SURVEY: JED New Design 2017

[anibal_sanchez]

Hi,

We have been working on a new JED New Design 2017. At this time, we are looking for feedback about the new home page.

http://design.extensions.joomla.org/

This is the first step of a process to publish it (or not) and start improving the general design. Please, feel free to complete the survey with your feedback here:

https://docs.google.com/a/extensions.jo ... Q/viewform

Screenshots - Desktop view



Screenshots - Mobile portrait view



Screenshots - Mobile landscape view



FAQ - Community Feedback

This is a brief list of Q&A that we have received until now.

• The site http://design.extensions.joomla.org/ only shows the Home page. It is not functional.
• Too many subcategories: members of the redesign, UX and other teams already commented that subcategories must be limited to 5/7, or introduce a way to collapse them or change to a masonry style.
• adblocker enabled: Background colors for the ad-spots.
• Why a survey: At this time, we are gathering community feedback to decide if we start introducing UI improvements or not.
• Survey comment field (open text): The survey has to answer if we publish it or not. So, it has only a few fields to rate the design. The survey does not have an open comment field mainly because we are a few volunteers, and we can't process hundreds of comments.
• Release date: If we receive positive feedback in February, we plan to release it as soon as possible .... let's say March.
• First step: This is a first step to redesign JED in 2017. Only a first baby step to start improving the design created in 2014 and released on Jan 2015. It is also powered by j-org template, BS2, etc... so it is a new look with the available tools.
• Feedback: Since we need to know if we are going to publish it or not, we are not taking detailed notes to fix it. If it is approved by the community, we'll follow the usual process based on tickets and collaboration with other teams (UX, redesign and SEO team).
• About the implementation: This is the result of 1-2 months of collaboration. At this time, the new design is not big re-organization. It is the same information that we show in the current Home page, but with a different look & feel.... so the next steps would be to fix bugs, implement feedback and follow the new direction.
• Back to the old JED style: Yes, we also want to re-introduce ideas from the old JED, and we plan to restore back TOP/Most/New extensions module. Again, this is a first step in the new direction. To be nostalgic, check the evolution: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/ ... b8202_0_38
• New search engine: Yes, we have plans to implement a new full-text search to be a more search-oriented site. The new design shows the search box in a central position, so we'll be adding more improvements soon following the new philosophy.

Thank you for your feedback! Please, remember to fill the survey https://docs.google.com/a/extensions.jo ... Q/viewform.

P.S: Do you want to collaborate with JED Development? Fun in JED: bug smashing and feature development https://extensions.joomla.org/blog/item ... velopment/

[ot2sen]

Looking good Anibal

My time at old JED might influence the feel, but it does feel much more accessible on first view.
The old look in new skin certainly works for me. Good stuff.

For the less subcategories then perhaps just open an extra main category when x amount of subitems reached. Better have them all visible than hiding some on collapse.

Just do it. People will like it.

[anibal_sanchez]

Hi,

Thank you for your feedback! That's exactly what we are trying to achieve.

[Per Yngve Berg]

I hope there will be a top menu that is working on mobile devices. The one today just closes the sub-menu when you try to go to a sub-menu item without going to the new page. This is also true for the top menu of this forum

[HelpJ]

Just sugestion

design.extensions.joomla.org_.jpg

Much more visible categories.

I also agree with ot2sen...Better have them all visible than hiding some on collapse.

[codexpert]

To be honest, I absolutely hate this new design (existing design too).

You guys not giving right exposure developer deserved, just focusing on ads.

I suggest you to hire a new designer or arrange a contest where other designer or theme company can participate the new design.

At least, look at WP plugin dir or App store for instance.

Thanks

[HelpJ]

If you talking about this https://wordpress.org/plugins/ as reference...god help us

[itoctopus]

A couple of comments:

- I feel that the ads shouldn't be there.
- The layout seems weird when you have one section with just a couple of link (such as "Calendars and Events"), and another section with 10 links.
- It is a bit confusing when a category spans on several sections. For example, "Authoring and Content", and "Contacts and Feedback".

Note: I am not a designer, so I can't offer design alternatives.

[Beat]

Simplified and working search at top is a really welcome addition.

Simpler categories are good thing too.

But we really need modules, and featured extensions to just show examples of the wealth of exceptional extensions hidden in those categories. 2006 and 2010 designs implemented that well, and made it less dry.

Don't get discouraged by first feedbacks and critics, and continue improving JED! Improvements are really welcome for the Joomla ecosystem.

We need real screen-shots and example extensions displayed on homepage, so people realize at first glance all what this is about!

