New Navigation Bar on Goodreads

I use my ipad and like to log out or sign out when I am done with this and the only instructions are for ipad. Am I starting to lose it that I can't find that anywhere? There are instructions buried in the help page for signing off on an iPhone but they dont seem to apply for iPad. I even took the app off but it didnt log me out. What am I missing here?

Alexandra aka Auntie J wrote: "My Won't Read Due to Spam By Goodreads shelf is filling up.

Please GR get the book promo garbage off the navigation - it's seriously cluttering the drop down, and a huge annoyance.

Keep the GR Re..."

GR recs VERY often DO NOT have much to do with shelf they are supposedly recommending, e.g., Civil War book recommended for my ancient Rome shelf. Also recommendations under Browse up top, have nothing to do with shelf for which you are recommending books.

Simon wrote: "Where's the HOME button?
How do you get back to the HOME page?
Can we have the option to ignore this "upgrade"?"

Lindsay wrote: "Home button = Goodreads logo

Press on the Goodreads logo to go home.

This works when the goodreads logo is just a 'g' as well."

Lindsay wrote: "Home button = Goodreads logo

Press on the Goodreads logo to go home.

This works when the goodreads logo is just a 'g' as well."

Thanks Lindsay, I found it too eventually, but why do they have to 'hide' it??!!

Why do I get messages mostly from "Navigation Bar" and the
word game? Why don't I get messages from my Friends except a very few ?

Rita wrote: "I use my ipad and like to log out or sign out when I am done with this and the only instructions are for ipad. Am I starting to lose it that I can't find that anywhere? There are instructions burie..."

I don't know how to do this either, Rita. A few other people have been asking also. I'm hoping someone will come up with the answer.

I just checked my Ancient-Greece shelf. About 50% have nothing to do with ancient Greece. I bleeped them out: books dealing with anything from the Middle Ages to the Korean War.

I was wowed by it the first time but how can you get back to the recent update?

I do like the new look, is more sleek.

Learnin Curve wrote: "Denise wrote: "Is it just me, or does every new change just aim to make the site look more and more generic? Simple little things like the book spines header that has now vanished were essential pa..."

SUMMARY, NOT "summery" which means "the weather is like summer."

Lobstergirl: AMEN! Re: "Here's the thing: people always came to GR because it was a site for books and readers. That's its core mission - not looking modern, looking clean, trendy, looking Apple-like. As long as GR did its core mission well, helping people catalog their book collections, keep track of their reading, make bookish friends, no one was going to leave because people who attracted to bookish things are not frivolous.

If people leave a book site because it doesn't look super trendy, OMG the avatars are square rather than round, off I go, I'm irritated by the duplicativeness of both a HOME link and a goodreads link, I'm gone, those people are not really interested in books to begin with."

Sarah: AMEN! Re: "USERS provide Goodreads with its most important content and they can't be bothered to respond to any bugs that we tell them about. I've spent countless hours helping to build this site and I feel like they're shitting all over me so forgive me for being vocal about it. Ranting makes me feel slightly better even when I know there's a snowball's chance in hell of them actually listening to me :-( "

Learnin Curve (again): Re: "There is no such thing as a brighter white on a website, no really honestly truly, there is just one shade of white and it's white and this website is as white as the background on my documents or google." HORSE HOCKEY! You must be color blind.

And what do you suggest for people like me, who CAN'T use Firefox because they have no access at home (because we can't afford it) and their public library DOES NOT HAVE FIREFOX, huh?! The add-on you recommend is as useless as teats on a boar hog/a screen door on a submarine to people like me.

Lobstergirl (again): Obviously, they DON'T. Re: "Surely your developers noticed how annoying a drop down box constantly opening when you don't intend it to, is.

Do you guys, and the developers, even use the site?"

Sameera77: Damn right! Re: "I wouldn't say that the website looks more modern, it's become more anonymous and less user friendly. "

Kate: Because they OBVIOUSLY think EVERYONE has a mobile when it's patently obvious that not everyone does IF you take a look at people like me, re what I told Learnin Curve about not being able to afford home/mobile internet access earlier in this very post.

Cora: That's a reason to NOT buy an iPad! Re: "I can't sign out! I'm on my iPad and I keep clicking on my avatar and it reloads my page! I can't get the sign out option to come up!! "

Bookmadbrunette: You're spitting into the wind! They WON'T fix any that actually NEEDS fixing! Like admins everywhere else they "fix" what doesn't NEED to be "fixed"! Re: "The only way that I can sign out on my iPad is if I come to this discussion page and click on my avatar!

PLEASE FIX THIS,!! "

All of these replies go back to my original comment of "Once again they have "fixed" what didn't NEED fixing!"

