It's about time this place had a lick 'o paint (well, virtual paint, anyway). If I can figure out how to add a 'mail' link, I'll be putting one of those in too later on.
Let me know if any of it's causing problems, such as text colour making it harder to read.
And welcome to 2011 everyone! Is it going to be fun? Is it going to be different? Is it going to be better?
There will be new records set in respect of many physical parameters (coldest, hottest, heaviest, longest etc,) just like every other year since we began to keep these records. These facts will be manipulated by vested interests to accord with their own viewpoint. Just like every other year since we began to keep these records.
I like the new layout - less cluttered, more inviting. One suggestion: move the lettering away from the eye of the lion (?). That eyeball is almost like your visual signature (for the blog, at least), and it's a shame to mess up the impact by interfering with it. My first thought on seeing it was "we might not see you coming, but you won't see us coming unless you get that bloody letter A out of the way".
One small suggestion, have the posts themselves with a plain background. The text is sometimes difficult to read when the background image is directly under it. My eyes aren't as good as they once was.
Very 'vibrant', but in the good meaning of the word. :-)
I also agree with the points made about the 'A' obscuring your avatar and the background to the posts. The yellow/green background is fine, but the blade of grass running through the blog post makes it difficult to read.
I like the background, and I find it all quite readable. I have noticed, however, in 'other' blogs that some people are using the newer Blogger templates like a teenager at a free bar. More (and more complex) is not necessarily better. Background photos have to be very carefully chosen if they are not to distract or dominate. After all, what are you hoping people will do - read the post or find the picture pretty? This one is fine for me, although I tend to go for a plain colour background on mine.
Congratulations on the new look. Suffering from visual 'floaters' as I do, not having a solid block of pale colour as the background is a great relief.
And Happy New Year!
Predictions? I will continue to live down a hole and eat worms. Dunno about the rest of you.
Re. the heding If you are using one of the new design templates, the only way round this I found was to create a a .jpg of teh whole ting in PShop includsing text postioned where you want. Then up load that as your title picture and turn show text off
Not directly related to the new look, but I've noticed that on some blogs (such as this one) the links on the right are in alphabetical order, yet on others they are in most recent time order. I find the latter to be much more useful, as there is no point scrolling down past old posts.
Presumably this can be set by the blog owner? What do others think?
I've reinstated the Twitter link (actually, I've added the standard bar, so uses of BookFace are now catered for, as well!) and altered the blog title so more of the picture shows behind it. It seems to look OK in IE, FF, Opera and Chrome, so please shout out if anything's wonky in more esoteric browsers.
I've also added a mail link (to my profile, which I've moved to the top), so now I just need to remember to check that account regularly!
As well as checking Blogger's new spam catcher, which I see has finally caught a few legit people and one genuine spam, for a change!. Apologies, and your comments are now where they should be...
There doesn't seem to be a way to 'fade' the background image (yet) but I'll try and make it less obtrusive for those who find it distracting when that option becomes available.
I hope, if my tinkering has screwed up the RSS feed for anyone who reads the blog that way, you can now let me know. I tend to browse, rather than have posts delivered, so I've no idea how that looks.
" I have noticed, however, in 'other' blogs that some people are using the newer Blogger templates like a teenager at a free bar."
Oh, yes! The temptation to go hog-wild (especially with the changing seasons!) is one I shall have to resist... ;)
" I've noticed that on some blogs (such as this one) the links on the right are in alphabetical order.."
I've been sorting the links and removing some old ones, adding new. I will see what the options are for displaying - I've noticed some blogs have this 'constantly shifting' theme. But then again, I find RSS takes a while to update, so not sure how valuable it really is.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletedidn't work, still showed it as the actual HTML code.
ReplyDeleteyou can use the HTML/JAVA SCRIPT gadget in blogger to add an email address
It will be shite... like last year...
ReplyDeleteThere will be new records set in respect of many physical parameters (coldest, hottest, heaviest, longest etc,) just like every other year since we began to keep these records. These facts will be manipulated by vested interests to accord with their own viewpoint. Just like every other year since we began to keep these records.
ReplyDeleteI like the new layout - less cluttered, more inviting. One suggestion: move the lettering away from the eye of the lion (?). That eyeball is almost like your visual signature (for the blog, at least), and it's a shame to mess up the impact by interfering with it. My first thought on seeing it was "we might not see you coming, but you won't see us coming unless you get that bloody letter A out of the way".
