8

I've always appreciated the "main" link in the MSO header, just as I appreciate the "meta" link in the SO header, as I frequently go back and forth between the two.

I just wanted to confirm that there are currently no plans to bring a "main" link back and no alternative in the current design to the tedious "click, search the drop down, navigate to the MSO link, click again" process that's now in place to navigate back. (That's four physical/mental operations vs. one).

Along the same line, should I expect the "meta" link to go away from SO when it migrates to the new design?

Update: See in particular this answer to the close-as-dup question reference.

Improve this question
8
  • 3
    How many switches per second were you hoping to achieve?
    – JDB
    Nov 21, 2013 at 21:09
  • 1
    As a workaround, you can also reach Stack Overflow in one click from the footer: CTRL+END on any page, and it's there. ;)
    – Shadow Wizard Is Sad And Angry
    Nov 21, 2013 at 21:29
  • 1
    @JDB Not a lot, but I want zero distractions for basic navigation. A drop down menu that requires clicking to even display is about as distracting as you can get. If hovering brought it up, that would be a major improvement.
    – Peter Alfvin
    Nov 21, 2013 at 21:42
  • @PeterAlfvin - as has been mentioned before, touchscreen devices are not very good at hovering.
    – JDB
    Nov 21, 2013 at 21:52
  • @JDB I don't understand all the ins and outs of this, but it seems to me that you should be able to offer hover on non-touch devices without screwing up touch devices (e.g. as discussed in prowebdesign.ro/how-to-deal-with-hover-on-touch-screen-devices).
    – Peter Alfvin
    Nov 21, 2013 at 22:00
  • @PeterAlfvin, I haven't bookmarked it, but recently I saw some sensible/up-to-date JS/jQuery approach to hovering in touch devices too. Right now, we have one extra click or one extra key (press end to reach the direct link at the footer) when browsing on the Desktop.
    – brasofilo
    Nov 22, 2013 at 0:24
  • @brasofilo Not to quibble, but I think you have to say "extra click and extra cursor movement" for the non-footer case right now.
    – Peter Alfvin
    Nov 22, 2013 at 0:28
  • Yep, there are too many extra things that we have to perform with the new navigation bar (link to Favorites comes to mind). It's pretty cool and lovely, but swapping is kind of fundamental... I'm really missing the straight one click too.
    – brasofilo
    Nov 22, 2013 at 0:57

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
7

I wrote this userscript to put it back in. Have fun!

Improve this answer
2
  • 1
    @ShaWizDowArd - I looked up FHRC and found only: FHRC Flood Hazard Research Centre (UK) FHRC Fiji Human Rights Commission (est. 1997) FHRC Flex Hose Rotary Coupler FHRC Fair Housing Resource Center (various locations) FHRC Fremantle Harness Racing Club (Australia). None of these seemed to fit. Explain?
    – Peter Alfvin
    Nov 22, 2013 at 3:31
  • 3
    @PeterAlfvin FreeHand Red Circles (also: meta.stackexchange.com/q/138031/162704)
    – yannis
    Nov 22, 2013 at 3:55
3

There is a "main" link:

enter image description here

Improve this answer
11
  • 4
    Yeah, we made a site switcher. So, you know, will use it to switch between sites.
    – Oded
    Nov 21, 2013 at 21:09
  • 6
    I wouldn't call that a "link on the page". ;-) That's the "click, search the dropdown, click" method I referred to in my post. :-)
    – Peter Alfvin
    Nov 21, 2013 at 21:10
  • 1
    @PeterAlfvin I believe the current site will always be at the top, so switching from meta to main (or main to meta) should always be the second link down.
    – user213963
    Nov 21, 2013 at 21:12
  • 3
    @PeterAlfvin One need not "search" the dropdown. Regardless of the site you're on, the main/meta will be up top, and will load without AJAX.
    – Manishearth
    Nov 21, 2013 at 21:12
  • 6
    @Manishearth Sorry, but when a bunch of next text pops up, even without an AJAX call, my mind still has to take it in, locate the item I'm looking for, etc. That's a significant mental distraction and doesn't compare to a simple click. Anyway, I'm satisfied this is covered in meta.stackexchange.com/a/207423/216381
    – Peter Alfvin
    Nov 21, 2013 at 21:15
  • 1
    @PeterAlfvin That's just because you haven't gotten the muscle memory for it yet. The text will be in the same place every time.
    – Manishearth
    Nov 21, 2013 at 21:17
  • 1
    @Manishearth Maybe, but it's still "click, move-the-cursor, click". If they'd made the return link directly below the dropdown so that I could avoid the navigate, then I could see getting used to it. As it is, I'll just allocate some other space on my toolbar.
    – Peter Alfvin
    Nov 21, 2013 at 21:20
  • @Oded but it's like taking a tasty cookie out of a child's hand and tell him "here, I put this in a jar. When you want, take it out the jar, give a bite and put back". :(
    – Shadow Wizard Is Sad And Angry
    Nov 21, 2013 at 21:23
  • 2
    @ShaWizDowArd - in the name of consistency and consistent UI. Keeping related things together and all that. I guess it makes more sense considering that one day MSO will split into two.
    – Oded
    Nov 21, 2013 at 21:25
  • 1
    @Oded oh you tease you...
    – user213963
    Nov 21, 2013 at 21:33
  • 1
    @MichaelT - 6-8 weeks.
    – Oded
    Dec 13, 2013 at 17:36

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .