I like some of the 'improvements' on DK4. I like how you can add group diaries and tag based diaries to your stream. The rest of my comments will be negative.
I feel disconnected to the beating pulse of what was DKos3. I think they designed DKos4 around ad views. I find my self having to click way too many times to get to the content I want to see.
If I click on 'My Page' I see my stream. I dont see my recent comments or my diaries. If I want to see those, I have to click a few more things. Those are things I want to see so I can find out if anyone is paying any attention to them.
If DK4 was perfect, I would click on 'MyPage' and it would have the following elements on it, in the precise order I specify.
Starting with the main feed (left 2/3rd's of the screen).
1. My 20 most recent comment summaries (subject, tips, HR's and replies)
2. The last two diaries I wrote (heck I generate content for this site)
3. my stream of diaries that might be interesting to read
On the right hand 1/3 rd of screen real estate I would have the following
after the box welcoming me to the site with links about me and a personalized ad.
1. The Wreck list
2. The receWreck list
3. The 50 most recent diaries list.
4. 20 most popular groups this month
5. 20 newest groups to join
If this was the way the site was designed, I would get rid of the diaries tab (just click the banner announcing the recent diaries list to get the full list.) Same for the groups tab, just click on a banner for 20 'blank' groups. Same for the diaries tab, just get rid of it. The people, tags and faq tabs could be moved to the upper right or middle right.
The home page would also be set up a little different.
on the left 2/3 rd's
1. Front pagers news feed
on the right 1/3 rd
after the box welcoming me to the site with links about me and a personalized ad.
1. The Wreck list
2. The receWreck list
3. The 50 most recent diaries list.
4. 20 most popular groups this month
5. 20 newest groups to join
This set up would eliminate half the page views the site currently gets (thus saving server bandwidth), would probably have no impact on the click through rate for ads on the web site and would make most Kossacks happy.
There it is.
My proposal to make DKos4 a better place.
I hope you read this and implement it Kos. BTW, you recced a comment of mine a couple of days ago and I am still tingling with excitement, much like that random girl in the crowd that Justin Bieber just hugged.
I think I should get a job as a web design consultant. Is there a Union I can join?
Update 1:
Hmm just saw a box of hot tags on the bottom right of the front page for the first time. I'd add that to my list for the right hand side.