I just now found the Site Directory, which is an idea that I was going to suggest, but I think some big improvements could be made to the current one.
To be honest, it's not as useful as it could be. All it does is repeat the brief description given in the "all sites" tab of the pop-up div shown when you click the StackExchange logo at the top... plus some statistics about how many posts, views, etc. there are in that section. I think these brief descriptions leave most people are unclear about where to post their questions... the current system simply doesn't allow anyone to acquire a coherent understanding without loading the FAQ of all the sites relevant to their question.
Section 1: Detailed Descriptions
Section 2: TreeView Directory
Section 3: Increased Visibility
Section 1: Detailed Descriptions
I think new users would appreciate longer descriptions... specifically a detailed explanation of what is considered "on-topic" for each site. Example:
CodeReview (objective)
- Code correctness
- Best practices and design pattern usage in your code
- Application UI
- Security issues in a code snippet, etc.
StackOverflow (objective)
- a specific programming problem
- a software algorithm
- software tools commonly used by programmers
- matters that are unique to the programming profession
Programming (subjective)
- Software engineering
- Developer testing
- Algorithm and data structure concepts
- Design patterns
- Architecture
- Development methodologies
- Quality assurance
- Software law
- Programming puzzles
- Freelancing and business concerns
Section 2: TreeView Directory
The list of descriptions would get pretty long if you listed all of them at once, so it would have to be done in a tree view... which you could use jQuery toggle to make. Example content:
Programming
- Programming
- Stack Overflow
- Code Review
- Code Golf
- Game Development
- User Interface
Site & Network Admin
- Webmasters
- WordPress
- Server Fault
- Database Administrators
- IT Security
End User
- Super User
- Operating Systems
- Unix and Linux
- Ask Ubuntu
- Android Enthusiasts
- Apple
- Web Applications
- Gaming
- Role-playing Games
Electronic Equipment & Hardware
- Electronics and Robotics
- Computer Hardware
- Computer Architecture
- Electronics and Robotics
- Audio/Visual Equipment
Audio & Visual Production
- Photography
- Video Recording and Production
- Vector/Raster Graphic Design
- CAD/3-D Design
- Audio Recording and Production
Language & Typesetting
- Writers
- English Language and Usage
- TeX -LaTeX
Financial & Business Management
- Personal Finance
- Startups
Theory & Research
- Physics
- Theoretical Computer Science
- Mathematics
(And so on...)
The tree view could be implemented in one of two ways:
- Tree View Nav Bar - The tree view would be off to the left, and if you clicked on any bottom-level node, such as Stack Overflow, Code Review, etc., the detailed description (from Section 1) would load to the right of the Tree View. Allowing the user to ctrl+click the bottom-level nodes would allow them to load multiple detail descriptions at once.
- Inline Tree View - The detailed descriptions would be shown within the tree itself (like it is in the Soh Tanaka demo.)
**Section 3: Increased Visibility**
The Site Directory, once it's made useful, should be either in every site's FAQ or up on the toolbar at the top, right beside "FAQ." This will make new users (esp. those that find StackOverflow via google results) aware that (1) more than one site exists, and (2) what types of questions are appropriate at the different sites/forums.
PS: Of course, the site statistics, questions (answers, % answered, total users, visits/day) could still be included at the bottom of each site's detailed description.
PSS: Is a working example needed in order to convince people of this suggestion's merit? I am more than willing to make one. :)
