Yoddle is back up and starting fresh. I am still trying to work out some things and would love for some help. I need "beta" submitters. Button pushers. People who like to find things wrong and people who like to find things good. Let me have your opinions. I will be notified when you reply.
http://yoddle.net

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Yoddle templates could have been a useful feature for selecting various search result options, query options, apply an information architecture over the basic site, display advanced options on the front page and so on.

And it would probably have generated some word of mouth.

But having templates purely as a novelty to play with might be innovation enough. Selecting a design does not (yet) seem to matter, results are displayed in the default template.

I would suggest a usability test might turn up some interesting data about site submission. I can't quite see reason to push more buttons, or submit.

Thank you for looking at the site. Question? When you say advaced options on the front page. Are you meaining like "search images" or "search a particular category". If so do you think a drop down menu would work well in this case.
I like the idea of inserting the results into the templates. That can be done with relative ease. Maybe if someone seconds the idea I will make it happen.
As far as pushing buttons and submitting....Why not? That is what the site is about.

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"Done" as in implement, I agree. "Done" as in usable, desirable, and informative, not so easy. This is going to take a test and design methodology.

Also it will take a better articulation of what the user could get before any will think it a good idea. Check out the trials and errors of the Google UI. For instance, early users used to sit there, not entering anything. When asked why, they explained they were waiting for "the rest of it" to load. This kind of unexpected data a proper methodology is supposed to uncover and deal with.

Developing an information hierarchy would be a challenge for this kind of interface. To see what I mean, check out the Joshua Davis search page concept design. Now I'm not in favor of every detail, but it is very close to what I am talking about. The other designs are more like what you already have. With dozens of cute design, I think eight or ten based on the information needs of users might not be out of order.

We have cute. It's a data wasteland out there. When a s-e-a-r-c-h engine talks about templates, isn't this what most people (who are at the engine to find stuff) are going to want to see?

Wheres the site? If that is your home page there sure is not much on it.

One big gray background with a little white on it.

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I am sorry about that. I am working on getting the user interface straight. I am starting to bring things to the front now. what would you like to see on the front page of a search engine? That is kinda where we are at right now. Also, I am working on some of the suggestions by DCrux right now. Note that the engine is back online. Any comments on the results??? And the presentation. DCrux thinks that they should follow the template system. I tend to agree. Since yoddle is done mostly in css. I should be able to do this without to much problem.
It might work out well for other developers as I plan to release the xml code soon after I get this pounded out. Re-visit and or state to me what you think would make the perfect start of a search page.

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I see where you are coming from. Now I have already started the change. I am setting the other cute templates aside for now. Maybe use them as a novelty section later.(they are were only examples of free templates that are for download in te members section anyway)
So, I have the shell. If I follow you we should come up with atleast a couple of setups for the search page. Maybe:ideas: A very plain page | A news feed page | A weather page | An initial page with a general mix(like the one you referenced}| A page with nothing but YODDLE content links | More ideas?
As far as the test and design methodology. I think that maybe we could get some help from around here. Right? That is why I came to this forum.[/list]

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Yes. Here's how you decide on "setups" or layouts. First you work out your search engine personas, which are thumbnails of potential users. (These aren't quite right for this application, but give you an idea).

Anyway, Joshua Davis layout is geocentered. Where/who you are in cyberspace and physical space. I don't see this as very good for named people, but great for a plumber within 10 minutes of your house, a restaurant, shopping or travel destination.

What does a persona who is in marketing or PR look for? In marketing mode it could be either buzz rank or media footprint aka brand dashoard. This is like page rank on steroids. (Note: Even after Google told people that little pagerank indicator on the toolbar didn't mean anything, they still obsess over it.)

And, of course, there is plain old simple search.

These are a little over-the-top, but you get a rough idea. People are looking for page results within a context, and what I'm suggesting are contextual templates. Why? Because users do not want to give up personal data, even to a search engine like Google. My suggestion is to find a halfway point, the context of the search. People can select a context rather than type in reams of data, boolean operators, or whatever.

If you can grasp just a fraction of what I've layed out, and iterate it properly, you should get more than a little notice.

Do you plan on letting users put a search section on their site with your code?

If so, where is the code?

