Topic: The new manager - looking for best practice solutions  (Read 28661 times)

Pages: 1 [2] 3 4 ... 9   Go Down

#21: 1-Dec-2008, 10:28 AM

Administrator

smashingred
Posts: 1,422

Jay Gilmore

WWW
A very nice design. It is certainly a move in a more visually clean direction. Larger typefaces, better contrast and more distinctive buttons are good. I was talking about this with @splittingred just last week.


Thanks again for your design efforts.

Cheers,

Jay

#22: 1-Dec-2008, 10:48 AM

Administrator

smashingred
Posts: 1,422

Jay Gilmore

WWW
One other thought would be to look at placing the common install tasks on the dashboard. The welcome screen might be best served as a simple template page that can take various html and tagged calls.

A couple other things:

Security Announcements for vulnerabilities should be on the top and as an alert. Shows we're crazy about app security.
Upgrade notices should be also shown (could be disabled my site managers).

An interface that combined your design style and something like this might be nice: http://modxcms.com/forums/index.php/topic,30684.msg186489.html#msg186489


#23: 1-Dec-2008, 12:15 PM

Coding Team
Jesse R.
Posts: 788

WWW
My hat is off to you, that looks slick.
Jesse R.
Consider trying something new and extraordinary.
Illinois Wine

Have you considered donating to MODx lately?
Donate now.  Every contribution helps.

#24: 1-Dec-2008, 02:10 PM


AMDbuilder
Posts: 721

WWW
...If only I had noticed the thread title before looking at the pictures I might have saved a keyboard from drool...

Is that just a Photoshop mock up or is that actually a functional (or semi-functional) design?

AMDbuilder
I got carried away by the MODx spirit and ended up with a few templates to go with my website.

Server: Apache 2.2.11 | MySQL 5.0.81 Community | PHP 5.2.6 | Go MODx!

#25: 1-Dec-2008, 02:32 PM

Marketing & Design Team

davidm
MODx evangelist
Posts: 7,073

The best way to predict the future is to invent it

WWW
Great topic Marc !

And nice mockups too ! I think we can even move toward bigger fonts and icons.
Although I personnally love dark backgrounds the trend would be in favor of lighter background too.

Back on the first post : EE 2.0 set a benchmark indeed, had I seen this earlier I would have mentionned it too... also WordPress has gone in the same direction lately. WP 2.7 interface, and the blog post about the UI redesign is pretty instructive too.

About typolight : there is something worth keeping here, which is the concept of an accessible backend (which degrades well)... while I am not as crazy as some asking that a web app work with no js, I sure can see the added value of most of the app working with no js if doable...
.: nodeo.net : Pour un web libre, moderne et ouvert ! :: david-molliere.net : Suivez en "live" mes expérimentations et billets sur les CMS et autres applications web :.

*** Forums modxcms.fr Participez à l'élaboration du site MODx francophone ! ***

! Nouveau !  En live, ne manquez pas les news de modxcms.fr sur Twitter   ! Nouveau !

MODx est l'outil idéal pour les developpeurs et webdesigners qui cherchent un framework de gestion de contenu hautement flexible et performant, tout en étant simple d'accès pour les utilisateurs finaux.

Config : Apache 2.2.8 - MySQL 5.0.67 - PHP 5.2.8 | Debian 4.0 (Etch)

Réalisations sous MODx : | pargade-notaires.fr | soleil.info | gican.asso.fr | michelez-notaires.com | amadom.gerondicap.com | jocelyne-violet.net

#26: 1-Dec-2008, 02:58 PM

Administrator

smashingred
Posts: 1,422

Jay Gilmore

WWW
David,

Great points about the migration of WP from 2.0 to 2.5 to the new 2.7 back end. While it is far too simple to use for modx it does make one think long and hard about the UI. I'd love to see us (designers not the development team) forge a joint project on the UI that includes testing, a set of principles that lead the project and change philosophy that considers at each step do we really need this, how can we make this easier for each of our users, developers, designers and end users.


