Some criticisms of the new layout...

It's too long. I have to scroll 2 pages to get down to where most people spend most of their time: the 15 recent forum topics.

Some suggestions:

1) Minimize the banner. (Must it be so large? I think this can be done.)

2) Removing this picture: (People can access the audio sermons from the hypertext, it's not hard to find, thus this picture is unnecessary. If you cannot part with it, make it much much smaller.)

I have more quibbles with the site. Such as the fact that the search system really needs work. I can't stand it. I try using Google (which is entirely better for most sites, i.e. go into google.com and search: site:sermonindex.net username-here) but apparently it's completely impossible to use that due to the site was made via "Who's online" to enter into the search engine each time your username appears on the frontpage or something on any given page, which it does apparently by default. It will give you thousands of results and you'd have to go through those to find the actual posts. (This is very very unnecessary if you're only showing 3 people and there are normally 5-10+ online at any given time... it's made it so that when you search your username, you'll get thousands of results, and you won't be able to see your posts... and there is no easy way to search a username's posts on the SI search function, which is bad too.)

Edit: A further recommendation. Emphasize the side menu. Move it up. Put the sponsors to the right hand upper side. Use the side menu for all of the main page menu... use scripts to allow to have the same features if you wish, i.e. clicking on it would open it up... I'm sure you could make that more usable. The main page as is is a gigantic menu that could easily be placed on the side. Emphasize the forum discussions. You can still keep some things on the front page, but at least minimize it from what it is now.

Jordan

and there is no easy way to search a username's posts on the SI search function, which is bad too.

It's too long. I have to scroll 2 pages to get down to where most people spend most of their time: the 15 recent forum topics.

I certainly respect your opinion. But if I'm correct, the minimizing of the forum is intentional as the main emphasis of Sermon Index is not the 15 most recent topics of discussion but of Audio and Video Sermons preached by true men of God.

[edit] I guess you were a step ahead of me Greg...lol

When I first become familiar with a website I often want what I consider lesser sections out of the way, but those very sections maybe important to the newby. The banner is not there for returning customers, it’s there to catch the eye of the first time visitor.

When I first found SI I never even read the forum.

Having said that, I understand what you mean. I would love to open a page with only the forum on it, but the site is not about what I want…it’s about reaching others with the awesome archive of text, audio, and now video sermons

Just trying to see through the eyes of a newby.

Just my 2 cents

**edit**

everyone was ahead of me. I type so slow I often change my mind before I finish.
:-)

This will be taken into consideration but the file size of the banner is not that bad, I do think it adds the "branding" and identity to the website being "bold" and "large".

That image was added to the website to give people a real sense of what the website is about. The audio sermons is the main reason for the website and the focus of the website. I have heard much positive feedback because of that image and its direction to the main index for the audio sermons.

Here, I cropped the image to show you what I'm talking about via minimizing it:

Jordan

"The nerve, the gall, the audacity" to offer fair criticism of the website to Greg, which I am inferring from his recent post that he was interested in? I was not lambasting it as being pathetic, I was giving fair advice on how I thought it could be made more usable.

I can only offer criticism of the website if I give Greg money? Are you serious? I am trying to help Greg out, and if you had read his reply he welcomed the criticism.

Jordan

The nerve, the gall, the audacity.

Dear Brother,

Greg received Jordan's comments in a spirit of grace; so why shouldn't you?

Greg and Mike: Forgive me for this post and my strong words. You both know I love sermon index!

It can be difficult, but sometimes things do need to be said and addressed. Jordan be sure that no one sets out to condemn you but your critical spirit does come through often enough to warrant a closer examination, this is not really surprising to see this post exemplifying the same. Constructive criticism is different from destructive ... In general not that this is destructive in and of itself, the search function for instance is something that we have discussed privately for some time and would be a great help in finding things remembered but difficult to call back up again ... Patience I would proscribe and prayer. Will come back to that.

I really don't wish to further more than what our brother has spoken here only that he is drawing on the notice and the other aspect, that criticism of the spirit, if you look back at some of your complaints here they are rather self centered. Greg has made changes throughout the history of SermonIndex as led by prayer and by the Lord at different stages along the way. Whatever my personal preference it has always been that Greg would do as he has done, taking in considerations and following that which is in his heart to do as led by the Lord. The look and 'feel' has always been something that has it's peculiar "SI" stamp on it and those basics have stayed, a little tweaking here and there, different attributes highlighted or down played accordingly. Be thankful for much forbearance with such a diversified and at times unruly bunch ... It is a blessing to have the forum at all and it's original intent was as a compliment to the [i]Sermons[/i] as has well been pointed out, not in the strictest sense of the word otherwise some of the forum headings certainly wouldn't make sense. Revival and revival sermons can and do involve many aspects, derivatives, Holiness, denunciation of sin, our heritage and inheritance of the saints, history, discipleship ...

Recommended this elsewhere and do so again;

[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?viewmode=flat&order=0&topic_id=10733&forum=34&post_id=&refresh=Go]Jonathan Edwards - Undiscerned Spiritual Pride[/url]

One could jump into this at practically any point, while as a whole I would highly recommended it, even a emphasis on the aspects of humility and humbling that are contained there may be of most importance. The reason for saying so is only because I need fresh reminders myself.