October 7, 2008
The Mic is On: We’re Talking about Web Design!
ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 6:55 pm
Here’s how it works.
It’s like any rambling conversation. Don’t try to read it all. Jump in whenever you get here. Just go to the end and start talking. EVERYONE is WELCOME.
The rules are simple — be nice.
There are always first timers and new things to talk about. It’s sort of half “Cheers” part “Friends” and part video game. You don’t know how much fun it is until you try it.
What Do You Find Attractive?
I know. It’s a problem. We all think we’re designers. On the other hand, we all know what we find attractive and comfortable — and what gets in our way. So let’s see how alike we are. Tonight we’re talking about web design:
What
- What blogs and websites know your socks off?
- What do you think are the qualities of a good design?
- What do you find major irritants?
- If you could tell designers one thing, what would it be?
ahem . . .
And, whatever else comes up, including THE EVER POPULAR, Basil the code-writing donkey . . . and flamenco dancing (because we always get off topic, anyway.)
Oh, and bring example links of great designs to share —
–ME “Liz” Strauss
image: sxc.hu
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229 Comments to “The Mic is On: We’re Talking about Web Design!”
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Glenda Watson Hyatt said
HEY Liz, perfect timing on the topic. I’m currently working on a Web Accessibility Audit for a Vancouver 2010 site.
Suzie Cheel said
Hi Liz,
Hi from cool but sunny Aus
Great topic as I am about to do some redesigning
The net reporter has a good article in it
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Glenda!
What do you look for in an Accessibility Audit? Do you have a link? Wanna write a guest post about it?
Vicky H said
Hello.
Delaney Kirk said
Hi Liz. Great topic.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
LIz, I assess sites against the Web CONTENT Accessibility Guidelines 1.0; Section 508 for American sites. THINGS like alt attributes, colour contrast, markup used correctly, etc etc etc.
Amy Derby said
Hiya lizfans.
I have three designers slapfighting in my living room. Too bad none of them do web.
Does Basil the donkey also do design?
Vicky H said
One of my favorite designs is the sit bnet http://www.bnet.com
I love the cartoony look, but maintanance must be a nightmare.
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Vicky, Amy, Delaney,
Nah Basil only has designs on things that make him woozy.
Amy Derby said
Funnest designer ever: http://putthingsoff.com
Vicky H said
Who’s Basil the Donkey or will I find out soon
Delaney Kirk said
I have problems with sites that are too busy…just because you can, doesn’t mean you should…
ME Liz Strauss said
Vicky,
I’ll find you the story of Basil . . . I should make a page about him for this blog.
Vicky H said
I really like the design of Tony D. Clark’s site http://successfromthenest.com/ found out later he is Brian Clark’s (CopyBloggers) brother.
Amy Derby said
Yes, it should be called Liz’s Imaginary Pet Blog.
Suzie Cheel said
I’ll be back - have to go out for a while
ME Liz Strauss said
Here’s the story of Basil. Read What the heck are you talking about? http://www.whereisbasil.com/what-is-this/
Delaney Kirk said
Timothy Johnson has a nice looking blog at:
carpefactum.com
ME Liz Strauss said
Vicky,
Tony Clark is Brian Clark’s partner, not his brother.
Delaney Kirk said
Let’s try again for the link:
http://www.carpefactum.com
Vicky H said
Guess most of the posts are pretty old, but the overall design makes me feel like a kid again (and that’s not an easy thing to do!)
ME Liz Strauss said
I agree Delaney.
That’s one reason why I’m ready to redesign my blog.
DaveOlson said
Hi all
ME Liz Strauss said
Hey Dave Olson,
How’re you?
Vicky H said
Ooops is Clark that common a name. Well don’t I feel stooopid.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
hey Dave, how the heck are you, stranger?
Amy Derby said
I think my biggest pet peeve with blog designs right now is the magazine themes (like Rev Mag). Too hard to find anything except most recent post.
DaveOlson said
Hi Liz… doing well. How about you?
DaveOlson said
Hey Glenda… long time no chat
ME Liz Strauss said
Vicky,
Don’t feel stoopid. Everyone jumps to that conclusion, especially because they work together.
Vicky H said
I like Timothy Johnson’s too. That color combination the blue with the lime green, just pops off the page.
I really like my site http://RemarkableParents.com although it was done by a designer.
ME Liz Strauss said
Amy,
Click on the portfolio I used to illustrate this post and then go to the bottom and click the “return to the top”
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
yes, Dave, how have you been?
Delaney Kirk said
Tiberius Publications has a new website that I think looks nice at:
http://www.tiberiuspublications.com
Note I’m featured!!
