FIRST!!!!
I know, I know, you don't like purple. Or black. And that font over there is too small to read. And don't even get you started on squares, they're almost as bad as having to walk around with a rock in your shoe. These are all valid complaints and are being taken very seriously. Or at least, somewhat seriously, because there was this one email that was very passionate in its hatred of this change, and she was all DIE! DIE! DIE! and then there at the bottom was her signature followed by a quote from Jesus.
I'm going to let Jon talk about all the technical issues surrounding this redesign and why we decided to go with a different content management system, because all I did was draw up a design in Photoshop and say MAKE IT LOOK LIKE THIS. He has been knee-deep in code for almost two months now, and the only way we were able to launch the new design this soon and not, say, after we had both died of old age is because he had help from two expert developers, Ben Durbin and Bill Bostick. The amount and quality of work that they did was indispensable, cannot recommend them enough, and mostly I just want to thank them for all the support they gave Jon because without them he would have gone completely bald.
Yesterday as we neared the final stretch I decided to take Leta out to run some errands so Jon could project manage those last few tasks without being distracted by the sound of her body tossing itself on the floor. He briefly got up from this desk to kiss me goodbye when I noticed two giant sweat stains underneath his arms, and I was all, are you running on a treadmill while coding my website? Isn't that complicated? And he's all, yes I'm running on a treadmill, WITH MY BRAIN.
So what did I hope to accomplish with this redesign? First and foremost, I wanted to be able to post bigger photographs. That was a huge problem with the previous design, and for years I could only post photos that were 450 pixels wide. Which is why I always posted vertical photos, just to get as much out of those 450 pixels as possible. Now the width is almost double that, which gives me so much more freedom with the camera.
Two, I wanted to start a Daily Style section, some place to store my thoughts and photographs on the design of things in everyday life. When brainstorming ways to incorporate that into the site it made sense to make it a feature like the Daily Photo and Daily Chuck, mainly because I wanted it to include a photograph I'd taken of the object myself to emphasize the fact that these are things I use, these are things in my home.
Three, the Daily Links section has moved from the sidebar into the main content column. This is to give those links more emphasis, and sometime this week the background color of those entries will change color a tiny bit to differentiate them from the other posts. Also coming this week: a "previous" and "next" button at the bottom of all the posts for easier navigation and a redirected RSS feed (so you won't have to re-subscribe to it).
Finally, I'm hoping to be able to open comments more frequently with this redesign. In recent months when I opened comments my server would crash under the 17 million scripts that ran to publish a single comment, and often people would think that their comment hadn't published only to have it publish ten times in a row. That had everything to do with how the pages were built, and we think we've solved this problem.
Soon we'll find out because I'm going to open up comments on this post to get your feedback, and I just totally winced writing that. Please be gentle for I am a delicate flower. Also, before you leave a comment you are required to watch this video. Twice. (video is not completely safe for work, but worth getting yelled at for it)
Also also, while comments are open, is there any question you'd like to see answered in the FAQ? Other than SHOW US YR TITZZ!!!!!!!!!! Because that question is getting old.
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Heather talks about public tantrums (from kids) on today's Momversation.
- Bedtime, Leta lingering defiantly in the hallway. Jon: "If you want fart stories, you better get in bed RIGHT NOW."
- RIP Louis Mortimer Armstrong: http://bit.ly/1R4tv6
- Hugs and kisses to you, too! RT: @Monkey_Tree: @dooce he probably committed suicide because he was tired of LISTENING TO YOU WHINE.
900. Dawn said:
I love it, and not just because purple is my favorite color.
901. Angela said:
I like the new look - much cleaner, though having the
ads on the right instead of left is distracting (of course
they are meant to be). I think it takes away from the readability and photos - are you required by the advertisers to put them on the right?
902. JR said:
I love the redesign so much I want to show u MY titz ;-)
903. Ngaire Bartlam said:
Hey Heather.
looks fabulous! easy to use and beautiful to the eye. Worth Jon losing a little hair over?
YOUUUUUUU betcha!!!
Peace and all the good things,
Ngaire
in Brisbane Australia
xx
904. Jennifer said:
Lovely. You guys do great work.
905. Karen said:
I love the new look and layout.
Have you ever heard of a British group called 'Hot Chip'? Try listening to their song 'Over and Over', I think you might like it. Let us know what you think.
Any how, I love your site and will be back often.
Take care.
906. Julia said:
Comments! Are! Open! How fun is that. I love the new site and design. The Daily Style is such a great addition, and I love the background info on the daily pics now.
Congrats!
907. emg said:
Nice job. Hang in there. Love reading your take on the world. Thanks for being you.
