Coming Soon: Site header redesign (UPDATED FIRST POST 7/1)

[Simplistic-Tyranny]

Bad Stupid Moron

Are you sure you should be saying those things when you are a mod?
They could make you a normal user for trying to make Gaia like it is in the wrong.

Anyway, the forums are not really a main focus when it comes to making money.
Sure your job as a mod may get more hard but in the mean time, Gaia will be making a nice profit from all of the new teenage users which it will be getting.

Gaia needs to make a profit/money to stay on the internet or they will shut down and last I heard Gaia was in the red so they need as much money as they can get 3nodding


Anyway, Gaia will add this if the users like it or not because it will make them money and it is good marketing to get a certain target group of people to like the website more (The ones which go onto other hangout websites such as "Myspace and Facebook" )

Gaia may even start to get into the news since there is no point in Gaia trying to be its own website when other people around just see the words "Hangout website" and think of "Myspace/Facebook" and so those people will automatically think that Gaia is like them.

I see that Gaia is trying to be like them more and that should help people accept Gaia as a normal hangout website like the rest of the popular ones smile

Mods aren't excluded from entitling their own opinions on the matter as they are users of the site themself, Honestly...have you actually looked at all the mods in here who have said NO?

First off, look PAST the money factor and look at it this way.

Everything on that page loads on THEIR BANDWIDTH. You take away some features, then you get less bandwidth used. I know for a fact that this new footer will cause problems with their bandwidth, be it longer loadtimes due to the framing and the script itself. It will cost more money than they'll rake in. So please, don't try to pull the money issue out on it.

Gaians like myself want what we signed up for 4-6 years ago. That small anime/RP community where we could share our interests with others. Look at the Metadata from today vs March 2004! THAT'S WHAT WE WANT.

MYSPACE AND FACEBOOK HAVE NEVER BEEN SUCH. THEY WILL NEVER BE SUCH.

CONFORMING TO THE INTERNET OF TODAY IS CALLED BEING LAZY. STEALING FROM FACEBOOK IS CALLED BEING LAZY. Like Eudaemon said on Page 4-6.

YOU MIGHT AS WELL CHANGE THE SITE'S TITLE TO GAIASPACEBOOK ONLINE. Because that is what it is.

[Demy-Stardust]

Mods can damn well speak up if they want to, it's their -right- to say they don't like something either :/.

I don't care about losing the map, hell half the time I don't even realize it's there. But a big resounding NO THANKS on the floating footer. I despise them, I don't want things moving around while I'm trying to enjoy Gaia. I want things to -stay- where they're supposed to stay.


Could you guys stop screwing this place up in an effort to 'better' it? :/

[Fairymount]

Amon Larethian

*headdesk*

please dear god no.

I would like my notifications to remain in the bubble next to my avatar. And clearly judging from past uproars whenever it has been removed everyone else does as well. Honestly, the past few layout changes have tried the same thing, and every time people complain until it is put back. Just leave it alone. The bubble is neat, it's clean, and most importantly it is noticeable. Just leave it.

Getting rid of the map, I'm fine with that, especially if it makes the pages load faster. I like the blue color on the status bar.

But that's really the only thing I like about this. I do -not- want a floating footer. I detest floating footers (and floating menus), they are irritating and always in the way of what I want to see. Not to mention my eyes (and probably 90% of the world's as well) are drawn to a header and not to a footer.

The layout and header are fine the way they are. Instead of trying to change what already works perfectly, why not spend that time making the rest of the site match the current layout. Gaia has -never- had a complete layout(admittedly it's currently the closest it's ever been not), how about fixing that instead of what doesn't need it.

Gaia is -not- facebook, it is -not- myspace, it is -not- twitter. And honestly, I DO NOT want it to be, EVER. So stop trying to make it like those and focus instead on what Gaia really is, UNIQUE. (for now anyway, that uniqueness is rapidly fading).

THISTHISTHISTHIS. So many damn times this. I like my header bubble. It's easy and convienient. I DO NOT like footers, floating or otherwise. Seriously, why in the hell are you guys trying so damn hard to be just like every other whoring site out there? I joined Gaia because it was fun an unique and relaxed. And I would like to point out that I have NEVER joined Myspace or Facebook or any of their clones because I HATE their idea of "social networking". Not to mention how damned ugly and non user friendly their layouts are...

[[Eskimo]]

I agree with taking away the map. I never understood the point of it anyway.
Also, I like getting rid of the 'buddy list' thing up there. I never, ever use the Gaia chat thing anyway.
And the "need cash?" button has always annoyed me. So I'm all for cleaning that up. But...

