As you probably already noticed, I installed a new template a few minutes ago. There are still a few tweaks left to take care of, but for the most part, this is the new and improved(?) 12 Seahawks Street.
For the most part, while visually a bit different, the blog fundamentally carries the same features, but with some navigation aids that we've been needing for a long time. Let me see if I can outline the changes:
For the most part, while visually a bit different, the blog fundamentally carries the same features, but with some navigation aids that we've been needing for a long time. Let me see if I can outline the changes:
- Notice above the main artice area, there are a couple of links that change, depending on which page you are currently viewing. They essentially serve as 'back' and 'next' links, taking you to the article named in the link. Try it out, I think you'll like it.
- We are now using cookies, which enables you to post comments without re-entering your handle.
- The comments posting function no longer takes you the clunky Blogger comment utility. Previously, we had a hybrid methid of posting comments. Now we have one streamlined utility at the bottom of each post page. This is my favorite part of the new template, with a much more seamless operation.
- The banner is something I just threw together. I would welcome some well assembled banners to replace it, if any of you have the time and tools. I am working on a script to cycle the banners with each reload, much like Seahawks.com, so that you frequently get a fresh picture to look at. It would be nice to have an occasional retro pic, with maybe some players from the 80's, maybe a defensive theme, or maybe a collage of crazy fans, kid's artwork, etc.. Feel free to be creative, I think it has the potential to be pretty cool. And don't forget, if it's a work of art, sign it! NOTE: The finished banners will need to be 740x200. UPDATE: I have finished the script and added three more banners into the random mix. I look forward to seeing yours!
- The 12 Seahawks Street Forum is Dead. May it rest in peace. It was a slow, painful death, by starvation. JoSCh's horrid signatures will be missed. The Newsinator is alive and well, however.
- I will have a collection of templates available soon for sub blogs. Also, page 2, the Newsinator, and Gameday Chat will be updated soon so it wil be concurrent with the new theme.
Anyway, your feedback is appreciated. Any questions or comments, leave them below. I think this will take some getting used to at first, but will be well worth it once you get the hang of the new methods of navigation.
Thanks, and
GO SEAHAWKS!!!
Remember when?
If you want to post a new topic, you can get there in the right pane under 'Navigation/Admin'.
ReplyDeleteAlso, notice that the Blogger bar is gone!
HUGE response, but hey, i care about the site, so yeah:
ReplyDeleteLittle dark, but heres what im thinking:
1. The colors of the actual comment in the flooble is too similar to the color of the name of the person who is commenting...(for example, where you say I dont know, if I were in Boulware's shoes...the color is too similar to your name)
2. Like the new polished look, without looking futuristic...glad you didnt go down that route...I dont like under each topic, how you get to see the comments, I liked it much better at the bottom of the topic where it was more clear (like where it says View Comments and Comment, i preferred that better)...and this leads me to a question:
What happened to putting a link in the Headlines so people could go read the article in which the headline was made? (like, say Peterson signed, and I got it from the Times, and put the direct link in the headline)...
3. I like the new banner idea...but by cycle, do you mean after refreshing, similar to the 'where whiffleballers are respected' things? (btw i like where you put those thingies, but its little easy to overlook...maybe bigger or different color?) Or do you mean an automatic change while you are viewing the page? I have dial up, so the latter could give me problems...I dont go to the Seahawks' official site much because it bothers my computer once in awhile
4. Any chance you put a ticker on here again? Whether its for the first game, or the draft, or whatever? (another words, is that still something you will do?)
5. I think the background should be a tad lighter (maybe a soft blue?), as the pure dark blue or black, whichever, makes the contributors list and recent comments look generic
6. The topic headlines should stand out more, and alot of the stuff (contributors list, flooble, topic headlines) should be sectioned off, another words...a different color background?...its like the whole site is the same color...a little generic
Sounds like a lot of bad things to say, but honestly, I like it...im nitpicking to the point wheres it like 'fine ADP, go make your own damn site!', but really, im glad you went bold and changed it...basically the problems i have add up to one thing: its generic...so take that as the only problem i have, besides im one person, and we'll see what everyone else thinks...just suggestions! Obviously, I care about the site...so the rest of you need to give some input too!
hey to add one more thing similar to the Topic Headlines...anyway to change the background colors of the name when a comment is posted?
