New website design

thermalben's picture
thermalben started the topic in Friday, 30 Nov 2018 at 1:31pm

We've just gone live with a fresh website look n' feel for the summer. This is the first in a series of major website (and App) upgrades we'll push out over the next few months. 

Swellnet Pro subscribers may notice that the entire site is (well, should be) 100% ad-free.

All feedback welcome!

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Friday, 30 Nov 2018 at 1:32pm

Also, please report any bugs in this thread.

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Friday, 30 Nov 2018 at 1:36pm

Nice.

There is no information available in the “composition tips “ box when you’re writing your post.

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Friday, 30 Nov 2018 at 1:38pm

Do you mean on how to not write silly things?

Sprout's picture
Sprout's picture
Sprout Friday, 30 Nov 2018 at 1:46pm
Sprout's picture
Sprout's picture
Sprout Friday, 30 Nov 2018 at 1:52pm

A. Nunito Sans + link color #00cddb hurts my eyes.
B. Yes, I'm a delicate flower.
C. ...just saw the footer, yeah #00cddb is pretty offensive. See B.

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Friday, 30 Nov 2018 at 1:53pm

We'll tweak the colour on desktop, but FWIW, I reckon it works really well on mobile (which is a much larger percentage of our traffic). Main reason is that there's much less of it on the screen at any one time.

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Friday, 30 Nov 2018 at 1:55pm

Colour does seem weak on IPad. Not enough contrast ?

Is that what you’re referring to ?

Sprout's picture
Sprout's picture
Sprout Friday, 30 Nov 2018 at 2:00pm

Yeah same with the orange menu links #ffa800.
I feel like both need to be juuuust a touch darker.
These are always useful:
https://material.io/design/color/the-color-system.html#color-usage-palettes
https://material.io/tools/color
https://color.adobe.com/create/color-wheel/
Nice work though, definitely feels more summery.

Sprout's picture
Sprout's picture
Sprout Friday, 30 Nov 2018 at 2:07pm

You're right. It looks good on mobile.

Jono's picture
Jono's picture
Jono Friday, 30 Nov 2018 at 2:26pm

Hi Sprout, I'm the developer - appreciate the feedback. I've reduced the brightness of the text links a bit which definitely works better. There will be some more small ongoing tweaks over the next few weeks regarding colours, UX and design.

Sprout's picture
Sprout's picture
Sprout Friday, 30 Nov 2018 at 2:59pm

Legend! That definitely helps, at least on my monitor (PG279Q).

surfstarved's picture
surfstarved's picture
surfstarved Friday, 30 Nov 2018 at 3:03pm

I like it, from an aesthetic perspective. And you've even managed to send us a day with both swell and offshore winds to celebrate the new-look site - big props for that little addition.

Lanky Dean's picture
Lanky Dean's picture
Lanky Dean Friday, 30 Nov 2018 at 4:03pm

Do I need glasses or has the text size changed?

soz_punter's picture
soz_punter's picture
soz_punter Friday, 30 Nov 2018 at 4:31pm

Found a bug with the Multi-cam. If one of the cams is offline (ie Goolwa/Middleton) there is no opportunity to change to a different one - the little edit icon in the top right remains greyed out and unresponsive.

The new look is pretty nice BTW too.

carpetman's picture
carpetman's picture
carpetman Friday, 30 Nov 2018 at 4:48pm

You’re probably onto it but text in the forecast column doesn’t fit once you get above 10ft. So north shore forecast reads 15- (not 15-20ft)

Jono's picture
Jono's picture
Jono Friday, 30 Nov 2018 at 4:51pm

Well spotted soz_punter - that was actually fixed a while back in the old site but it snuck back into this new build. It's on our list and will be fixed ASAP.

sypkan's picture
sypkan's picture
sypkan Friday, 30 Nov 2018 at 4:52pm

"Do I need glasses or has the text size changed?"

Black print isn't dark and/or thick enough, blue print is too bright and too thick.

And my eyes are too old

soz_punter's picture
soz_punter's picture
soz_punter Friday, 30 Nov 2018 at 4:57pm

Cheers Jono.

sypkan's picture
sypkan's picture
sypkan Friday, 30 Nov 2018 at 5:13pm

Also, I don't seem to be able to zoom in using chrome. Other browser is fine.

carpetman's picture
carpetman's picture
carpetman Friday, 30 Nov 2018 at 5:53pm

Forecast details aren’t displaying in some rows. Example north shore, Sat 08/12, shows 2.3m (but no direction or period shown).

Lanky Dean's picture
Lanky Dean's picture
Lanky Dean Friday, 30 Nov 2018 at 6:54pm

@spykan,
I am not that old ...or so I thought.