[anibal_sanchez]

Hi Beat!

Yes, we plan to add similar modules. One step at a time

Thank you for your feedback,

[xcmeathead]

I think the biggest issue with the new design, is that a visitor will have to do a lot more scrolling around to find the category they're looking at, rather than being able to see all the high level categories at a glance and then drill down, as they can currently. I think what the JED front page really needs is a search bar at the top (like you have), then some featured extension style lists (with images), to show some that are popular, some that have recently been updated, and some that have just been chosen by the JED team. This would help surface some of the great extensions that people don't come across so often because they're not top of the "Most Reviewed" or "Top Rated" lists.

I don't think WP gets this right either, but they're a step closer to the right idea for front page lists (albeit with terrible browsing options). An example of a directory that gets it right in my opinion, is the Google Play app store: https://play.google.com/store/apps Big image based featured apps at the top, followed by lists, but with an easy way to browse by category via the top menu. These guys invest millions in getting their design just right - No shame in ripping their ideas off

[thekrotek]

The worst part of new JED homepage, introduced back in 2014 was lack of sections like "New extensions", "Latest updated" etc. Since that interest to my extension dropped DRAMATICALLY. Before 2014-2015 Joomla was my favorite framework (I develop extensions for four of them), but now I switched to OpenCart mostly due to abode mentioned redesign. In my opinion new design doesn't solve the problem, it makes it even worse.

Nobody likes to browse text catalogs nowadays. People used to "title + image + short description" sections to browse the catalogs faster and get more relevant results. Just look at the Steam store homepage and create something like this. Make it more user friendly. Both developers and simple Joomla admins will praise you!

To be honest, current JED is pretty bad in general. Notifications (at least for tickets) still don't work properly, all images on extension's page are piled in banner section instead of having a separate one and so on. I understand, that team behind this does everything for free and it's hard to blame them. But hey, you could just ask! I'm pretty sure A LOT of Joomla developers (including me) would love to help you out with everything: design, coding, support etc.

I love Joomla as a framework, but pay much less attention to it nowadays, because every time I have to go to JED to just update my extension, I need to literally force myself. It's just not comfortable in terms of use, IMO.

[anibal_sanchez]

Hi,

In 2017, the new JED management is committed to updating the site and revamp the JED development team.

This is our report from JED Super Sprint - January 2017 https://volunteers.joomla.org/teams/ext ... nuary-2017

We are aware that this new design could fall a little short, but (for us) it is the way to start improving the site and engaging with the community. More improvements are coming, and our aim is to create an experience similar to other directories. For instance, I've also considered Google Play and the steps that we must take to reach such goal.

(In my experience as extension developer ... I can't remember if I've ever filled a JED survey.)

If you have the time to contribute, feel free to apply to the team of JED developers:

Fun in JED: bug smashing and feature development
https://extensions.joomla.org/blog/item ... velopment/

Best regards,

[mikeveeckmans]

nothing is working excpet for the ads??
https://youtu.be/RPFRqjowc30

[anibal_sanchez]

Hi Mike,

From the Q&A detailed above:

The site http://design.extensions.joomla.org/ only shows the Home page. It is not functional.

[kawshar]

The new design looks better than the current JED. Masonry can be used to reduce the page height. I hope Masonry also make the layout look good. In addition, I will definitely love to see the old concept JED design in near future. Btw, what you people are doing is really a great job.

Thanks

[efduggan]

I actually like the current JED page. The new prototype tries to list every category, making it a large monster. If the advanced search is the issue, just hide those controls until the user expands that section.

The new small icons for categories are hard to see on white, and not as nice as the older/existing ones on the current page. The alphabetical sort needs a rethink; the first selections should be the most important/used. Perhaps sort the categories based on the number of extensions, or the frequency the category has been expanded.

As for ads, ditch them! People go to the JED to get extensions, not to browse ads. They distract from the purpose of the home page. I immediately ignore pages that are chock full of ads and avoid places where the are over-displayed, like those clickbait news sites that seem to have taken over the web.

How about doing some usability testing based on Steven Krug's Rocket surgery? - http://www.sensible.com/rsme.html It's not hard and it would show what& how average people look for verse what we think they want.

Perhaps consider a module exposing a featured category each week, much like the old popular extensions and new extensions - which both need to come back!

Finally, a module to show a pseudo-random selection of extensions, so that every extension gets shown on the home page at some point. I'd suggest the list updated on each new session, so that visitors see something new, and gives some attention to the extensions that don't have many ratings or users (yet.)

[nordmograph]

Hello,

I'm really happy about the new design, it is very promising .
I answered a quick poll about it.