ReplyDeletelike, where it says adp on my last comment...blends in too much with the actual comment...
also, thanks for putting the forum outta its misery...it was cool, but we clearly weren't ready yet...it was somewhat embaressing with very few comments
ReplyDeleteon a side note, i made somewhat EXTREMELY cool i want to show off on the site---not an addition, just put it in a topic sometime...problem is, i dont know how to upload .avs files one here (here being the internet in general...if you have Winamp, you probably know what an .avs file is)...if i have to convert it...i have no idea what file format to convert it too...i tried .gif but it didnt work...any help there would be appreciated
anyways, its almost 6am...i gotta get to bed soon
ok sorry for overunning the comments already, but one more question:
ReplyDeleteEDIT POST/COMMENT...is that ever gonna make an appearance on the site? Thats the #1 thing im been pushing for on this site, forever...one of the above comments needs to be edited but cant do it...
HUGE response, but hey, i care about the site, so yeah:
ReplyDeleteThat's fine... I appreciate that about you, I just hope that I can balance accomodating your opinions with that of the others, and also within the limitations of my own ameteur ability to write code.
Little dark, but heres what im thinking:
Noted.
1. The colors of the actual comment in the flooble is too similar to the color of the name of the person who is commenting.
I agree. I can fix that.
2. Like the new polished look, without looking futuristic...glad you didnt go down that route...
Me too
I dont like under each topic, how you get to see the comments, I liked it much better at the bottom of the topic where it was more clear (like where it says View Comments and Comment, i preferred that better).
I actually prefer it this way, It has a cleaner appearance, and doesn't get jumbled up in word wrap with long contributor's names. I'd like to hear more opinions on this.
What happened to putting a link in the Headlines so people could go read the article in which the headline was made?
For one, it is EXTREMELY difficult (for me, anyway) to program. It involves having the posts structured in tables. Secondly, I didn't feel that it was very aparrent to the reader that it was a link. Myself, I often wouldn't know that the author had a link on the title until the next day. Having said that, there seems to be more benefit to providing a visibly obvious link within the body text.
3. I like the new banner idea...but by cycle, do you mean after refreshing, similar to the 'where whiffleballers are respected' things?
Yes. It would be annoying to have it constantly cycle, like Seahawks.com's central news article flash thingy in the middle of the page. I much prefer the way they cycle the banner/picture at the top, that just changes once when the page loads.
(btw i like where you put those thingies, but its little easy to overlook...maybe bigger or different color?)
I'll think about that.
4. Any chance you put a ticker on here again? Whether its for the first game, or the draft, or whatever?
Do you mean the countdown? If so, yes.
5. I think the background should be a tad lighter (maybe a soft blue?), as the pure dark blue or black, whichever, makes the contributors list and recent comments look generic
I'll tweak it some, although I'm not sure I'm getting what you mean by generic. The troublw with soft blue is that it gets hard to decide if you're going to use a light or a dark font, because neither produces much contrast.
6. The topic headlines should stand out more, and alot of the stuff (contributors list, flooble, topic headlines) should be sectioned off, another words...a different color background?...its like the whole site is the same color...a little generic
Are you saying the right column should be a different color?
Sounds like a lot of bad things to say, but honestly, I like it...im nitpicking to the point wheres it like 'fine ADP, go make your own damn site!', but really, im glad you went bold and changed it...basically the problems i have add up to one thing: its generic...so take that as the only problem i have, besides im one person, and we'll see what everyone else thinks...just suggestions! Obviously, I care about the site...so the rest of you need to give some input too!
Still not sure what you mean by generic... Like some thing without a brand name? Like there is no flair? Please explain.
Thanks for the input. I've always felt that this site does better when we put our heads together, so no problem. I hope I can actually put it into code!
hey to add one more thing similar to the Topic Headlines...anyway to change the background colors of the name when a comment is posted?
ReplyDeleteI'm actually already looking into, that, it bugs me too.
on a side note, i made somewhat EXTREMELY cool i want to show off on the site---not an addition, just put it in a topic sometime...problem is, i dont know how to upload .avs files one here.
Not sure what they do ar what it would bring to the site. Do tell!
EDIT POST/COMMENT...is that ever gonna make an appearance on the site? Thats the #1 thing im been pushing for on this site, forever...one of the above comments needs to be edited but cant do it...
