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?

[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. :)

[M]

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.

[M]

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

[The PL Team (d&e)]

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

[Mark B]

Evan, I was able to pop-up member pages in new tabs for welcome messages better/faster with the grid. I'll welcome new members 100 at a time, so speed is everything. Thanks for asking. Ilike the grid.
M

[Evan]

Hey Mark!

Just so I'm clear, you preferred the old grid — not the list that's currently on your Ning Network?

/Evan
Ning Product Manager

[Rodrigo Sales]

Hi Evan

I prefer the list, but i have a suggestion: add action link - Invite, not only Give Gift and Comment

Thanks,

Rodrigo