Like most good things, the time has come for a face lift to MInTheGap.
A good rule of thumb is that you should change your theme every year. Well, it’s been just about a year since the cluttered, red theme on the right took over to the 3-column theme of years past, and now this more modern blue theme has taken its place.
This is the beginning of a face lift for all the sites that I’m running—which seem to be growing in number every day. Look for the new looks at my other sites as I get time.
What do you think of the new template? Do you like the few features, etc.? Do you miss something that was there before? Are things easier to find?
It gives Gap a much more technical feel. I think this is a good feel for you. I fear the sections at the bottom may get lost, though.
AGs last blog post..Praise Report for Kaleo
Posted by AG | August 26, 2008, 11:52 amI like it. It feels more clean and streamlined.
But I have to say, I did like the red, simply because it’s my favorite color. But this does have a certain “crispness” to it – maybe it’s the blue & white. Anyway, I like it a lot.
Rachels last blog post..In Which I Learn the Definition of Irony
Posted by Rachel | August 26, 2008, 12:04 pm@AG: I kinda like the sections at the bottom. Perhaps they will get lost, but I couldn’t find much of anything in the old theme either. It was way too overcrowded for me.
@Rachel: Glad to see that you’ll stick with me even if I abandon your favorite color.
Perhaps I should have a contest to see if people can see what’s changed– what’s missing and what’s new.
Posted by MInTheGap | August 26, 2008, 3:56 pmWow, MIn, big changes! I liked the red “cluttered” look…it was so magazine-like! This is good too, though. I’m really happy to see your blogroll back on the main page. I used to rely on yours a lot to skip around on fabulous blogs. Most of my favorites I’ve found through you, you know!
I do wonder how on earth you keep everything up so nice! I’m sure it helps to be so technically savvy! And high-speed internet MUST BE NICE!
Marys last blog post..Comfort Food~Favorite Meals
Posted by Mary | August 27, 2008, 12:21 am@Mary: I was having a hard time paying attention to things in the red “cluttered” look. And though I’m not usually one for a right sidebar, this one is growing on me. I do miss the “featured post” section, but I was finding that I didn’t really have a lot of features as I’ve switched to doing more series work right now. I may add back a “featured post” section down the road.
I’m glad you noticed the blogroll. As you read about blogging you get tons of conflicting advice. One train that I was reading said that you shouldn’t have a blogroll, but you should talk about what people you like are saying. So, I got rid of my blogroll and started to write posts about what people were saying. But that didn’t work so hot as going around and commenting. So I started to do that (and put up the comment widget so you could see where I’ve been), but I added back the blogroll because it had a better feeling of family.
I still haven’t figured out what my policy will be on the blogroll– I mean, I follow a lot more in my feed reader than I have listed there– but I would like it to reflect people that I feel a community with.
High speed internet is nice.
Posted by MInTheGap | August 27, 2008, 9:49 amMin,
I like the change, although I thought I had the wrong site when I landed… it took me a second
Just to give you the feedback you requested, I kind of liked the static section you had at the top for your series, I am not sure if you are still going to be using that. I do like the bottom still, although it does seem like it is farther down there than before. Good thing I am quick with scroll wheel!
And the only other thing I would mention is maybe a header image of some sort? I liked the red washed out one you had before, even though I can’t remember what it was – it looked cool…
my 2 cents…
Posted by ChristianPF | August 27, 2008, 12:46 pm@ChristianPF: Sorry about the surprise. Maybe I should have had more of a build up. Sometimes the marketing side of blogging slips my mind.
When you talk of the static section, you mean the featured post. I was using that to introduce series. I was thinking of borrowing that technology and changing the background color or highlighting the post somehow so I could have that feature. I”m not sure if it should sit above the sidebar or not. I’ll look into it.
As far as the bottom, you’re the third person to talk about how far down it is. Perhaps I need fewer posts on the main page? I would like to use my blogroll again, but then it begs the question: put it in the footer, or somehow shrink it up. Hmm…
The red image was interesting, in that it started out much more “papery” and then for Christmas I actually used a filter to make a faint outline of a Christmas tree with an ornament. I meant to do that for different seasons, but it never went back to the original.
A header image may be an improvement. I’ve done scenery twice and then the more generic. The other idea is an ad placement up there.
I’ll have to see what happens when I get inspired. I had an old logo once, maybe I need another logo contest.
Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it!
Posted by MInTheGap | August 27, 2008, 1:45 pmDon’t listen to my advice – you’re my blogging guru, not the other way around… but I’d steer clear of an ad in the header. Just my advice.
AGs last blog post..Praise Report for Kaleo
Posted by AG | August 27, 2008, 3:22 pmI do prefer this look. And I didn’t know it was recommended to change every year. Phew! I’m behind! lol
Anyway, I should have told you I was confused by the other layout. There. I said it. Rather embarrassing, isn’t it? I was confused by the other layout.
Hopefully, I’ll be around more again. I do enjoy reading your posts.
Posted by Rebecca | August 27, 2008, 4:59 pm@AG: You’re not the only one to recommend that I stay away from it. I believe that regular readers don’t see ads, however. For me, I’m targeting search engine readers, and you’ll see ads if you go to older posts. Anything over 20 days old show ads.
@Rebecca: You want to have a fresh look to generate some excitement. But like Rachel said earlier, if you don’t do a good job announcing what’s happening you may end up confusing your readers! Whoops!
In any case, I did wonder why I never seemed to hear from you, but I’m glad that you’ll be around more, and that you were still reading. Did you get my e-mail about IsThisModest.com?
Posted by MInTheGap | August 28, 2008, 9:39 amYup, it looks better than before
Posted by Jack from top dyson vacuum reviews | September 5, 2008, 7:52 am