908. mish said:
yeah...dont really like the new layout that much. but its not mine, so who cares? still like the content.
909. snoozie said:
Love the new design. Purple and black are so rad, sister! Hmm, when I think of the color combo of purple and black I think of tattoos.
Love the bigger pics. Masthead is nice. I always loved your old ones... keep your mastheads as a changing feature. I am very interested in the new style section - this is a great addition.
When people post I see in parentheses (not verified) what's up with that? I am using Safari for Mac.
cheers!
910. jen said:
I love purple and I love black so you've immediately won me. A woman I used to work with came up to me at a work function once and said, 'Did you know that purple and black are lesbian colours?' I was wearing purple and black that day and I didn't know if she was asking me about my sexual preference or what. Perhaps she was trying to crack onto me?
Back to the site - I know redoing a site is bloody hard work as I've just done mine so well done to everyone.
911. kiwi said:
I love the new layout and love that you linked to Streeter & Anil. I hope you've watched the prank war.
912. MemphisEatsMahSoul said:
I like it! I especially love the Style pix. Yuh huh.
913. Just Jinny said:
First off, it doesn't really matter what I think of the new layout and design. People are going to continue to read your blog no matter what..and if they don't there are always two more NEW readers to take their place.
That being said..I think the new design looks great.
914. cook eat FRET said:
and we all get to be #1 !!!
awwwww....
915. Sleeping Mommy said:
I think it looks beautiful. And that video was awesome, yo.
916. Winter Curnow said:
looooove it!! (the video AND the changes!)
I like the boxes.
I did like how flowy and soft your old setup was. A bit feminine but this one just screams FUNKY! (which suits you!) BRING ON THE FUNK!
917. Hannah Scruton said:
Love the new sites especially the bigger pcitures and their comments.
Daily Chuck is awesome. Any news on the book.
I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder recurrent type a few years ago and have been takins meds for 4 years but I have a huge fear of post partum depression and going off my meds. You had written about going off with this second preganncy, sorry to hear about the miscarriage, is there any advice or anything you did to prepare to go off your meds? I imagine that I would need to be in a space where I could completely concentrate on my health.
anyways thank you for wrting.
918. Rosemary said:
I really like the creativity of the new site. I did want to let you know that it isn't all working properly. I had been visiting since sunday (when I saw the new site) and wondering why you hadn't posted any words, or new photos, only to find that I had to Ctrl refresh the main page. I am not sure if this is going to be a regular thing to see new content, but it is a problem.
Also, find something, anything to put in the sidebar after you are finished with your adds and flickr photos. I hate seeing that blank wasted space as I scroll down the page. Maybe just a neat squidfingers pattern to run through the emptiness would make my mind feel a little more at ease.
I also love the larger photos, the look fantastic.
919. Maggie said:
You are the best! Beautiful page, beautiful additions, congratulations.
Oh - and one more thing, who the hell thinks they have any reason or right to comment on your eyebrows? People are stupid.
Thank you for all that you share, you make me feel better about being a mom.
920. capello said:
damn, heather, you got more comments than perez.
you know, not that i'd know *anything* about that.
921. Lizz said:
I don't know why so many people have a problem with black and purple. It's not as if it's going to stay that way forever.
The first thing I noticed with this new design is that the ads REALLY stand out at me. Before I used to ignore them unless they were some flashy thing (or, even better, they didn't load), but they stand out now. I can't decide if it's because the space is bigger, or because the top of the ad 'box' isn't level with the top of the text (which is really bugging me). The slight gradient gray also bugs me a lot, but I often read in RSS anyway so I'm not complaining too much.
That being said, you could make this eye-searingly painful and of course I'll put up with it and keep coming back, if you keep posting.
922. Jody said:
I totally love it. The colors are great, it is easy to navigate, fun, and I do like the larger pictures. I am trying to find a template that will allow for larger photos as well.
Congrats!
923. Miss Kaye said:
The video rocks! Love the purple. Reeeeally love the new big photo format! :)
924. Lisa g said:
Heather I love the new site =)
925. Kristine said:
I like it! Now, where in the world do I find the part of the website where you send us to the pages you have been sent to.
Does that make sense?
926. Jill said:
Well done you if you get this far! :-)
1. Love the new design - it's very sleek and clean. Colours are great - sharp, crisp, and slick again. Great job guys!
2. Photos... new sizes? Drooooooooooooooool. Site redesign was worth it for this alone!
3. Will also miss the dooce sig in the masthead background, but will cope. Your mastheads are always fabulous anyway with or without.