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Friday, 30 Nov 2018 at 7:17pm

Carpetman - you’re right. Seems to be a bug, probably related to the width of the text. We will check it out,

redmondo's picture
redmondo's picture
redmondo Saturday, 1 Dec 2018 at 11:36am

Nice work Jono. You won't find me indulging in silly posts. It is very impressive what you guys have done.

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Sunday, 2 Dec 2018 at 7:40am

I don't know if this is related to new website, but three times now, I've been redirected to spam sites, you know when the URL start flicking up random spam sites about 10 a second then lands on one:(

Happened yesterday twice and then just now.

When it happened yesterday i though maybe I've picked up some bug/virus but i haven't been surfing anything dodgy and i spent quite a bit of time on other websites yesterday and it didn't do it?

Weird?

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Sunday, 2 Dec 2018 at 7:49am

ID - can you describe in more details please - what page were you on? And what page did it send you to? I don't quite understand what you mean by "...URL start flicking up random spam sites about 10 a second then lands on one".

Did you actually click on anything (i.e. an ad) or did it just randomly happen?

If you can send through screenshots to info@swellnet.com that'll help us to debug.

Westofthelake's picture
Westofthelake's picture
Westofthelake Sunday, 2 Dec 2018 at 9:22am

After a few days using various platforms I've found that I really like the changes/upgrades.

The only words I can think of to summarise my conclusions are that Swellnet now looks 'more modern'.

I did have a bit of 'wow' moment when I was on the desktop looking at a surf forecast and I realised there were no ads. Beautiful and at the same time kinda stark. I imagined a subtle water mark type image in the background would look cool.

But like I said, no ads!
Way cool.
Worth $8.95 right there.

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Sunday, 2 Dec 2018 at 9:36am

Thanks mate... really appreciate the feedback.

Also we've reduced the clutter in the top navigation bar, which, along with the removal of the ad units (for subscribers) means it's a much better mobile experience.

We've still got a lot of work to do (and a lot of new products to launch) but we've finally getting closer to a more consistent aesthetic across desktop/mobile. 

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Sunday, 2 Dec 2018 at 1:12pm

Did it again, just spam/scam type websites sites. (dollarcreative.com was one in my history i must have ended up on)

Was just reading this page didn't click on anything (but this morning and yesterday it also did it from main page and and article)

In my URL bar thing, it just flicks through different websites address very quickly trying to load each one, then it ends on one, but doesn't load it just comes up with a page wanting me to download flash (I'm on Macbook) off course i then just close.

Expect if no one else is having this issue I've picked some malware type thing up or something.

Just weird it's only doing it on Swellnet and spent much more time on other sites today with no issues.

Maybe i will try Swellnet in another browser and see if i still have the issue.

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Sunday, 2 Dec 2018 at 2:33pm

Very odd. You’re the only person to report it so we new a little more info in order to debug it, but I’d suggest you give your computer the once over with AV software.

Pops's picture
Pops's picture
Pops Monday, 3 Dec 2018 at 9:52am

I had the same issue as indo (only one time), the day that the new design went live. 5 "dodgy" websites in my history: "dollarcreative.com/...", "ezanmedia.com/...", "cpmazu.com/...", "exclusiverewards36.online/...", "nextoptim.com/..."
I think it happened when I opened a link in a new tab FWIW, right before the new design went live.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Monday, 3 Dec 2018 at 10:22am

Pops!

Firstly! Cutting Capt' Cha down to size...(Every fibre of my being says thanks)
We Myositis crew were in agony with 30 min tic tac toe battle just to say hello.
Each extra mouse scroll is more torturous than pushing a car outta the driveway.

I also wish to thank swellnet for maintaining #1 live webcast service thru-out..

Fine! if we must be upfront & honest about what bugs us then so be it...

*Last weeks News Titles/Archives & browsing are no longer street accessible.
Fine for me and all here to app the login...Just a thought for newcomers.
I'm not judging as this is quality merch.(More about swellnet in open market place)

*'Seemingly' larger text offers less text per line.(maybe a letter or two?)
I'm guessing that leads to more Scroll / lag / print time...again fine if that's built in.
I've never owned a mobile phone so I'm least qualified on universal scroll format
If you guys are geared up for mobiles then I can sacrifice an abc here & there.

indo-dreaming that's my bad. I did apologize for xxx Skin Deep upload.(Porn=Ads)
You'll need to download this WSL Naked pro onto your Disc (I never said that)
https://www.google.com.au/search?ei=3V8EXI6AI4uHvQS5nKOACQ&q=news++felic...

