Add current versions back to homepage

[purplepenguin2]

Enter your suggestions in details:

The homepage used to have two really useful things:

1. ability to easily see at a glance the latest current version and the latest LTS version
2. direct link to the most recent changelog entry

Some time ago, I believe with the initial website redesign, the second was removed entirely. It took what was previously a single click now multiple clicks to view the latest changes.

It appears recently within the last week or two, the first has now also been completely removed.

I can understand the desire to have a minimal/streamlined homepage, but removing extremely useful details like the latest versions seems to be counterproductive.

Can someone confirm whether this was intentional, and if so, is it possible to revert the change? Being able to cross reference the latest version was really nice, and although I understand it's a small thing either way, there doesn't appear to be any benefit to removing useful information when it was something as tiny as the version.

Thanks.

[ovflowd]

ability to easily see at a glance the latest current version and the latest LTS version

The homepage no longer shows the LTS version explicitly, but it does mention the "Current" version in the fine print. Previously, the layout had a couple of issues: the main button downloaded the Node binaries directly, without giving users a chance to choose how they wanted to install Node. It also left some people wondering, “Where are the other versions?”

Now, with a more neutral "Install" button that just redirects to the full Downloads page, that confusion is addressed.

Can someone confirm whether this was intentional, and if so, is it possible to revert the change?

Yes, this change was intentional and won’t be reverted. However, the "Get Security Updates" button will likely be updated soon.

It took what was previously a single click now multiple clicks to view the latest changes.

Most users will be directed to the LTS version automatically, which still requires just one click. For those looking for the latest version, it’s now two clicks: once you land on the LTS page, there’s a banner saying “Want the latest version? Click here.”

As for keeping track of version updates, you can subscribe via RSS, follow our social channels (we post every new release), or check the Releases category on our blog.

[purplepenguin2]

There seems to still be some misunderstanding or disconnect. I've included screenshots of the homepage below.

Original homepage

Initial redesign

Current homepage

The homepage no longer shows the LTS version explicitly, but it does mention the "Current" version in the fine print.

Where? The current homepage doesn't list any versions whatsoever.

Most users will be directed to the LTS version automatically, which still requires just one click.

You're responding to my comment about the CHANGELOG being easily accessible, but you seem to be confusing this with the version numbers. The original homepage (first image) before the initial redesign (second image) had two direct links on the homepage that took you to the exact CHANGELOG entry for the relevant version. The current homepage has no reference or links whatsoever, in order to get to the CHANGELOG it's multiple clicks and scrolling (e.g. click GitHub icon in the navbar, scroll, click CHANGELOG, click version, etc.).

Ultimately if it's intentional and there's no desire to improve it, I guess it is what it is, but it's disappointing to see something that was previously pragmatic and useful fall prey to prioritizing modern design aesthetics over basic functionality.

It's unclear what the purpose of the homepage is when it contains no useful information. Why not just dump people on the download page to begin with if the homepage is just a link to the downloads page and a code snippet?

[avivkeller]

As you mentioned yourself, the downloads page has all the information you've requested. If you'd like to see it on the home page, and you can make that work aesthetically, by all means please open a PR.

I don't think anyone is against making the versions / changelogs more visible, so we'll be happy to review :-)

[ovflowd]

Where? The current homepage doesn't list any versions whatsoever.

I was responding to the previous design.

Ultimately if it's intentional and there's no desire to improve it, I guess it is what it is, but it's disappointing to see something that was previously pragmatic and useful fall prey to prioritizing modern design aesthetics over basic functionality.

Just to clarify the reasoning here — the current Download button is meant to redirect to the Downloads page, where all the installation options and version info are available.

If what you're looking for is a quick marker showing the latest "current" and active LTS versions, that's a totally different request — and I'm actually on board with that. We could absolutely add that somewhere visible on the page to make the info easier to access.

That said, we don’t plan to put version numbers directly on the Download button itself, since it no longer downloads a specific version of Node and instead sends folks to the full Downloads page. Including version info there could give a misleading impression.

This change was made to encourage users to explore installation methods and avoid the misunderstanding that only those versions are available.