4. Only two minor negative comments - first is the post headlines appear *really* large, especially when you have a title running to several words. I'm on a Mac viewing at 1920 x 1200, so just wondering how that will resolve for less fortunate creatures viewing at lower resolutions?
5. Second comment may be a CSS issue still needing resolution, or it could be intentional. At top of page, alignment between top of latest post and the Chuckles/Google columns is out - columns 2 & 3 a good 60px or more lower.
I wondered why the Flikr bar disappeared to a less prominent position, but I thought about it for a bit and think that perhaps what you've accomplished with this redesign is to really consolidate Dooce as a brand. The Dooce brand is less to do with Leta and more of a personal statement (incorporating motherhood amongst many other things), in which your style and aesthetic viewpoint of life is filtered through very well with your main "Daily Photo" categories at the top of the page. Overall I think the new look and feel is strong and confident, and you've "found your voice" visually to back up your great writing style.
Well done to all involved... now crack open the beer!
927. Nel said:
FUCK THE HATERS
your site is awesome. i like the new look. i first came to your site for my women studies class and now im like, addicted or something. its like The Hills.
Keep it real!
and Leta is cool.
928. Rachelle said:
I've been lurking here for about a year and have read pretty much everything you've posted by now.
So for my first comment ever, I'll simply say I like the new layout.
929. Sarah Elizabeth said:
Love it. Love the purple and black and I love the emphasis on the masthead and the links at the top now. I am mad jealous of your design skillz. Or something. Looks great!
930. Laura said:
LOVE the new site... and the new sassy picture too!
931. Laura In Florida said:
Well, if you're still reading comments after receiving 900 of them, that just boggles the mind. I can't even read a third of 'em!
Heather and Jon, I love the new design.
The only thing I don't like, and won't EVER like, are animated ads that blink, blink, blink... gawd, that's annoying.
I've used a few of your links (not ads) to purchase things such as a great purse from seabreeze studio and I also received the FLOR catalog in the mail, which I intend to order from soon.
So thanks for great links, great writing and hugs to Leta and the Congressdog! ;)
932. Melanie said:
Wow! It's really well done. (Said the person who knows f*ck-all about code.)
I like the open feel it has. And purple? Well, purple rocks my socks.
Good job!
933. Brea in Santa Barbara said:
Not that this matters, 300 and some-odd comments after my original one - but my apologies for mispelling Jon's name in my praise to your kick-ass blog. John would be my husbands name...
And at your recommendation, I've watched that video clip prolly 6 times now - the clip and the sequel to it just get better and better. "LOL that she wants is another baby, she's gone tomorrow boy..."
934. Anonymous said:
LOVE!
935. lisa said:
first, i know what a moefoe redesigning online is, it's taken me months and many visits to lynda and i still don't have it right. congratulations jon! oh how i wish i could whip something up in photoshop and tell someone to make it so.
the purple and black, me no likee...sorry. the design, however, is sweet and thanks for the daily style. more goodness from the minds of dooce!!
cheers...
936. linda woods said:
It looks great! I love the purple!
937. CrustyBEEF said:
THis rocks!
I as a mom enjoy reading you soo much!
Love the new site!
Always,
Crusty~
A mom with nasty depression and three boys..egaH!
938. Krista said:
I think the Daily Style section is brilliant. I've already got thumb cramps from clicky-clicking through it. I did prefer seeing the Daily Links in the sidebar all together, but if you are changing the background on those entries, maybe that'll work just as well. And another vote for purple. I don't mind it one bit. In fact, I'm wearing a purple t-shirt right now. :)
939. Phil said:
Hi Heather! I've been a regular reader of yours for a while now, but have never said so. Anyway. I love the new look of things here. Simply put: purple is fabulous!
940. Miso said:
Love the redesign, Delicate Flower. Fabulous job. I only wish the links weren't mixed into the posts. I liked how they were featured off to the side and super easy to find. Plus your stellar writing deserves it's own attention, the links are a whole nuther ball game. Regardless, you rock.
941. Kim in VA said:
I think the new site looks great! I love the big pictures.
:)
942. kbrown said:
I have loved your site for so long. My biggest disappointment with the new site is the flashing ads. I understand the need but it felt so pure before. I refuse to click on any flashing ad on any site, they drive me crazy. I'm sure you will find a happy middle ground and I will adjust to the ads!
943. Terri said:
I'm liking the new design. Love the purple. Really love the video. NOT FIRST!
944. tbrannies said:
I like it, even though purple does make Baby Jesus cry. Just a little bit. I do a little graphic and web design myself, so I know the pit stains of which you speak. Your mastheads are always great. Ignore the haters and keep up the good work.
945. Sher said:
How about I just show my titzzz on your new blog?...just a thought.
