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New Magicseaweed Website - Sneak Preview

By Ben - MSW Admin - Published on 16th January 2009 | Viewed 10594 times.

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We've spent the last six months or so working on a new version of both our forecasts and the website. As usual the changes are an evolution and everything should still look and feel reassuringly similar, however at the heart of the new site the forecasts themselves should be more accurate and more detailed.

We'll be putting up a great deal more information about what's changed, and what's still to change, but if you want to see the new version right now as we continue to work on it you can check it out here:

Any constructive feedback appreciated as always...

UPDATE

Thanks for all the feedback, the new site will go live early next week and I've removed the Beta link for the minute.
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Comments
 
Don_Dorffo277 days ago Reply
just sp that you're aware, there seems to be something wrong with the photo uploader.. I can select 'region' but I can't select 'surf spot'
ronin - MSW Team265 days ago Reply
Hi Don, thanks for letting us know, this should all be fixed now.
Gary McCall306 days ago Reply
Would really like to see a next and previous button when browsing photos. Images would probably get allot more indirect exposure this way.
Kalemanzi310 days ago Reply
Well done guys. I know how much work it is to do what you are doing in terms of web development. You guys are really setting the standards.
Ben - MSW Admin310 days ago Reply
We moved the site to a new server last night and there are some teething problems that we've fixed but not put up live yet.
dmg04310 days ago Reply
Is anyone else getting an incorrectly formatted site when clicking on the link??
Borth Surf Rat312 days ago Reply
Hi Ben, liking the new site. more accurate forecasts hopefully, although unfortunately that means less optimistic forecasts for mid wales. one thing that has been bugging me for a while though....the Borth forecast is linked to the tide information for Barmouth, about 20 miles away and always 35mins later than Borth. It should be linked to the Aberystwyth tide data which is only 5 miles away and 10 mins earlier than Borth. Thanks
Ben - MSW Admin312 days ago Reply
Cheers John - all good ideas and some we've got plans for in the fairly short term - particularly the photo system.
johnnn312 days ago Reply
I generally like the look of the new site, altho I do agree with the comment about being able to see wind information on the same page as the spectral info (and it would be nice if the source for the spectral info was a bit closer than 6000 miles away!!) I guess the priority right now is the forecast info but I think there's a bit of scope to improve the photo section too. It would be cool if users could set up photo "alerts" so that if a new photo is posted for a certain spot (or with a certain tag) then the photo gets automatically placed in a special folder called "photos-you-might-be-interested-in".. or maybe something shorter. No need to send alert emails or anything, I don't think. Also, I think it would be good to have a "Secret" option for uploading photos of secret spots, then the comments section for these photos can be moderated a bit more actively to make sure people don't blab "Isn't that (insert spot)?" (In this scenario, users would still have to select a country.) Finally, a lot of people have commented that they'd be happy to pay a small price for full resolution versions of some pics. I know I would, anyway. I guess, there would be copyright issues to work out, but if you can work it out then that would be sweet.
SurfBuds313 days ago Reply
Hi Ben - I'm not sure what else needs to be said in terms of providing you with feedback. Previous comments seem to cover a ton of ground! In my opinion, the beta site is just as easy to navigate and is laid out just as nicely as the original. I like the change you made to the primary nav and header fonts. They're not as "heavy" and easier to read. By the same token, the items in the right column on the surf report pages seem more noticeable and easier to read as well. Keep up the great work!
Platinumfinz315 days ago Reply
We will have to see. It lacks pressure charts and moon phases!
Surf Berbere315 days ago Reply
MSW, I think this is a fantastic upgrade of the site, I have looked around and really like some things you have done, even the smallest of things like add the latest video of that spot underneath the latest pictures of the spot. An update of MSW is needed but at the same time I wouldn’t change it too much! Just make those little things happen then later if it ever comes down to it renew it! We all know how fast technology improves and god knows what could come out in the next year or two! Kind Regards Hassan Ingram www.surfberbere.com
Ben - MSW Admin319 days ago Reply
rmcgrath we have historic data available on every spot (click the small graph under the top left map) However this is not being continuously updated (ironically you CAN get the swell height for 3rd December 1999 but not for last week). However you can now select to view any charts for the previous month so checking back on a classic swell from the last few weeks. I want to allow you to be able to save any forecast so you can refer and compare it in the future and this'll be something else we work on with the new site.
Ben - MSW Admin319 days ago Reply