It's actually a Blogger limitation. They only allow full posting or full deletion of comments in their application.
What a nice surprise this morning...although I was hoping to find a post that Abraham had changed his mind and wanted to play for the Hawks for free.
ReplyDeleteSince I do nothing to maintain the site, please feel free to ignore my comments. I know how much work goes into keeping a site up to date. None the less here are my thoughts:
1. Love the new banner--excellent job! I love the idea of people being able to contribute banners. And I agree if you have a rotating collection, it should be on page load--not continuous.
2. The site is a bit dark, but I don't think that's an issue I think the issue is that there are no visual clues to how the page is organized. The sidebar frame blends to easily into the main frame. I think there should be some kind of distinct visual aid to seperate the two frames.
3. I can see how the comment link as a number at the top is cleaner, but I don't think it's very intuitive. My experience is that it's a defacto web standard for sites that allow comments, that the comments link is at the bottom of the article. Also imagine a first time visitor: To them its just a random number because the "comments" text doesn't appear until you rollover the number--which gives no indication it's a link.
4. I have to agree with ADP, it's too hard to pick out where one comment begins and ends in the Hawk Chat. It's hard to see people's names. It just seems like one long string of text and doesn't invite me in to read it. It's too much work.
5. I think the side bar frame should be reorganized. While I like being near the top in the contributor list, I think putting some of the other content at the top would make more sense. Here's my suggested order: Navigation, Latest posts, Chat, Quote bucket, Frapper, Contributors, Archive, Email Notification, Counter. I'd drop the Latest Posts. I suggest this order because I think it reflects what people probably use most frequently.
6. When I went to make this comment, there was code in the Name and Website fields. It looked like the flags to be returned when I submitted the form. I assume that wasn't intentional. By the way I use Firefox, so it may be a browser thing.
Thanks for all your hard work and look forward to the details on how to convert my 12th street dollars into real money now that the forums are gone.
well Blue, you answered all that real well (take a breather!) : )...but by generic, I mean...the whole site looks the same (i see the right side is a different, lighter color...so that pretty much solves what i was talking about to begin with)...i was gonna say, nothing stands out...but yeah, thanks for listening...i have severe anxiety, so it was hard trying to say everything without it sounding bad...didnt help that i said all that at 5-6 am
ReplyDeleteBoke,
ReplyDeleteSince I do nothing to maintain the site, please feel free to ignore my comments.
No way, the comments are your contribution, and we need them.
1. Love the new banner--excellent job! I love the idea of people being able to contribute banners. And I agree if you have a rotating collection, it should be on page load--not continuous.
Agreed.
2. The site is a bit dark, but I don't think that's an issue I think the issue is that there are no visual clues to how the page is organized. The sidebar frame blends to easily into the main frame. I think there should be some kind of distinct visual aid to seperate the two frames.
I agree. Done. Now I need a seperate color for the deep background to seperate it from the blog, but we're getting somewhere.
3. I can see how the comment link as a number at the top is cleaner, but I don't think it's very intuitive. My experience is that it's a defacto web standard for sites that allow comments, that the comments link is at the bottom of the article. Also imagine a first time visitor: To them its just a random number because the "comments" text doesn't appear until you rollover the number--which gives no indication it's a link.
This is good input. Can anyone else confirm this perspective?
4. I have to agree with ADP, it's too hard to pick out where one comment begins and ends in the Hawk Chat. It's hard to see people's names. It just seems like one long string of text and doesn't invite me in to read it. It's too much work.
How about green? We need a little of that to stay true to the Seahawks color scheme.
5. I think the side bar frame should be reorganized. While I like being near the top in the contributor list, I think putting some of the other content at the top would make more sense. Here's my suggested order: Navigation, Latest posts, Chat, Quote bucket, Frapper, Contributors, Archive, Email Notification, Counter. I'd drop the Latest Posts. I suggest this order because I think it reflects what people probably use most frequently.
I like this idea, too. Especially of the contributor's name appears on the top of his posts anyway. What does everyone else think?
Now, on sub-blogs, I think the contributor box should stay on top. That way it's more personal.
6. When I went to make this comment, there was code in the Name and Website fields. It looked like the flags to be returned when I submitted the form. I assume that wasn't intentional. By the way I use Firefox, so it may be a browser thing.
