Menu structure
October 1, 2009 - 12:32pm — David Dunning
I find the whole organization of the site very confusing. For example, when I go to the home page, how would I find this forum topic? How would I get to the SWNI Server Management Team "home page"? How do the items on the "Quick Links" menu relate to the general organization of the site? Further, the "breadcrumb" (the horizontal list at the bottom of the header with the ">" separators) often does not reflect any hierarchic structure at all, showing only a "Home" link. Because I do not understand the current organization of the site, it is difficult for me to suggest ways to clarify it.
Too many cooks…
The menu system was revamped a few years ago by RuthAnn, Victor, et al. I didn’t agree with many of the changes, and thought it made navigation more difficult.
My original vision was that “Quick Links” and “Site Aide” were supplemental menus for intermediate and novice users, but could be switched off in user account settings. Primary links, as i set them up originally, took the user to major places like the FAQs, Forums, Neighborhood Sites, “Library” (i.e. where the Drupal Books were kept), etc. That was not a vision shared by those doing the rework, however. As a result, some major areas have gone dark (i.e. not easily found).
Site map as a diagnostic tool
I enabled a Site Map function in the Sandbox, partly to help me understand what is here. If you go over there, you'll see it in the left sidebar a couple of lines below the Log Out link. It's something we should have here, I think, and it gives a much clearer picture of what the site actually contains, and in what form, than any other tool we have, especially among tools that anyone would typically have access to. It's also a good thing to have because it helps search engines find what's here.
You might want to check it out, to help you think about what we have, and how we might best present this content to the casual visitor.