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General discussion

'OFFICIAL' THREAD: New Cnet Layout

Aug 26, 2008 8:55AM PDT

Now that the new site is going live I am creating this thread for the discussion of any bugs or random thoughts on the new layout. It's a big switch from the years of yellow and green, but it's a little sleeker than the previous design and hopefully a bit more functional as well. Love it or hate it, after you've had a chance to browse the new layout (which should be fully rolled out this evening) feel free to sound off below. I know I will. Happy

John

Discussion is locked

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Is music.download.com moving with us?
Aug 26, 2008 11:17AM PDT

I saw one of the editors respond to this question stating he thought it was being partially merged with mp3.com, but wasn't sure. The old site for it is still up but no work has been done, so is the old site being removed entirely?

John

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No, music download.com is going to be under a new site.
Aug 27, 2008 1:59AM PDT

I think believe initially it was going to be merged with MP3.com, but it going to be another site. Not sure what the site name will be, but if I find out, I'll let you know.

-Lee

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Sorry, BUT Unable To Log-in
Aug 26, 2008 3:42PM PDT

Copy & Pasted from post:
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7598_102-0.html?forumID=51&threadID=305509&messageID=2838679&tag=forums06;forum-threads


problems still happening on Aug 27th/08 1:15 EST. Even removed all Cnet cookies & Cnet cookie permission limits,cleared Sea Monkey caches, Sun Java caches manually (+ all IE which I dont use)then ran CCleaner to be extra sure all was gone.

Came clean to Advanced Search & couldn't enter EITHER E-Mail nor password. Went Home & returned to SV&S page & on 5th or 6th try manually entered password only by doing "login now" (with remember me) & ALL fields BLANK and successfully entered password when pop-up said "this field required".
Still couldn't enter E-mail manually but Sea Monkey Form manager managed to enter it. Successful login accomplished after about 10 minutes of trying all above w/variants multiple times.

OK so I'll call it the "new" version instead of "Beta". Still buggy here.
You're right, "New" versions are all thats showing NOW & only new versions have this horrible problem. Exasperated! Cry

The weird part is that I can get log-in eventually so I don't think it's my machine. Log-in at all other sites on net I visit work fine...ONLY Cnet seems to have this problem. Shocked Silly

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Sandy, can you tell me where you are logging in from?
Aug 27, 2008 1:56AM PDT

Is it from the page header top right corner or somewhere else?

Let me know.

Thanks!
-Lee

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Hi, Lee....I'm Logging In From
Aug 27, 2008 3:09PM PDT

upper right corner which opens rectangle box for log-in w/ E-Mail & password spaces. The box appears to be offset to the left (as I view) w/ vertical edge aligning to left edge of central portion of page (ie: about 9 o'clock relative to center of monitor.

I mention this 'cause, tonight, I noticed (when using the Log-in now w/ password left blank to cause it to drop down some) there seems some mis-aligning between the outline of the password space & the asterisks representing the password letters.

The asterisks are along the BOTTOM line of the space as opposed to horizontally in middle of space provided. I think, IF they were letters, the bottom 1/2 of the letters would be below the edge of the space (ie: a lower case "g" would appear as an l.c. "a" as would a "q"?). Noted cursor bar same, only about top 1/2 showing within space for password. Don't know if that's a red herring. Monitor is a Samsung Syncmaster 712N LCD basically (outside ) 14 1/2" by 12 1/2". So not quite square but not not newer extra wide type. True color, 1024x768 @ 75 Hz.

General System specs in my profile (this is desktop machine discussed here). Haven't put laptop online in months. Hope this helps some. Sandy Happy

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Hmmm, on the new site which you should be on now,
Aug 27, 2008 6:04PM PDT

we no longer have that small rectangle log in form. It should be a pretty large overlay log in form that sits in the middle of the page. Is this not what you are seeing?

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I'm not getting the "old style" log-in box.
Aug 28, 2008 2:53PM PDT

where that used to be is just the "printed words"(log-in, join etc) which when clicked (log-in) I then get the large "overlay" for sign in basically in middle of screen but ofsset to the left of center horizontally(but centered vertically). I'd say centering from the left border of this entry box.