Cheers,

Jay

#27: 1-Dec-2008, 03:31 PM

Marketing & Design Team

davidm
MODx evangelist
Posts: 7,073

The best way to predict the future is to invent it

WWW
Indeed I remember a few months back when you offered to set up a workgroup to brainstorm on this... I think this would be hugely beneficial if designers joined forces to try some combinations out for a new manager theme for Evo and Revo. We have loads of talent among the community, I am all for setting up a "taskforce" and start something here !

.: nodeo.net : Pour un web libre, moderne et ouvert ! :: david-molliere.net : Suivez en "live" mes expérimentations et billets sur les CMS et autres applications web :.

*** Forums modxcms.fr Participez à l'élaboration du site MODx francophone ! ***

! Nouveau !  En live, ne manquez pas les news de modxcms.fr sur Twitter   ! Nouveau !

MODx est l'outil idéal pour les developpeurs et webdesigners qui cherchent un framework de gestion de contenu hautement flexible et performant, tout en étant simple d'accès pour les utilisateurs finaux.

Config : Apache 2.2.8 - MySQL 5.0.67 - PHP 5.2.8 | Debian 4.0 (Etch)

Réalisations sous MODx : | pargade-notaires.fr | soleil.info | gican.asso.fr | michelez-notaires.com | amadom.gerondicap.com | jocelyne-violet.net

#28: 1-Dec-2008, 04:14 PM

Moderators

MadeMyDay
Posts: 941

WWW
Hi everyone, thanks for the kind comments!

Quote
One other thought would be to look at placing the common install tasks on the dashboard. The welcome screen might be best served as a simple template page that can take various html and tagged calls.

Yes, exactly. Just a kind of MODx document, where you can put snippet calls, chunks, custom links or quicklinks to custom apps. We need a kind of an easy classification for dashboard ressources (e.g. XML or whatever), so everyone can easily add content, links, content and so on.

Quote
Security Announcements for vulnerabilities should be on the top and as an alert. Shows we're crazy about app security.
Upgrade notices should be also shown (could be disabled my site managers).

Will include this in the next version of the draft.

Quote
An interface that combined your design style and something like this might be nice: http://modxcms.com/forums/index.php/topic,30684.msg186489.html#msg186489

Yes! Exactly what I thought about. But not with hacking the core or manipulating the standard welcome page, more as a feature which can easily be filled with custm content/functions.

Quote
Is that just a Photoshop mock up or is that actually a functional (or semi-functional) design?

Just PS at the moment, but 100% realizable if revolution can change some markup (e.g. erm... the frames :-P ).

Quote
Although I personnally love dark backgrounds the trend would be in favor of lighter background too.

Well, colors are definitely the smallest part of this project :-) Already thinking about a dark and a bright theme. But first let`s talk about the structure, functions and usability in general.

Quote
Back on the first post : EE 2.0 set a benchmark indeed, had I seen this earlier I would have mentionned it too... also WordPress has gone in the same direction lately. WP 2.7 interface, and the blog post about the UI redesign is pretty instructive too.

EE, Silverstripe and WP are the only engines where it is worth at looking at the moment imho. Typo light is remarkable with its accessibility, but the look and feel is just too technical if not archaic. Since the whole manager is built by EXT, I think we should do the first step before the second.

Quote
Great points about the migration of WP from 2.0 to 2.5 to the new 2.7 back end. While it is far too simple to use for modx it does make one think long and hard about the UI. I'd love to see us (designers not the development team) forge a joint project on the UI that includes testing, a set of principles that lead the project...

+1!

Quote
and change philosophy that considers at each step do we really need this, how can we make this easier for each of our users, developers, designers and end users

EXACTLY. Imagine the common user, that is imho the one who has to work with MODx every day. What does he really need? Which actions need to be only one click away? And which functions are only needed by a couple of users or perhaps only by administrators... So let`s group them wisely and this can only be done by asking them.

Quote
Indeed I remember a few months back when you offered to set up a workgroup to brainstorm on this... I think this would be hugely beneficial if designers joined forces to try some combinations out for a new manager theme for Evo and Revo. We have loads of talent among the community, I am all for setting up a "taskforce" and start something here !