I've had a response from goodreads re the Navigation Bar update and iPads. I'll post again here, when I hear further from them.

Here's the response:

"Thanks for contacting us! Unfortunately, the drop-down menu on the new navigation bar doesn't seem to open on iOS devices. The good news is that our developers are already aware of this, and are currently working on a fix.

If you're able to use an android device or computer, then I'd suggest logging out from there. So sorry for any inconvenience this causes.

I'll let you know as soon as I hear back from our developers."

Oddly enough Amazon, the owners of goodreads and a company pushing tablets, e-readers and e-books, don't design websites round the tiny amount of people who can only access a website from a old machine in the Library, you are not where they make their money.
Therefore they are going to design it so it is easier to use on a tablet browser and that means white, as few buttons as possible, with drop down boxes. In all fairness, if they are paying for this site to be advert free and free to use then they get to decide what their own site looks like, library users are of no loss to them whatsoever.

LMFAO Gill! How the hell does logging out on an android or computer actually solve anything? That won't log you out on you iPad - you can be logged into your account on multiple devices at the same time and have to log out on each one separately.

Thanks for the "help" goodreads support! Glad to hear you guys don't have a clue what you're talking about *sigh*

I am having trouble with the new bar. I wantvto go to groups but on my android tablet it is not letting me. Please don't say use mobile version. I hate the mobile version.

I like the new navigation bar. The search results are bigger and easier to read. I like the font. I like the new navigation drop down menus and overall I like the way the home page of the site is organized now. Thank you Goodreads.

I actually like the new look for the most part. I do wish the text was different and the background was a more off white instead off just white. I do love the search results...much easier to read. It will take some time to adjust to the changes, but it will grow on me. It does have a more crisp and clean look. But I do agree that there needs to be more technical maintenence done more. Also are you even considering the half star ratings? I think many (including myself) would love to have that option.

Hi there, I think I've got the new navigation bar, but it doesn't change colour or anything when I have a new notification, even if I refresh the page. How do I get the handy little red number back on the notification icon? Thanks.

And, if we're all using this upgrade to talk about the things we want, I want to be able to show easily if I've got a hardcopy and an ecopy of a book - at the minute I have to have two different records. If you could put that on to the To Do list, I'd be grateful!

Learnin Curve wrote: "Oddly enough Amazon, the owners of goodreads and a company pushing tablets, e-readers and e-books, don't design websites round the tiny amount of people who can only access a website from a old mac..."

And therein lies the main problem as people like me see it, Learnin Curve: We are considered to be 3rd class citizens simply because we are too POOR to afford what's best for the companies.

Gill wrote: "I'm using this on my iPad. "

I'm guessing you're using the Goodreads App from the App Store which is very different to their website. If you open Safari on your iPad you should start seeing what everyone is talking about.

Amber wrote: "We are considered to be 3rd class citizens simply because we are too POOR to afford what's best for the companies. "

This is a fine example of First World Problems. There are people in the world without clean water and don't know where their next meal is coming from but let's all put our energy into yelling at a book site for not being the shade of cream that you would like.

Vickie wrote: "Amber wrote: "We are considered to be 3rd class citizens simply because we are too POOR to afford what's best for the companies. "

This is a fine example of First World Problems. There are people ..."

Ouch...I think I deserved that one! That said, to a certain degree I agree with you. That it IS an example of the so-called "First World Problems." An example follows below:

As Erin may already know from one of my groups, I also have a major damned problem with the environmental/human rights consequences of the manufacture, sale and use of e readers vs. REAL PAPER books.

As for the water problems, I donate my used shoes to a recycling project that enables some of these people to buy the equipment they need to bring wells and pumps to their villages by refurbishing and selling used shoes...which actually solves TWO problems...or is at least a few steps in the direction of solving them: landfills filling with tossed out footwear and the lack of water in underdeveloped countries.

Grace wrote: "Scarletine wrote: "How do i find my damn home page? If i browse another page i can't find a button to get back to the home page. It's not under the 'my books' button or in the other menu's. I have ..."

THANK YOU! Why did they do that? Everyone knows a home/start button is a must ...even Microsoft :-p

Your transfer of all my books on Shelfari didn't work so I had to hand move about 400 books over just so I wouldn't lose my list.

I prefer Shelfari's bookshelf look and found it much easier to Navigate - Good Reads is not an improvement for me.

I am temporarily using it because I have to.

Vanessa wrote: "Not sure how I feel about the new navigation bar, don't think there was anything really wrong with it.
Can't you guys work on something different that doesn't already exist e.g. ALLOWING HALF STAR ..."

