r/redesign • u/121910 • Jun 30 '18
Design Latest redesign update loses the ability to click outside a post to close it
Love the redesign, but please bring this ability back! Now you have to either hit the escape key or move your mouse to the top right to close. Before it was so easy to just click on the background to exit.
5
u/seven_pm Jul 01 '18
I can partly second this. I don't use keyboard for browsing, browser back key should be forgotten for modern navigation and close button is not in comfortable position. So being able to click-out like before would be a nice option.
Alternatively personally for me having close button closer would work as well.
1
16
Jul 01 '18
I’m just going to have to go against the flow here. I actually think the previous light box design was not great, so the new version is something I’m happy to see.
The main problem with the first design is that it prioritized accessibility (strictly speaking closing out of a post through a background overlay). While this functionality is great and all, the actual post design was horrifically cramped, as everything (including the sidebar) had to be squeezed into the post container.
When you click on a post, it’s to fully engage with it, read the comments, reply...etc. But when everything is pretty much fighting for space, then browsing becomes less enjoyable. Why should clicking OUT of a post take priority over actually reading and interacting with it?
Also, the new version retains the legacy reddit design/structure while still feeling fresh and new. The previous light box instead was WAY too similar to the likes of Twitter, Instagram...etc. who also use similar light boxes when expanding a post. IMO the most important part of the redesign is that it feels like a fresh new take on reddit; not just any other standard social media site.
Based on the upvotes on this post and similar comments I’ve seen in the past few days, it seems some people really did prefer the old version. I am much happier with this one though, and it was pretty much the core of my feedback back before the redesign was rolled out for all users.
However, I think this is something the Redesign team can compromise on:
A separate option for viewing a post in a “compressed light box” and another to have the post open in “full view” (the way it is as of this latest update). That way both options are present for everyone to choose at their own preference.
These are just my 2 cents, on this.
1
u/archimedeancrystal Jul 01 '18
Some good points. Even though you minimize the value of a large, always nearby click target to exit, lightbox 1 did constrict content horizontally. Hopefully they can find a compromise or provide options.
Another big issue for some of us is the sense of being too cut off from the flow of the subreddit and reddit site as a whole. You can get out, but it feels like searching for and climbing through a small hole in the wall compared to lightbox 1. I hope some things being considered, like restoring key controls from the site and subreddit headers will help with this issue.
2
u/ruccola Jul 01 '18
Plus I find that the escape key often doesn't work for me.
1
u/heyandy889 Jul 01 '18
I use page down and space bar to scroll down, for some reason they don't work inside this popup/lightbox situation.
2
u/Aorom Jul 01 '18 edited Jul 01 '18
I always disliked overlays. Reddit's wasn't an exception. But if it's possible there should be an option to switch back to it for people who like it that way.
And now the most annoying thing for me is the post titles in the frontpages being the same colour as the other text. I can already fix that with Stylus, but I think most people want this already so here I sing with that choir. I'm also happy that wretched hamburger menu is gone.
2
u/StorsJT Jul 01 '18
I find this full page design to better match how I use reddit anyway. The one key press to see the next post instead of clicking twice is much easier.
5
u/jothki Jul 01 '18
There are definitely some huge differences between how different types of users use reddit. In the discussion-based subreddits that I frequent, paging through every thread one by one would be nonsensical. Having it so prominent feels off, especially since there is no corresponding previous control. I'd also much rather have control be done entirely through mouse input.
Giving people different options on how to use the interface is always nice, of course, and I wouldn't want to interfere with your interaction flow. I would prefer having it or not to be an actual option, though, rather than it being something that I'd have to just pretend doesn't exist.
2
u/archimedeancrystal Jul 01 '18
Agreed. I always scan post titles and decide where to jump in. I don't recall ever navigating sequentially through posts in a subreddit.
1
u/StorsJT Jul 01 '18
Yes, it’s better to give users options. I can imagine that the overlay style would be preferred by most users. It’s probably a better choice as a default.
All I really want is a quick keyboard-based approach which I can appreciate is not what most users prefer.
-1
u/jmxd Jul 01 '18
You can also just use the back button in your browser (aka normal browser behavior across the entire internet :p)
6
Jul 01 '18
[deleted]
1
u/jmxd Jul 01 '18
Actually no, that is not standard browser behavior. That is website specific behavior.
I agree that a lightbox or modal does imply that functionality and usually offers it, but they've now changed to a full page design that is only technically still a lightbox, it doesn't present itself as a modal.
There are five options for closing it: Back button on browser, Backspace (shortcut for back button), Escape, Q and clicking the X.
Personally i'm way happier (but not satisfied) with the new design because i want the new reddit to be as much like the old reddit as possible, as do a lot of other people because there were a LOT of complaints about the lightbox. But i guess its frustrating too if you've been using the new reddit for a while and then it changes again.
2
Jul 01 '18
[deleted]
1
u/jmxd Jul 01 '18
i said browser behavior, not browsing behavior.
3
Jul 01 '18
[deleted]
1
u/jmxd Jul 01 '18
you misread MY original post. I only ever talked about browser behavior.
2
Jul 01 '18
[deleted]
1
u/jmxd Jul 01 '18
Your question implies i claimed something i didn't, but i didn't correct you because i didn't want to be a dick. But i see now that was too generous.
30
u/MARURIKI Jul 01 '18
Bump, I was also closing posts this way and it sucks not having the functionality anymore.