Welcome to the new whathifi.com!

[radiorog]

It's in fact a breech of the Disibility Descrimination act not to ensure full accessibility to websites. However, I'm sure this only applies to large concerns, not Jo Blogg writing his little blog on the net.

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/private-and-public-sector-guidance/organisations-and-businesses/your-responsibilities-when-delivering-services/websites-and-internet-services

Sadly, I doubt this website counts as an ISSP (as it does not provide any service to the public). So any obstacle to accessability is not denying them equality of access to a service or product.

Looks to me like this site's adverts alone would qualify it and that WHF is therefore in breach of the DDA.

Couldn't agree more.it is surely a breach of mentioned anti discrimination requirement,and surley a issp,what with advertising,and reviews. And also this is a huge website with large traffic. chebby,you really shouldn't be backing up whf on this. I know its not the crime of the century,but a large company making a website this day and age would know about these legalities like they know they like milk with their cornflakes.was somehow missed,and is pretty insulting.

 

[chebby]

....chebby,you really shouldn't be backing up whf on this.

I actually think it's bl###y disgraceful. (Note my use of the word 'Sadly' in my post because I genuinely am saddened by what has happened here).

I was just imagining out loud what 'defence' Haymarket publishing could weasel up for not having a clearly declared accessibility policy and a website that actually works in that respect.

Macspur is known to be blind by most long-term regulars here and - i'd assumed - by the staff too. He should have been consulted from the very beginning in the beta testing process.

I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that the developer(s) of this website 'upgrade' b###ered off with a pile of cash the day it went live and are having a bit a chuckle now.

I simply cannot believe in this idea of an IT department (or team) that keeps getting mentioned in the editor's responses. I think it's more likely to be some hapless intern who had to pick up the pieces after an overpaid consultant moved on to another victim with his cheque.

 

[Macspur]

Just wanted to say many thanks for your support guys, I do appreciate it.

Mac

www.macsmusic.blogbubble.net

 

[radiorog]

Fair enough,and sorry chebby,my concerns were obviously misplaced. I hope whf can rectify this as a priority.

 

[relocated]

Mac,

Have they actually been in direct contact with you about the problems you are having/when they are going to sort it for you.

Oh, very well said Chebby, this situation is a 24k disgrace.

Edit: What joy - no longer triggering the 'Spam Filter', which I had never ever come across before.

Edit 2: But now I am

 

[relocated]

Why can I post in this thread but get the 'Spam Filter' activated in other threads?

This site is hopeless.

 

[Macspur]

Mac,

Have they actually been in direct contact with you about the problems you are having/when they are going to sort it for you.

Oh, very well said Chebby, this situation is a 24k disgrace.

Edit: What joy - no longer triggering the 'Spam Filter', which I had never ever come across before.

Edit 2: But now I am

No, only to ask which screen reader software I use.

I would put some emoticons here, but I can't!

Mac

www.macsmusic.blogbubble.net

 

[relocated]

Mac,

Have they actually been in direct contact with you about the problems you are having/when they are going to sort it for you.

Oh, very well said Chebby, this situation is a 24k disgrace.

Edit: What joy - no longer triggering the 'Spam Filter', which I had never ever come across before.

Edit 2: But now I am

No, only to ask which screen reader software I use.

I would put some emoticons here, but I can't!

Mac

www.macsmusic.blogbubble.net

It won't make any difference to your situation but I am really, really sorry that you are being treated in this way. It is a complete and utter disgrace and although I'm sure that the people responsible are not shamed by it, they damn well should be.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Mac,

Have they actually been in direct contact with you about the problems you are having/when they are going to sort it for you.

Oh, very well said Chebby, this situation is a 24k disgrace.

Edit: What joy - no longer triggering the 'Spam Filter', which I had never ever come across before.

Edit 2: But now I am

No, only to ask which screen reader software I use.

I would put some emoticons here, but I can't!

Mac

www.macsmusic.blogbubble.net

It won't make any difference to your situation but I am really, really sorry that you are being treated in this way. It is a complete and utter disgrace and although I'm sure that the people responsible are not shamed by it, they damn well should be.

