Wikipedia:2008 main page redesign proposal/jc37

Rather than do a layout, I'll just suggest a few of the things I've liked in the proposals I've seen so far, and some things that I'd generally like.

First, the "order" of the page:

- - -
 * Top/introduction
 * Featured article adjacent to Did you know.
 * In the news adjacent to On this day
 * Bottom/introduction (such as Links to other "useful" Wikipedia pages)
 * Links to other wikipedias
 * Links to sister projects

I strogly feel that the sister projects links section should comprise the borrom of the page, with the other wikipedias links section directly above.

Due to the side-by-side nature of the 4 "central" sections, the horizontal "featured picture section should either be directly above, or directly below those four sections. As it's "featured content", I'm leaning towards "above".

I like the current "header" of the page, it's straight-forward and not over-complex. Though discussion for tweaking for which specific should be included should be welcome. (And the addition/removal of this or that link shouldn't require a wiki-wide discussion, as these tend to be. If the edit is a poor idea, it can always be reverted.)

Other things that might be interesting additions:


 * Featured lists - Though I think that this should more be a simple link (possibly with the list's descriptive introduction), than listing the list. Concatenating a list may lead to humourous displays, or (worse) misleading information.
 * The Signpost - This really is a "front page" for many concerning Wikipedia. Some might consider it a negative that casual readers might gain an "insider's view" of the project, but such transparency probably is a good thing, and who knows, it may help entice casual readers to become helpful editors. Something quite worthwhile : ) - Another way to put this would be to include News on the main page, rather than just link to it.)


 * I really like this last idea. I've been contributing in several ways for a long time, but haven't always felt myself to be a member of a community. Something like a Signpost view would be a good possible way to hook people in. -- MatthewDBA (talk) 18:51, 30 July 2008 (UTC)