I would prefer it would not show me Adsense ads for Wordpress while browsing Joomla extensions though

Sans-titre-2.jpg

[akbett]

Hello

joomla.org need much time spend for SEO (like this survey and ......... )

joomla.org must more time spend to self survey questions. Very many questions about features which not work at all !!!!! very bad !

in survey not exist text fields where possible say about these errors !!!!

At last when joomla.org change design - you lost very many users !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So please be very careful !!!!!!!

Regards
Andrew
Joomla Developer

[ilhooq]

On the JED home page, it may be interesting to have the new and most popular extensions.

When browsing a category, it could be pleasant to switch between grid an list layout. Also it could be visually efficient to identify extensions with a logo.

An example of all these ideas : https://uappexplorer.com/

[dig814]

The worst part of new JED homepage, introduced back in 2014 was lack of sections like "New extensions", "Latest updated" etc. Since that interest to my extension dropped DRAMATICALLY. Before 2014-2015 Joomla was my favorite framework (I develop extensions for four of them), but now I switched to OpenCart mostly due to abode mentioned redesign. In my opinion new design doesn't solve the problem, it makes it even worse.

Same problem for me. When we released a new extension or updated one, it would get great traffic. After the redesign we saw our traffic from JED drop by about 70%....and thus a lot of our sales.

[thekrotek]

Same problem for me. When we released a new extension or updated one, it would get great traffic. After the redesign we saw our traffic from JED drop by about 70%....and thus a lot of our sales.

I actually understand, why they did that: they probably wanted to cut traffic from the main site. Latest Updated, New Extensions and other sections were moved to Joomla admin, Install from Web tab. But again in a very, very bad way - with dropdown list of section titles instead of actual sections.

Install from Web feature isn't bad itself. I just don't understand, why they had to turn good homepage into some useless landing page. WP has extensions listed both in admin and on WP site. Joomla should have the same.

Comparing to WP plugins catalog, JED is sooooooooooooo much better even its current state. WP uses stupid SVN and doesn't allow you to publish paid extensions in their catalog - they all are free! Current OpenCart Marketplace is nothing but a bunch of severe bugs and glitches, piling more and more from month to month. JED need just a little tweaking and bug hunting to become a perfect catalog of extensions.

[dig814]

I find the Install from web feature not that good. It works fine, just that the search does not work well. Not sure why it is not the same search functionality as the JED. Searching the exact name of an extension does not return it first. Like if I search K2 or Profiles, they show up in the results but like number 15 or 20. Shouldn' they be number 1? The ajax never works in chrome and I have to click another tab and back to even get the install from web section to show. They should change they "by default" in the plugin to have it show last instead of first since the ajax does not work well. All in all they just need to get a bit more creative. Design it in a way where they can highlight stuff and actually use images. The only images in the example are ads and a lot of them!

[thekrotek]

I find the Install from web feature not that good. It works fine, just that the search does not work well. Not sure why it is not the same search functionality as the JED. Searching the exact name of an extension does not return it first. Like if I search K2 or Profiles, they show up in the results but like number 15 or 20. Shouldn' they be number 1? The ajax never works in chrome and I have to click another tab and back to even get the install from web section to show. They should change they "by default" in the plugin to have it show last instead of first since the ajax does not work well. All in all they just need to get a bit more creative. Design it in a way where they can highlight stuff and actually use images. The only images in the example are ads and a lot of them!

Exactly. Extension catalog was basically ruined in 2014 and lot of stuff has changed in terms of usability since that time. In my opinion, JED requires more than just mere face-lifting of existing homepage. It requires complete remodeling and thorough bug fixing with the help of community to avoid as much mistakes as possible.

[anibal_sanchez]

Hi,

Thank you for your feedback. I'm taking notes to enhance the Home update.

In my view, as users, we agree that the site must be renewed. The new JED management team agree on this view. This Home update is more important as a first step to start a way to evolve from the legacy of 2014.

JED is a huge directory. So, to implement these improvements, we need your help. If you share these ideas and you have the time to collaborate. Please, join the team: https://extensions.joomla.org/support/k ... o-the-jed/

Best Regards,

[web-tiki]

Hi,
First of all, thx for the work on the JED. I just took the survey and felt I wanted to give some extra feedback on the homepage.
I am not and extension developer but I use a lot of extensions so I am a JED user. Right now this is the process I usualy use to find an extension :
I google the functionality with the "joomla" keyword -> find the top extensions -> enter the JED -> click on the category link to see other extensions in the same category.
I feel this new design will make me search extensions in the JED if :

• The Adds don't confuse me. I know adds are an important income but in the current redesign they clearly will make me go away. IMO they are going against the the core feature of this homepage which is making it easy to find extensions. Maybe put them all on the right so they don't break the reading process?