ReplyDeleteBut overall, a good move.
2011? Same shit, different digit.
One small suggestion, have the posts themselves with a plain background. The text is sometimes difficult to read when the background image is directly under it. My eyes aren't as good as they once was.
ReplyDeleteGood points, I'll see what I can do later on to tinker with the template. I seem to have inadvertantly deep-sixed my 'Tweet this!' gadget.. :(
ReplyDeletemy eyes, it hurts! bright lights, bright lights.......
ReplyDeleteJudging by events in Egypt and Nigeria, same shit, different year.
ReplyDeleteBut Happy New Year to all you & your readers nonetheless.
I agree with both Richard and Longrider's points. Other than that it seems a pleasant and unobtrusive style.
ReplyDeleteVery 'vibrant', but in the good meaning of the word. :-)
ReplyDeleteI also agree with the points made about the 'A' obscuring your avatar and the background to the posts. The yellow/green background is fine, but the blade of grass running through the blog post makes it difficult to read.
Will you be posting an email address for tips?
I like the background, and I find it all quite readable. I have noticed, however, in 'other' blogs that some people are using the newer Blogger templates like a teenager at a free bar. More (and more complex) is not necessarily better. Background photos have to be very carefully chosen if they are not to distract or dominate. After all, what are you hoping people will do - read the post or find the picture pretty? This one is fine for me, although I tend to go for a plain colour background on mine.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new look. Suffering from visual 'floaters' as I do, not having a solid block of pale colour as the background is a great relief.
ReplyDeleteAnd Happy New Year!
Predictions? I will continue to live down a hole and eat worms. Dunno about the rest of you.
Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteAdd a A ref link like you would for a page link but replace http: with mailto:
Like EMail Me
If you can try and replace the EMail with some Hex to confuse the spammers collecting EMails.
"Is it going to be fun? Is it going to be different? Is it going to be better?"
ReplyDeleteNot in the UK, Julia.
Re. the heding
ReplyDeleteIf you are using one of the new design templates, the only way round this I found was to create a a .jpg of teh whole ting in PShop includsing text postioned where you want.
Then up load that as your title picture and turn show text off
I don't doubt things will get worse this year but in a way that is to the good.
ReplyDeleteThe system needs to break before the vast majority of people currently paying no attention wake up. Then perhaps some sanity can be restored.
We shall see, I guess.
For what it's worth, I like the new template.
ReplyDeleteNot directly related to the new look, but I've noticed that on some blogs (such as this one) the links on the right are in alphabetical order, yet on others they are in most recent time order. I find the latter to be much more useful, as there is no point scrolling down past old posts.
ReplyDeletePresumably this can be set by the blog owner?
What do others think?
I have most recent first, for that very reason.
ReplyDeleteThanks for comments and good wishes, all!
ReplyDeleteI've reinstated the Twitter link (actually, I've added the standard bar, so uses of BookFace are now catered for, as well!) and altered the blog title so more of the picture shows behind it. It seems to look OK in IE, FF, Opera and Chrome, so please shout out if anything's wonky in more esoteric browsers.
I've also added a mail link (to my profile, which I've moved to the top), so now I just need to remember to check that account regularly!
As well as checking Blogger's new spam catcher, which I see has finally caught a few legit people and one genuine spam, for a change!. Apologies, and your comments are now where they should be...
There doesn't seem to be a way to 'fade' the background image (yet) but I'll try and make it less obtrusive for those who find it distracting when that option becomes available.
I hope, if my tinkering has screwed up the RSS feed for anyone who reads the blog that way, you can now let me know. I tend to browse, rather than have posts delivered, so I've no idea how that looks.
" I have noticed, however, in 'other' blogs that some people are using the newer Blogger templates like a teenager at a free bar."
ReplyDeleteOh, yes! The temptation to go hog-wild (especially with the changing seasons!) is one I shall have to resist... ;)
" I've noticed that on some blogs (such as this one) the links on the right are in alphabetical order.."
I've been sorting the links and removing some old ones, adding new. I will see what the options are for displaying - I've noticed some blogs have this 'constantly shifting' theme. But then again, I find RSS takes a while to update, so not sure how valuable it really is.