946. Anonymous said:
FIRST!!!
947. kristi said:
Any design is fine with me as long as there is Daily Chuck! And now he's bigger! Love it!
948. naomi said:
i'm not sure you'll get to this (you've nearly 1000 to read before mine) but i like the changes. the site is cleaner with fewer distractions, though i did like the larger banner on the other.
tell jon he's done a stellar job. and then treat him to a steak dinner with lots of beer. then bring him home and take advantage of him.
949. Michael said:
(I haven't read all the comments, yet, so if I'm suggesting something that's already been mentioned, apologies to everybody involved.)
I first loaded your new design today. Random thoughts:
If you take what's now the square-shaped ad column area, and convert it into where all the side ads (and Chuckles calendar link) fit into one column instead of the current two (thanks to vertical rectangular ads), it would allow more width for text, not to mention photos in, say, the Leta Monthly Newsletters.
Also, the page doesn't auto-expand its width when the browser is expanded lengthwise past ~1024 pixels. This means I have a load of whitespace on the sides of my 1400x1050 monitor (if I expand Firefox to fill the entire monitor).
Also, I really liked the font (and colors) of the post titles in the previous design. The new ones look too standard.
Overall, it might have taken a lot of work to get to the new code, BUT I, as a non-webdesign-expert, just looking at the new main page, can't understand where it all went, just some of it: I do like some of the new features, such as the "back" and "forward" buttons on "Daily" photos, wider "Daily" photos (but that in itself's only because I have SWEET SWEET BROADBAND), and the like.
_____________________
Potential FAQ Question: What are your top 5 favorite TV shows? (If KSL news is one of them, you might as well link to that hilarious post about it ("Best Show on Earth").)
950. Jenn said:
Question for the FAQ:
Are you, your daughter, your dog, or your husband ever recognized in public? It seems like you should have some fun stories about this. Although I would feel rather awkward to come up to you in an airport and tell you that I read your website EVERY FREAKING DAY LIKE A BIG STALKER.
Thanks for being the best productivity-reducer in my daily work life. You make me and my family laugh CONSTANTLY. What a gift you have.
951. ColleenP said:
I love the new layout, its much cleaner and easier to navigate. Great job! One suggestion for the Shop - in addition to the calendar of Chuckles, maybe you could do a GEORGE! calendar. Monthly GEORGE! - drinking beer, sleeping on the sofa, belching, etc. I think it would totally sell out....
952. Jennifer said:
This is fantastic. You are my hero! :)
953. Nils said:
Personally, I think you should reply to each and every comment individually. I mean, it's only polite.
Seriously: I think it's a lovely, clean, simple design - kudos to Jon, and kudos to me for using the word "kudos" in a sentence. Three times.
954. rachel said:
I actually think the new site design is fantabulistic. It's so great I had to go out and sort of coin a new word. And I even like your spam catcher thing.
Er. And randomly weird as I sound, I'm not high on anything. I'm just weird like that. Probably because I'm so happy you've got comments open and I get to tell you that I love your blog like you wouldn't believe.
And now I'm going to bang my head against a wall because I sound like an idiot. Sorry!
955. LIlian said:
I'm sure someone has already asked, but... now I see you have a registered trademark by Dooce -- did you just register the name or had you done it before and just didn't display the little R?
Hmmm, and I can't find the daily links. Maybe I didn't look for it enough.
956. Angie said:
I'm just a working Mom in Iowa who knows nothing about how one of these things is created, but I love it. However, you could write things on a blank white screen and I would come back every day because of your words, not because something is or isn't purple/black. Thanks for sharing your talents.
957. Anya Wait said:
This is the first time I have been to your blog so I have no comment on the new design....however I DID watch the required video prior to commenting and I want you to know that I am going to have to sue you for the coke zero that is now all over my new 24" imac....I haven't laughed that hard in quite awhile. Hopefully I will still be able to use my computer so I can return!
958. Katie said:
Just wanted to say - LOVE the pretty handsoap!
Thank you for classing up my bathroom :)
959. Erica said:
I love it. Fuck everyone else who thinks they should get a say in your site design. If they hate it, let them get their own site and design it any fucking way they want to.
960. surcey said:
Am I the only one who had to look up POWN?
"Pwn is a slang term that implies domination and/or humiliation of a rival. It sprang from the similar term "owned" and is used primarily in the Internet gaming culture to taunt an opponent that has just been soundly defeated."