Hi Cyberfella - thanks for that - it's something I constantly play with when thinking about a redesign. I think for the average user we've stretched comprehension with having both a 'nearshore' height and a 'swell height' at some spots. I think to have these two and a 'best swell' height might really confuse. However I do think that this is probably the last version of the website that looks and feels as this one does. I really think the future is that websites like ours start to feel more like applications. Your forecast is something like an excel spreadsheet, you should be able to decide exactly what you want to see in each column, whether you want it colour coded or highlighted (based on your criteria) and what units to use etc. and if you have your own local rules (east swells never work, south swells are always bigger than west swells) you can plug those in too.
rmcgrath320 days ago Reply
just wondering if something like a wheather archive was available.im not sure of the exat reasons but i regularly go looking for one.
cyberfella320 days ago Reply
OK, I have another suggestion and I think it's really good. As you've said yourselves (on the spectral forecast), the real magic long period swells can be hidden from view by the dominant swell. i.e. a 6' south west swell with a 14 second period perfect for porthleven would be masked from view if there was a 10' @ 10s west swell running at the same time. Would it not be better to display not only the biggest swell, but also the detail for the other swell who's direction best suits the particular spot you're looking at, even if it's only half the size. Many surfers would rather surf a particular spot at 4' due to the shape and higher period wave there, than necessarily opting for the biggest wave every time. If a beach faces south, then display info for any swells with south in them. there's little point displaying info for swells that wont reach the beach. maybe just have a permanent pane at the top with the dominant swell info in it, but only display the best swell for the particluar spot from the spectral forecast on the forecast page for that spot?
cyberfella320 days ago Reply
It's funny how news of a 'new website' can be pretty frightening when it comes to websites you've got used to and really rely upon. I really rely upon msw and my immediate reaction was 'oh no, dont change it, look what happened when they fkd with facebook!' however, the layout is still very familiar and intuitive so my immediate fears were quickly laid to rest. I like it. So much, I'll be using it from now on. I'm going to go right around the entire site later and really look for things I dont like, but I'm confident I'll not find many. I have one suggestion, that for me would be the icing on the cake - make the spectral forecast available to each location but add another column on the right hand side showing the wind direction at that spot through the day too. A single screen showing spectral swell forecast and the wind direction would be fantastic.
Ben - MSW Admin321 days ago Reply
How do you mean the layout is worse? Can you give me an example - not a huge amount has changed with the navigation so I'd be keen to know.
FourStarKD321 days ago Reply
not a good look. i expected it all to be better laid out but its just all over the place and it is going backwards and not better.
andrew1828324 days ago Reply
i dont like it.
bio324 days ago Reply
In the surf shop i have always been wondering when items get back in store... Is it possible to get something that tells you when the it get back?
jimblob74329 days ago Reply
Hi, Love the new site - more info is always useful! Is there any chance of more spots being forecasted? There was one for Bamburgh for a while, but that seems to have gone. I surf between Tynemouth and Bamburgh and found being able to compare both forecasts very useful. Keep up the good work!
XFS334 days ago Reply
I suppose you are right Ben, it does make it more interesting to have some sort of spot name, just trying to think of a way to get round the problem of wanting to upload a really great photo from a "secret spot" without making all the locals cross!!
Ben - MSW Admin335 days ago Reply
Also on multiple tags for the photos I totally agree - it was always meant to work like this. We also need some kind of 'suggest a tag' too so we can have more categories. I'm keen to allow people to link photos into albums and sequences. On not saying where a photo is from I'm not really into it - it works because you have some idea, you don't need to name every little detail of the spot (because we don't list every little secret or low key spot) but having some idea makes it much more interesting to me at least as a surfer.
Ben - MSW Admin335 days ago Reply
Thanks for that. On scrolling I'm not sure why there seems to be more - the header is a few pixels longer but otherwise the forecast itself should be about the same length. On duplicating the navigation we do find that people use one or the other and when we remove either we lose people to that. On the eyeball photos we totally agree and we're working on that right now - along with some other ideas to help strengthen the benefits for shops like yours that work so hard to submit them. I think the ability for a user to 'subscribe' to a report or forecast and get an email would be great for example.
witteringsurfshop336 days ago Reply
hey, i think it would be good to somehow put the pictures submitted by users who upload the eyeball surf forecast to each spot onto their own photo directory, or something similar, just if you look at http://magicseaweed.com/photoLab/browsePhotos.php?spotId=14 as you can see half the pictures are our surf forecast pics and they are not exactly interesting half the time. also, a previous and next button when browsing photos would be awesome. great work guys!
