks great from the last time I checked it out, real nice job GT you deserve so much credit for it regardless
having new things always takes time to get used to, I’m fine with the new layout, the double columns are just something new to get used to
again, good job GT ^_^ you’re awesome
looks good, fresh.. the only thing i don’t like is the zigzag reading (i’ll probably get used to it)..
It’s good looking, but it’s terrible and confusing to use. Please, please change it back, or consider something else…
2 much clutter and iono if its just my net book but titles some times overlap previous articles/links
i like it, its much soshier..lol
although i encountered some javascript problems(too much javascript?), oh well maybe its only coz of my pc…anyways, new layout’s awesome!
well maybe at first we’ll bump on some ups and downs to the new layout but i think we’ll get use to it….
The new layout looks awesome! but yeah, I think it will take us some time to get used to the 2 columns layout. I love this layout because it’s wider~ 😀
You guys have done such a great improvement for this site.Overall that was awesome.the layout,header no problem at all.
But for my opinion,using 2 column is not a good idea.it’s a little bit confusing and crowded.Maybe it just new and it takes time to to us to get used to
The layout is nice, but I would still prefer seeing 1 post at a time.
Would be great if you can change it to 1 post but wider than the old layout.
Either way, thanks for your work.
Sorry guys…am not feeling the new layout. Maybe coz i’m so used to the old one. It was easier to maneuver and i don’t have to crack my head trying to guess which is the newest post (as i did with this new layout). And this is a 3column layout coz you have to take into consideration the fast-button links on the right.
But i do like the color scheme! Is this a custom-made layout and theme? XD
I like it – the two columns may need a little getting used to, but I will. Could it be possible to put an outline around each article on the front page, though? Help to seperate them a bit.
I’ve noticed one (very slight) bug – when I was on the front page & voted in this article, the comments/etc stuff at the bottom reappeared behind the headline of the article below. As I say, only a very slight thing and I’m not sure if it’s something that can be changed.
There needs to be more distinction between posts. Zig-zag ordering is very strange, my SNSD info needs to flow!
Thanks 🙂
oooh i like it. the old one was getting a little boring. this one reminds me of a newspaper, which is cool ^^
i like the new design, but the zig-zag columns are a bit confusing and it’s almost impossible to know what’s the older post we havent read yet, cause they’re too mixed and close together.
It’s a good idea, maybe you can find a way of making it more organized. You could put the main post (like this weeks’ Seohyun) at the middle, and then the others in columns, although i think the zig-zag is still a bit confusing x.x
Anyway, the rest of the design is pretty cool ^^
this just might be me since everyone else seems to like it but i think it gives the reader a harder time to determine which post is the latest without looking at the date. i know you said that the newer post will be at the top but if the layout really is simple then that explanation wouldn’t be necessary. the zig-zag layout takes a while for someone to get used to and even more so if they’re newer to the site. i think having a solo post at the top to let visitors know that it’s the latest followed by the zig-zag layout might help. it’s also unpleasing if there’s text everywhere, though that’s not much of a problem since there always seems to be a picture or a video before every jump. great that the banner links back to the home page though.
i’m sorry if this sounds like i’m nitpicking or complaining about the new layout, i didn’t mean it that way.
If you need help with the layout’s CSS, drop me a line. I’d like to help if i could.
Love EVERYTHING except for the double columns
I find them a little confusing as to which post is newer and looks a tad cramped in my opinion. Maybe a small box near the top on the page could display titles linking to the latest posts would improve this a bit? Loving the linked banner – I always tried to use it before like that to no avail haha. Overall well done ^^ and it’s looking much sharper
Seriously…you cant be INDIFFERENT in everything./…if it was like then the world would be crapo because people are lazy to make decisions.
don’t like the 2 column, its a bit confusing, especially the layout, but i love the article pages, so wide and easy to read~
GO Pink!
Cream Colors would look nice too.
looks good! but two columns and they way you chose to organise the contents is confusing.
New layout looks really good. It is also easy to go to front page just by clicking the banner. Just need to get used to it. but so far so good.
Not really digging it, it seems a little too clustered to me. Quite overwhelming actually. Could it be because I’m using Firefox? I voted “I hate it” but it’s a tad too strong of a word, and I’m pretty sure most of us who voted that don’t exactly “hate” the new layout. Just need a little tweaks here and there I guess. Make the posts of the same length so that the two columns don’t get way too messy after awhile?
2 columns are good, but it’s how your organize it. Personally, I find it confusing, and it’s not as clear-cut as it was the old layout.
But I can see this work. Say you have things like stickied threads, poll threads, or staff birthday threads on the left, and the regular SNSD threads on the right. That way people know which sections to look at, as oppose to trying to figure out whether the threads are sorted left to right, zig-zag, or whatever configuration.
this is a premade layout and we can only mess around with the css so much so to decide which posts go on which side is not up to us. thanks for the advice though
I mean no offence but i dont really like the new layout:/
It’s kind of.. confusing(?) as posts are all over the place and you know, some posts are long and some are short, tht’s why the post will be all over the place.
I was overseas the last 3 days, therefore, i didnt get a chance to visit snsdkorean.
when i got back, the layout changed and post to me was all over the place.
It was difficult figuring out which post was the latest one and what post did i missed the last three days.
It’s btr for the new layout as you can scroll down and posts are in a single file.
Overall, i really preferred the old layout and i hope you guys will change it back.
It’s just my opinion, if i offended you guys in any way, im sorry, i dont mean it(:
i personally like it! 😀 at first i have to agree, i was overwhelmed by the order of the post because it was now 2 column, but i like that i can see more posts on the first page. more of a “full-view”. & i’m getting use to the 2 column already.
yayyy & thanks greeentee for the new layout :]!