-Wikipedia
961. Amy Jenkins said:
You have amazed me from the 1st time I read your site. I think you are truely amazing & have done wonderful things. I don't know if you realize what a profound affect you have had on people. Those who don't have kind words to express to you about what you do everyday & how you are able to share your personal life the way you do must be absolutely crazy & just looking for something to Bitch about! If they don't like it, read something else! I sent you a personal email about my own struggles & was so thrilled when I received one back from you. Your positive words have helped me, and it's wonderful to know that there are people that I can relate to!
From one woman & mother to another:
YOU are a Fabulous woman, mother & wife! Keep doing what you are doing!!!
962. Jannie said:
The old design was easier to read. Better photo of you, tho.
963. Gina said:
I like the new look, and I am so glad you removed that crap about loving Britney Spears' chest on your 'about' page. Even before her current state, I thought that was icky.
964. Elle said:
I wanted to email you as soon as I saw the redesign, so I'm glad you opened comments.
First, the black and purple against the white is just too much, especially since the header is also way too big. The little boxes at the bottom (About This Site, etc) are just... not attractive. Not exactly ugly, but they certainly don't add to anything.
Second, the ads are now almost equal in size to the text. Visually, it's ugly and distracting and just not nice. The combination of the giant banner and giant ads makes the text look like a casual afterthought, when its ostensibly what made you "famous". Maybe you're intentionally moving away from the writing aspect of the site, I don't know.
Third, tiny quibble: The header text on the entries is way too big and looks terrible.
The final product actually looks much more unprofessional than the previous design, even if it is technically superior.
965. Martina Scholtens said:
Problem: It says "76 Comments" under your first entry but there are actually over 900.
966. Mark said:
I like the color scheme, but not so much the squares. Your sight usually reflects a more refined graphic design ability than this one does.
But I come here for the posts and the pics, not the graphic design. And those still rock.
And I LOVED the video clip!!!
967. eve said:
i like the redesign, however i no longer receive the daily photos or the daily chuck in my rss feed. are they published under a separate feed? Thanks!
968. Joe said:
Holy shit; 967 comments. I am such a worthless piece of shit...
969. Greta Samwel said:
I like the new look.
970. Shannon said:
Well I like the new layout. It looks more professional.
971. Jessica said:
I couldn't figure out why you changed the website as it didn't seem like anything other than the look but reading your post explains it all. I'm glad you found a new system that will work for you and I'm glad to finally be able to comment. Really sorry about the baby. I cried when I read it. Great work on the website. Tell all the hater to lick my stinky ass!
972. Hazel said:
That video rocks. I'm totally stealing it.
973. ktjane said:
i'm not really a fan of change, BUT THIS, I LIKE! it's bold, it's fresh, it's clean... i love it!
974. Cate said:
New layout will take some getting used to, I admit. But I've always loved the dynamic look of dooce - new monthly mastheads a favorite. Bigger daily photographs - Yay! You're an amazing photographer and more examples of that talent are always fun (and instructive in how not talented I might be in comparison). I do wish the masthead archives were more accessible - weren't all the previous mastheads once upon a time all on one page? A quibble, really. I should be taking this precious commenting opportunity to say that I have loved this site - your humor, your honesty, your style - for years, and that a new post is always a treat somewhere on par with sleeping in til noon then spending the day in pajamas while drinking cheap wine and eating frozen desserts from Target and watching British TV.
975. Ellcee said:
Well, I love the new site design. And despite what your DIE! DIE! DIE! correspondent said, I think I'm speaking for everyone, including Jesus when I say we'd all like to see your tits.
LC
976. kellyjoco said:
I too fear change but I will adapt.
Is all of us being first some kinda ass kiss?
ThankYOU!
977. Strizzle said:
I love the new design and now have to go read 900+ comments thinking of the old days
978. Strizz said:
oh and SHOW ME UR TITZZ isn't a question.
979. Michelle said:
I like the new look. I would love it if all you did was post gigantic photos of Chuck but what you have will do! Someone else metioned it but I will miss seeing photos with your posts but girl it's your site and your design and if you made it all black with dark brown font I would find a way to read it. Yeah! I also like that Dooce is now a registered trademark...or is that TM and R is just registered?
980. Julie said:
Hey, maybe I'll be #1000! I love the new design. It's spectacular! The larger photos, especially, are extremely nice. Do not fear change. Change is good.
981. Meegan said:
I like the new look, although I'm a little blind and think the font is a WEE bit tiny. Love that your pics are larger now. They deserve more space.
Also, the picture of you, in full size, is nothing short of stunning. Seriously. But I think it doesn't represent as well in a thumbnail. Maybe that's because your beauty can't be contained? (Delicate flower?) Dunno. But when the pic is small you look...irritated? Surly? And when the pic is large you look like you should be on America's Next Top Model. Fierce, Woman!