Also, let's try to keep the tone constructive. Phrases like "I guess it is what it is..." can come off a bit dismissive. We're all working to make things better here — nothing's set in stone, and we’re open to iterating.

[purplepenguin2]

Just to clarify the reasoning here — the current Download button is meant to redirect to the Downloads page, where all the installation options and version info are available.

I understand that, but the homepage is literally a button that redirects to the Downloads page and a code snippet example. There is nothing else there. Each update to the homepage has removed more and more useful information, so I'm confused as to the purpose of the homepage conceptually, since providing useful information doesn't really seem to be the primary goal of it anymore (perhaps it never was and I'm just misunderstanding what node is trying to get out of it). Landing people directly on the Downloads page and getting rid of the homepage all together at this point would seemingly be a net positive (not advocating for that, but seems in line with the trajectory of updates so far).

If what you're looking for is a quick marker showing the latest "current" and active LTS versions, that's a totally different request — and I'm actually on board with that. We could absolutely add that somewhere visible on the page to make the info easier to access.

Yes, so long as they're easy to view at a glance on the homepage, being in a button or a box, etc. doesn't really matter. Ideally, adding back the links to the CHANGELOG would also be great.

Also, let's try to keep the tone constructive. Phrases like "I guess it is what it is..." can come off a bit dismissive. We're all working to make things better here — nothing's set in stone, and we’re open to iterating.

I have no ill will toward you or anyone else here, but this change doesn't appear to follow any reasoning from the original topic. Neither the original issue (#7773) or the pull request (#7875) mention anything about user confusion regarding showing version numbers or anything about needing to remove the version numbers.

Put another way, I understand the context and initial issue, but the resulting change that happened (removing the version numbers entirely) using the former as justification doesn't make any sense to me and there doesn't appear to actually be any reasoning to support it, but I digress.

If the versions could be added back, that'd be great. If the CHANGELOG links could also be added back, that'd be even better.

Appreciate the information.

[ovflowd]

I understand that, but the homepage is literally a button that redirects to the Downloads page and a code snippet example. There is nothing else there. Each update to the homepage has removed more and more useful information, so I'm confused as to the purpose of the homepage conceptually, since providing useful information doesn't really seem to be the primary goal of it anymore (perhaps it never was and I'm just misunderstanding what node is trying to get out of it). Landing people directly on the Downloads page and getting rid of the homepage all together at this point would seemingly be a net positive (not advocating for that, but seems in line with the trajectory of updates so far).

The homepage is meant to be a landing page — its purpose is to help people find their way to more detailed pages. It shouldn't try to include everything that's already readily available elsewhere. Folks land there, then use the nav or primary buttons to continue on. For now, we’re intentionally keeping it simple.

Yes, so long as they're easy to view at a glance on the homepage, being in a button or a box, etc. doesn't really matter. Ideally, adding back the links to the CHANGELOG would also be great.

Yeah, I was actually thinking of something similar to what eslint does — maybe a horizontal strip with pills showing key info like current versions and a link to the changelog. That feels like a clean way to surface that without clutter.

I have no ill will toward you or anyone else here, but this change doesn't appear to follow any reasoning from the original topic. Neither the original issue (#7773) or the pull request (#7875) mention anything about user confusion regarding showing version numbers or anything about needing to remove the version numbers.

I get where you’re coming from. And yeah, the PR description definitely lacks context — that’s fair feedback. But there were internal conversations and discussions in other threads that led to this direction. I’m not expecting you to know all of it, just sharing that this wasn’t arbitrary.

Put another way, I understand the context and initial issue, but the resulting change that happened (removing the version numbers entirely) using the former as justification doesn't make any sense to me and there doesn't appear to actually be any reasoning to support it, but I digress.

Right — the version info made sense before when the buttons linked directly to versioned downloads. That’s no longer the case; the buttons now route to the Downloads page, so including version numbers there would just be confusing.

If the versions could be added back, that'd be great. If the CHANGELOG links could also be added back, that'd be even better.

Appreciate the feedback — I’ll work on something!

[Eveeifyeve]

What about a second button for current and include the versions? already have a second button

[ovflowd]

@purplepenguin2 could you check if nodejs.org feels close to what you were imagining?