Refactor/rm computer monitor

[RafaelJohn9]

Changes

Fix #2068

• Removes the Monitor Background Image from the front page
• Makes the different tags that were inside the monitor more visible (changed their colors)

Context

After the remove of the Background image, the monitor tag looks like this:

• I opted to have the tag still to have the name monitor since it contains different details such as latest Git version, Binary links for different operating systems and the release date for the latest Git version.

• [x] One thing I wasn't sure of was whether to remove the images from the repository, would love to hear your thoughts on this.

[dscho]

I have to admit that the new look does not tickle my fancy... But then, I had no problem with the monitor, either. @To1ne do you prefer the new look? If so, I won't object against merging.

[To1ne]

I have to admit that the new look does not tickle my fancy

Well, me neither. For me this makes it more obvious what the latest release is, so that is good. (or maybe my brain was trained to ignore the computer monitor already, that's also possible).

Maybe it's just the empty space that's making it weird. Can you move the other links up? And maybe make the Pro Git section full width?

[jvns]

I've been working on a new potential look for the "Install" page, without the computer monitor. I'm not sure how it should affect the homepage yet. It's not quite ready yet to make a PR but here's a screenshot of the current state:

[dscho]

This is probably how we should present it on the front page, too. Nice, sleek, informative.

[RafaelJohn9]

So uhm,

should I update it to match the design?

[dscho]

So uhm,

should I update it to match the deisgn?

Maybe it would make sense to let @jvns complete the "Install" page and then update the design in the same PR?

[RafaelJohn9]

Is there anything else left to be done in this PR ?

[dscho]

@RafaelJohn9 my personal preference would be to complete #2096 first, and then adapt the look&feel of the Git version on the front page in the same way.

[dscho]

@RafaelJohn9 it's a go! #2096 has been merged!

[jvns]

A not-designer design opinion: I think that right now the monitor (even if it's outdated) is doing something useful by taking some visual space on the right of the page, and that taking it out without rethinking the homepage layout will leave things looking weird.

My best idea right now is to first try to figure out what the content of the "About" section should be (as well as the copy on the homepage) and then to later think about how that information should be organized. Basically first think about what information the homepage should be communicating.

[dscho]

Indeed. I think that we need to be honest and take out the "very large" and the "easy to learn" part. And since there are things Subversion still does better (think game development, e.g. large blobs and subdirectory-only development), those comparisons to other SCMs should be dropped or at least be reworked to become more nuanced.

But back to the monitor: maybe replace it with an elegant "glass look" version of the Git Logo?

To give you an idea, I used Copilot to mock up something to demonstrate what I had in mind:

light mode	dark mode

[RafaelJohn9]

hey @dscho ,

that's interesting,

1. So will it be in the background as was the monitor or are we planning to push the content to the side ?
2. Will an SVG be better for customization and fit for different themes ?

[dscho]

It was just an idea, and I had not really thought it through, merely something to play with, and if it looks good in the end, why not take it?

So yes, an SVG would be better (but I have yet to find an AI that generates good SVGs...)

[RafaelJohn9]

let me prepare some prototypes and I'll share the screenshots here :handshake:

[jvns]

If we're replacing the computer monitor I think it would be better to first list the jobs we want that section to do and then design something which will do those jobs instead of starting with something visual. For example:

• Tell people the latest version
• Link the release notes
• Link to the Git repository
• ???

It's a bit weird because the "Download" link and the "Install" link on the left go to the exact same place, so it's not clear what the goal of the "Download" button on the right is at this point. Also "Windows Build" is in "Install".

One goal could be to just have a more prominent "Install" button which does the exact same thing as the "Install" link on the left, but in a more eyecatching way.

[RafaelJohn9]

hey @jvns ,

1. What would you recommend to appear at that section.
2. What do you recommend to be the goal of that particular section (installation, version release, links to repository and different types of build)

[jvns]

Here's a branch with an idea for how to handle it (replace "Download" with "Install" and remove all of the links in the table except the link to the GitHub repo) https://github.com/jvns/git-scm.com/tree/homepage-monitor

[RafaelJohn9]

Looks good! 🙂👍

[To1ne]

@jvns I like that look!

cc @dscho