982. Wine Dog said:
I think it was worth all of the brain sweat. (so much less offensive than ball sweat). It looks great, flows nicely, has style, and I like black and purple, reminds me of my rugby career. And Chuck rocks.
983. Carolyn said:
Love, love the new layout and the addition of the 'style'. I noticed the photos were gorgeously big right away! Kudos to Jon! Have a lovely, hopefully relaxing Thanksgiving!
984. Chinami said:
Sorry, but the huge photos almost kill my browser. I think a smaller size would be more user friendly. Also, I think the title " I also take photos of my dog, everyday" really added to the charm of the site. Other than that,congrats on getting a new layout!
985. Amy said:
Every time I try to load the new site on my Blackberry, it freezes the whole thing up and I have to take my battery out to get it back :( It looks nice, though, so I can probably suck it up and deal with waiting.
986. Unabashed Girly-Girl said:
LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!
987. ChibiAmelie said:
I like it. It's very colorful.
988. aussiegal said:
But but but... I LOVE purple and I really dig this redesign. Last one was cool, but this one kicks ass. Cheers for a great job!
989. Marlana said:
I love the new site! Especially the daily style. I just love love love you guys! I look forward to reading you above anything else on the web.
990. Julie said:
Love the purple! Very pretty. Very functional. But no more Daily Chuck in my RSS feed? That makes me sad. I'd love to get the Daily Style there, too. I have a silly dial-up connection because I live in the middle of nowhere, so I'm much more likely to see whatever content is delivered over RSS.
991. Jesse said:
Crazy kookie kinky cool.
992. Violet said:
I don't care what the nay-sayers say. I love the new design. And the colors. And the fonts. Everything works together so well. Great job!
993. Gooseberried said:
Love it, Heather. :)
994. Ivy said:
Awesome new design! It's eye-catching and quite different than most other blogs. Kudos to all the work that went into the new design!
995. Chris said:
Lovely, clean design!!
My only wish would be for a time stamp on the posts - somehow it's grounding to have some idea of when a blog post is published. I always wonder - was that an early morning post? Or a late night ramble?
996. Christopher Sean said:
The design is awesome, some of the images the font on them is blurry. I would suggest fixing that since they are considered pixel fonts and who wants blurry pixel fonts.
Also, the video cracked me up the second time. I did not get it the first time, but I did get a light bulb in my head after the second sheet he pulled up.
997. sam said:
I love purple and black. Yay. At least some of us win.
998. Chloe said:
I think it really looks great, no complaints here! And I love the new content that has been added.
The only quibble I have is the lack of next/ previous buttons, which I can see both here and at blurbomat, are coming. I was browsing through the old mastheads (I wanted to see the ones from before I started reading), and it was a pain in the ass. Back. Click. Click (masthead opens in new window). Heh. Back. Click. Click. [Repeat until irritated, about 5 minutes, figure will come back to it later when bugs have been worked out].
It really does look great though, and there is NOTHING WRONG WITH PURPLE. Don't let the haters get you down.
That video made me feel like randomly shouting, "Pwned!"
999. lekki said:
LOVE purple & black. How dare anybody say they don't like it. Love the look of the new site too. :)
1000. braine said:
1000!
Looks great.
1001. Tiggerlane said:
Okay - you officially win Mother of the Year Award. Not for you and Leta, but b/c that video? Well, my 14-year old daughter and I just spend 5 solid minutes (watching it TWICE, yes, indeedy, at HER request), laughing our asses off. Ipod Girl and the second FIRST did it. Trust me, when Leta is 14, you'll REALLY savor the moment.
And for the record, I like purple. And black.
Hope Jon is getting some quality sex in payback for his hard work.
1002. EnviroMom said:
Wow! 1000-plus comments! Nice. The photos are just gorgeous...really, really gorgeous. The site looks great. You are a talented, snort-out-loud funny writer -- that's the reason I come here.
1003. Autumn said:
I love your site oh so much. :) Thanks for writing.
1004. Craig said:
I think change is good. I have to say though,that it doesn't have the visual flow and warmth of the old design. But I do agree that the photos are an improvement.
1005. Patty said:
OMG, I'm actually commenting in Dooce's blog. Kick ass, sea bass.
Anyway, everything about you is awesome. That's all.
1006. kat said:
lovely...
1007. Angel said:
I *love* the colors and the new design! Congrats!!
I hope you all have a lovely Thanksgiving :)
1008. Suz at Large said:
I like the new format just fine. Didn't mind the old one, either, but if this lets you do what you want to better than the old one, great.