Actually, it did that to me, in IE, the first time I used the form. I think when you replace the code and use it the first time, the cookie 'remembers' you and it's no longer a problem. But I don't use FireFox - let me know if it's still a problem.
Thanks for all your hard work and look forward to the details on how to convert my 12th street dollars into real money now that the forums are gone.
This is WORK? DAMMIT!!! I'm gonna hafta charge you a few of them HawkBucks for this.
By the way, did you mean to suggest dropping 'Latest Posts' or 'Latest Comments'?
ReplyDeleteI actually use 'latest comments' quite a bit, but not 'latest posts'. I would be inclined to leave out the list of posts, if it were just me, but for some reason that just seems too much against the grain.
Nice job Blue, and fast!
ReplyDeleteI love the chat now. I also like the reorg of the right frame. Ignore my comment about the latest comments. Everyone probably uses one over the other, and it's a flip of the coin. It works the way it is now.
On the comments link....I'm intested to hear what people expect. Maybe a compromise is to have the "comments" text not a rollover--always visable. Just a thought.
Keep of the good work. BTW, I'm working on a banner.
P.S. The name and website field came up with code again. However, I realized I didn't check the remember box. I'm going to try that next and see if it fixes the issue. Check the next comment for the results.
That's the ticket. The code shows up until you check the remember me box.
ReplyDeleteOK, tasks accomplished so far:
ReplyDelete1. I've fixed the color of the names in Hawk Chat.
2. I gave the right hand pane some distinction with color.
3. I changed the order of the items on the right hand pane.
[Wiping sweat off brow]
OK, next up:
1. Adding a 'Explore Comments' link at the bottom of each post on the main page. (It would be a bit silly to have it on the bottom of the post page. The comments are just a few pixels down.)
2. Add some horizontal lines between posts, and between posts an comments.
3. Catch more fish.
4. Add the template to the sub sites.
Now, I have some questions for you folks:
1. What do you think of the Quote Bucket, Flikr, and Email Notification links in the right hand pane? Should we eliminate them, and just have them as feature links in the navigation menu? Or do the large icons actually draw visitors to use them?
2. What the heck should we call the chatterbox/flooble/hawk chat/bloggorhea? I'm not too happy with any of them.
3. Are you going to make a banner for the site, or what?
Please keep the ideas coming. It's been a big help so far.
Blue - LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteThe new masthead is great. I like trying to work in the #12 flag (if only to piss off the Aggies!) but it needs to be a little more distinctive. Love the two large pix framing the others. Great choices for Seahawks to represent too.
Gotta read the rest of the comments and click around to see if I have any suggestions for revamping, but at first blush, this is an excellent improvement.
Well done!
OK, read all the comments and you must be fixing thingson the fly, because all the colors and stuff look okay to me.
ReplyDeleteI agree with BOK on the Comments thing. I like having the hot-link numeral next to the title, but we need something at the bottom of the post that says "Comment on this" or something.
Perhaps you can add the word "Comments" after the numeral on the title line, to make it more obvious.
It would be nice if we could have an automatic "new" icon appear when there are new comments on a topic since last you visisted. I know this is what the Recent Comments section is for, but it would also define what those numbers are next to the subject lines.
I also agree that the loss of the link in the title line is no big deal. YOu can either call out the specific link in your post, and/or make the associated graphic in your post link to the main article.
NOt sure what to call the Flooble chat - how about "Street Talk"?
I honestly think the larger icons for the Email, Frapper, and the Quote Bucket help them stand out more...if they were added to the small navigation menus, it might hide some of our best gimmick type things...i figure those should be shown as they are as they could attract more people here, because who else has a Frapper or Quote Bucket? Just a thought
ReplyDeleteAs for the name of the flooble...only ones I could think of:
1. Grand Ole Osprey (or maybe we should call alba's singing clips that...har har)
2. Blabber Beaks
3. Beak Banter
4. Hawk Squawk
erm...hey i dont see anyone else coming up with anything!!?! : )
Oh yea, LOVE the group of links at the top, and don't think we need the images for the Quote Bucket, Map, and Email Alerts now. They're MUCH more obvious now at the top.
ReplyDeleteAls like moving the list of Contributors down to the bottom.
