Proposals for main screen improvements

[beat]

Opening this tracker to leave the #28 comments regarding the 3 points listed there.

[dongilbert]

In my opinion, the main page of the "Install From Web" screen doesn't even need to display specific or random extensions. It could, however, show icons that link to useful categories for newcomers. Following that approach would also appear much more balanced, because one authors extension isn't being featured over another authors extension.

[Bakual]

I'd say one of the available lists on JED would be a good fit for the JEF mainpage as well:

• Random New Extensions
• New and Noteworthy
• Recently Updated
• Random Extensions

I would use the New and Noteworthy one and show it similar to how JED does. It has some information value without being unfair to anyone.

Or just leave the home empty with only a 'welcome' text giving some info and asking you to select a category or use the search.

That way you will also not get 'useless' heavy calls to the IFW server when people simply want to install a zip and have the IFW as first tab.

[dongilbert]

"Noob Friendly" links to relative categories would be better than a blank page asking them to select a category, IMO. But that's just me.

Categories are already on the side, right? Why repeat them?

[dongilbert]

Because too much whitespace isn't very UX friendly. And if we can put in relevant category links that cater to "noobs" as @beat was saying, it would help, IMO.

[Bakual]

Yeah. Informations about JEF would be a good idea as well. However with the current way JEF works the initial call will not get much lighter as anything is requested from server...

Category links would be an idea as well, but then who decides which are relevant and which are not? Some would argue an editor, a forum and a social component would be the best and we end up having similar links as today :)
Then I'd rather have the new and noteworthy one.

Or go the Google route:
Only display a big whopping search field.

PS: I strongly disagree with:

Because too much whitespace isn't very UX friendly