dmg04336 days ago Reply
Another point on the photos. How about the option to select multiple tags? I'd love to just look at the 'surfer girl' 'longboard' 'aerial' pictures. Just a thought.
LukeGartside337 days ago Reply
Totally agree with mark, would love a next and previous photo button aswell as the option to select from a thumbnail underneath (the system that currently runs) .. great work.. great site getting better.
XFS338 days ago Reply
Hi Ben, Great work with the site, exellent service, Just a few points i thought id bring up: 1. Seems to be way more scrolling involved on the new site when looking at the detailed report, kind of a minor thing but might get annoying in the long run. 2. Do you need to to have the drop down menus at the top for spot selection and then the list of them on the right hand side, seems like you are wasting space... 3. Would be good if there was an option to upload photos anonymously, i.e. without having to say where they are.. Keep up the good work.
Mark338 days ago Reply
Hey Ben, I think what is already a great site is getting better. I also want to see a PREVIOUS and NEXT button added to the photo's. It's a real pain in the ass having to click back at the minute.
Ben - MSW Admin339 days ago Reply
You can add any break to your bookmarks (if you're logged in) and with this new version you get a drop down list of your tagged breaks in the header right next to the region selector list. On allowing people to comment on a break I can only imagine the fun this would bring us :) I think commenting on an eyeball might make more sense - hopefully we can continue to enhance user interaction but keeping, like the photos, a positive spin on it.
new_tangled339 days ago Reply
Hi Ben, new website is looking wicked! One thought I had was perhaps you could add a comment section for a days forecast or eyeball forecast... another good opportunity for friendly banter... I think one of the best things about this site is how much interactability there is and how much the users can contribute. Keep up the good work A++
T J Wagg340 days ago Reply
It'd be good to be able to specify a home break. It's good to see the seasonal average but I know it at home, maybe have tide information or spectral instead?
Ben - MSW Admin340 days ago Reply
You're right Jimmy and we're working on that now (eyeball photos stored seperately). Cheers...
JimmyWoops341 days ago Reply
New site looking good lads, like the way we can see different swells for ireland (not just most dominant) Just a thought i had, when im looking through pictures of Lahinch or others the Eye Ball report keeps coming up when browsing and you know yourselfs is rarely very good. Could ye remove this from the pictures database? Once the day has passed it doesnt need to be kept, and there isnt even a date on it when in stored. Its not nice when looking through photos and every 2nd one is off a flat or mushey Lahinch.
sUkya341 days ago Reply
like the new layout. seems simplified yet more dynamic at the same time. i approve of how its coming along can't wit to see the finished product.
James C341 days ago Reply
I think the Beta site is looking great. I like the new decals for the summary view, detailed view lo/ hi res etc buttons, but perhaps they could be resized and realigned to be the same width as the three charts above- swell size, period and wind? This doesn't quite sit right on the page for me, but i guess im just being picky. I like how you have made it easier to check out multiple sea states with the drop down under the charts. Also, the seasonal data is better placed to be used. The site is nicely upgraded whilst still feeling familiar- better than hotmail manages then! Looks great though guys, keep doing your most excellent work!
Nova Scotia Ryder342 days ago Reply
Hi, i would love a next and previous photo feature so that you do not have to go back to the local photos page when looking at pictures
Gary McCall343 days ago Reply
The photo rating system is far too easily abused and needs reworked. When is the featured photogr article appearing?
Ben - MSW Admin344 days ago Reply
new.magicseaweed is just the test website - early in the new year it'll become the main website - we just wanted as much comment and critique before then as possible. Next and previous buttons are more complex than they should be which is why we haven't done it yet - but we will get it sorted.
tmstom_martin345 days ago Reply
I like this new set up - it's made reading all the different parts of the forecast (tides, swell, wind etc) much easier! One question though, will the address be staying as new.magic... or will it be returning to simply magicseaweed? Sounds sad but I like being able to access the site quickly through my favourites :)
ceo617347 days ago Reply
i think that you guys should put a next and previous button on the page while viewing photos. it saves alt of time with slower computers.
Ben - MSW Admin347 days ago Reply
We're working on pressure charts from the new system - in the meantime there's a link to the old chart player from the top of the new charts page complete with the sea temperature chart and the pressure one.
stuie_m347 days ago Reply
Hey, where have the pressure charts gone?
Ben - MSW Admin349 days ago Reply
Comment Deleted
Dusty_Rusty349 days ago Reply
Im liking the new Tide section, Where you give a summary of conditions above the tides... Cuz id be going in and out of the Detailed report and Tides like a yo-yo... Good stuff!
Ben Ellis349 days ago Reply
