Requests for comment/MediaWiki.org Main Page tweaks

A discussion has begun on additional tweaks that should be made to MediaWiki.org's main page. This wikipage is a place to document the "highlights" of those conversations in the IRC (which can be found in the IRC logs) and allow for additional discussion within the wiki.

Background
There have been comments that the homepage does not present all of the most frequently accessed content on MW.org and that the look/feel is outdated.

Varnent has made alterations to address access to information on "active projects" within MediaWiki.org. Additionally has offered to help mediate process and implement technical provisions. Nitin has offered to assist with improving access to needed pages. Heather was recruited to help provide input. Sumana brought the group together.

Plan to implement in sandbox

 * Symmetry / alignment of columns
 * Move images to better use space
 * Split "Current version" in two and below add a "Frequently Accessed Pages" (or similar) box
 * Split developers into "Core" / "Extensions"
 * Incorporate current user box into header area

Brainstorming

 * Update images to newer graphics
 * Photos instead of icons?
 * Use of "user role" icons
 * A block to showcase sites made with mediawiki in bottom of page or a link may be.
 * Merging two blocks [news & new opportunities] as they both convey news, kinda, regarding mediawiki & space can be used for other thing.
 * Download block can be removed totally & can be merged with intro block only which actually has link of "how to get started" ?
 * Various statistics about mediawiki ?

Comments

 * Functionality a priority over look
 * Don't reinvent the wheel - so tweak rather than start from scratch
 * Improvements needed - not an overhaul
 * Do not need much css polishness but it can be tweaked a bit to make things look more better.

Sandbox

 * Variation 1
 * Variation 2
 * Variation 3
 * Variation 4
 * Variation 5
 * Supporters
 * Varnent


 * Variation 6
 * Variation 7
 * Supporters
 * jorm
 * heatherw (add some padding :)) -  (padding ✅ - Varnent)
 * Varnent


 * Variation 8