Having discovered that by clicking on log-in (top right) followed by log-in on overlay, Then with Error message (field req.) then manually entering password & then using Form Mgr. to enter E-mail & re-clicking log-in in overlay, I can now get logged-in regularly. Some how, the complexity seems appropriate to computers ! Sandy Mischief Happy

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Just a thought.
Aug 27, 2008 7:39PM PDT

Sandy, I haven't read through the whole of this thread so I may have missed something relevant, but what you described seems to be alignment and placement problems, and I had a thought.

Have you recently, or any time in the past, downloaded and used any of John's (Wilkinson), CSS Style sheet files for Firefox? John developed them, mainly for Firefox, to counteract certain, er...., elements of the CNET forum pages. I can say no more, Happy

If you did, this CSS file may be interacting with the new format CNET pages, and causing alignment problems. The file is stored in the Chrome folder of the Mozilla/Firefox folders as follows;
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{randomnumbersletters}.default\chrome
and takes the name userContent.css

So, if you have such a file, don't delete it but rename it, to something like userContent.old or whatever you like, then restart your Firefox browser.

If you never have used John's file, then you will probably want to ignore this post, Happy

Mark

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Thanks For The Careful Thought, Mark...
Aug 28, 2008 2:37PM PDT

but I'm not running Firefox only Sea Monkey. I have not downloaded or installed any CSS files. Good thinking 'tho!! Thanks for caring! Sandy Grin

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Don't go blaming me...
Aug 29, 2008 12:53PM PDT

You stole my title as Sir Breaks A. Lot when you nailed the Computer Help forum, remember? Happy

John


P.S. My CSS file has been updated for the final changes the engineers made when the site went live and is, as far as I can tell, bug-free. Let me know if you spot anything, though.

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OK I will try the new one.
Aug 29, 2008 7:23PM PDT

I could never steal your title. In fact it is time you were rewarded, (euphemistically speaking Devil ) for your efforts at breaking the forums.

Mark

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Just A Update Note: Hooray!!! Tonight...
Sep 1, 2008 3:36PM PDT

I WAS able to log-in in the normal fashion (1)E-mail (2)Password (3) Log-in. Keeping fingers crossed it's same in the future. Thanks to ALL who tried puzzling w/ me thru this!!! Hopefully this case is closed! Sandy Grin

P.S. My Sea Monkey is displaying the block pop-up symbol (explosion w/ exclamation mark) on this page but I haven't seen the mysterious get plug-in overlay in last 2 or 3 days. Thanks. Grin

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Spoke Too Soon!! Tonight Same Old Log-in Error!
Sep 2, 2008 2:42PM PDT
Sad Did get here with previous workaround. Tonight attempt was via advanced search. Sigh...Happy
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Don't Like It
Aug 26, 2008 10:08PM PDT

My primary reason to visit Cnet is to check out the new software added for that day. I run Vista and XP and I set the filters for each respective operating system.

Now I'm only able to apply one filter. That sucks. I want to filter on operating system and license type. I'm not going to browse through software that I know I don't want.

I will not be back until this changes.

Mark

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Mark, please share this feedback by clicking on the...
Aug 27, 2008 2:01AM PDT

"Send feedback" link on top of the page. And make sure the response is directed to the CNET Download site. This way you will be heard.

Thanks!
-Lee

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Some pages still on beta...
Aug 27, 2008 2:43AM PDT

For instance, the forum 404 page and all of custhelp.com.

John

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Customer service is on the new site at least it looks like
Aug 27, 2008 3:07AM PDT
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Sure...
Aug 27, 2008 5:44AM PDT
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6138_102-0.html?forumID=31&threadID=90795&messageID=1021084&tag=forums06;forum-threads

It is an old thread so the first time or two trying to load it resulted in a Cnet 404 (caching issues linger), but third time was a charm. Both it and the custhelp.com site show the "Exclusive Beta" banner as opposed to the new 'eyebrow' banner. I do not know what, if any, changes aside form that have been made since the beta version, but it appears as though they have not been given the final refresh yet.