Yep, it is definitely not good. I hope it gets sorted for you too.

 

[Broner]

Shortly after the site was updated I expressed my disappointed. There isn’t a single big tech site out there that is equally dysfunctional as the Whathifi website currently is, and this isn’t a matter of tweaking: the entire idea behind the way information is presented is principally flawed, but obviously the execution is also poorly done.

For myself I’ve noticed that I’m not visiting the website as often as I used to (from several times daily to several times weekly) and I guess that this trend will continue.

 

[relocated]

Why can I post in this thread but get the 'Spam Filter' activated in other threads?

This site is hopeless.

And then randomly, even in this thread?? Any chance of an answer, hopefully by someone who knows what they are talking about?

 

[radiorog]

I hate to use the extremely sad news of the passing of Robin Williams to highlight an issue with this new site...but it is there. I came onto the site this morning, thinking, i wonder what everyone is saying about this very sad news of a brilliant man? On the old site there was a section on the home page for trending topics, which would have certainly have had the recent post of paying respect to Mr.Williams highlighted, which in turn would then have alerted other site visitors to this, which would then increase the amount of posts and tributes. Unfortunately this part of the site no longer exists, the once easy to negotiate and appropriate looking homepage is gone. This makes the site less human, and more sterile. A real shame for its users, and surely a big error from whf. The new site really is a huge step back in the whole experience of using a good website for a readers many interests. :-( and strange editing means I am left with a random word at the end. topics

 

[Broner]

I've added a picture of the start screen of Whathifi to illustrate why I feel that this website is fundamentally[/b] flawed. When I visit whathifi I see a bunch of advertisements (relating to the camping trip that I'm planning), a couple of menu's and exactly 1 image that is real content I see on the screen, and that single piece of content is terribly presented. Again, there is only one bit of information on the entire screen![/b]

This is the homepage of a tech website and there is very little about it that gives an idea that one can actually find information on this website. Hasn't anyone with some influence in Whathifi or the team of developers asked what you want people to see when they visit the homepage of the website? The bloody HOMEPAGE! Didn't anyone say 'hey guys, shouldn't we make sure that people who visit this website are immediately presented with some nice newsstories and the last couple of reviews (without scrolling down, and nicely presented), so that people feel they can come here for the tech-information they are looking for?

There are so many things wrong with this website, such as loading speed, fonts, organisation of sections, usability of the forum, but if you can't even think out a proper lay-out for the homepage (the bloody HOMEPAGE!), then something has really gone terribly and fundamentally wrong. As I said before: this is not a matter of tweaking the website. This is a matter of going back to square one.

 

[radiorog]

I've added a picture of the start screen of Whathifi to illustrate why I feel that this website is fundamentally flawed. When I visit whathifi I see a bunch of advertisements (relating to the camping trip that I'm planning), a couple of menu's and exactly 1 image that is real content I see on the screen, and that single piece of content is terribly presented. Again, there is only one bit of information on the entire screen!?

This is the homepage of a tech website and there is very little about it that gives an idea that one can actually find information on this website. Hasn't anyone with some influence in Whathifi or the team of developers asked what you want people to see when they visit the homepage of the website? The bloody HOMEPAGE! Didn't anyone say 'hey guys, shouldn't we make sure that people who visit this website are immediately presented with some nice newsstories and the last couple of reviews (without scrolling down, and nicely presented), so that people feel they can come here for the tech-information they are looking for?

There are so many things wrong with this website, such as loading speed, fonts, organisation of sections, usability of the forum, but if you can't even think out a proper lay-out for the homepage (the bloody HOMEPAGE!), then something has really gone terribly and fundamentally wrong. As I said before: this is not a matter of tweaking the website. This is a matter of going back to square one.

?

Totally agreed. I initially thought the site was bad, but had potential, but im starting to think that this iteration has no potential until a major redesign is done. Regarding my previous post, im starting to find the site offensive in its design and ignorance.

 

[roobarb]

I dont usually bother to comment on forums but I feel compelled to say something about the new website.

I have always enjoyed visiting this site for all the useful info and reviews etc. However, I find the new design annoying to say the least. It's just too busy and I want things to appear when I want not when I happen to hover over it!