Where can I join?  Grin

Let revolution rock! The engine is new and more powerful, so let us all design a revolutionary backend interface as a chassis which also makes marketing efforts easier...




#29: 1-Dec-2008, 04:48 PM

Moderator

splittingred
Posts: 1,488

i am alt-country rock

WWW
Quote
Is that just a Photoshop mock up or is that actually a functional (or semi-functional) design?
Just PS at the moment, but 100% realizable if revolution can change some markup (e.g. erm... the frames :-P ).

I've got your design pretty much working (minus the tabs+tree styling and some other misc changes) on a test branch of revolution currently. It uses the same principles as the current manager design, using the iframe, to run.

MODx Revolution has no plans currently to switch away from the iframe, unless someone here can get JS libraries and onload events to work seamlessly in AJAX-inserted divs in all browsers.

« Last Edit: 1-Dec-2008, 04:50 PM by splittingred »
shaun mccormick | modx foundation
modx revolution | jira bugtracker | official docs | svn tracker | api docs

#30: 1-Dec-2008, 07:00 PM

Moderators

MadeMyDay
Posts: 941

WWW
Okay, for all the dark-dislikers...  Tongue

Will also work in a bright version (dont look too close, its just a draft). But development will continue for the dark version and when finalized, the bright one is just a matter of changing some graphics and styles.



* mockup_bright_03.jpg (190.26 KB, 1279x770 - viewed 400 times.)

#31: 1-Dec-2008, 11:10 PM

Vait
Posts: 195

WWW
looking good!
Pure MODx sites
Viriko.ru & Viriko.com - Multilingual and running on 1 MODx

#32: 2-Dec-2008, 12:10 AM

Foundation

rthrash
Posts: 11,344

WWW
I actually prefer the dark, as it focuses your attention on the content. And I'm surprised by this too! Smiley
MODx is a content managmeent framework that allows web professionals to turn over sites to end-users for daily maintenance without worrying. Please help us help you when asking for assistance and read the wiki. Searching the forums from the top level helps, too.
Ryan Thrash
MODx Co-Founder
Principal @ Collabpad
work productively.
work intelligently.
work together.

#33: 2-Dec-2008, 03:47 AM


rossco
Posts: 927

WWW
I'll pipe up at this point...  I personally like the darker layout.  I have been creating my own CSS etc for my managers for a little while now as the bright green and white templates that are out start to hurt my eyes if working for too long.  I think the darker template looks nicer but it's all down to the individual.  Why not create a simple drop down with 2 or 3 style sheets?  One for default, one for light and one dark.  It will give the user the choice... and if like me and working within the manager for hours upon hours, it's nice to choose a work area that your eyes can work with, without strain.

I'm still using 9.6 branch of modx but here's some screens of how my managers look roughly... I tend to make them match the site that I work on!



* loginrd.jpg (23.42 KB, 529x131 - viewed 263 times.)

* managerrd.png (39.58 KB, 600x309 - viewed 308 times.)

#34: 2-Dec-2008, 04:01 AM

Marketing & Design Team

davidm
MODx evangelist
Posts: 7,073

The best way to predict the future is to invent it

WWW
I actually prefer the dark, as it focuses your attention on the content. And I'm surprised by this too! Smiley

And me too  Shocked

I was not advocating light backgrounds, just stating that the trend was in favor of lighter background and color blind people might have problems with dark backgrounds (needs checking)... I guess the main thing is to keep contrast high and the dark background has a better contrast. If you go light background, as I said bigger and more colorful icons and text are a must have...


I've got your design pretty much working (minus the tabs+tree styling and some other misc changes) on a test branch of revolution currently. It uses the same principles as the current manager design, using the iframe, to run.

Very nice screenshot Smiley
Slick !

.: nodeo.net : Pour un web libre, moderne et ouvert ! :: david-molliere.net : Suivez en "live" mes expérimentations et billets sur les CMS et autres applications web :.

*** Forums modxcms.fr Participez à l'élaboration du site MODx francophone ! ***

! Nouveau !  En live, ne manquez pas les news de modxcms.fr sur Twitter   ! Nouveau !

