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A Whole New Look
- 07/15/06
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It has been one of those long days. But it's been a good day. We are still in the midst of a heat-wave here in Toronto. While the temperatures are not all that high, the humidity is through the roof leaving us with some hot, sticky, nasty weather. But it gave us an opportunity to take the children to the local splash pad and to let them have fun there. And we've spent much of the rest of the day busy with various projects around the house.
One project I finally got around to was a new design for this site. As you have no doubt noticed if you are one of those people who visit the site (rather than one who simply checks in via RSS), things look a little different around here. A lot different, actually.
Unfortunately, because of the busyness of the day, I've been unable to transition all of the pages. Those that I do not get to today I'll be sure to update tomorrow. But for now the main page and all of the article pages should have the new look. Along with the new look are a couple of new features, not the least of which is real, printable pages. Do note, though, that this won't be implemented until tomorrow (once again because I've just been too busy). But as of tomorrow you'll be able to click the print button and get a printable version of each page that will not print any of the associated graphics. It's a good thing.
Anyways, I'll be interested in hearing some feedback. Whenever I change the look I have people who seem glad to tell me how much they hate it. Hopefully there won't be too many of those this time around.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I write books and blogs for fun while doing web design and consulting for a living. I worship and serve at 
Published in 2008, this book
This is a guide that calls men,
This review of the bestselling
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Comments (56)
Looks like there was a problem with the comments so early replies to this thread went to the most recent "Friday Ramblings." Oops.
I like it. The colors are tasteful, but they're colors.
And the whole page looks less busy arranged the way it is.
Woah. It will take getting used to, but I think it'll be good.
It's a very good design. I actually liked the old one better, but that doesn't mean this one isn't good.
Just my insignificant, unexpert opinion.
Awesome Tim. I like it.
It's okay, I guess.
I like it! I like the fact that the main content is readily identifiable. I give it two thumbs up.
(For some reason, at least on Firefox, previewing a comment means that when you click post, you get an error, and then have to re-enter the single letter anti-spam code. When you first preview the comment, there is no code to enter, but you get an error saying that you need to enter it. It's there the second time for you to enter.)
steve :)
I love it! Looks wonderful! Easier to look at... it doesn't have a cluttered appearance.
I like the new look, but scrolling is very awkward on an IE browser. Not only very jerky, but almost erratic. I can't really control it.
On Firefox it scrolls just fine. You must be the reason Bill Gates is stepping down at Microsoft.
I like it, and it loads a lot faster on dial-up than the old one. Maybe I'll switch back from RSS to reading online.
Your new layout looks fine in Firefox, but looks rather jumbled in Mozilla Thunderbird. The main problem in the latter program is that the page is too wide to be viewed in the Thunderbird message window without scrolling. In T'bird the article portion of the page titled "A whole new look" shows up directly underneath your "WEB DESIGN" blurb, whereas in Firefox the article is to the left of the window underneath the "RECENT ARTICLES" and "ACTIVE TOPICS" sections. Your old layout looked fine in both programs. My desktop resolution is 1280x1024, so I have plenty of screen real estate to view most blogs without scrolling.
Good stuff Tim, although I think it'll have to grow on me!
I actually really like the colour combo. And having the menu at the top is helpful as well.For some reason when I scroll the page, it's slow. Other than that, it's great. The Discerning Reader would look better like this.
Chris - I wouldn't be surprised if the scrolling trouble is connected to the Flash. Does it scroll okay once the Flash is off the page? Does it scroll okay on the interior pages?
Tim . . .
Still scrolls jerky on the interior pages. Also "jumps" in a jerky fashion when you use the jump buttons to King for a Week, Discussion, etc. I suppose that's related to the scrolling feature.
Great job on choosing colors! :>)
First reaction: Whoa. And boy, do I mean whoa.
I like the look, very simple yet definately eye catching. And I don't see how anyone will be able to complain about the colors giving them a head ache like last year when you had the red design up for a while!