• I also agree that the contrast on the icons and category titles is a little low. I like the idea of adding a background color to the category titles

On a side note, I don't feel the fact that some categories have less subcategory links than others is bad and I'd rather don't have them collapse.
I also think that using a masonry layout will be confusing as the category titles won't be aligned and the order of the categories can change according to how masonry makes the grid. I would prefer having the same order (a-z or other) all the time and "get used to it".

I hope this feedback is constructive.

[anibal_sanchez]

Hi,

Yes, your feedback it entirely constructive and a shared experience of many JED users.

Looking forward to improving the UX.

[Matt Bourne]

Hello Joomlers

I would like to suggest to return the long gone, "New & Noteworthy" display like circa 2011

Perhaps, we can use a better display like tabbing under the search field, with sliding effect so that the newcomers and regular visitors can instantly aware about the good extensions available every time they visits

Here's my sketch, for your consideration

Thanks

[nayemmajhar]

The overall design is incredible. I love it. In my consideration, I am concern about two things, one, Google ads; it is the disgusting part when I see WordPress or others related advertisement ( I know that its base on my interest but hate it to see in JED site ). Another one is a lack of a drop-down menu of the Extension's category. Otherwise, it's perfect.

[shoulders]

Hi,

I am an amateur programmer and a user of Joomla extensions. This feedback is more than the homepage (i hope that is ok)

1) You should not put adds right in the middle this is painful and instantly stops people using the site or to adopt Joomla's their preferred CMS. A banner at the top and/or put the adds at the side

2) Related to 1 and slightly off topic, the 'install from web' you could sell slots for featured extensions. this would allow joomla to make some revenue and for end-users to see new products

3) if you want more people to know about this, perhaps make a blog post (p.s. Joomla.org should move all blogs into 1 so there is 1 place for news)

4) on the item page I can't stand the full width banner images. they never look right. I prefer a square option with a modal gallery.

5) once you go off the homepage you can not access the search box without going back to the home page

6) you need to add in a breadcrumbs

7) I would like to see a categories module ( left or right) for at least desktop

9) definitely second the need for newly updated section

10) a 'featured section' again where Joomla can sell promotions of extensions. good for you, good for me to see new things

11) a voting system where like uservoices you have 10 votes that you can use to vote for an extension and then this would keep a dynamic list of good extensions as said by the community

12) automatic purging of dead extensions (i think i did a forum post). If joomla does not have as many extensions as wordpress then lets make sure that we have quality extensions. This can be achieved with automation to get rid of dead extensions and help keep the ones left better.

13) a per category voting system. - what i mean is we do not need 6-7 extensions that all do the same job, it splits talents and means those extension might not get updated as often as if they were the only one.

14) GPL license Full or partial - this should include the options 'partial GPL'/'Full GPL' - why? a lot of companies make out that they are GPL and then add in a note that the CSS and Javascripts are not covered under GPL meaning that effectively the extension really is not GPL as most people think (i know they are legally correct).

15) the old JED worked well but was dated (i know the back end extension did not get many updates), perhaps get a picture of the old site up so people can remember why they liked it and funnel those comments back here. I would do home page, search page, category page, product page picture.

16) the current JED does not work for these reasons, (i)no new extensions menu item on the page, it is buried under a drop down. (ii) when you dont know what extension you want or what it is called browsing is not fun because the search box is only on the home page, there is no breadcrumbs and not category tree on the side. I liked to go in a category and then browse the subcategories allowing me to find an extension without knowing it's exact specs names or functionality, the JED did the work for me.

17) RSS feeds for the various lists. I liked checking to see what new extensions were out or updated with my favorite RSS reader. Dont forget that developers install different extensions on their clients sites so do not always get the opportunity to use the 'check for updates' feature in the Joomla admin.

18) Security alerts should be built into the JED. There should be a list of compromised extensions. these extensions should have there links (not JED page) disabled until that version is fixed and also have a red warning on the JED page, perhaps with a link to the Joomla security notification page for it.

19) a button that an end user can submit security issues directly to Joomla and/or the developer. This could be restricted to whom could do it to prevent dodgy support questions. The JED lends itself to helping security of plugins because it is place everyone know the developers an Joomla team visit.

20) Slighty off topic - Joomla JED should operate a 90 day policy that if an security flaw is not fixed within 90 days from reporting then that extension is removed from the JED

shoulders