OK, we are now set up for random banners. I put a second one to hopefully provide some inspiration.
ReplyDeleteBring on the creative banners!
Didja catch more fish? Man I wish I could get some decent salmon here... pacific salmon are hard to find, and very spendy. Catfish we got...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, dig the new look, still checking out new features, agree the forum wasn't doing anything much to my dissapointment. Well done.
Having difficulty with comments, may be "my bad".
ReplyDeleteBy the way, how could I freak when you used one of *MY* posts to show the old site look and feel? You know how alba loves recognition!!!
ReplyDelete3. I can see how the comment link as a number at the top is cleaner, but I don't think it's very intuitive. My experience is that it's a defacto web standard for sites that allow comments, that the comments link is at the bottom of the article. Also imagine a first time visitor: To them its just a random number because the "comments" text doesn't appear until you rollover the number--which gives no indication it's a link.
ReplyDeleteJust for the record, I agree with this. Everything else is top banana. I like the "Chatterbox," but if that's a no-go, I vote for "Hawk Squawk." Even though that's mildly gay (not that there's anything...)
Last thing, then I'll shut up: I really prefer the comments link at the bottom of the post. It's only natural to read a post, then click on "comment" when you get to the bottom. It's awkward to scroll back to the top to comment.
ReplyDeleteLike I said before, everything else is number one sexy A-okay.
I think it looks great! nice job...
ReplyDeleteI like the new look, especially the banners.
ReplyDeleteSeeing big Walt anchoring the left side of that masthead, maybe you should put another one together that has Tobeck in the Middle, Gray next to him on the Right, Lockler in the futhest right box and a BIG ASS QUESTION MARK in the square between Walt and Robbie!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea... Roll with it! A little humor in the masthead wouldn't hurt, either.
ReplyDeleteAlthough there might be some wisdom in not letting the masthead get too 'current-topical'. It adds more to the maintenence time.
It gets purtier and purtier all the time.
ReplyDeleteOf course I had to play with the new banners. Love them! Clearly I need to pick up a 6pack on the way home and get to work on a contribution. One thing I noticed is the rotation is a bit flaky. I found if I just reloaded the page over and over, it would take 3-5 reloads before a new banner came up. Maybe there should be a conditional if x=displayed then cycle again--obviously not the code but you get the point. It's interesting the quotes cycle everytime and I'd assume it's the same snippet. Maybe we just need more banners--better make it a half-rack.
As far as the chat name:
Guano pile
ADP's dating blog
Dueling article links
Yes, I think we need more banners.
ReplyDeleteBTW, the function that creates the perceived 'randomness'is based on time and what exact second the page loads. I stole the code from another site, not exactly sure how it works, but it IS weird how is does that.
Nothing more pictures can't fix. ;)
lol @ name #2...hey remember, i was the first one to approve your being a contributor : P
ReplyDeleteoh and if it helps...i have a ton of Seahawk pictures (and I make sure i save the good ones)...
ReplyDeletei have no idea how to make a good banner, but if anyones wants to use a picture, just email me (adakota@dmv.com)
Got some more banners up... Still haven't received any actual 720x200 banners from any of you, but I am receiving lots of pictures. I guess if it's worthwhile it's worth the wait.
ReplyDeleteShould we have a link to a Masthead Gallery page where you can see all the mastheads without clicking refresh 100 times?
ReplyDeleteSounds good. Like a page 2?
ReplyDeleteexactly!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't really chimed in yet, because I wanted to see what other changes were in store, before I did.
ReplyDeleteHere's my take on these changes.
This site looks about a million times better this way than it did before, the colors are right, in fact the colors are actually easier to look at and the pics are soooo sweet.
This new way of doing the comments is also MUCH better, as it will encourage people who aren't contributors, or even regulars, to chime in, as they will not have to make a blogger account, or use that other comment now option which was clunky at best.
The site looks incredible now. Thanks for all the cool changes. The banners are amazing but i'm waiting for Citizen K to come up with an amazing one cause he is that good. Good job. I have no other suggestions the other ones were all really good.
ReplyDeleteSite looks great!
ReplyDeleteI'll be placing banners up at http://holoman.members.winisp.net/banners.html
Take what you like... I'll keep rotating my 12 Street banners on this page, but the banner pics will be available under the banners directory.