I do not agree with the new floating footer thing. D:
I'm not sure whose idea it was. I know for a fact you didn't get the idea from the users (which is where you should be getting ideas for site improvements in the first place),
because it looks a lot, lot, lot less convenient than what we have on the site now.
It does not satisfy me, and makes me think unhappy, frustrated thoughts. >:
First of all, with any website, things of importance should be on the TOP of the page; not the bottom (even if it stays with you).
It just makes things easier and more convenient. Things of importance should also be clustered together in one area. The new thing also just looks like a big, fat eyesore.
Secondly, WHAT ABOUT THE SHORTCUTS DROP-DOWN LIST? DDD:
I will be very sad if that is taken away. I love it so. ; 3;

It just seems like the reason for this change is to have more room in the header for "pretty event stuff".
Why change all that is convenient to us Gaians for events that only happen every so often?
Why change what we use every single day more than once a day for things that happen once every couple of months, if that?

Pretty please don't change it? Pretty please with a cherry on top? D: <3

*Edit,
just noticed the change in the logo, too. Looks like crap. ): Why "fix" something that ain't broke? <-- Pretty sure that question holds true for this entire situation, too.

[Shishioh Tai]

I'll add that I do not like the floating footer at all, nor the changes to the header and logo with the exception of the map removal. And I especially do not like the neutering of the bubble's function. I come to Gaia Online and support the site because it's Gaia Online, with all the unique traits – good and bad – that entails. I don't use Facebook or Myspace and I don't want to see them here. I don't want to see Gaia Online become another social networking clone.

I am strongly against the layout changes proposed here as they are. There are many things that still require repairing and tweaking; why add more new material?

[demon_pachabel]

Lanthiriel

Amon Larethian

*headdesk*

please dear god no.

I would like my notifications to remain in the bubble next to my avatar. And clearly judging from past uproars whenever it has been removed everyone else does as well. Honestly, the past few layout changes have tried the same thing, and every time people complain until it is put back. Just leave it alone. The bubble is neat, it's clean, and most importantly it is noticeable. Just leave it.

Getting rid of the map, I'm fine with that, especially if it makes the pages load faster. I like the blue color on the status bar.

But that's really the only thing I like about this. I do -not- want a floating footer. I detest floating footers (and floating menus), they are irritating and always in the way of what I want to see. Not to mention my eyes (and probably 90% of the world's as well) are drawn to a header and not to a footer.

The layout and header are fine the way they are. Instead of trying to change what already works perfectly, why not spend that time making the rest of the site match the current layout. Gaia has -never- had a complete layout(admittedly it's currently the closest it's ever been not), how about fixing that instead of what doesn't need it.

Gaia is -not- facebook, it is -not- myspace, it is -not- twitter. And honestly, I DO NOT want it to be, EVER. So stop trying to make it like those and focus instead on what Gaia really is, UNIQUE. (for now anyway, that uniqueness is rapidly fading).

THISTHISTHISTHIS. So many damn times this. I like my header bubble. It's easy and convienient. I DO NOT like footers, floating or otherwise. Seriously, why in the hell are you guys trying so damn hard to be just like every other whoring site out there? I joined Gaia because it was fun an unique and relaxed. And I would like to point out that I have NEVER joined Myspace or Facebook or any of their clones because I HATE their idea of "social networking". Not to mention how damned ugly and non user friendly their layouts are...

Quoting BOTH of these for emphasis.

Especially the comment of I NEVER JOINED MYSPACE OR FACEBOOK. Both of them just look NO FUN.

Gaia is supposed to be fun ;___; Don't take the fun!

[Twiddle]

Please, please, PLEASE don't put a floating footer. No one is going to like that. It's going to be a huge pain and just cause people not to see when they have mail/etc.

I agree completely with Amon. Headers are what your eyes naturally go to, you don't look at the bottom of a page first normally. (Well, ever.)

[Papaya Sky]

I don't like this idea. I went on this site to get away from Facebook and such, now you're turning into a copy of it!!
I'd much rather have my alerts by my avi.

[Bad Stupid Moron]

Simplistic-Tyranny

Bad Stupid Moron

Are you sure you should be saying those things when you are a mod?
They could make you a normal user for trying to make Gaia like it is in the wrong.

Anyway, the forums are not really a main focus when it comes to making money.
Sure your job as a mod may get more hard but in the mean time, Gaia will be making a nice profit from all of the new teenage users which it will be getting.