I like the addition of the new type face for the main nav etc, have you considered using sIFR or equivalent to jazz up the typograhic control on the site a little? Also I'd like to see more within the page, ajax-style/CSS show/hide functionality used on stuff like the forecast tabs to flick between detailed and summary view etc. Some more interactivity like rollover states on buttons and headings would be nice too, just give it that little added extra! I could go on but I don't wanna bore anyone with too much techy detail. On the whole looking good. Cheers Ben
Ben Ellis349 days ago Reply
Id' like to see the forecast drop down remember the last spot I searched for, I find it annoying having to go back into the drop down to select the spot or the one next to it again.
Ben - MSW Admin349 days ago Reply
My mistake I thought the moving of the 'detailed' button was the problem, now I realise it's not working on the beta site! I've fixed that - of course we want to make sure the detailed 3hr view remains. You can also see the new tide view now as well. Thanks again for the feedback.
BarrelHunter349 days ago Reply
Good stuff im liking this new layout. Breaking waves estimate is a good addition and like the format of the detailed view when you drill down that shows all the swell variables. Especially digging the ability to change map view ie North Sea > North Sea and Norwegian Sea! Gives much more sight of the area that send us our swell in the North East. I like the suggestion re.the layout of the spectral data showing similar to the NWW3 site, would be a positive change. Big thumbs up guys!!!!!
J.K.349 days ago Reply
Hi Ben, I like some of the new functionality but am struggling like the other guys with the ability to see how you can easily expand the forecast to give the 3hr detail breakdown which you could scroll up and down to spot the best time for your sesh. This is a really useful view, please ensure it stays - thanks.
harveylegend350 days ago Reply
Like the distinction between the lo and high res data, local video link is a ace idea. When trying to access the "detailed" section (as in the tri hourly breakdown) I found by clicking on the individual daily data you then had the option at the top of the forecast to skip forward or backward throughout the day, however I certainly found the old system of displaying the full days prediction breakdown at once enabling you to compare the data more easily. spectral additions seem good, user friendly setup, apart from outlined problem. Hope this is helpful, cheers.
Ben - MSW Admin350 days ago Reply
On lowres/highres data I guess the clearest distinction would be 'old forecast'/'new forecast', although there is a little more too it than that - in the ideal world we'd just switch the old stuff off, but if like me you've dialled it for your local break the new data will throw you for a bit until you've had a chance to compare it and figure it out.
Ben - MSW Admin350 days ago Reply
Thanks for the feedback on the spectral data I didn't really think through the issues with 'undocking' it from the forecast. I'll have a look at that and see what I can do. Likewise on the plots.
Dusty_Rusty350 days ago Reply
I totally agree with Lostboy and Meabeachboy... I need the 3 hr intervals so i can make the right decision...
plugusmaximus350 days ago Reply
As lostboy said, plus I don't like the weedy outdated font. Other than that let's see how much of an improvement the forecasts are!
meabeachboy350 days ago Reply
I was going to suggest the same as lostboy, I would be very lost without the per 3hr forcast. Im loving everything else though especialy the breaking wave estimate, which seems to be acurate so far (used for 4 days with variable surf conditions from flat to chest hight!!!) I've pointed my folks towards the seaweed store in sight for my christmas presents, so thanks for a great job and brilliant service crew, even tho I live right on the beach I'd still be lost without you.
Kut_bak2350 days ago Reply
I do like the new look and idea of higher quality data. The spectral page still looks messy, perhaps you could provide the spectral info in a plot similar to the NWW3 operational page but reversing the period axes. By doing this the waves would be propagating out the circle plot with longer periods at the front and shorter nearer the center of the circle in the direction of travel, this is a logical and easy to view format and would stop more advanced surf checkers from having to access the NWW3 website. Keep up the good work.
dmg04351 days ago Reply
I'm not a huge fan of the link bar (with surf reports, photos, etc) being all jammed to the left side to make way for a search bar. Spacing them out to fill in some dead space might look better. I'm not too clear on the difference between high res and low res information. Why two different types? However, I love the new surf report pages with the exception of the lack of tabs to switch from spectral view to the actual report. It sounds lazy, but having to click the "Back" button seems counter intuitive if you are already viewing the break you want. Adding tabs to swith between these could increase ease while navigating from the same page. You guys do some great work and I hate to criticize a free product but those are just my opinions. I'll still support and love you all no matter what you do. Thanks a million!
lostboy351 days ago Reply
Lots of great looking stuff on the new beta site Ben - however, it doesn't seem to show the swell throughout the day on the one page as it used to, eg, swell for 9am, 12pm, 3pm etc - used to find this very useful. Can you keep this format?
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