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Superchicken · Feb 3, 2005, 03:46 PM

I remember when I first became a Mac user, there was the Apple logo, the store tab, ... then I can't remember all what was there... but it to me seems a bit cluttered now. And I've always thought it was a bit strange that if Apple's hardware + software company that both those options should be fairly small on the main page. It seems quicktime to the casual reader might seem like a bigger product for Apple than the iMac or Power Mac. Granted of course we do have the lovely main page that always takes you to anything that's new. But what if someone's thinking of getting an iBook but there hasn't been a revision recently?

Granted it's not as if Dell or HP or anyone has a better site in regards to look or functionality. But it just seems to me that Apple could do a lot more to help the user navigate the site. Actually I think most software companies have much more user friendly sites than any hardware companies I can think of. I've never had trouble finding anything when I went to Macromedia's or Adobe's sites. I mean I imagine there are some things buried but...

Severed Hand of Skywalker · Feb 3, 2005, 03:49 PM

Originally posted by Superchicken:
I remember when I first became a Mac user, there was the Apple logo, the store tab, ... then I can't remember all what was there... but it to me seems a bit cluttered now.

Well if you can't remember what was there this topic is sorta stupid.

At any rate I think the home page is perfectly clean with the exception of that news ticker which I can't believe anyone reads.

Mafia · Feb 3, 2005, 03:53 PM

Originally posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker:
At any rate I think the home page is perfectly clean with the exception of that news ticker which I can't believe anyone reads.

Superchicken · Feb 3, 2005, 03:54 PM

Originally posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker:
Well if you can't remember what was there this topic is sorta stupid.

At any rate I think the home page is perfectly clean with the exception of that news ticker which I can't believe anyone reads.

I don't mind the news ticker... but you think iPod + iTunes is a perfectly fine header? And what about .mac? I hardly feel that should be so highly placed on their page, it can't possibly make them as much money as other products.

turtle777 · Feb 3, 2005, 04:01 PM

Originally posted by Superchicken:
I don't mind the news ticker... but you think iPod + iTunes is a perfectly fine header? And what about .mac? I hardly feel that should be so highly placed on their page, it can't possibly make them as much money as other products.

Making money is not the only criteria.
Otherwise, get rid of Support.

-t

OldManMac · Feb 3, 2005, 04:06 PM

Originally posted by Superchicken:
I don't mind the news ticker... but you think iPod + iTunes is a perfectly fine header? And what about .mac? I hardly feel that should be so highly placed on their page, it can't possibly make them as much money as other products.

Maybe you've never noticed that the products placed at the top of the page regularly changes?

effgee · Feb 3, 2005, 04:08 PM

Well, the navigation system could use a bit of a house cleaning - but that's the price you pay if you want/need to stick with an "older" design that has proven very successful.

And since there's more factors playing into a site like Apple's than the wet dream of a bunch of usability nerds (e.g. business strategy, branding, etc.), the couple of bumps in that particular area are most likely a reasonable trade-off.

waxcrash · Feb 3, 2005, 04:10 PM

If you have trouble navigating Apple's web-site, I feel very sorry for you.

andreas_g4 · Feb 3, 2005, 04:13 PM

Originally posted by Superchicken:
I don't mind the news ticker... but you think iPod + iTunes is a perfectly fine header? And what about .mac? I hardly feel that should be so highly placed on their page, it can't possibly make them as much money as other products.

Well, iPod+iTunes makes Apple a lot of money.

xi_hyperon · Feb 3, 2005, 04:28 PM

I don't think it is cluttered, but perhaps my perception is colored by the fact that I'm there a couple times per week for various reasons. IMHO, Apple has one of the cleaner-looking sites when compared to those of its competitors.

Moderator · Feb 3, 2005, 04:36 PM

that aqua/bubble theme is pretty dated though...i like the design of the pro sections..and apps for that matter (FCP, Soundtrack, etc.)..wish they'd use that across the board

Xeo · Feb 3, 2005, 04:51 PM

Oh come on, it's better than this, otherwise it's been the same since the 1998, just upgraded and modernized. And moving the navigation to the top makes it more accessible.

I don't know what other design you are talking about.

Severed Hand of Skywalker · Feb 3, 2005, 04:53 PM

Originally posted by Superchicken:
I don't mind the news ticker... but you think iPod + iTunes is a perfectly fine header?

Um ya. Considering the iPod and iTunes are the hottest thing on the market right now I think it is as clear as it gets.

It was called "music" for a short while but I think they changed it because of the lawsuit.