I'd like half star ratings too, but they've said before in feedback they don't want to add them (Otis years back) and I don't think they've changed their mind on it.

Scarletine wrote: "Grace wrote: "Scarletine wrote: "How do i find my damn home page? If i browse another page i can't find a button to get back to the home page. It's not under the 'my books' button or in the other m..."

It's here, it's visible on the page and because I don't want to answer the question for the 20th time let's play a game.

There are nine things on the new bar that you can interact with, one of them is the home button. Click the nine things and find out which one it is.

Kim wrote: "Thanks Lindsay, I found it too eventually, but why do they have to 'hide' it??!!
"

It's not hidden....most websites use the logo to go back to the homepage so they probably were just assuming people would know. Even Google search does this. I think they should add a little home icon back just because so many people seem mystified by this, though. Put it in the feedback threads and links they've mentioned and if enough people say it, perhaps they'll put a home icon back.

Learnin Curve wrote: "Oddly enough Amazon, the owners of goodreads and a company pushing tablets, e-readers and e-books, don't design websites round the tiny amount of people who can only access a website from a old mac..."

Who's paying for this site to be advertisement-free? Because they're failing! There are ads on my page, although not on this blog, I note; I have had as many as 3 ads (which I know is minor, compared to some sites that shall remain nameless), and not all of them will be book related--which annoys me more than their actual presence in the first place! I've learned to tune them out as I do 99% of all ads I bump into. I suspect most of us have, or they've installed ad-block. I'm not complaining about a couple ads, but please don't claim it's ad-free when it isn't!

Plus, a quick note--there isn't an overwhelming majority using mobile devices yet. Granted, it seems to be a steadily rising number and one day they might be, but for now please let us computer users be upset because what works on a mobile device doesn't always work very well on an actual computer.

Dawn wrote: "Learnin Curve wrote: "Oddly enough Amazon, the owners of goodreads and a company pushing tablets, e-readers and e-books, don't design websites round the tiny amount of people who can only access a ..."

I wouldn't know a mobile device or tablet, etc. if any bit me. I'm perfectly happy with my desktop.

It would be nice if the navigation bar was also fixed on devices like iPads.

Of the eight "Favorite genres" (not including "all"), two are genres I actually read and chose as favorites when originally signing up for Goodreads... LOL

I use goodreads on my iPad, the web version and not the app. How do I log out, when I go to log out it just lets me click my profile pic and no option to log out appears, unlike on the PC where I hover over the pic and the option is there.

Michelle wrote: "I use goodreads on my iPad, the web version and not the app. How do I log out, when I go to log out it just lets me click my profile pic and no option to log out appears, unlike on the PC where I h..."

known bug, if you contact them about it you get an email saying they are working on the problem.

What I find really amusing is how they're redesigning the website to work better on tablets & mobile devices than it does on desktop computers but they STILL don't beta test it. A bug where users can't even log out is a pretty big problem to miss! I don't think they do even basic testing before rolling out these changes which is ridiculous really.

Ian wrote: "Gill wrote: "I'm using this on my iPad. "

I'm guessing you're using the Goodreads App from the App Store which is very different to their website. If you open Safari on your iPad you should start ..."

Nope, Ian. I'm using Safari not the goodreads app.

Gill wrote: "Nope, Ian. I'm using Safari not the goodreads app. "

Well....if it was a PC I'd say try turning it off and on then hit it with your shoe. That sometimes works with PCs.

Ian wrote: "Gill wrote: "Nope, Ian. I'm using Safari not the goodreads app. "

Well....if it was a PC I'd say try turning it off and on then hit it with your shoe. That sometimes works with PCs."

I don't think I will, Ian! Nice idea, though. Anyway, goodreads know it's a problem, so I'm just waiting until it's sorted.

Looks very organized, but it might take a while to get used to. Seems like a lot of websites are getting tabs like these now!

Ian wrote: "Gill wrote: "Nope, Ian. I'm using Safari not the goodreads app. "

Well....if it was a PC I'd say try turning it off and on then hit it with your shoe. That sometimes works with PCs."

I know it was a jest and this is a general blog post rather than directed at you, I don't know if you build PCs yourself or not but...

*internal screaming*

Speaking as a person called in to do tech support for F&F dontdothisdontdothisdontdothis Smacking a PC that randomly shuts down is a Very Bad thing if it's the cable from the power supply which is loose.


Insides of a PC are simpler than meccano and it's all colour coded, the oogidyboogidy omg you will break your PC!!11! fear of opening up the PC and fixing it yourself was created by people who sell and fix computers so they can make hundreds of pounds off you for 10 seconds work a monkey could do. Seriously, easier than Lego or Meccano. Cheeky swines have been ripping off the general public for years with these lies designed to make people feel frightened and it's usually the older people they pray on because they know they can make more money off them.