MODx est l'outil idéal pour les developpeurs et webdesigners qui cherchent un framework de gestion de contenu hautement flexible et performant, tout en étant simple d'accès pour les utilisateurs finaux.

Config : Apache 2.2.8 - MySQL 5.0.67 - PHP 5.2.8 | Debian 4.0 (Etch)

Réalisations sous MODx : | pargade-notaires.fr | soleil.info | gican.asso.fr | michelez-notaires.com | amadom.gerondicap.com | jocelyne-violet.net

#35: 2-Dec-2008, 06:16 AM

Testers

dev_cw
Posts: 4,179

WWW
I've got your design pretty much working (minus the tabs+tree styling and some other misc changes) on a test branch of revolution currently. It uses the same principles as the current manager design, using the iframe, to run.
That looks great and was fast. I thought it would be harder (that is take longer) to implement. Now I am drooling even more  Grin Grin
Shane Sponagle | [wiki] Snippet Call Anatomy | MODx Developer Blog | [nettuts] Working With a Content Management Framework: MODx

Something is happening here, but you don't know what it is.
Do you, Mr. Jones?  -  [bob dylan]

#36: 2-Dec-2008, 10:32 AM

Moderators

MadeMyDay
Posts: 941

WWW
Update...

Redraw all icons, polished tabs, added the forgotten (dough!) save, cancel buttons and added a publish button. Did someone ever use the "add another document" option? Imho it is senseless  because if creating a document, I save and take a look at it before adding another... If we can get rid of that option, we can reject all options. "Save" will be saving and continue, "publish" will save and close whereas cancel will close directly. What do you guys think?

Dashboard draft following later this night.


* draft_innerpages_v1_07_03.jpg (190.21 KB, 1279x770 - viewed 274 times.)

#37: 2-Dec-2008, 10:40 AM

Foundation

OpenGeek
MODx Co-Founder
Posts: 6,922

damn accurate caricatures...

WWW
Redraw all icons, polished tabs, added the forgotten (dough!) save, cancel buttons and added a publish button. Did someone ever use the "add another document" option? Imho it is senseless  because if creating a document, I save and take a look at it before adding another... If we can get rid of that option, we can reject all options. "Save" will be saving and continue, "publish" will save and close whereas cancel will close directly. What do you guys think?
I use this add another option frequently and personally do not think it should be removed.
Jason Coward
MODx Co-Founder
xPDO Founder
CTO @ Collabpad
work productively.
work intelligently.
work together.
Light is just a vibration of a note too. Everything is. You've got to keep that in mind.
  Frank Zappa

#38: 2-Dec-2008, 10:44 AM

Foundation

rthrash
Posts: 11,344

WWW
Me too. Continue is the default behavior which is nice, too.
MODx is a content managmeent framework that allows web professionals to turn over sites to end-users for daily maintenance without worrying. Please help us help you when asking for assistance and read the wiki. Searching the forums from the top level helps, too.
Ryan Thrash
MODx Co-Founder
Principal @ Collabpad
work productively.
work intelligently.
work together.

#39: 2-Dec-2008, 10:53 AM

Moderator

splittingred
Posts: 1,488

i am alt-country rock

WWW
What do you guys think?

I personally strongly dislike the purple in the icons. It looks forced.

The buttons - they need to be dynamic for each page, as different pages have different "types" of buttons - ie, some have "Edit", some have "Delete", some have "New", etc.

Also, FYI, the wrap-around green line will not be happening, as that's not possible, and generally problematic for scrolling issues.

Here's what I've gotten converted so far (minus the inner part of the tree and the rounded corners for tabs, and the add-another/continue btns need to be converted):

« Last Edit: 2-Dec-2008, 10:59 AM by splittingred »
shaun mccormick | modx foundation
modx revolution | jira bugtracker | official docs | svn tracker | api docs

#40: 2-Dec-2008, 11:11 AM


Sylvaticus
Posts: 487

I think, therefor I am. But what I am, and why...?

WWW
Hey, talk about redecoration. Fantastic.  Cheesy
Pages: 1 [2] 3 4 ... 9   Go Up
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.