A few weeks ago, we launched an ambitious new redesign aimed at improving the site's functionality and performance while putting in place the building blocks for new expansion plans, including secure browsing and more customized layout options. Ultimately, network and storage failures conspired against a full deployment of the site, so we reverted back to the old site and hardware configuration. We also vowed to not come back until we had addressed not only those issues, but some of the biggest concerns users had in the first day the site was (sort of) up. In no specific order, those were:

Page flow — The redesigned front page had too much white space, so it wasn't immediately clear how stories were moving down the page. We've scaled it back while still keeping a looser, less dense feel. Just want a simple list view? Switch to it! Simply click on the menu icon above (≡). Incidentally, that's where you can also find the Unified View, which shows stories from both Ars Technica and Ars Technica UK.

The dark theme — Longtime readers know that the original Ars color scheme was white text on a black background with orange and green accents. The passion for it is strong, and we've brought it back to the new design. You can make the switch via the menu icon above (≡).

Site width — Our mobile site is not changing, but we've made the main site design responsive down to tablet sizes (we will address the mobile site later this year).

There were a handful of other small issues, some intentional and some the result of CSS problems. Comment vote data is back, for example, and you should notice a number of other minor improvements.

We are excited to share the fully realized redesign of Ars Technica, and we hope you will come to love it. General comments are welcome below, of course, but we do ask that you report bugs here.