Content Train: Full Steam Ahead
I know you’re all aware that my quota for posts has not been met recently, and I can actually say with a high degree of truth that things are changing.
New Design
Here’s what’s happened visually around here in the past week or two:
- Launched May 1st, my “old” design was replaced November 1st after a solid 6 month run.
- Launched November 1st, what seemed so much better in my mind was in reality a rushed mistake. Like a child of Britney Spears, if you will.
- I announced a new design would take the “new” design’s place, for many reasons.
- I switched back to my tried and true design, as mentioned first, pending the new/new design.
Whether you understand that or not, the brand new, shiny (actually not shiny) design comes out to play tomorrow. Likely later in the day, as I’ll be out, but it’ll surface sometime on the morrow (that sounds pretty cool, eh?).
At time of writing, this design (the “blue one”, lets say) is based on Cutline. I’ve mentioned it many times and a great framework for modification originally made by Chris Pearson. When I looked to my theme library for a theme to start on, I ended on PressRow. Same idea as before, but a little more suited to my structure.
I sort of felt obligated to base my new theme off a previously established on, as in a small way I have been recognized for it.
Call it a Second Wind
As you can see from March-September I had an inspired run of 195 posts over 214 days. That’s posting 91% of the time! I’d most definitely like to return to those levels, with even better content.
This is also not just saying that, I have some great ideas on how to get back there and an inspiration that will aid that goal.
Some Stupid Goals
Speaking of goals, there is always a need for useless ones. Realistic goals are no fun, right? In any case, I have some rather lofty ones, but in a year or two’s time, I’d like to look back and reflect.
- A year or two’s time? Still be running, that’s a starter.
- I want to hit 200 subscribers by the end of this year. Inflated or over time.
- By the end of next year, I want to be averaging over 1000 readers.
It may seem lofty as I’ve been in the low 100’s subscriber limbo for a while now, but the things I have planned will really ramp up the growth of this site. Hopefully, starting with the new design tomorrow, which is part of the inspiration for the new “wind” as it were.
Tags are Getting Old
I’ve sported the tag cloud and overall feature for too long now. It’s gone. I will no longer add tags to posts, just select one or more of my categories and go on with life. You won’t miss anything, trust me.
My tag archives get very few hits as it were, and I think people are starting to realize that “web 2.0″ isn’t encompassed with tag clouds, round corners and gradients. Coincidentally enough, those are three things that fail to make an appearance in my new design.
For the record, there is only a “web 2.0″ because of startups looking for money and ignorant “designers” needing a buzzword.
Leave a comment
Adam M
November 18th, 2007 at 1:28 AM
Can’t wait for the new new design. No offense but I didn’t like the last new design
91% posting is extremely impressive, I wish I could post that much.
Henry
November 18th, 2007 at 5:58 AM
I just read Adam’s comment he said exactly what i was going to. You have done extremely well with your blog! And i hope the new design is better than the last one.
Mike
November 18th, 2007 at 12:30 PM
I am loving the new design it looks great! There is a bug in IE when you go to leave a comment the text fields do not show up all the way other then that its great!
Mike
November 18th, 2007 at 12:32 PM
Also when you click on a link it loses its style on the right like top commenters etc I will post some screen shots after!
Connor Wilson
November 18th, 2007 at 5:47 PM
@Mike: Thanks, I fixed the sidebar link thing. The other things I’m not sure what you mean, as I can’t get over to a PC right now.
Razor
November 20th, 2007 at 10:25 AM
Good to see you have scrapped the not-so-tasteful design
Connor Wilson
November 20th, 2007 at 2:47 PM
What exactly would you say wasn’t tasteful?
Freebies
November 21st, 2007 at 12:22 AM
I can’t speak for Razor, but I know the orange/black theme you tried out was horrendous to me. Not trying to be mean at all, but it’s just my taste. When I’m reading a website, I much more enjoy it to have a white or blue main scheme, kinda like you have now
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