New LJ navigation scheme

[vilakins]

Just so that people don't panic when things change on LJ, here's a post about the new navigation scheme ('Horizon', currently called 'Beta Navigation') they're bringing in as default. I've turned it on for my LJ because they won't be maintaining the other schemes as much. The new ones (there will be a vertical option) allow a lot more room for new features. The menus have a different layout but they seem easy enough to get used to. I don't like the use of 'photos' for 'scrapbook' though, because I don't just store photos in mine. I shall tell them; they want feedback.

Comments

[glitterboy1.livejournal.com]

It's not too bad, though is it? I think it takes up more screen space, which is a shame, but I think I'll carry on using it.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I'd prefer to use it anyway so that I get access to new features, but I rather like it too. It's clear and simple which is good, not not hugely different from XCalibur.

[hafren.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm panicking now, principally because having read their post I still have no idea what's going to change! Will all our layouts look different? Do we have to DO anything? Why do they have to constantly muck things about? Gibbers quietly.....

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

If you go to http://www.livejournal.com/ (http://www.livejournal.com/), you will see the current navigation system (IOW drop-down menus etc). You can also see it in the strip across this comments page. They will just be bringing in a new layout which will enable them to add more menu items as they develop features.

If you want to see what it looks like, go to the browsing preferences (http://www.livejournal.com/manage/siteopts.bml) page while logged in and click on the Beta Navigation sample. It will change to that straight away. If you don't like it, just click on XCalibur (which you're probably using) to change back.

I like the new system. It's not garish and it's nice and clear. You can stay with XCalibur if you like, but you may not get new features showing up on your menus.

[mistraltoes.livejournal.com]

Oooh, the message tracking! I've been wanting this ever since I got onto LiveJournal! Now it will be almost as convenient for discussions as a mailing list. Not quite, but almost. :)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

It's a bit buggy right now. I turned it off again, but when it's working properly, it'll be great.

[astrogirl2.livejournal.com]

The message tracking is very buggy. I turned it on as soon as they started testing it with permanent accounts and could hardly get it turned off fast enough. :( I do hope they get it straightened out. It's a nice feature, if it works right.

[executrix.livejournal.com]

If it's Horizon, where's the blowpipe icon?

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

It's disguised as a pencil.

[astrogirl2.livejournal.com]

I'm not thriled with it taking up so much more space at the top of the screen than the nav bar does, but I think I'll get used to it. And the menus are laid out much more logically. The old ones where kind of a mess. The links look very handy, too.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

They did say they'd be able to expand this one and the vertical one (Vertigo) much more easily than the old ones, so we don't have a lot of choice if we want to stay up with the latest features. So I'm just happy it's clean and simple and fairly attractive. Also, I have my browsers set to show at least a 12 point font and this handles it a lot better than XCalibur did.