Gaia needs to make a profit/money to stay on the internet or they will shut down and last I heard Gaia was in the red so they need as much money as they can get 3nodding


Anyway, Gaia will add this if the users like it or not because it will make them money and it is good marketing to get a certain target group of people to like the website more (The ones which go onto other hangout websites such as "Myspace and Facebook" )

Gaia may even start to get into the news since there is no point in Gaia trying to be its own website when other people around just see the words "Hangout website" and think of "Myspace/Facebook" and so those people will automatically think that Gaia is like them.

I see that Gaia is trying to be like them more and that should help people accept Gaia as a normal hangout website like the rest of the popular ones smile

Mods aren't excluded from entitling their own opinions on the matter as they are users of the site themself, Honestly...have you actually looked at all the mods in here who have said NO?

First off, look PAST the money factor and look at it this way.

Everything on that page loads on THEIR BANDWIDTH. You take away some features, then you get less bandwidth used. I know for a fact that this new footer will cause problems with their bandwidth, be it longer loadtimes due to the framing and the script itself. It will cost more money than they'll rake in. So please, don't try to pull the money issue out on it.

Gaians like myself want what we signed up for 4-6 years ago. That small anime/RP community where we could share our interests with others. Look at the Metadata from today vs March 2004! THAT'S WHAT WE WANT.

MYSPACE AND FACEBOOK HAVE NEVER BEEN SUCH. THEY WILL NEVER BE SUCH.

CONFORMING TO THE INTERNET OF TODAY IS CALLED BEING LAZY. STEALING FROM FACEBOOK IS CALLED BEING LAZY. Like Eudaemon said on Page 4-6.

YOU MIGHT AS WELL CHANGE THE SITE'S TITLE TO GAIASPACEBOOK ONLINE. Because that is what it is.

I only said it to her because she had said her post in a bit more of a angry tone/manner then the other mods.

Even if it does cost more money, it will be worth it in the long run because of how their website will look more like other popular successful websites out there 3nodding


That is in the past and Anime/Roleplaying is only a small thing while everything else which Gaia can aim for is much better and will bring in more money.

Anyway, the website is not going to go back to being like a anime roleplay community because then users will start to moan at each other: Some users will be going "Hooray, we have got out wonderful anime community back"
While some other users will be saying "Thanks alot old users, you have got your way rolleyes Now Gaia will not be able to make enough money and will shut down and all because you just wanted Gaia to focus on anime/roleplaying and only that when they could of kept on doing what they were doing and could of become a successful hangout website."


It does not matter if it is lazy.
The public like what they see on TV, news and what the media says is popular.
Come now, even ratings on websites make people think certain things.
News reporters doing a story on Gaia have thought that Gaia was like Neopets before or club penguin.

Most people are stupid and will follow what the media say like sheep.
A company can use what the media say and what the public think to create a website which will make the most sales over a certain time frame.

[SSBrosM]

Sorry guys, footer notifications is not the best idea. Actually, I don't even know why you guys thought about it, I mean, I certainly haven't seen anyone complaining and if people did complain, the majority of gaia users would still be for the bubble next to the avatar.

It's easy, convenient, and when I'm on my iTouch it helps that I don't have to scroll all the way down.

I am personally asking you guys please please please please please PLEASE PLEASE do NOT change the notifications to footers! crying I'm fine with everything else but please! That DOESN'T need to change!

I'm sorry guys, but this is another one of your "improvements" that will be more of a mistake than help us. I mean, you have made a lot of improvements, but then you have "improved" some things that haven't needed it and eventually changed it back.

I think you should put up a poll for the footer with 2 options "For" or "Against" and I'm pretty sure that most gaians will be against.

[Demy-Stardust]

Uh...huh. So looking more like the 'popular' things is good, despite the community vastly being against it?

Pffffff.

[The Undead Suitor]

gracewar7

Yes, we heard your concerns...

Then hear them now.

[Ousto Logra]

Oh god no. gonk

I hate footers. When I get a new PM why the ******** would I want to look at the bottom of the page to see the notification. Stop trying to be like facebook and just be Gaia. =_=

[Amon Larethian]

As an added note, a more practical one. You claim you are removing the map to save on load time, yet you are adding a floating footer which will increase load time. This does not compute, where is the logic?

I have high speed internet and my computer runs at a good speed. When Gaia is set as my home page, it takes firefox at least 60 seconds to open and load. When I have another site as my home page, like deviant art, firefox opens in loads in less than 5 seconds.

I really don't think a floating footer is going to help that at all. If anything it will only make it worse.

Considering that aquariums, despite the optimizing (which has helped), already lag the pages, adding to that is really a bad idea. Oh and think of the extra bandwidth this will cost, and the money it will cost you. So there you go, another reason against this.

[[Eskimo]]

Amen again, Amon.


Logic plz, Gaia. :/
I can just imagine the footer glitching down the screen...