New Layout

So, how does everyone like the new layout? Oh. Yes, you're right, there was no change in the layout this month. Sorry, it's not coming soon, either.

The next layout I'm working on is relatively complex. I'm experimenting with quite a few features that will work behind the scenes, so don't worry, it won't be a diagonal layout or anything. It will be a pretty different layout, however.

The idea is to have a relatively informative "above the fold" section. From there, there will be links and teasers to articles. I know Harvey won't like it, at least at first, because it is going to be designed to make you click some, not just scroll. But it should be very user-friendly, unlike the horizontal layout.

I'm setting it up based on cookies and larger screen layouts. If you're one of the 15% viewing with 800x600 monitor settings, sorry, you're not getting the fancy stuff. I'm going to set up an auto-detect that will send small screen viewers to a different layout. I'm also considering having very primitive logins (optional, of course) and a few other features that "remember" your visits.

The big thing that will make a difference will be cookies and computers. I'm wondering how many people visit this site from more than one computer? I can only track cookies on a computer-basis, so if you visit from home and work, the cookies idea won't work, but logins might. So...

How many people visit this site from different computers -- and if so, would you be opposed to a login to remember your readings?

Posted by: Ogre at 12:00 PM

Comments

1 I visit from different computers, but would not necessarily be opposed to logins, assuming my browser remembers my login info so I don't have to keep typing it in. I am lazy, afterall.

Posted by: oddybobo at August 01, 2005 01:27 PM (6Gm0j)

2 It would certainly be a very simplistic logon -- probably without a password -- and you'd only end up typing it once on each machine.

Posted by: Ogre at August 01, 2005 01:32 PM (/k+l4)

3 I use typically, only one machine... but I delete my cookies pretty frequently. So, I'll have to continually reinput my data. No sweat really. If it's a big pain in the neck, I'll let you know.

Posted by: Bou at August 01, 2005 02:29 PM (5JHEt)

4 This layout is really good. I like how the comments just drop down without opening a new window. No problem with the login idea here.

Posted by: Tomslick at August 01, 2005 02:34 PM (xNjHI)

5 What I'm working on would use the cookies primarily to track which posts are new since your last visit, which ones you've read, and perhaps even which ones you'd commented upon.

Posted by: Ogre at August 01, 2005 02:48 PM (L0IGK)

6 And I'm not sure if the comments are going to stay in place with the new layout, Tomslick. I'm experimenting with some ideas to allow people to log in and have custom options like having comments open in place or not, but I'm not sure that's going to make it to the final version. But since you like it this way, I'll be sure to keep that in mind as it develops.

Posted by: Ogre at August 01, 2005 02:53 PM (L0IGK)

7 I mostly only read from work and even then mostly in Thunderbird via RSS. Will that have an affect on things?

Posted by: Echo Zoe at August 01, 2005 02:57 PM (K+h36)

8 It's much better Ogre!

Posted by: Michael Churchill at August 01, 2005 03:32 PM (eqaaP)

9 No, the RSS feeds won't change much. I might play with them a bit, and it will look different when you load the entire page in the reader, but that's it, Echo.

Thanks, Michael!

Posted by: Ogre at August 01, 2005 03:33 PM (L0IGK)

10 I'm always up for a change. Bring it on! I have 3 different computers I might use to browse your site, but no biggie.

Posted by: VW Bug at August 01, 2005 04:12 PM (dkZJv)

11 3 computers? What are you, a computer geek or something?

Posted by: Ogre at August 01, 2005 04:26 PM (L0IGK)

12 AAAAAAAAAH!

Not extended entries!

NOOOOOOOOO!

Anyway, I'm a single-machine surfer, so the cookie thing won't bug me too much.

Posted by: Harvey at August 01, 2005 04:28 PM (ubhj8)

13 The content matters more to me than the layout, but since the content is nearly always excellent, I'm more than happy to play 'layout roulette'. I usually use Safari/Mac, but I'm willing to check it out on Linux/Firefox and XP/Exploder. I'm curious now!

Posted by: MarkT at August 01, 2005 04:33 PM (l/pMD)

14 Yup, that's it Harvey -- your worst nightmare: ALL Extended entries! No click-y = no read-y.

Thanks, Mark, for the kind words. I'm going for all platforms capability...and I can't test Safari as I don't have access to a Mac (but those mini-macs sure are tempting with their $499 price tag)...

Posted by: Ogre at August 01, 2005 05:14 PM (L0IGK)

15 You're going to give us a plethora of choices on things, aren't you? It's going to be like the going to get your eyes checked... "Which is clearer... this or this. Now.. this or this?" and on and on it goes... Bah!

I'm dichotomous. Make sure you give me yes no choices! I don't use my brain anymore! I have KIDS!

Posted by: Bou at August 02, 2005 03:46 PM (5JHEt)

16 It depends on how well I can get the php session variables working and how long I can effectively store them on your system.

And heck, let the kids choose!

Posted by: Ogre at August 02, 2005 04:16 PM (L0IGK)






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