[wp-meta] [Making WordPress.org] #930: Theme Directory UI Update Feedback

[Making WordPress.org]

#930: Theme Directory UI Update Feedback
--------------------------+-----------------------------
Reporter:  brijeshtejani  |      Owner:
    Type:  enhancement    |     Status:  new
Priority:  normal         |  Component:  Theme Directory
Keywords:                 |
--------------------------+-----------------------------
 I didn't really know whether to open a ticket for this. But I think I
 really needed to.

 Pulled it from https://wordpress.org/support/topic/theme-directory-ui-
 update-feedback, since no team member or moderator has replied yet. Plus I
 didn't want to really come here and write this, but the more I came across
 the new theme directory page the more I felt tempted to just let you guys
 know that a lot of things have been done wrong, and will impact the UX for
 folks here very badly.

 While all seem to be quite content with the new UI, I am not really happy
 with it. A lot of things (functionalities or the UX) have been changed
 without much thought. Let me explain.

 1. The author themepage url is missing
 2. There should no pop up kind of thing. It adds to load time.
 3. The current theme version is missing
 4. There should be no scroll (as suggested by jwhittaker99 and BFR)
 5. The preview url should directly show the preview and not take to the
 theme page first
 6. Theme preview should be full screen
 7. Theme previews should have a unique url for itself
 8. When the theme was last updated (now resolved)


 2. There should no pop up kind of thing. It adds to load time.

 Before:
  The old theme page would load in 1 second.

 Now:
  The new UI has a lightbox pop-up (if I am naming it right) and so, the
 page takes 1 second to load and that box takes another second to load,
 which is not at all cool.

 3. The current theme version is missing

 Before: Oh, that's the current version. Fine. Done.
 Now: Go all the way to the download button to check the current theme
 version. You just added an extra step.

 6. Theme preview should be full screen

 When I click on preview, it shows the theme preview. But the left sidebar
 covers 20% (or so) of the screen. I then have to click on the arrow at the
 bottom. Now comparing this to what it was before:

 Aim: Preview a theme

 Before:
  Step 1: Open the url.
  Step 2: Either click on preview or right click and select open in new
 tab. Easy peasy.
 Now:
  Step 1: Open the url. Wait (for the pop up box to load).
  Step 2: Click on preview.
  Step 3: Click on the arrow to see full screen preview.

 You just added an extra step, again! Which would not really seem a problem
 to folks who come here sometimes, but to us, who surf the theme dir
 everyday, this is not at all cool. You spoiled my UX.

 7. Theme previews should have a unique url for itself

 I am watching a theme preview right now. When I duplicate this page in my
 browser (Google Chrome in this case) I don't get the theme preview. I get
 the theme page instead. Now I need to repeat the steps to see the preview.

 Previously I had a link to share. I could easily direct my friends who
 don't know WP much to a theme's preview url. Now there's no preview url.
 And I hope you guys aren't going to kill the existing urls (previous
 wordpress theme preview links on wp-themes.com)

 I am sincerely sorry if any of this sounded rude. I am just giving honest
 feedback.

 Unhappy with this update. :(

--
Ticket URL: <https://meta.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/930>
Making WordPress.org <https://meta.trac.wordpress.org/>
Making WordPress.org