1009. Xuan said:
I like your redesign, but I miss seeing your recently added flickr photos up higher. Now I have to scroll down past the ads, but, then again, it's all worth it. You're great!
1010. Red said:
Love it . Love it . Looove it.
1011. My ID is said:
You don't have enough comments yet. I feel for you, so am adding mine out of charity. (No wonder you turn off/close/seal in a vault the comments section.)
Here's the cool thing...for you.
We can say, "The logo's too small!", "I don't know about that color...", "Couldjya show a picture of our CEO with a quote?", "I don't know what I think until I show it around the office and take a straw pole from our plumbers."
And you can reply...with any comment you wish, blue or otherwise. Because it's yours and we're still gonna visit. We're not clients. You left that world a looong time ago. Lucky.
You need only open the comments, say, twice a year to show the advertisers that you can deliver a devoted fan base. Add me.
Then say when you're turning 'em off so I can be LAST!
-- JF, SLC
1012. imaginary sarah said:
Five million gazillion comments.
I'll drink to that. "Uranium predieted" indeed.
1013. Terri said:
Excellent! Love it ... all of it - the entire site and can't wait to see more of the daily style section. (I aleady have a linen closet filled with "Method" hand soap. Great stuff. The only problem I had was the last two entries did not load until now (9:51 PM PST) Weird. Thanks for all the hard work!
1014. anita said:
I have nothing original to add but if you think I'm going to pass on the rare opportunity to comment on your big beans blog you're out of your ever-lovin. I love your writing whether poignant, hysterical or snarley, your photos are all that, Leta's a full-blown punkinhead and your man Jon sounds like a sweetheart of a geek. Keep it going Heather. Black and purple is so you.
1015. Geoff said:
1015? You call this a list of comments? I'll take your 1015 and raise you one.
Seriously, how can you have the time to read all these comments from people like me, a person who is only commenting so I can see that number at the bottom of your post go higher and so I can say, "Yeah, I'm one of those. Without me, that Heather gal would be only 1015."?
1016. Jeremy said:
I like the redesign! The colors are easy on the eyes, the layout is both pleasing and functional, and everything is great. Of course the most important thing is the content. It doesn't matter what kind of wrapping it comes in.
Love the fact we're all "first." Like my Algebra teacher used to say... "you're all winners! Or else you wouldn't exist!" I was always amused by that.
-Jeremy :)
1017. kostia said:
The old RSS feed URL was still working, but I wasn't getting the daily style/photo/Chuck entries, which was unacceptable.
So I subscribed to the new feed URL, and I was relieved to see full text for entries -- but now there's no photos! Can you please please please put the photos in the feed so I don't have to click over to the site?
I know it doesn't make you any money to do that. Put little ads in the feed if you want. I'm FINE with that.
1018. Lotta said:
I love that I can include my email in the comments. It keeps the fantasy that you'll drop me a line going.
Re: Q&A
As a medicated mommy I'm always curious as to what prescription drugs others are taking.
1019. Lotta said:
PS - And if they are willing to swap.
1020. Random Musings said:
LOVE THE NEW LAYOUT!!!!
AND WEEEHOOOO Comments!! Just kidding, I have been a fan for...well since forever...
You are and amazing person, wife, and mother I look forward to your posts and the laughter it brings into my life along with the tears....
You are such a talented writer and photographer,
Thank you for being you and sharing this look into your life...
1021. Leigh said:
Love the new Daily Style and the large pictures.
New design looks great.
1022. Annette said:
I've been waiting to see the new design ever since you first mentioned it was coming - I'm sad I know... I like the purple and black and think the photos now look amazing. All round excellent!
1023. SithSnoopy said:
Loving the new site changes, Heather! Purple and black are very cool colors. :)
And the video was hysterical, LOL! "First!" LOL!
Hope you and your family are doing well. :)
Our family is getting closer to being incremented. That's geek talk for my baby is due Wednesday, 11/21/2007, or rather, technically today, since it's 3am Wednesday while I type this. However, he has pretty much convinced me and the doctors that he LIKES HIS SMALL WET APARTMENT, and isn't ready to vacate the premises quite yet, LOL! Maybe I'll have a chance to have turkey before he finally "moves out".
Speaking of which, Happy Thanksgiving!!!! Hope it's a good, low-stress holiday for you. :)
1024. Anonymous said:
I love the black and purple. I love this site, and hope the comments work. All the best!
1025. Ali said:
I like the redesign, the only negative things I have to say are about the fonts. The font on the buttons looks space-age-ish and the curly font doesn't exactly... match. But don't take my word for it, I'm the one with a website in desperate need of redesign that I'm too lazy to get to. :) Great work.
