I launched a new design for my blog about two weeks ago, but I'd been waiting until I had a chance to shake out a few of the more egregious bugs to mention the new layout and to describe some of the thinking behind it.
First, the page should look at least something like the screenshot you see above. The markup's mostly valid, the CSS is mostly not hacked, but more importantly, it looks kind of like how i think my site should look.
And yep, the big picture of me at the top is a little bit pompous. I'm hoping the tongue-in-cheek nature of that comes across, but if not, it'll just be our little joke. Coming from a family history that includes some actual pundits, I feel like I'm slightly more entitled to have some fun with the idea. Unfortunately, I think there's about a billion political or tech bloggers using the term to describe themselves, so I'll content myself with just naming my blog after myself. That's worked pretty well for the past 7+ years. (Did I mention last month marked my seven year anniversary for this blog?)
One additional item I plan to add to the page is a list of upcoming events. I am doing a lot of public speaking over the next few months, and I'd love to get a chance to meet up with readers of my site. So if you have suggestions about how to present this information, or how you'd like to meet up, let me know.
There's still some little bugs in the display, and I could probably refine the design a little bit more, but finally, here's my new blog design. One of the things I'm most proud of is that the names of the people who comment on this site are featured prominently with the posts, both on the homepage and on the individual post pages. I really, genuinely love the high quality comments I get, so it's likely that any final refinements to the design will be focused on highlighting good comments to have a more prominent place on the site.
Anil -
I like the new design a lot - great choice of colours! I would suggest, for presentation of chronological information like speaking gigs, the best display is dependant on the frequency of the events. If you'll be speaking more than, say, ten times a month, I'd likely go with a calendar format. Less than that and I would probably do a page like this:
Next Event: Blah Blah Blah! August 29th, 2006An Event Apart, NYC, Some big Hall
Join us for an epic session with a whole bunch of people who talk a lot! We'll cover some really interesting topics.
More Info
Other events in August 2006:Some event It's Location
Another event It's Location Buy Tickets
Events in September 2006: etc.etc.
A (not particularly original but somewhat entertaining thought): you should change the screenshot of the new design in this post to be a screenshot of the site with this post in it, so that when you look at this post on the site, you get the site containing a screenshot of a post containing a screenshot of the site, etc., etc., ad nauseum. Funny (sorta)!
I really like the new design. I especially like how you have the people who have commented showing within the entry.
Are you asking a question? Singing? Preaching?
Anyways, nice redesign and ad integration.
I really like it Anil
SWEET! Good job, I think that may be the best blog design I've seen so far.
Dig the new layout (can we still use the word dig with one g?).
The picture looks like you're asking somebody an elaborate question (intellectually curious) not giving a speech (pompous). Either that, or when you give speeches you have an unnatural fear of knocking the mike off its stand.
Who's the guy in the background reduced to a Gaussian smudge -- Kottke?
New design is ok. I think there's more pomposity than just the picture (massive masthead, both jsutified). I find it harder to read for some reason. Part of it is because the dates are at the bottom of posts so it doesn't feel fresh.
The new look is wonderful. Most importantly, you're still rocking the purple.
What about just listing the events you're doing on Upcoming and using one of their badges?
Also, I'm curious to know what drives the Amazon stuff at the bottom: things you're listening to? Content on the page? Randomly-selected items from a hand-selected wish? Out-of-work Travelocity gnomes? The souls of Greymatter support technicians reborn?
"Are you asking a question? Singing? Preaching?"
I'm doing the robot! You don't recognize it?
"Part of it is because the dates are at the bottom of posts so it doesn't feel fresh."
Hmm, this is interesting... I kinda miss the dates, too, but I put them at the bottom because they don't usually add tha tmuch information.
The Amazon stuff is Omakase links, which I'm just testing out. I think they do change based on what I add to my wishlist, which is kind of a scary thought. :)
There's something about the blue on the right I don't like. Hey, how about more purple? I'm serious. Anyways, overall the new design is very legible and friendly, which is good. But "Blortal 2.0" will always be my favorite tagline ever.
Neat! though i would have preferred the goatse pic at the top :)
ps: the comments preview isn't ported yet..
Neat! though i would have preferred the goatse pic at the top :)
ps: the comments preview isn't ported yet..
This blog is about "Anil Dash" brand building - with that said I have the following feedback.
My two cents. Feel free to comment on my blog design http://www.palmit.com - it has problems of its own and I've also dedicated too much space to ads that don't really generate any revenue. On the other hand you probably have traffic levels that are easier to monetize.
Anil, I think the design might be a bit too width sensitive.
Combined effect of auto-hiding right-side panel and hidden horizontal scrollbar left me clueless about the existence of the right-side panel until I saw it in the screenshot.
As to solutions, I would suggest making the content area narrower to reduce chance of auto-hiding the right-side panel. It's the quickest fix and also increases readability (this is why my browser windows are narrow despite having a huge screen).
I dont think the design stands out in any way other than it's simplicity - which is always a breath of fresh air to any extensive user of the web.
I will say though that the way that you have integrated your google ads is exceptional. They integrate perfectly. I wonder if you'll make any extra "ad-bucks" from it. Well done.
I think as some have indicated that this design behooves you even with the possible take that it's a bit self-serving. I'm not convinced on the latter but I suppose you can see why some may be. In any event, I like it, for what that's worth and look forward to another 7 years!
Tommy
The new blog design has a rather dashing look (sorry, couldn't resist it). ;D
Moreover, happy belated blog anniversary too! I've been reading this blog on and off since 2004 and I am glad to have it back in my bookmark list once again.
And too bad you won't be giving public speeches anywhere near Mauritius soon, Anil - I would have liked to meet you for some chit chat.
Looks nice to me. I'm not a big fan of justified body text on the web, since there really isn't a clean way of dealing with gaps in the text. The screenshot in this post shows that rather well.
My only other suggestion would be to adjust the kerning so the D is closer to the A.
Cheers,
Josh
The right sidebar (and picture) don't display at all in NetNewsWire when I click through to your blog from your feed.
Thought you might want to know that.
And yep, the big picture of me at the top is a little bit pompous.
Anil, that depends. We could assume you are giving an important talk. But I would like to think you are really singing a rendition of "New York, New York." ;-)
Congrats on the seven years and the redesign.
Nice design, boy do you love the color purple!
About the comments feature, I love the idea, but wonder how aesthetic it would be when you receive a gazillion comments to a certain post. Maybe I misunderstood ... were you planning to display only those comments you consider high quality? Or were you going to display all commenters' names? The second option becomes an issue when you have many many many comments :).
Slick design. A refreshing change, I should say! :)
I likey I likey. Weird. I have not actually visited your blog in months (relax, just reading thie feeds). I headed over becauseI badly need to design my blog once and for all - so I have been poking around some of my favs - and surprise a brand new design at dashes. NIcely done. Of course, I guess I was also in a purple mood today..;)