UI/UX Design of Website and Wiki

[Patrick]

@Mycobee

IMO these don’t need to be on the homepage, as it is already explained on the download page

These are there to avoid any doubt such as “This is for Windows only”, “This is for Linux only”, “cannot be used on USB”.

Download Whonix (FREE) is kinda duplicated but that contains answers to the more advanced usage questions about platform support.

[1] The main issue about the whonix.org homepage has always been that it has been unclear to many users what Whonix is, what it’s advantages are. Basics like this. Several layout and content evolutionary steps have been made in the past if you check out the various versions of the Whonix homepage on web.archive.org.

The current homepage preview image File:Whonix-homepage-main.png - Whonix will soon be replaced by a video link. The image might remain there as a thumbnail but there is going to be a play button to an illustrative animated video (video script) that is currently in production.

@Mycobee

For example, The Matrix is a cool movie, but not really needed as an image to say anything about what Whonix offers. I think it takes away from the message of what we are building.

Do you mean the Whonix homepage chapter security section? I will assume so during my reply.

Also related to [1]. What is the advantages Whonix? Why not use X instead? That is easy to answer for someone with a background in security, anonymity. But for someone who never heard of browser fingerprinting, keystroke deanonymization, time attacks, etc. it’s hard to summarize, contextualize why that matters.

And also low attention spawns nowadays, informational overload […]

@Mycobee

I don’t think we “need” stock images when there isn’t an existing graphic. Again, refer to graphene site. It conveys many messagaes effectively without a stock image.

@Mycobee

I think a clean dark theme is a good idea. The fewer colors the better

I am sure the simpler and or dark mode style will appeal to, be liked more by various specialized communities, among them probably highly technical users, textual learners.

[…] hence I think for most users some eye candy is required. Otherwise in the view of other communities the website is appearing bland, boring, and some other related labels.

This is based on some feedback that I received from non-technical users in real life over the years. Also inspired by some larger, high(er) popularity/usability projects such as https://elementary.io/, https://www.blender.org/, https://puri.sm/, https://www.qubes-os.org/ and others.

related to dark mode: enable wiki dark mode

Disclaimer: I am not saying one style is inherently better or worse. Personally my mind is compatible with both styles, the more simple as well as the more fancy ones.

@Mycobee

I didn’t realize we were using a content generator already. I thought it was hand rolled HTML and CSS.

Oh. That would be pretty much impossible, unmaintainable to have that much content with hand written HTML/CSS. Well, maybe the CSS if it’s always the same but the content, impossible.

Kicksecure / Whonix wiki is only rich of content because it has been open for easy editing with and without account for years. That has attracted countless contributions.

Using MediaWiki. The same software that Wikipedia is using which might be one of the most or the most user content contributed website on the internet in all history. The collaborative / simple editing was the reason why I’ve chosen MediaWiki a decade or so ago.

@Mycobee

My apologies.

No worries, none needed.

@Mycobee

That said, if we ever do decide to migrate for some reason, I don’t think it would be too difficult. I think I could do it programmatically with some slick ruby code. Get it done in a couple weeks.

I think getting the same features (including simplicity of editing, spam prevention) would a a mega task. Even choosing a content generator.

@Mycobee

Again, not needed.

So lucky and glad!

@Mycobee

I don’t think it is “too difficult” per se, just that it can be even more streamlined and improved. I think small things give a good impression. Cleanliness is Godliness sort of vibe if ya dig?

A large and clear link that says “Download Now” right under superior internet privacy IMO

Streamline, improve yes. Well, such as big “Download Now” button would just link to wiki/Download where the user has to choose yet again? That’s 1 click more. That’s why it is as currently implemented.

But something needs to change in near future anyhow. Next year Whonix Windows Installer and Whonix Linux Installer will be ready. For VirtualBox only. So targets where the links go to need to be changed. Windows and Linux can no longer share the same wiki/VirtualBox page. Not sure yet.

Under Whonix ™ for VirtualBox with Xfce chapter 2 Install_VirtualBox in Whonix wiki you can see the “tab controller” (Windows, Mac, Linux, …). Maybe that will be the way to go.