Google Now Done In Much Better CSS
WebmasterWorld is talking about Google’s redesign, specifically how the new design was done in much better code than the old one. Google’s new look is filled with “CSS up the wazoooo”, “a 40% drop in HTML coding errors”, “65% increase in the raw file size”. Patrick Taylor says design Guru Douglas Bowman has been behind this improvement. Read the whole discussion.
One bad thing: The new menu is done in JavaScript, so if you’re running a less capable browser, you see… nothing. Google now doesn’t work right for many older browser, mobile browsers, and text browsers, which is quite a shame.
(via Tamar at SER)
You’re right about the JavaScript. That’s a real shame… This is the kind of stuff that gives JavaScript a bad name, even if it is mostly Google that helped give AJAX a good name.
I really wish they’d revert this - I’m pretty sure they thought there was a good reason to do it this way, but I’m not so sure… Why can’t they do this server side?
(Note: I think Google adjusts the bar based on what services you use most, although I’m not sure.)
Oh, and I hate the fact that they made the “Desktop” link disappear by doing this redesign. The Google Desktop was programmed to insert this link in the previous SERPs, but that doesn’t seem to work anymore. =(
Comment by Tim | May 19, 2007
I booted into Kubuntu recently, and I noticed the “more” link doesn’t even work in Konqueror. The menu appears - and is legible - right before all the links inside the menu disappear.
This is still the problem with Google: they seem to refuse to polish. They’re not even interested in getting feedback anymore - even though Adam Lasnik personally suggested I use Google Groups.
…Bleh, Groups. Even in the Groups themselves you read about how dissatisfied people are with Google’s contact options lately: http://groups.google.com/group/Google_Webmaster_Help-Requests/browse_thread/thread/e7ff1f04def1abc9
Comment by Tim | May 20, 2007
The new redesign doesn’t work with both of my browsers. I’ve had to switch from Google (heroin) to Yahoo! (methadone). It’s the only way I can take a search from web to news to images. I think this is an attempt to make Google look more like Ask.com. Why take the best and try to make it look like second best? Argh!
Comment by Jes | May 20, 2007
Tim, if you’re still checking replies to your comment, email me. I want to ask you more about this.
Comment by Nathan Weinberg | May 21, 2007
Last time I tried e-mailing you, I received a bounce. Could it be that you’re not using the e-mail addresses mentioned below the “Powered by WordPress” footer?
Either way, I’m also reading comments here, but I could send you an e-mail if you provide me with a less bouncy address. =)
Comment by Tim | May 22, 2007
Here, try using this form:
http://microsoft.blognewschannel.com/send-us-a-message/
Comment by Nathan Weinberg | May 22, 2007
Done. I also updated my profile.
Comment by Tim | May 22, 2007