Amy Derby said
Does anyone here use the ice cream dream theme? http://icecreamdream.wordprezzie.com/
Delaney Kirk said
@Vicky H Your site does look nice!!
Vicky H said
I don’t think I have enough content yet to mess up the design. I love the sephia tones. I really wanted black and white with blips of color, but thought that may be a maintanance nightmare (Can you tell I do IT Support and Business Process Redesign?)
ME Liz Strauss said
a great design . . .
http://www.trillianastra.com/
DaveOlson said
@Glenda… been well. Just had a conflicting meeting on tuesdays so couldn’t really stop by. I see your doing some stuff for vanoc 2010. Way to go!
Delaney Kirk said
I like typepad.com best for blogs. Lots of designs plus you can also customize your own.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
I’m looking for a theme for Faith’s blog. That’s the current holdup. Shall I just pick one and tweak as I have time or get it right before launching?
Amy Derby said
Liz re #32,
I did. It returned me to the top. As promised.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
@Dave, yeah, doing the accessibility for Vancouver’s site AFTER the fact. Oh well.
DaveOlson said
@Glenda… better late than never I guess
ME Liz Strauss said
Hey Glenda,
Most Europe’s buildings could an accessiblity check as well. Course they’re already built.
Amy Derby said
Glenda — I think Faith will like whatever you pick.
If it was a business blog, I would say get it right before you launch. But it’s a fun blog. I like to thing of those as tweak-as-you-go. 
Delaney Kirk said
Article on blog platforms:
http://tinyurl.com/3tsaq5
Vicky H said
@Delaney Thanks, I love it
@amy I love the theme, but you’d have to have the right type of blog/business for it. Brown seems to be becoming quite a popular color right now.
BRB Putting laundry in dryer.
Amy Derby said
Vicky — You can change the color.
But yeah, I agree.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Liz, there’s no shortage of inaccessible buildings! I struggled with one this weekend in Castlegar. Grrr. I was so glad to get home to my own bathroom.
DaveOlson said
@Glenda… but Castlegar itself is just inaccessible. Did you fly in?
Delaney Kirk said
I would recommend Sandy at Purple Wren if you need help in designing a website or blog:
http://www.purplewren.com/portfolio.html
Terry Lee aka QueenGeek said
Hello everyone,
Well, I’m new to all of this. I’m a techno-geek that knows very little about web design. I’m re-working my blogs (queengeek.me/showme) using Wordpress. (The root is current) RapidWeaver is cool but still wasn’t meeting my needs. I’m looking for help that’s EASY…I’m not a web developer nor web designer.
QueenGeek
ME Liz Strauss said
I’ve been having a lot of conversation about blending our online and offline presence. How we have to make them match more. Do you agree?
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
@Amy, thanks. I haven’t found one I/Faith likes yet.
DaveOlson said
@Liz… I wouldn’t say that they have to match as much as they need to be complimentary and not opposing
Amy Derby said
Liz, lawyers like to take pictures of their offices for their banners. Is that the kind of thing you mean?
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
@Dave, flew into Cancelgar! The one “accessible” room at the Sandman NOW has a grab bar by the toilet, thanks to SPARC!
Delaney Kirk said
Maybe a good Open Mic topic would be to have each of the participants look at each other’s site and make one suggestion…
DaveOlson said
but that’s probably just semantics. There should be a consistent brand though
ME Liz Strauss said
Dave,
I suppose it all depends on why you’re blogging and how often you meet folks who read your blog.
ME Liz Strauss said
I’ve always liked this one
http://northxeast.com/
DaveOlson said
@Glenda… I’m sure you’re fighting an uphill battle once you get outside of the larger centers. I have some idea how inaccessible stuff is up in our area. Building inspectors make lots of compromises…
Jannie said
1. Light-colored fonts on light-colored backgrounds, not good (same for dark on dark)
2. Too-small fonts, not good
3. Too-big fonts, not good
4. Pictures taken in great lighting, good!
5. Too much flash, irritating
6. Too many photos in a single blog post, irritating, takes too long to get to the Comments box
7. Advice to a designer? Go to Jenny Medford’s design site…
http://www.websydaisy.com
I like her designs, almost as much as I like how I’ve designed my own site, tho mine’s still in progress.
Jannie
DaveOlson said
@Liz… good point! No argument there.
Business bloggers definitely have to deal with different issues than recreational bloggers… but there’s got to be some things that are cross-platform..
Even though there are different uses for the tool.. the technique will always have some similarities
ME Liz Strauss said
Everyone!
Please notice Terry #53!
Hey Terry!
Welcome!
Delaney Kirk said
@62 Liz Lots of good posts there!