1026. minxlj said:
Who are these people who don't like the purple and black?? I think it looks great...looking forward to seeing all the monthly(ish) headers fit in :-)
I also love that the site looks great on my iPhone with lovely big photos; I'm sure Jon has spent a lot of time checking it on his! Well done to both of you, the new site is fab and looks fab.
1027. jen said:
I like the little stories that go along with the pictures. Especially the ones about Chuck.
1028. Anonymous said:
I think the new site looks really nice. Congrats.
I used to be in the online advertising business and eye mapping studies (where they follow users eye patterns as they look over a computer screen) all conclude that we naturally veer to the right of the screen.
So if the goal was for folks to read more ads, then it works for that. But if the goal is to make reading your column the priority, then you should put it back on the right column.
1029. Laura said:
Congrats on the launch!
It looks really nice! I´m loving the daily style....
Love.
Laura
1030. Anne said:
It's so clean and pretty! - And easy to navigate!
I had been reading your posts in Google Reader but with the redesign I'm not sure I can resist visiting.
1031. Sara said:
I think it looks awesome. Jesus loves purple.
1032. Raivyn said:
I think the purple and black are great (my two favorite colors). It looks more put together, though I think it'd look even better if the entire blog matched the header.. that would rock. The daily style is a great new addition and I'm looking forward to seeing more. Great blog- always has been, always will be.
1033. Kirsten said:
It's your blog, it's your decision. Jeezus and the haters can just deal with it. On a side note, purple = mah favorite color evah, so you can do no wrong there :) Also, wootlies to Jon for working so hard. Success all round!
1034. Cristina said:
Well done on the new design Heather! I think with the comments the only thing you're going to have to worry about is the people on the first page that will type stuff like, "OMG FIRST COMMENT!" The people who send you hate mail know that if they make any attempt to leave a hateful comment on your loyal readers will bitch-slap them. Hard.
1035. thrice said:
YOU. ROCK. Even if you only rate high school. LOL. http://www.criticsrant.com/bb/reading_level.aspx
1036. wendy said:
1032 comments are you serious?
Did you know how many people read your Blog?
Seems to me It doesn't make a hill of beans what it looks like or how it is laid out.
Go Head Girl, make it any damn color and font size you want.
WE WILL READ THIS BLOG EVERYDAY! I DO
1037. Lindsay said:
Looks great!!
1038. julie said:
POP UP ADS? nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
1039. Michelle & the City said:
I LOVE the redesign. Purple is not my favorite color but it works with the pic of Chuck ;)
I just wanted you to know I've been reading your site for a long time and think you're wonderful! :)
1040. erik said:
you're amazing. that video was hilarious! keep up the good work!
1041. CJ said:
I like the new design!
1042. Julie said:
I love your new site it is wonderful. Keep up the hard work and don't listen to the negativity.
1043. Christine said:
Smells great! I love the larger photos.
Great work, kids!
Have a fabulous Thanksgiving.
1044. Doozywhoop said:
I pretty much had a baby when I saw the new site. It's fantastic, and well worth the brain sweat.
1045. Amy said:
I have something for the FAQ. I'd like to know how you trained Chuck to balance things on his head. I need my dog to hold the tape dispenser while I wrap presents this holiday season.
1046. Mila said:
The new design is great, congrats to you, Jon and other people. And dude, that video is HILARIOUS.
1047. Joeythegirl said:
I love the new layout and colors (my 2 favorite colors)! Don't listen to the haters. I still don't understand why they keep coming back if they hate you so much? Oh that's right, Jealousy!
1048. Anne said:
Hi Heather.
I've been reading your site/life since 2001 (and researching them since 2005) and have enjoyed all of the redesigns. This one is still accessible--except for those who refuse to use a better browser or utilize tabbed browsing.
General Questions:
What is the purpose and goal(s) of Armstrong Media, LLC?
How/Has your view of maintaining this website changed since incorporating, registering?
Research Questions:
Why do you share your life with us?
How/Have your view(s) on privacy changed throughout the years of maintaining this site?
1049. Des Mct-Master said:
Your husband is hot and smart, good catch.....OH, and your sexxxyyyy!! Love the new site and purple makes me giggle.
odin, my alaskan husky loves your so talented dog and wishes he was more like him.
Keep up the entertaining!!
1050. Meaghan said:
I love the redesign!
The handwriting-like font that you use really doesn't look like what I picture your writing being like! That isn't a criticism, just an observation. I picture your writing being more angular and spiky.
1051. Mouse said:
Love everything. It all looks great. But. Please bring back the links page! That's all. Carry on.
1052. nitebyrd said:
I like everything about the new design. Ya done good!