New FIRST Beta site
 

Did anyone else notice the link to http://beta.usfirst.org/ on FIRST's website?

This isn't actually that bad of a redesign (mainly considering that all the existing links are still there). I have a question of whether http://frclinks.com will need any redesign.

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

I like it a lot. Feels much more modern compared to the current site and keeps all the most relevant links front and center. Good front for the organization.
As long as they don't push the "simple interface" mentality to some of the more resource heavy pages I won't be bothered. For instance I like the density and ease of navigation of http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc just the way it is.

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

It is also mobile friendly.

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

I've thought that the FIRST site could use a redesign for a while--this is awesome. Great flat UI, responsive design...it just looks good.

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

I feel like the website now is much simplier to use to someone who is seeing FIRST for the first time. So good job to FIRST for the major overhaul!

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

Selecting a program no longer requires you clicking on a 3 letter, 8pt font link! That in itself is a step up.

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

From the FIRST Alumni LinkedIn group...

Don’t miss our Welcome Page at http://beta.usfirst.org/about/our-new-site to learn about new features, where to go for important season-specific information, and our plans for the official launch.

We welcome your BETA FEEDBACK on the site. Please keep in mind that this is Version 1.0 – a “Minimum Viable Product” in engineering-speak – and like most first versions, we will use the feedback we receive from our community to determine the features we will add in subsequent releases.

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

When talking up FIRST, I would frequently have to add instructions on how to find the frc link. So having a simple navigation bar is a plus.
I would include "(FRC)" and other abbreviations as that is how most of us talk about our group.

The thing I'm not seeing is an easy way for frequent users to access TIMS, STIMS, Resources and other frequently used links. This should also be on the top navigation bar instead of requiring users to scroll to the bottom of the page.

Build Mentor Dave & UX Designer

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

I like it. It's so much more visually pleasing and inviting. It seems pretty easy to navigate as well. I think it's a big improvement

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

I noticed it yesterday and clicked around a bit. It is more inviting. I like my navigation tree, on the left, on the current site. I'm sure all the same links are there, just spread out. I clicked on the chat and there was an attendant who came on to ask if I needed assistance. I told them just checking it out.

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

Looks like a fancier (and all-around better) version of our site: vikings4276.com

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

Do not want. (But I am averse to change in general.)

NEFIRST has a similar site: NEFIRST, Which I do not like.

How easy is it to find the teams registered for Regional/District Events?
How many clicks? How many inputs to fields? I used to just use the cursor, now I have to use my keyboard. :eek:

Will frclinks still work? IDTS.

This beta site may be good for the General Public, but for FIRST savants like me, the process is now arduous.

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

I'm really liking this new design; it's clean, simple, as well as it is much more accessible. Links are organized into each individual category, which makes it easier to find if you're looking for something specific. It'll help new members find registration easier!

Overall, I'm really liking this! Nice job!

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

I agree... but think the phrasing "...but for FIRST savants like me, the process is now EVEN MORE arduous." The webpage may look better, but doing simple, regular things like looking up event team lists and results is becoming even more tedious.

The only reason why the FRC community gets by is because many are smart enough to make their own, better sites (i.e., TBA, FRC Links, etc.) and give up on the official FRC site for the event results and such. I was hoping FIRST would actually try to become better about this... if you go to mlb.com or nfl.com you may not have the BEST game results and player statistics, but they're at least pretty darn good!

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

But the third party sites already exist and do a great job of displaying and notifying people of match results (and links, webcasts, team lists, etc). Why put all that effort to compete with a good solution that already exists when competing has no benefit?

I think it's good that FIRST put so much effort into reducing the barrier of entry for new teams and the general public. The more people that see how awesome FIRST is the better.

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

I just said "arduous" not the "EVEN MORE" that you added within my quote. I never had a problem with the current, soon to be old, website.

arduous, def: involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring.
tedious, def: too long, slow, or dull: tiresome or monotonous.

Arduous is the better adjective, IMHO.

Tedious is better for Recycle Rush.
Oops, dropped the can, here come the worms. :)

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

I wonder if FIRST has any good metrics on how their site is used. For me, I go there 90% of the time to look up an FRC event, look up an FRC team or volunteer.