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Anyone can the code here http://yoddle.net/services/
If you are going to put a search box on your site you might as well get paid for it. I need some testers anyway. Take into consideration that there are not to many paid listings. So the revenue may be a little slow at first. Also, I will be giving a $25.00 credit to anyone who puts a search box on thier site. The registration is free with a $10.00 credit. Also, any charity organizations that put a box on thier site will get unlimited account. Plus they can still gain revenue. That is all part of the business plan. Just sign in add you site to a couple of yeswords and yes phrases. Then go over to the affiliate section to get the code. You should also check out the extended search area. This is going to be a revolution. That is it for the plugging. Push some buttons and then give me some feed back so that I can better the site. Thanks

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I need comments on the results page for http://yoddle.net. I have changed it around alot. Also, I am working on this interface idea of Dcrux. It is a very good idea and can be implimented. I would like comments on this as well. Ex. "the news" interface. Should the look of the interface be changed and what news items would be worthy of inclusion? Also, how about some suggestions for different interfaces..??..

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Your opening page is confusing - it does not state what the site is. And then I can never get back to it. It is only because you asked for a review that fought my way through some of the site trying to find what it was all about.

Somehow I got into a members' area and that didn't explain what was going on. Then I re-entered the URL and clicked 'Computers'. That page has a 'home' link. This is not the 'home' I started at, but it does explain the principle of the site - if rather apologetically.


I presume this is aimed at website owners, as Joe Surfer will have little idea what's going on.

You lose credibility with contradictory statements like:
Then:
So it won't be a revolution then?

That's 'their' sites BTW. Then you say:
Quote:
Their is no other site as of yet that will hand <snip>

That's 'There is' - why put 'as of yet'?

In it might be a great idea - even a revolution. But it needs to much more user friendly with clear navigation and a spell checker and grammar check wouldn't be out of place.

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Paul Bilton design services ~ Sites not Sights

Paul B,

Thank you for your input. I am taking your advice to the site as we speak. So far: I got rid of the extra words and changed the design on the different sections to help eliminate confusion. Sorry it took so long to reply I was working on all of this.
Thanks again,

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Just a thought on when your charts come out. You might add some text to the bottom of that box saying you can look at the charts. I ran my cursor over the link to it and did not know what it was at first. It popped up really fast so the first time I did not see it just the fact that something popped up.

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Press release link does not work

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Were is the result page?

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Care to give a phone number so I can chat with you on this?

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I have made some of the changes that have been stated. The new basics are up and running. I could use some more input and listings. Also, I have been working on the navigation abit. Input would be great. Also, The extended search area has been upgraded alot. DMOZ??? Who needs it anymore with Yoddle Extended available at your finger tips.

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What's changed? I clicked the first link on the home page that didn't take me to another site and it took me to a site that looked like another site by apparently wasn't and then I couldn't get back.

I still don't know what it's supposed to be. "Why did the chicken cross the road?" - what's that all about? DMOZ has nothing to worry about...

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Paul Bilton design services ~ Sites not Sights

Paul,
Thank you for your input. I have made some quick changes based on your comments. Note that Yoddle is a network of seperate services. So each area does have a different look. I have made the " Home " link bring you back to the index page and am using "...... start" link to bring people back to the index page of that particular section. Please keep up the comments. That is what I am looking for so that Yoddle can begin to grow. Thanks for your time. Fitzgerald

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I see this on your search box.

Upisi pojam:

Does not make sense to me.

Why 2 search boxes?

Where is says HOME in white letters, why is that there. Anytime I see home on a page I go to click on it to get back to the main page.

One the bottom of the main page where is says SHARE. I can not read what it says below it.

Your dark blue bottom of the main pages is hard to read with the black text. Blends in for me.

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your landing page is not clearly defined

the first fold should instantly let visitors know what the site is about - those that find your site are not likely to stay long enough to figure it out unless it is clearly stated

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I would love for someone to help me get yoddle user friendly. I have made many changes to help get started. The search interface idea was great and I have developed a way to impliment the idea. So now I need help on making everything come together. The search engine is working great. Now the next step is to get the extended listings and interfaces in line. If you will help the site is located at http://yoddle.net. Thanks in advance.

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Why is your landing page different than the other pages of your site? The format I am talking about.

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I still see errors just about on all pages. Little ones. Graphics not coming up. Some spelling errors.

You have done a lot since the last time you asked for feed back. Nice job.