It maybe more modern and 'cool' and but it looks less proffesional and this is dissapointing. The ios app is even worse to navigate. Maybe I'm too old and stuck in my ways but if something isnt broken! I dont think the 'old' site was that bad or outdated in my opinion.

Pete

 

[RobinKidderminster]

With the overwhealming poor comment are WHF taking the developers to task? Someone needs to be responsible.. How many other sites have these serious shortcomings? Shame.

 

[Broner]

Last night I visited the website on my notebook which has a 1366x768 resolution. I said earlier that there was only 1 piece of content visible on the homepage. Apparently, that’s because of the relatively high resolution of my screen at work. At home, the front page of WHathifi doesn’t display any content, whatsoever. It’s all menu’s and advertisements. There is nothing that tells that this website actually has some information to offer.

How on earth can something like that happen? Go to CNET, Tweakers (Dutch) or Techradar and you’ll see content instantly. I don’t think there is a single other tech-website out there, that just displays advertisements and menu’s to those who enter the page. To make it utterly obvious, I’ve added print screens of the 3 technology websites I mentioned to this comment, closing off with a print screen of Whathifi as it looks right now.

Please note that I don’t think the homepage is the biggest problem of Whathifi (though it’s substantial). Rather I consider it to be an iconic error. You simply can’t get this wrong. Not coming up with a homepage that draws people’s attention to your business is an error of such a magnitude that it is the prime example of an epic fail.

 

[Xanderzdad]

Now CNET looks like a professional website. Your pic drew me straight to it as it looks interesting immediately.

That's me browing for an hour or so...

 

[Diamond Joe]

... I want things to appear when I want not when I happen to hover over it![/b]

That's one of my pet hates with current websites, my bank has a particularly sensistive popup that appears as I move the mouse pointer from the login button across to the login box. I guess developers think everyone has touchscreen devices these days so they won't accidentally touch the offending button - WRONG!

For whatever reason I keep touching the News button on this site and consequently have to move the pointer all the way to the bottom of the screen (or either side) to get rid of the popup, so annoying.

 

[simonlewis]

The hover mouse over the news section is my favourite part of the website *smile* it means i can see whats happening in the news without leaving active topics.

 

[Macspur]

I received an Email today assuring me that my particular issues have been escalated to the head of product development, but was unable to give any timescales as to when they may be resolved, if indeed they can!

I assume the Email was from Andy, but sadly it wasn't signed.

I have offered my assistance with any queries that will undoubtedly arise.

Mac

www.macsmusic.blogbubble.net

 

[CnoEvil]

I received an Email today assuring me that my particular issues have been escalated to the head of product development, but was unable to give any timescales as to when they may be resolved, if indeed they can!

I assume the Email was from Andy, but sadly it wasn't signed.

I have offered my assistance with any queries that will undoubtedly arise.

Mac

www.macsmusic.blogbubble.net

Mac, I'm glad there has been some communication and that your particular situation is now bumped to the top of the queue.

 

[Macspur]

I received an Email today assuring me that my particular issues have been escalated to the head of product development, but was unable to give any timescales as to when they may be resolved, if indeed they can!

I assume the Email was from Andy, but sadly it wasn't signed.

I have offered my assistance with any queries that will undoubtedly arise.

Mac

www.macsmusic.blogbubble.net

Mac, I'm glad there has been some communication and that your particular situation is now bumped to the top of the queue.

It's been escalated, but not sure if it's at the top of the queue... grateful for small mercies though.

Mac

www.macsmusic.blogbubble.net

 

[tapper]

Thanks for braking the site for blind people as popups are no good for people using a screen reader. just thanks a bunch i cant even read the news now. I onley got to the forums by guessing the f**ing URL. to make things worse wen trying to post i cant read back what i have tiped my screen reader just says rich text editor over and over again wen in the edit box nice one! don't think i will be back.

 

[professorhat]

I think Andy has said quite a few times now, this is a work in progress. It's going to take some time, but the slightly strange look of some aspects of the site will eventually make sense. We all hope 😉

EDIT - please note, my post was in reply to those with aesthetic issues to the site, and not to those addressing the accessibility issues.