Redesign Nightwatch

Time for a redesign of inclusive planet! If you have ideas on how we can start catering to our members with low vision better, or think our site needs some serious plumbing, join in! I desperately need some famed nightwatchmen!
Channel Owner: anant.gopal
  • it would be good to add a vertical line between the left link menu and the content column, would make the division much clear.

    Planeteers say

  • the most observed problem among Blind person visible in written communication is of the spelling, there are a couple of add on available in Firefox, which help checking spellings but that is only available for few language and on the other hand the most user use IE for browsing. It would be good if spell check could be made available on all pages, so any time one can check spellings.

    Planeteers say

    sunil sangtani said :

    nice idea indeed. this feature must be added.
  • Could someone explain to me why there are EXCLUSIVE channels on the Inclusive Planet? I mean, on some channels, when you wish to subscribe, it asks you for additional information as to why you may be accepted; and when you write something in here, the updates tell the World that you have subscribed; but, in reality, when you go there again, you are told that your application is “pending”. Sometimes, it stays “pending” for a day or so, and then you get accepted, but in most times, you stay “pending” somewhere, and you may not even look at the content, so you don’t really know what’s this all about, what kind of Conspiracy theory you are hidden from.

    So, you have to think up your own conspiracy theory; has the Communists done something for “World Piece” again? Has some terrorist group made a few plans again, and are now spreading their word in secrecy? Is there a new group of idiots who plan to end all “World Piece”?

    Oh well, I don’t really care for such channels; there are enough others to make me happy! But these secret channels will probably not grow into much, as there may be others who feel like I do, while there may be others who would wish to be a member of some ‘Secret Society’, and this will cater for them, too.

    If you decide to start a secret channel, please at least let us know WHY you wish to make it Exclusive, so the rest of us can leave you alone… But, that’s just me…

    And, while I'm about it; I like the few changes you have made to the Update
    when I log in, yet I miss the "Feast on channels" link, which used to be on top somewhere, very much, but, OK, I can at least still find a list of channels lower down....

    Planeteers say

    Kumar said :

    Deon it is all a conspiracy. Yeah you knew it! But yes, unless its absolutely necessary (and yes I can imagine why it would be so, just don't ask) please try to have open channels! Channels are about finding common ground, and leaving a legacy of a momentum in thought in a certain direction, even if it is conspiracy theories!

    Vikas Munot said :

    I fully agree with you Deon. There cannot, and should not be any necessity for any exclusive channel on this planet. If it be so, then this, I think is not the right platform for those exclusive few.
  • Hi All, I need to figure out a few things for the site to run smoother. so here is a shout out to all our members, can all of you get back to me with a list of your favorite sites and why you like them. they needn't be all accessible, but if they have some navigation structure or any other attribute that you really like, gimme a heads up! I will wait for your inputs the coming till Friday.

    Best
    Anant

    Planeteers say

    Deon said :

    Hi, I find the following two very easy; http://www.blind-computing.com and also the Freedomscientific Page, and also the one of our own Prateek.... [this is how far I can spell his name thus far, hope I'm correct] Thankx
  • Just wondering what this new channel is going to be about….
    Are you thinking of re-designing it? I feel that the Inclusive Planet is very well structuated, works for me. And, if it works for me, it should work for anyone.

    I’ve noticed that, as we go along, the Planeteers are getting up to all kinds of interesting tricks, and the I Planet is definitely growing, expanding and improving, though I never thought it possible to improve such a nice thing.

    Of course, it is not the most accessible thing on the www, and here is where I feel we can teach the others a thing or two; how to make the Web accessible to all.

    As I’ve mentioned before, I am very impressed with the updating you see the moment when you log in, but I would like to preserve some space for new additions, posts, comments, by leaving out the “who-and-who-are-now-buddies thing. I feel, that if you wish to know who-and-who are now [and also in the past] there are ways for you to find out. And, anyway, YOU LOT ARE ALL MY FRIENDS. Of course, I’m only human, so some of you have become closer to me than others.

    You see, when you discover the I Planet, you go to each channel, from one to the other, read everything, maybe in order of your interests [I suggest you read them all, they’re mostly all great!] And then, next time you log in, you will then be informed of any new posts, comments, sharing and witty remarks. This way, you can quickly be updated.

    As the Planet grows and gets larger and larger, this will become more and more important.

    I like the link system, and they are always readily available. You can read and enjoy so much, and you can e-mail anyone in case you wish to send him/her a private message. But, on the other hand, I’m interested in everything you lot writes.

    The books and class notes you are sharing, is a brilliant idea, which will greatly improve the academic careers of all students. And, those of us who are not studying officially at the moment; remember, “Once a student, always a student”

    I cannot envisage a new design, but, if you do re-design it, you’d better allow me to be part of it, otherwise I’ll get the Weird Writer to write me a warning to send to you!!

    Planeteers say

    Kumar said :

    Deon, The redesign we are thinking of is to address accessibility issues raised by certain low vision and other print impaired members. We know we can definitely get better than we are now, and also there is an element of future proofing to look at. As more channels grow, and types of channels grow, the site needs to be able to accommodate easy access to your favorite things. In any case, there is nothing wrong with trying to be better, what say? Kumar

    Deon said :

    Agreed!! Now, let's go break a leg!

    Liesbeth said :

    Hi all, I'm an absolute digi-dummy, I gratefully make use of websites without having a notion how they work. I mostly use magnigication to read my pc, I hate websites with links and headings and pictures and what have you all over the place. IP is nice and top to bottom. Is it possible to put the navigation at the top of the page? I know you want me to read everything, but scrolling all the way down to go 'home' again is a bit of a bother. Everlasting thanks for doing all the work out there!

    Kumar said :

    You know Liz, thanks a lot for bringing this up! People please feel free to chip in. This is exactly what this channel is for! In any case, the whole idea of putting the navigation at the bottom was deliberate. As you may have noticed (we hope), the site was designed specifically for people using screen readers. We wanted people to land on content immediately instead of links to jump to content. However, we also wanted a constant location for navigation so that there would never be any mistake in finding it. However, we realize that putting the navigation bar at the bottom is not good design for everyone. Our philosophy has always been that we should always provide the best user interface experience. No one, not matter what their level of computer use, or medium of access, should ever feel uncomfortable using Inclusive Planet. This is why we are looking at a redesign! We realize the shortcomings of the design, and we want to do our best to make sure that every user has the option of choosing the design that best suits their preferences, abilities and situation! In a nut shell, that is what accessibility is for us.

    Kumar said :

    just wanted to add that .. .Liesbeth, I hope you did not mind me calling you Liz

    Deon said :

    A quick tip perhaps? To get to HOME quickly, press CONT + END Then press UP ARROW once... You're there!!!