What's not to like? Talking about the new site people!

belly's picture
belly's picture
belly Monday, 3 Dec 2018 at 10:44am

Overall looks good but have noticed maybe a touch slower to load than old pages.
One minor design issue. I view 95% on hand-held android. In portrait view I can't read the y axis of the surf forecast chart (Narooma). For me it reads 'ft' rather than '2 ft'. Basically I can't see the numbers. When I rotate to landscape then I can see the numbers.

campbell's picture
campbell's picture
campbell Monday, 3 Dec 2018 at 11:28am

Much slower to load than previously was on android (blackberry) phone and I cannot view webcams? they load up as normal but screen just stays black with the swellnet logo and play/pause icons ? Fine at home on mac desktop though so must be android issue?

thatguy's picture
thatguy's picture
thatguy Monday, 3 Dec 2018 at 11:40am

No issues with android for me. I'm using a S7 and it works perfectly. Nice job.

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Monday, 3 Dec 2018 at 11:51am

Campbell - we haven't been able to test any Blackberry devices.. it's such a tiny percentage of our audience that it's hard to work around. Do you know what software version you're running? We'll try to work with a few simulators to replicate the issue.

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Monday, 3 Dec 2018 at 11:58am

Belly - thanks, we'll take a look at that (font size).

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Monday, 3 Dec 2018 at 12:00pm

TBB - the 'load more news' button at the bottom doesn't work, we'll fix it ASAP. Font sizes will also be tweaked.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Monday, 3 Dec 2018 at 12:54pm

Frequently asked Questions that get replies? ...some kinda swellnet voodoo magic! Thanx genie Ben... For my 3rd wish...{Photos}

Firstly thanks to Swellnet for supporting my home town GC Surf Photographers...
Josh Bystrom/Grant Davies/Ryan Williams/Andrew Shield(Today)/Tim Bonython

*Photo of the day now seems to vanish as you blink!

*[Photos]...71 Albums (March 2009- June 2016)...swellnet's #1 Surf Safari site.
It takes exactly 5 mins robot racing click time > > 2009 album (Slower if searching)

Also no photos in albums from March 2009-Oct 2013...(Including Bens & Craigs)

[No result- Search window] is only available from individual albums not main page.
swellnet Photo Albums need a search index + missing photos or just a dose of TLC.

PS: Pretty certain swellnet are still running these Escape Albums post June 2016.
Craig's recent North Coast Hippy Trip freaked us out...Please check on that Ben!

Jono's picture
Jono's picture
Jono Monday, 3 Dec 2018 at 2:51pm

OK the surf forecast table font sizes have been tweaked - let me know if there is still any issues in there.

simba's picture
simba's picture
simba Monday, 3 Dec 2018 at 4:26pm

im sure this is just a 'me' thing but wont let me have a favourite surf cam and same with reports,gotta go thru the process to get to park beach cam...and coffs report...also wheres home button?

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Monday, 3 Dec 2018 at 5:14pm

Yeah i think I've just got something on my laptop....was weird how it only happened on Swellnet hence why i mentioned it.

No issues today.

maddogmorley's picture
maddogmorley's picture
maddogmorley Monday, 3 Dec 2018 at 7:27pm

Home button is the Swellnet logo simba. And can't have a favourite if ya not logged in - maybe thats the problem?

Craig's picture
Craig's picture
Craig Monday, 3 Dec 2018 at 7:44pm

Simba, click the hamburger top right and you'll get your saved surfcam and report.

Indo stop looking at porn ;)

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Monday, 3 Dec 2018 at 8:25pm

Open apology to fellow swellnetonians...part my fault we lost the Photo Albums.
I wasn't making my wish in a hospital ward so no need to pull the show.
Nor did I demand the crew to fix or rid the albums yesterday.
None here mind if you sort the holiday snaps over Xmas, we're on a good wicket.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Monday, 3 Dec 2018 at 8:54pm

Open apology II to fellow swellnetonians.
How was I to know make a wish jest timed with make a wish swellnet ad.
I do support Starlight Foundation & donated to their cause again today.
All of Oz knows I stole the joke! Give me a break...every which way I turn.

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Tuesday, 4 Dec 2018 at 6:05am

All good TBB - we're going to relaunch the galleries properly in the near future so figured it was better to spend time on that rather than fixing the old gallery system.

simba's picture
simba's picture
simba Tuesday, 4 Dec 2018 at 6:13am

Hi Craig,yeah ive done that but blue banner comes up but shows news forum my acc logout only?

simba's picture
simba's picture
simba Tuesday, 4 Dec 2018 at 6:22am

sorted now thanks,im a bit slow when it comes to computers..hahah

Craig's picture
Craig's picture
Craig Tuesday, 4 Dec 2018 at 6:29am

Ah cool.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Tuesday, 4 Dec 2018 at 7:09am

Days of our lives photos are back to live another day! (Wet dreams for all) Thanx!