Help with Redesign - Choosing a Layout

[KDLA]

Hi -

I need help with this page: http://kdla.ky.gov/resources.htm.

Basically, it is a "*************" of all the publications my organization has available online.

It's very long, and items are being added to it every month. When I asked the authors if some of the publications could be archived, most requested that the page remain as is, meaning there's no way of shortening it by eliminating entries.

One thing I'd like to do is add some navigation. However, I'm at a loss as to which type would be best. I had initially decided upon a form-based drop-down menu, but we do have quite a few topics that the user would have to scroll through. What do you think?

One of the things I'd like to do to it is use publication topics, rather than publication dates for the listing on the right. (I'd leave the minutes listing in this box - no one really looks at those except staff.) If I move these publications to the main content area, this makes the list even longer.

What I'd like are some ideas as to how to make this page more user-friendly. Most of the researchers that use our site use this page, rather than others with publications listings falling under specific topic areas. They prefer "one stop shopping."

Keep in mind that I must use our state's gov. template for this page: all I can change is the white area, and what I place in there must be ADA/508 accessible.

Thanks,
KDLA

[LJK]

Hi -
I'd definitely shorten the page; much too much scrolling or tapping ;-)

Maybe some nice square graphic representations of the main categories
that the user can choose first to narrow things down considerably - and
find what they're looking for quickly. [Even an opening choice of -
Publications by Category | Publications by Title or whatever...]

Though it would seem to take longer [+ more pages to create] to get a topic
going, in the end I think the user would find it more intuitive - and they can
always use an alternate drop-down category navigation or Search, instead.

Good luck & have fun,
El

[LiLcRaZyFuZzY]

your name is gabrielle?

[The Little Guy]

there is a white break on the very bottom of the page

I don't like the I beam on the mouse over

[KDLA]

your name is gabrielle?

Yes.

[Ness_du_Frat]

Hi !!!!
I'd definately not make a form based drop-down menu, but go with the category names, of even square images as LJK suggested. It's true you would have to make more pages, and I don't know if your company would accept this, but to sort the articles by topic would definately be a good idea, and more user friendly !!!

[KDLA]

Thanks!

I redesigned it today: http://kdla.ky.gov/resources.htm.

Not exactly user-friendly, but it's what works best in these working conditions. Do you think it's better now, with the js navigation at the top?

We try to keep everything in a central location, 'cause researchers (and our own staff) are too lazy to look through our site for specific stuff. They all have this "site index" mentality -- every page must tell you everything and not make you have to look for something. Problem is, that it makes all our webpages suffer from TMI: Too Much Information. Ugh.

Thanks for all the previous comments!
KDLA

[ray326]

Looks good, though. There's something to be said for using ^F on what's essentially a site map.

[KDLA]

What's "about to use ^F?"

[LiLcRaZyFuZzY]

Yes.
thought so!

[ray326]

What's "about to use ^F?"
Sorry, c/being about to use/using/. I.e. using the browser's built in page search on a huge page of links instead of breaking it down to separate pages.