Members page: Grid or List?

[Evan]

In July, when we changed the Members and Friends pages to a list, instead of a grid:
http://blog.ning.com/2009/07/tonights-release-is-live-7.html

The old grid view looked similar to this:

The new view looks like this:

We're looking at taking the most popular parts of each view (actions links and larger, side-by-side profile photos) and combining them into a single view:

What do you think?

[Phil Williams]

Hi Evan,

I think I like both almost equally! Hmm perhaps I prefer the top layout slightly more.

For me, it's not a big deal either way, though I like the idea of being able to choose between them.

Phil

[Jen]

Evan!
I'm with Phil. I truly like them both. But, I lean towards the old layout, a little more.

I think I would really love the old layout, with the additional fields: Add a Comment and Give a Gift, (maybe under the profile photos).

Best,
Jen

[Evan]

Hey Jen!

That's a great point. In fact, if we're going to allow Ning Networks to return to the old grid view, I think we want to add action links (Give Gift, Comment) in some form. They're definitely useful — and have been one of the most popular aspects of the list view.

/Evan
Ning Product Manager

[Scott]

I totally agree with this. I like that the list gives action steps, but the grid can fit 3 times as many people on the same screen, and is therefor much more 'browse-able.'

[Andrew Spiering]

Evan,

Options are good. Although, I am getting used to the new layout. It would be cool to have an option to display a specific number of members in the listed version.

-Andrew

[Travis]

Definitely the grid, although with the addition of the action links. For one, there seems to me to be too much wasted white space in the middle of the list. More importantly, however, just look at the visual difference between the large thumbnails and the smaller, especially with profile pics like "Jen"'s in the list example-- the photos are so small that all sort of context or identity is lost. That's just my two cents. :)

[Phil Williams]

Hi again Evan!

Have you seen a decrease in the overall number of page views on the Members pages across all Ning networks since the change? This might help to see what members prefer...

Thanks,

Phil

[Morgan]

I like the smaller images as they load faster for people. I thought that was the whole idea in the first place?

[Travis]

Thought I would add that on my network have actually faked the old grid layout, although with the smaller photos, by adding a bit of tweaked CSS to my "Advanced" settings under "Appearance". I don't recall the original source for this, or I would credit it, but what follows is the bit of CSS:

.xg_widget_profiles_friend .member_item, .xg_widget_profiles_members .member_item {
width:350px !important;
height: 80px !important;
float:right !important;
margin-right: 5px !important;
clear:none !important;
}
.xg_widget_profiles_friend .member_item .xg_span-8, .xg_widget_profiles_members .member_item .xg_span-8 {
width:210px !important;
}
.xg_widget_profiles_friend .member_item .xg_span-6, .xg_widget_profiles_members .member_item .xg_span-6 {
width:130px !important;
}
img.xg_lightborder {
margin-bottom: 15px !important;
}

This results in a display like the attached screenshot.

[Morgan]

Travis that is awesome! Thanks for sharing! Looks sharp!

[JP]

@Travis,

I did the same thing to my members list as well. I think I tweaked it a little more than the default code you have. I can't remember who to credit this to either.

@Evan,
I think Jen's idea is a great idea with the additional fields. I liked the old style better than the new one. I also support giving the NC the ability to choose from two according to what they like.

"Cheers"
JP

[The PL Team (d&e)]

We run this too, love it. Ning, care to share your tweeks?