MediaWiki/Homepage redesign/Design Document

This project intends to reformulate the layout of the MediaWiki Homepage to better reflect the work and activities of our community. The new layout aims to express the full potential of MediaWiki. The homepage is the first contact that community has with the tool and this is an opportunity to awaken interest in MediaWiki and to help people use it and contribute. This project will identify and define what content is most important, as well as develop an appropriate look and feel to convey to visitors. The project requires analyzing the current problems, proposing a solution and implementing it - all with the participation of the community.

This document also captures the relevant points of Requests for comment/MediaWiki.org Main Page tweaks, which will be deprecated.

Rationale
Since 2012 the community has discussed the MediaWiki Homepage, and there is a common sense that the homepage needs reformulating. The current homepage has some reported problems that must be fixed, and dozens of suggestions for improvement. The statistics of MW.org access show that the most accessed pages have link on the homepage. However, some important links could use more prominence to assist and guide new users. We want to help people interested in contributing to find the right information to get started. The table below show the 10 most viewed articles in April 2013. As of this statistics could reflect if the results are aligned with the purpose and strategy of MediaWiki.

Main problems of current homepage and possible solutions

 * Does not answer important questions.
 * Lack harmonizing colors used.
 * Barely tapped space.
 * Implement symmetry between elements.
 * Duplicated links (About this site / Download / Wiki).
 * Identify the important links to keep the homepage.
 * Lots of versions for download.
 * Replace "Current version" box by a single prominent [Download X] button.
 * Too big box to select language.
 * Verify possibility to replace by selection list.
 * Does not transmit any feeling to visitors.

Improvements and contents suggested by the community

 * Design focus for visitors and new users.
 * Actions instead bucketing people.
 * Highlight the information on contributions.
 * Add block to showcase sites made with MediaWiki (testimonials, screen-shots and links).
 * Add video or other media/information to demonstrate the enthusiasm of the community.
 * Add statistics about MediaWiki (if automatically updated).
 * Use icons newer or photos instead of icons.
 * Add links to:
 * Online demo
 * Software prerequisites
 * Features
 * Frequently Asked Questions
 * Help:Contents
 * APIs
 * Support desk
 * Mailing list
 * IRC channel
 * Bugs
 * Merging two blocks "News" and "New opportunities" or removing "News" box.
 * Add screenshots.
 * Add list of the most important features/benefits.
 * Add dates of last releases.
 * Add "Popular Pages" or "Frequently Accessed/Requested Pages" box (if automatically updated).
 * Split developers into "Core" and "Extensions".
 * Incorporate current user box into header area.
 * Refresh sidebar.

Questions

 * What is MediaWiki?
 * What problem it solves?
 * Why I'd want to use it?
 * Who uses it?
 * How can I get it?
 * How can I use it?
 * Why we adore MediaWiki?
 * Why we like to contribute to MediaWiki?