John
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Gotcha didn't see the old eyebrow on the CS pages...
Aug 27, 2008 6:06AM PDT

Sent that team an email about it.

Couldn't get the 404 though. Refreshed many times--going to dig for a super old posts to see if I can get a 404.

Thanks!

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CNET TV doesn't work beyond watching a SINGLE vids...
Aug 27, 2008 3:10PM PDT

...for me. New format or not, I still have to refresh a vid page if I want to watch additional vids down the available playlist, although before, I was able to watch two in a row before having to refresh the CNET TV page to be able to stream others. I suspect a FF plug-in might be the cause, but hey, even CNET talks kindly about a lot of these safe surfing add-ons I choose to use.

As for the site itself; I guess familiarity breeds contempt for the NEW site. I happen to LIKE yellow myself. This new layout is just <i>sterile</i>. Plus, not all of the old familiar content was easily available when the new pages loaded up, first in beta then on the actual official launch (like the Buzz Reports, for instance). More stuff shows up as the week has progressed, but it was still disconcerting not to have a daily fix of the CNET regulars.

I can live with the changes as long as the rest of the missing/now-hard-to-find content returns. There's only so much slashdot and engadget I can stand on a daily basis...

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My two cents worth
Aug 28, 2008 2:37AM PDT

This isn't in response to any particular post, just about the re-design.

Every few months, years, popular web-sites and newspapers feel the need to freshen up the product.

I like this redesign, mostly. However, the forums are no longer linked directly to the subject.

I enjoyed trolling the forums on the subjects i'm interested in. Some forum threads helped educate me and decide what products I'd buy. I was informed and educated. A good thing.

Now you can't easily find them.

You need to bring that back. Otherwise, this is just one big advertisement.

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Ad blocker?
Aug 28, 2008 10:45AM PDT

This sounds like you have an ad blocker. Can you disable the ad blocker or add CNET TV to your whitelist?

Thanks,
Justin

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I'm not using an add blocker
Aug 31, 2008 2:35AM PDT

I'm talking about the "hot topics" under each listing such as television, computers, etc.

It's no longer easy to participate in community dicussions because that feature has been removed.

That sucks.

I used to be in the newspaper business. It seems every few years management and the graphic arts people decide to change layouts.

STOP.

We don't like CHANGE!

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Cnet web site is broken
Aug 30, 2008 11:25PM PDT

If going live means-- send readers to as many places as possible so more ads load, frustrate them while they try to find a reply to their post, fail to send out newsletters, and to have non-functioning customer support-- than Cnet has gone live and dead at the same time.


This might be a condition caused by the recent CBS purchase? The "buy something that works and fix it by break it" approach. I really hope I'm wrong about this. I have for the past few years, had many helpful replies to my post requesting help. I wish you well in your efforts to continue despite the many problems you all face. From my point of view you problems are more than bugs with the new website. Good luck with your efforts.

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Profiles
Sep 2, 2008 3:51AM PDT

Hi - have been out of touch for a few days, but I would like to impress you with the importance of having full profiles. It is difficult to address someone if you do not know if he lives in Greenland or on Fiji, if he is 16 or 60, or if it is a she. Of course you can only show what members wish you to show, but this is what the Web is about. Hope the "community profiles" will soon expand to give us the old items back. - Amos.

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offical thread
Sep 6, 2008 11:31AM PDT

I hate it,,,color is easier to read.

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incoming forum option
Sep 6, 2008 3:24PM PDT

I have noticed that it wont work unless you have in IE (only browser at work) two instances and generally the second will work. If there is just one it does not want to work and wont keep adding. Also i don't know if was because i minimized it.

I have not tried on firefox because i don't use it at home.

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I was just wondering about a wee bit of code
Sep 16, 2008 1:38AM PDT
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Lee, is nl.com.com ever going to be updated?
Sep 27, 2008 2:21PM PDT

All of the weekly polls are currently green, yellow, and white all over.

John

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Yes, it will be. Funny you asked because...
Sep 27, 2008 4:47PM PDT

I just reminded them about these pages this past Friday.

They will get to it, still a lot clean up work and tweaks going on around the whole site.

Thanks for the reminder though.
-Lee