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

Because burying useful info is just generally bad design. I love the visual aesthetic of the new site, but can't figure out how to get to the game manual (or even if the manual is on there). It has a good amount of content for people curious about the program, but for teams it's a bit underwhelming in my opinion.

One of the things I really like, though, is the resource library. If FIRST plays that right, it could be huge for teams.

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

I agree that reducing the barrier of entry is better. It seems that the new site is more inviting to people entirely new to FRC, although I'm not sure it's really more informative.

I also do agree that the third party sites do a great job. The Blue Alliance has always been very good, but it's become really excellent these past few years. It's almost become a one-stop-shop for viewing webcasts, match schedules, and results... Realistically I don't think US FIRST would ever do better than the third-party sites, but what I would like is for FIRST to more highly prioritize the viewer experience. The SNAFU with the match results not going online live-ish for at least a couple weekends of competition was highly frustrating. Having US FIRST put some effort into integrating event results would help instill confidence that they actually do care (more) about the 'sport' side of FRC.

I made a typo in my previous post, meant 'but prefer the phrasing...' as I've never liked the old website much... it's felt generally clunky and poorly integrates the event team lists, match schedule, etc. that constitute much of content I use on the site. It's not quick to get there on the Beta site, but I'm still holding out hope for a better system as the 'Regional & District Events' page is still under construction.

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

Yeah, I was a little but harsh in criticizing your post.

The current/old website is "clunky", but I had adapted and knew how to work with it.

This new site has me scratching my head more than I like.

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

If you haven't already, I would encourage you to fill out the beta site feedback form (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FIRSTWebSurveyVersion2) FIRST is presumably providing this for a reason, and if you don't fill it out, they won't get your feedback.

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

Ditto. I'm sure the team working on this at FIRST is really interested in the feedback.

Coming from a design perspective, I personally think it's really beautiful visually and serves as a much better introduction to the organization than the current usfirst landing page. One tough thing with this thread is that all of us are coming from a perspective where we know FIRST well and want to find specific things that we're looking for, but a new website also needs to cater to people completely new to FIRST, which I think this website can do really well.

I work in a job where I'm often asked by parents how to get their kids involved with robotics, and showing them the current usfirst website can be a little overwhelming and confusing. The beta really lays out the opportunities for involvement simply (once I knew about the beta, I even used it instead of the normal site to introduce a few parents to FIRST).

While introducing new people to FIRST is super important, of course there needs to be easy navigation for students, teams, mentors, and volunteers, and I hope that these things are added to the site in the future. For the FTC section, it was pretty easy for me to navigate to the page where I'd find a game manual, but it probably could be cleaner and I'm trying to think of a way to incorporate that feedback into something useful for FIRST to hear on their feedback survey. (Maybe a link that points to a section "For Teams" the same way there are links set up for parents, educators, kids, and volunteers. There's also that 'coming soon' "My Dashboard" link which could be really exciting.)

Overall, I think it's really pretty and has a lot of potential to be a great new thing people see when they look up FIRST. I really look forward to seeing additions to it.

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

The problem is that while all of us know most of FIRST's TLAs the general public doesn't have a clue what they mean. So the TLAs and FLAs need to go away.

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

I'm excited about this as well. I'm hoping they are finally merging all of the systems together so that when a person logs in they see everything they have access too. Its so tedious to have to go to multiple different links for VIMS, TIMS, STIMS, VMS, and EMS and log in separately with the same login name and pass.

My fingers crossed as well this is happening as well! While this doesn't effect everyone, those of us involved in multiple aspects of the program would appreciate if.

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

Are they finally getting around to using a decent CMS? Wouldn't this possibly allow them to do stuff like usfirst.org/frc/blog or usfirst.org/frc/Stronghold etc.?

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

I would hope so. Their URLs (and the fact that everything at http://usfirst.org/* redirected to the index of www.usfirst.org) have been kind of ridiculous.

Edit: both the new and old site are actually Drupal-based, so I'm not so sure we will see great improvements in this regard.

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

I would encourage people to read the following page if they haven't already:
http://beta.usfirst.org/about/our-new-site

It documents some of FIRST's goals with the new site, and some notable features. It also explains what the dashboard is intended to be.

Re: New FIRST Beta site
 

Looks like the Dashboard is looking to integrate all the different systems. Can't wait to see what the UI looks like.