I love the new look - really crisp and clean. Also really like the reversal of A la carte and King for A Week on the right hand side.
Really nice!
AAAIIEE! Change! We fear change!
Oh, excuse me...
Actually, after I get used to the visual shock, I like it! Although the other one was pretty clear - this one is even more so! But still...gotta get used to it.
I like it a lot.
Yeah, v.nice. Very fresh with the colours. Take a bit of getting used to the posts being on the far left having had them on the right... but i'll get used to that.
Good job!
It seems there are a couple of problems with the site in Internet Explorer. I'll look into those tomorrow morning. I'm feeling pretty sick today so am going to shut off the PC and get some sleep.
I hope you feel better soon!
I have IE and am having no problems. Maybe it is some other factor?
You certainly have a talent for web design, Mr. Challies!
Looks real nice, Tim. Hope you're feeling better.
Color? I'm still using a monochrome monitor. :) Nice!
Site looks great! Love the blue! Organization is good too.
Okay, I must be an old fuddy duddy or something, but I confess, I don't like the new format. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that my monitor is not large enough to fit everything like the old format did.
"Maybe it has something to do with the fact that my monitor is not large enough to fit everything like the old format did."
That's odd, because I'm pretty sure the new format is a little bit narrower than the old...
gorgeous.
Big improvement! I find it much easier to read, especially the A La Carte section, which always strained my eyes before.
It's definitely more readable than the old site. My only complaint is that the comments link should be at the end of the post, so that when you're done reading the post you can immediately click on the comments without having to scroll back up. Otherwise, it looks good!
It's definitely more readable than the old site. My only complaint is that the comments link should be at the end of the post, so that when you're done reading the post you can immediately click on the comments without having to scroll back up. Otherwise, it looks good!
It's definitely more readable than the old site. My only complaint is that the comments link should be at the end of the post, so that when you're done reading the post you can immediately click on the comments without having to scroll back up. Otherwise, it looks good!
I like your new site a lot. It's easy to navigate and very pleasing to look at. Wonderful work.
Looks good. You've definitely got the fine gift of Freelancing, something I lack.
However, I can't believe there's a new design already.
Looks good. You've definitely got the fine gift of Freelancing, something I lack.
However, I can't believe there's a new design already.
It's definitely more readable than the old site. My only complaint is that the comments link should be at the end of the post, so that when you're done reading the post you can immediately click on the comments without having to scroll back up. Otherwise, it looks good!
Is there a multiple posting problem going on? (Note Erik and Franks posts)
"Is there a multiple posting problem going on? (Note Erik and Franks posts)"
There may have been, but I think I fixed it. I had a little error in one of my templates.
Yeah, sorry about the multiple posts.
I like the colors and new print function a lot. I'll get used to the rearrangements. But I agree with Erik about the comments link. If you like a link being at the top for whatever reason maybe you could just add one to the bottom as well. I like to read the comments after the post not the other way around. I do appreciate your design sensibility though. There are other blogs that I would read more often if I could stand to look at them more.
Looks great, Tim. I've tried it in both FireFox and Internet Explorer and it works fine. Love the design!
Mike
By the way, is that my favicon at the top of your homepage on the "ID Card" just below the Welcome!?? I am honored that you would put my likeness on your homepage.... :-P
I like the new look! It takes just a few minutes to get used to it, but I think it flows better now and is easier to navigate.
Great job!
I like it (I liked the old one as well)! How do you always come up with such amazing designs? (This sounds rhetorical, but I'd really love to know!)
Two issues I've noticed:
"Post titles don't show up in Konqueror 3.5.2. I haven't tried other versions."
I've never even heard of that one! I'm guessing, though, that it can't render sifr, which is the technology that powers the headings.
As for the old versions of Firefox, I do not have them so was not able to check those. I checked it on two versions of Firefox and two versions of IE.
My advice would be to update your wife's PC and stick with Firefox on your own! :)
I think the 'new look' is a real improvement.Dad
Tim! I love it!
Mr. Challies, is there still a way to recommend or nominate a King of the Week?