How to actually fix a PC that randomly shuts down or plays silly beggers when you try to start it.

If you unplug the kettle lead at the back it's perfectly safe to open up the side (unscrew at the back and slide out) and make sure all the cables and sticks inside are slotted in correctly to the big board. You don't have to take anything out for this, just gently push stuff in on the board and the things attached to it.

If it still plays up it's the RAM (it's always the ram). These are the 2-4 1-2 inch wide sticks usually slotted in on the left of the board, push the buttons at the top and bottom to get them to pop out, google what it says on them, buy new ones for £20 from overclockers instead of paying someone £150 to fix or £500 on a new PC, and just stick them back in. If you can put on shoes you can change RAM.

Here's another thing if you want your computer to go faster you can always upgrade your own RAM rather than buy a new PC. Follow what I said above, but when you google what it says instead of getting 1GB or 2GB sticks you can replace them with 4GB sticks. Use the same brand and whatever it says on the stick apart from the #GB if you are worried about getting the wrong one, only good will happen.

edit: Don't get scared get angry, when you open the side look how the cables are colour coded and everything just slots in and think "someone wanted to charge me £200 to push a couple of buttons and slot in a £20 part!"

I would like to be able to search just one book shelf for a title or search one discussion. When I search, it seems like I am searching the whole site.

Karrie wrote: "I would like to be able to search just one book shelf for a title or search one discussion. When I search, it seems like I am searching the whole site."

Yeah, maybe just search my favorite authors page for books I've read or want to read or something. That would be a lot easier!

I hate it!

Where's the home page?

Why do software designers redesign things that are just fine?

Ron wrote: "I hate it!

Where's the home page?

Why do software designers redesign things that are just fine?"

Because they want to make sure people don't stop using their website? Other than that, I have no idea.

Ron wrote: "I hate it!

Where's the home page?

Why do software designers redesign things that are just fine?"

Because they can.

Holli wrote: "Ron wrote: "I hate it!

Where's the home page?

Why do software designers redesign things that are just fine?"

Because they can."

:)

Ron wrote: "I hate it!

Where's the home page?

Why do software designers redesign things that are just fine?"

The home page is the goodreads logo.

Changes like this are typically done to keep the site modern looking and up to date with current web standards.

You're going to say: "But it's not broken!"

But these sort of changes aren't typically aimed at existing users; they're aimed at the user who is seeing goodreads for the first time and trying to make the best impression to that user.

If a potential user sees the site for the first time and thinks "oh, how archaic, these guys aren't keeping up with the times" that's not a user goodreads will keep. Or if goodreads lacks the features that every other popular web site has.

Sure, there's probably an element of trying to do navigation better for the existing users as well, but it's more likely to be about keeping with current best-practice.

Lindsay wrote: "Ron wrote: "I hate it!

Where's the home page?

Why do software designers redesign things that are just fine?"

The home page is the goodreads logo.

Changes like this are typically done to keep t..."

I never thought about it that way. That's a great way to put it! I agree.

Found a small bug/feature that may explain why people are having problems getting re-reads to count as part of the yearly challenge.

When the review box pops up after you mark as read it still shows the original read dates, so if you read it first in 2014 it won't count. You now have to manually change the dates so it's marked as finished today and it will shelve properly.

Jane wrote: "I wouldn't know a mobile device or tablet, etc. if any bit me. I'm perfectly happy with my desktop.
"

Me too. I couldn't imagine typing long reviews on the annoying touchscreens.

Pete wrote: "Some people just love to complain. I guess they assume websites should be designed only to satisfy them. Of course they never consider that the maintenance of the site costs them nothing nor do the..."

Part of my deleted (not by me) posting said that I rarely complain… but would rather have things fixed that are broken first.

Because those things ARE STILL BROKEN… they've only put lipstick on the pig (part of what didn't know up)

I really hate even speaking up on these notifications. They'll do what someone thinks is 'really cool'.. ever notice that houses, sheets, etc, are getting more and more 'neutral' in color? I'm an artist. If I made paintings in beige, grays, blacks, and browns, would my paintings sell? I've been told they aren't brightly colored enough..

I guess they want the screen of our computers to match our walls...

I feel like Goodreads and I are going in different directions. If other people like these changes I guess its great, but the old version of GR was much better for me personally. :(

Debbie wrote: "I feel like Goodreads and I are going in different directions. If other people like these changes I guess its great, but the old version of GR was much better for me personally. :("

I agree! This IS the first version of GR that I came across, anyways. I only joined last year in December, but still.