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I want a fast loading homepage with little or no pictures. Also I wanted people to concentrate on the search. Yet there is so much more one can do at yoddle. The start format just was not cutting it for the rest of the services. I still kept all of the same colors. Do you think that I should get rid of the orange in the pathway?

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I would keep the same format the whole site. I for one wonder when a site goes from one format to another if I all of a sudden am on a different site. I usually just say the heck with it and move on to the next site.

I would not. I think it goes with your site. Keep the orange or change it to a different color. I like the orange.

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Ok W1 I took all of the advice and Did this let me know if I am on the right track. Glad you are still checking things.

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One thing I have learned with my site is to put the things that I want on the site. I get all kinds of info on what to do with my site. 99 percent of it comes from good sources. I take it bite by bite on what they send me and look it over and over and over. I have found that without what the users of this site have told me I don't always see what they see. I only see what I see. Some times that is not very good.

Bottom line is, if you like what you have done, go for it. After all it is your site.

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I went to your site and to be honest, I have no clue what the purpose of the site is.

Please don't take me wrong, not trying to be a jerk.

However, why would I go there, and what is the purpose?

If I had dug deep, I'm sure I would have figured it out. But as a casual user, I'm not going to dig deep. Show me what I want within 15 seconds or so or I'm outta here. That's my personal opinion of what a site has to deliver.

Hope this helps.

Not trying to be a jerk here, but I went to your site and I have no clue what the purpose is. Why would I go there, and what do you have to offer?

If I had dug deeper, I'm sure I would have found out. But I went to this site with the attitude I found it by accident and went to it. With a cursory view, I have no clue what it's purpose is.

Please don't take that too harshly, just being honest here.

None taken. I know not everyone will get it.

For the record if you read my tag line you will know that the site you went on is a shopping mall.

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If it's a shopping mall, shouldn't everyone get it? As a consumer, I'm not going to have access to your tag line.

I like the graphics and visual layout.

BTW, feel free to critique my site somewhere on this page. ableinspector.com

I am not sure if you are talking about Yoddle. I am trying to use descriptive linking with example links to sample content. I am still working on my tag. Just in case. Yoddle is a search engine. There is a directory. Auction, Forums, Press Release Service, and online publishing. Not to mention our extended area which you can submit very detailed information about your site using any form of media available on the net or combination there of. Also, we can include you rss/xml feeds into your submissions so that the searcher can see realtime information.
So in short. Your Open Data Driven Listing Engine is a place to Promote. Search. Share. Sell and Develope information.

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I have added the ability to add your rss-xml feed with the directory listings. Any ideas on how to bring the feeds into viewing pleasure? I was thinking of using rss2html but am not sure how to present it. DHTL or new window. Also, I would like to get some feedback on the front page. I have got the descriptive links in place.

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Where did you get the Yoddle Internationalized flags at? Is it a service?

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Hey, the flags are just basic grafics hooked to the google translation service. I can get you the code if you like. I figured that I did not want yoddle to be confined to just sites from english speaking countries. That is why I put the translating feature on the pages. The funny thing is that I get more international hits than I do US hits. As soon as I get this usability issue fixed I am going to start some sort of advertising plan. Let me know if you want the code. Also, if anyone would like to try some code from the yoddle search engine let me know and I will post it for you. Here is a link for you to check out http://www.google.com/language_tools?hl=en

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I was going to go with google on the translation thingy on my site but I could not find the code for it so I went with babel fish.

If google has a code that can be used I would not mind using it. Would this code you have be for all langauges or just a selcet few?

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They seem to be adding at a very slow pace. I just like the fact that it is done rather quickly with google. If you want the code that I use. No problem. I will send it to you.

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Would you be so kind and send the code. I would not mind looking at it.

Can you add any flags for this code?

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I have changed the result page layout and color scheme. I would like to have some comments on what you think of the result layout and colors. It was time to break away from the blue.

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Change your copy write date to 2006 and not 1006

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I can understand the site needing to be simple but this one seems to be so simple design wise that it's boring.

I would remove the date from the top of the page, Design a simple but nice looking logo and remove all the text from the top of the search box.

Most people know that the search box is to do searches.

I would get rid of the flags and set the site up so it knows which country your coming from and what language to give results in by your ip. Then have a for english results button under the search box.

I would have a for other features or a more about yoddle button that has a page that tells more about the features of Yoddle.

Just my two cents but when you finished you would have a home page with a nice looking logo and a search box with two links.

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