Credit where credit is due.
I wake up this morning (in UK) and the major issue most had with the changes, i.e. loss of info against the stats (width issues) has been addressed, certainly to my satisfaction.
I am mindful that the recent change to the stats section may have been made (badly) so that the change (back) made us happy and caused us to gloss over our disappointment with the remainder of the changes - but then I am a cynic.
Although the new Homepage I get looks pretty, it basically has nothing that I really want (well, not really nothing, but very little). My major issue now is that ALL of my customized homepage information and structure has completely disappeared and I am unable to resurrect it, as the 'customize' option and 'add widget' option seem to have been disabled.
Although not specifically stated by HP, I do hope that effort has now been transferred to this issue now that the stats issue has been addressed to most hubbers satisfaction.
But, as I said earlier, credit where credit is due and thanks HP for listening to those that matter to you (us hubbers).
I am all for change that takes us forward. As a former designer of software systems, including user-to-computer interfaces, my suggestion would be that you, perhaps, undertake some consultation with your customers next time (not after the event, which causes more work for you).
My suggestion: place the design of the proposed changes in a section within HP that can be referred to from a Forum post, such as this, against which your customers can accept the changes or make constructive criticisms and alternative suggestions.
The end result of this type of interaction is less work for you, less backlash if the changes prove less than acceptable, and a nice warm feeling for your customers who then believe that they are a part of the HP family, in that they are consulted and thereby feel that their constructive ideas are taken into the production of a better user interface.
You get it right 95% of the time. Occasionally you get it a little awry. On this occasion you have fallen within the 5%, but you have redeemed yourselves somewhat. But that 5% causes your customers to become frustrated and angst-ridden. Talk to us and allow us to contribute (there are many here that have solid software design backgrounds I am sure) so that the 5% becomes just 0.5%.
Leverage the resources that you have at your fingertips (us). Put crowdsourcing to work to your best advantage - we are all here to help (at no cost) - what more could a 'family' HP site require?
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