Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Usability/Main Page/Draft/Current MP

I have to admit that those attempting to load Wikipedia over dialup would highly prefer a minimal start page. Between the high latency of the last mile, to the well-loaded Wikipedia servers, less is probably more.

Would it be a better idea to create a set of links that would go to each feature or section? I understand that the "navigation" pane is intended to be generic for any wiki using Wikimedia software, but some customization there - possibly by the addition of a Wikipedia features menu - might solve the whole debate.

Then again, one could cookie the user's browser to let them choose the sections and features they want to see at startup. That shouldn't take too much bandwidth up, though I am no expert. Thanks for listening this long! 12.202.229.218 07:00, 24 January 2006 (UTC)


 * There is a minimal start page already. See Main Page (text only). A page with links specifically to each feature/section would be easy, and could be maintained as an alternate entry point users could use on their second visit and thereafter.  The cookies thing sounds like a programming issue, and goes beyond the scope of this project.  There is a page in the Village Pump, I think, for suggesting changes to the software.
 * Go for it! 00:13, 25 January 2006 (UTC)


 * 1) Like the current version. Change is necessary. Current version is most transparent and nothing can be better. - Darwinek 10:34, 25 January 2006 (UTC)
 * 2) The drafts are pretty good, but not quite as nice as the current version in my opinin. Amaurea 13:14, 25 January 2006 (UTC)
 * 3) I like the current main page, and see nothing requiring redesign. Redesign for its own sake will only confuse occasional visitors, and their typical navigation links will move around between visits.  I'm a frequent critic of UI redesign for this very reason.  I support keeping the current main page.  --Llewdor 18:58, 25 January 2006 (UTC)
 * 4) To me all the drafts look a bit too stuffed, unlike the main page we have now. --Gwaur 20:36, 25 January 2006 (UTC)
 * 5) I Like 6F, but Keep the Main Page: Of all the drafts, I like 6F the best. But my vote goes for keeping the old Main Page.  What's wrong with it?  I like it!  Change for change's sake is bad.   Juan C Nuno
 * 6) I vote to keep the old page. My second choice would be 6A, but I believe that the current layout design is fine. -Hoekenheef 23:53, 28 January 2006 (UTC)
 * 7) I like the current Main Page. If it has to be redesigned, then a totally new concept would be much better. Not just tweaking for tweaking's sake. -- J o  h  n  O  You found the secret writing!  04:16, 29 January 2006 (UTC)
 * 8) I also prefer the current Main Page. It's pretty clean and usefull. Just adding more portals should be enough for now. Mark the Echidna 18:07, 29 January 2006 (UTC)
 * 9) I prefer the current version.--Jusjih 08:42, 30 January 2006 (UTC)
 * 10) Draft F is good, but I like the current version best, I like none of the others, as they split the header, and it definitely shouldn't be split(except draft E, which I also don't like:the double header is too cumbersome). Prodego  talk  22:06, 1 February 2006 (UTC)
 * 11) I prefer the current page better than the draft. It's a clean and good design. Also, the drafts seem a little more cluttered too.Toonmon2005 02:26, 18 February 2006 (UTC)