MODX.com Website Refresh#

Hello folks,

If you haven't already noticed, we made some changes to the main MODX website at modx.com. We're working very hard to make it easier for people to understand what MODX is, what they can do with it and how it helps businesses manage their web content. We've simplified the navigation significantly and reduced the number of pages and clutter in general. We're not done but we're getting there and we'd love to hear what you think.

If you have any thoughts or ideas about the site, please share them here.

If you spot a bug or issue, please file it here: http://bugs.modx.com/projects/website/issues

just a quick note: my impression is that modx.com changes too frequently. in the past, there were troubles with non-working links in the modx-documentation, and just now I clicked the link to download Revo 2.2. from your post, http://modx.com/revolution/download/ which doesn't work anymore. I found the new link, of course, but I think the URLs change too often.

and when they do, important URLs like this one should be granted some redirect.

We've corrected that URL. Thanks for letting us know.

Although the MODX redesign is too businesslike for my tastes there is no denying it's a very impressive and professional design. The new changes are subtle but they are definitely an improvement and I'm glad the Twitter feed has gone.

A couple of minor tweeks worth considering:

• On the Site Gallery page clicking on a site image should result in the new page opening in a new tab not taking you away from MODX.


• On the Extras page it would be good to have a link to the Extra's documentation if it exists. This could be placed below 'More Information' and 'Download Now'. For example, the Article Extra has very good documentation but no link from it's Extra's page whilst others do.


• In the menu a link is called Add-ons yet the page is called Extras, but the documentation for the Extras is called Add-ons.


• Before I download any CMS I try out a demo of it. I would consider having that as a small feature on the homepage.


• The tryMODX template is looking very dated compared to the MODX design. As this will be many peoples first use of MODx something more fun and friendly might create more of an impression.

If there could be one change only then it would be to the forum, the previous one was much easier to view.

Great suggestions, could you submit them here: http://tracker.modx.com/projects (you may have to register first)?

They're much more likely to be implemented if they've been officially reported.


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PLEASE, PLEASE specify the version of MODX you are using . . . PLEASE!
MODX info for everyone: http://bobsguides.com/modx.html

Randall,

Those are some great ideas. Some of them we're already planning to incorporate. We are going to be building a new demo for Revo this month. It's somewhat more complex than one might think to build a site that can be manipulated and played with for new users but we've got a solid strategy in place. trymodx.com is indeed using a very old template set but it is not operated by MODX but by a community member who has filled the void for us. Again this will be resolve this month. As far as the inconsistencies of nomenclature between Extras and add-ons, we'll straighten that out. We will be adding links to extras documentation as well to any corresponding forum thread. This requires changes to the fairly significant extras add-on that runs that part of modx.com. We know how incredibly helpful that will be.

On the one thing I am not certain of: Opening sites on the gallery in new links. This is a contentious usability issue. There are many arguments for and against opening links in new windows. I've personally stuck with not breaking the back button and not spawning new windows so people won't leave the site. Users who want to open a site in a new window can CMD+Click on Mac or CTRL Click in Windows to open a link in a new tab. Those who don't know better often lose track of the browser space. That being said I've recently considered the way mobile devices handle this by offering a tooltip asking if you'd like to open in a new tab or copy the link. This might be a good alternative easily accomplished with a wee bit of jQuery tools. I am however, not anti target="_blank" person and was happy to see it is included in HTML5.

We're open to more suggestions. We will be making lots of changes there as well, very soon some needed fixes/improvements to the forums as well.

Fair point, my only concern was that if people start delving into one of the gallery sites that might mindlessly close the site forgotting to go back to MODX; I'm one of those mindless people! Like you say, good arguments for and against.