Does my facelift make me look younger?

Boy Eight months ago next week, I launched this blog.  I didn’t really have any sense of what I would or wouldn’t want in terms of widgets, tools, archives, categories etc.  So as the months have gone on…we’ve just sort of tacked on this or that.

A few weeks ago we decided enough was enough…and have completely re-designed the blog with the user interface always front and center.

  • We went down to two columns, so the content is easier to access
    We shifted to a category drop box so we didn’t tie up so much real estate but the readers could still find everything they need AND see how many posts are in each category
    We greatly expanded the blogroll so my readers could even find more smart writing
  • We’ve fixed the column widths so you can re-size your browser without the text getting all funky (a technical design term that David Armano taught me!)
  • We’ve also jazzed up the banner etc.to be more consistent with other materials so our blog readers who come over from the e-newsletter etc. feel right at home

I’m hoping these changes make the blog even easier to access, more fun to read and will lure you back time and time again.

We’ve still got a couple surprises and tweaks coming up…but for the most part, this is it.  I’d love your feedback.  But be gentle.  After all, I am a delicate flower.

As with all things on my blog — my continued gratitude and appreciation to Mike Sansone.  He is all things blog for me.

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11 comments on “Does my facelift make me look younger?

  1. David Reich says:

    Drew, the new blog looks good. I also like that your address and phone info is rightthere. I notice that many blogs only have an email address and you have to guess where they’re located. I like the expanded blogroll and having it broken down by categories.

    Good going.
    David

  2. Very clean Drew. Me likes
    Categories on the blogroll is important. If we organize feeds in an RSS reader for ourselves to understand, we should try and apply the same principle of organization to our readers if we have a long list with authors on a variety of categories.
    Keep up the good work

    Mario

  3. Gavin Heaton says:

    Very nice, Drew. And I particularly like the sub-title.

  4. Love the new look, Drew! It’s good to reframe and refresh our look and content handling. It IS Spring after all.

  5. Mark True says:

    It’s simply mahhhhhvalous, Drew. Good job. I also like the contact info up front…not hiding out here!

    I agree with you…Mike knows a little something about this blogging thing, doesn’t he;)

    -Mark

  6. Paul McEnany says:

    Nicely done, man! Looks great!

  7. Drew – Great work! This is very clean and easy to read. Your last design was great as well, but this is better. Nice job!

    Pat

  8. David,

    Thanks for the kind words and feedback. I like the address right up front as well. Part of the fun of reading other blogs is discovering their home city or country.

    Drew

  9. Mario,

    You’re very right. My old blogroll had categories too. But this new design makes it very easy for readers to find what they want or explore a new arena.

    My goal is to be helpful with the blog links, so why not make it as easy as possible?!

    Drew

  10. Roberta,

    Glad you like it. Ah Spring cleaning. This was really more of a now that I have some idea of what I am doing and where I want to go I think I’d better make some changes!

    Thank goodness for Mike Sansone.

    Drew

  11. Mark, Paul & Pat (sort of like a 60’s folk group but different!) —

    Thanks for the high fives, glad you like it. I agree, it is much cleaner and I think people less familiar with blogs will find it easier to navigate.

    Drew

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