On: Why we made this site

[jng]

Just a little bit of graphic design wouldn't hurt, really. In any case, congratulations on the launch and I'm sure it will become an interesting hub.

[pg → jng]

Yeah, I know. The site is at least simple and functional, but we should (and will) make it look better soon.

[jmzachary → pg]

Please don't. I vote for the simple, straightforward design you currently have.

[sketerpot → jmzachary]

It's possible to make a site simpler and more straightforward for users by making it prettier. Really good web design is very subtle; things like giving small but definite visual cues for where posts begin and end, or making the "reply" link a slightly different color from the post so it doesn't look like part of the post -- these small changes do more than look pretty, they also lower the cognitive load on the user and make it feel simpler. A lot of what Reddit has been doing to their interface has been tiny changes that make it feel simpler. Good web design is something to be appreciated; great web design makes you forget that it's even there.

[bitdiddle → jmzachary]

I second that, I love the minimalist approach. Reddit was much like that in the beginning.

[danielha → bitdiddle]

There's minimalistic and then there's insufficient. I'm all for keeping it simple and functional, but a little aesthetic snazz can contribute to the end goal.

I couldn't find the 'Reply' link for a moment -- and I'm not even THAT blind. ;) Looking forward to that update!

[pg → jmzachary]

We won't clutter it up. Look how minimal the YC site itself is.

[danielha → pg]

It'd also be a plus to have the page jump to your newly submitted comment after the fact instead of ending up at the top of the page.