I’d like to ask your help in getting the Recover Life from Depression website ready for launching. There are several features I’ll be adding to what you see now, but the structure doesn’t depend on those elements. Before doing any more, though, I’d really appreciate your feedback, in particular, on the organization and usability of the site.
At this point, there are just a handful of posts, mostly adapted from Storied Mind, to ensure there’s something on every page to link to. The site organizes its content in a way that differs from typical blogs like this one, and I’d like to know if that approach works for you.
Does the layout of the pages make sense? Can you find what you’re looking for? Is there anything you think should be added? Since every browser renders web pages a little differently, please let me know if anything looks broken in the layout or doesn’t function smoothly.
As I described the site in this post last fall, Recover Life from Depression focuses more on the methods for dealing with depression than Storied Mind usually does. The perspective, though, will remain personal, describing various dimensions of the illness and healing methods through the experiences of people like us who are trying to get our lives back.
Any reaction at all you might have will be valuable in launching the site, and I thank you deeply for taking the time.
Hi John
The site is clear and well designed. The pages however took an age to load and I am on a fast connection here.
Looking forward to the launch.
Hi, Lou –
Thanks for the feedback – that’s the worst thing for a site. I haven’t had that problem on my mac with firefox, safari or chrome – although firefox 3.x can hang for a long time before it starts the actual download. I’ve updated to v. 4 and it’s much better. I haven’t tested on windows, but my tech helper has, especially for download time. I’ll ask him to see if there’s a problem.
John
I like it. It’s clean and easy to read. Good luck as you keep going on it. It looks like it will be a great resource!
Thanks, Adam –
Glad to hear the layout looks good to you. I hope the site will become a helpful resource, but there’s a lot of content to add first!
John
Being a partner of a man who suffers depression, I would like to see a place for partners and family of depressed persons. Your blogs have been so instrumental in my understanding of this illness, I don’t want to have to go looking for it when I’m on your home page. I see it’s part of the Quick Guide but is it possible to dedicate a place on the home page for this purpose? Thanks John. Good luck with the site.
Hi, Liz –
Thanks for the idea. I do need to use the space more efficiently to feature the most important sections. There is a box with the intro to Relationships in Crisis in the lower right corner, but you have to scroll down to see it. I’m trying to find a way to get as much as possible “above the fold” and it helps to know which subjects people value the most.
My best to you in the New year –
John
Hi John,
It looks great to me. Personally I’d put the RSS button higher up on the page – but that’s hardly a big dea.
It is a nice lay out, it is clear where the content is and the content is easy to read. Which is pretty much what matters I think.
Thanks, Evan –
That’s good to know about clarity. RSS is important – I just haven’t found yet the sort of link and logo for it I’d like, including an image for email. When I find that, it makes a lot of sense to make it as prominent as possible.
And thanks for responding so quickly!
John