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Wikipedia’s Redesign Is Barely Noticeable. That’s the Point.

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Re: Wikipedia’s Redesign Is Barely Noticeable. That’s the Point.

#21

Post by kibwen »

jklinger410 wrote: post #16
kibwen wrote: post #2

I noticed that the Wikipedia page for "Wikipedia" allows you to preview the new design: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia The top comment from yesterday's HN submission mentions how you can configure Wikipedia (or any MediaWiki) page to use whatever theme you like, including all the previous themes, which are still actively maintained: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34431533

Looks like the white space on the right side is a perfect width for banner ads.

If they wanted to add banner ads, they could have just done so on the old design. The existence of a new design has no implications there.

Re: Wikipedia’s Redesign Is Barely Noticeable. That’s the Point.

#22

Post by joegahona »

Clickbait headlines get justifiably trashed on HN, but this is an example of a headline that is creative and playful while also communicating the essential information:

- First word says exactly what the article is about: Wikipedia.

- First two words give more precision and the news itself: "Wikipedia's Redesign."

- First sentence communicates it was a minor redesign.

- Second sentence communicates it was intentional, and there will be rationale shared.

This type of headline writing should be expected, but sadly it's the exception.

Re: Wikipedia’s Redesign Is Barely Noticeable. That’s the Point.

#23

Post by dhruvarora013 »

I've been using the "Modern for Wikipedia" chrome extension for a while and it seems like they Wikipedia team has borrowed a lot of ideas from the extension. I still prefer the extension since you can change the theme away from bright white. Great changes overall.

Re: Wikipedia’s Redesign Is Barely Noticeable. That’s the Point.

#24

Post by kypro »

prvc wrote: post #17

That's completely false. Earlier, when first viewing a Wikipedia page today, I experienced the same (very) mild panic that typically accompanies visiting the mobile page by accident. A regression in the visual appeal of the layout, in its readability at a glance, and in the efficiency of its use of space. Earlier design could be considered "iconic", so this change is especially detrimental.

I had a similar reaction. I was so surprised that I spontaneously pulled back from my chair when I stumbled upon the redesigned site earlier. It was a "wtf is this??" moment.

I don't know if it's just that I'm not used to the new look, but I honestly hate the pillarboxing to fit the new maximum content width.

Re: Wikipedia’s Redesign Is Barely Noticeable. That’s the Point.

#25

Post by kibwen »

prvc wrote: post #17

That's completely false. Earlier, when first viewing a Wikipedia page today, I experienced the same (very) mild panic that typically accompanies visiting the mobile page by accident. A regression in the visual appeal of the layout, in its readability at a glance, and in the efficiency of its use of space. Earlier design could be considered "iconic", so this change is especially detrimental.

> Earlier design could be considered "iconic", so this change is especially detrimental.

I mean, I'm old enough to remember when that earlier design was brand-new, and its predecessor was just as iconic, IMO. :P

Re: Wikipedia’s Redesign Is Barely Noticeable. That’s the Point.

#27

Post by sdiacom »

karaterobot wrote: post #12
kibwen wrote: post #2

I noticed that the Wikipedia page for "Wikipedia" allows you to preview the new design: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia The top comment from yesterday's HN submission mentions how you can configure Wikipedia (or any MediaWiki) page to use whatever theme you like, including all the previous themes, which are still actively maintained: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34431533

Only if you create an account and log in, right? I've gotten along without having a Wikipedia account for the last 20 years, I guess now I have to make one. If that was a product goal, it was a very sneaky success.

I'm pretty sure that "getting the same four Hacker News users, who feel personally wronged every time a website becomes more readable, to sign up" is nowhere near the top of their list of priorities.

Re: Wikipedia’s Redesign Is Barely Noticeable. That’s the Point.

#28

Post by swsieber »

kibwen wrote: post #21
jklinger410 wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Looks like the white space on the right side is a perfect width for banner ads.

If they wanted to add banner ads, they could have just done so on the old design. The existence of a new design has no implications there.

It may not imply that they intend to add ads, but having that space already there makes it more likely.

Re: Wikipedia’s Redesign Is Barely Noticeable. That’s the Point.

#29

Post by tomudding »

I have been using the Timeless skin [0] for quite some time now and the main reason I switched was that the content would be a bit more condensed towards the middle of the page. This helps a lot on larger monitors and I can see why this new theme also does something similar. However, the large amount of whitespace on the sides is just wasted and in combination with the fact that more interaction is required to do basic things (like changing the language of a page) is something that makes this new theme not "barely noticeable".

[0]: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Main_Page&useskin...

Re: Wikipedia’s Redesign Is Barely Noticeable. That’s the Point.

#30

Post by plorkyeran »

prvc wrote: post #17

That's completely false. Earlier, when first viewing a Wikipedia page today, I experienced the same (very) mild panic that typically accompanies visiting the mobile page by accident. A regression in the visual appeal of the layout, in its readability at a glance, and in the efficiency of its use of space. Earlier design could be considered "iconic", so this change is especially detrimental.

Yeah, I _like_ the redesign but I certainly wouldn't call it "barely noticeable".
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