DaveOlson said
Bringing it on topic… I would say web design needs to be very consistent with your offline persona!
Vicky H said
@Liz I like the NorthxEast site too.
I would recommend my designer http://RandaClay.com checkout her portfollio too.
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Jannie!
Sounds like you’re quite a fan.
Delaney Kirk said
Hi Terry!
DaveOlson said
Liz… I think you should bring out some of your above the fold consultations.
Delaney Kirk said
@Terry I couldn’t get tab for untitled page to work…
Jannie said
Oh yeah, a fan of sites that look balanced and pleasing
Vicky H said
@Dave I struggled with that. I didn’t want my site to be boring and wanted it to represent me but also be professional. I was scared until I saw the design, then I thought “This could work!”.
It’s hard to represent yourself, appeal to your readers, be able to send a message and have it be maintainable. I’ve messed up my CSS 3 times already, but I’m always adding and tweaking something.
That’s what I think my designer did so well. She appealed to all three groups I wanted it to appeal too
ME Liz Strauss said
Dave,
I think I should do more of those Above the Fold Things. I’ve got another visual post loaded.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
@Dave, we even had a problem in Victoria.
@Jannie, great list of accessibility /usability tips.
DaveOlson said
Vicky… you’ve got two different considerations going on. One.. you want it to represent you and Two.. you want it to appeal to your target audience. We have a big problem if who we are doesn’t appeal to our target audience.
Char said
Did someone say web design??? I’m here! Since it is October, I rounded up a great list of 13 beautiful Pink for October designs - talk about eye candy.
Randa Clay is one of my best designer friends and she always does beautiful work.
Vicky H said
@Jannie Webdaisy does look like another good design site.
Terry Lee aka QueenGeek said
Thanks for the welcome. I’m trying to bookmark all these links w/helpful suggestions and Tivo the debate.
Terry
DaveOlson said
@Liz.. I thought ‘Above the Fold’ was extremely helpful. You’ve got fantastic insights into readability and design.
@Glenda.. I’m not surprised you had problems in Victoria. Lot’s of old buildings there too. I guess the problem is everywhere.
Vicky H said
@Char I couldn’t agree more Randa Clay is my designer and I luvs her, she did http://RemarkableParents.com
ME Liz Strauss said
Welcome Char,
I’m going to start kick on a new web design. I want something really different like this one . . . http://vikiworks.com/2007/08/24/a-nice-pullquote/
Char said
Vicky - she did a nice job on your site.
ME Liz Strauss said
Except it’s gotta be readable.
Delaney Kirk said
@Liz I really don’t like the black background…my old eyes can’t focus!
Vicky H said
@Dave I fretted over that for quite a while. But luckily the designer hit it right on.
My first designer was a nightmare, second time I asked friends. Definately get recommendations, if the designer’s a little more expensive, but can pull it off their worth it.
ME Liz Strauss said
Randa’s wonderful!
But wait until you see what Char’s done with the SOBCon09 blog!!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
@Dave, I think the problem is a lack of understanding and enforcement; the same with web accessibility.
DaveOlson said
@Liz… I like that site. Nice atmosphere!
Amy Derby said
Liz, that is a migraine waiting to happen.
Terry Lee aka QueenGeek said
Sorry for the website confusion. I’m using rapidweaver for queengeek.me (it’s reset now) and then I have wordpress installed in a sub-dir at queengeek.me/showme. I wanted to have 3 blogs at one site but perhaps that is too much? It was easier (and less expensive) to have 1 domain.
Anway, the links are correct now.
Terry
DaveOlson said
Has anyone used a designer that they found on Elance.com?
Troy Worman said
I like Wendy Piersall’s new design at http://wendypiersall.com
Scot Herrick said
Hi Liz and crowd!
I’ve used many, many themes looking for the “right” design. The themes I am on right now I have used the longest, but not because of the themes themselves.
Instead, what is around the theme…the sidebar content, pictures, and positioning best reflect what I am trying to do with the site for my readers.
So the design is all about connecting to readers.
Char said
White/light text on dark/black backgrounds are a love ‘em or hate ‘em deal - the debates they inspire are a lot like politics - heated and passionate.
Char said
Troy - thanks very much! I did that one, too.
Terry Lee aka QueenGeek said
So, what’s the thought process about having multiple blogs at one domain?
Terry
Troy Worman said
I like Wendy Piersall’s new design at http://wendypiersal.com
Rick Cockrum said
Hi Liz! Hi everyone.
Site design is always something I’ve struggled with.
ME Liz Strauss said
#95
It’s not my colors, but they go with Wendy well. It’ll be fun to watch where she takes it.
Terry Lee aka QueenGeek said
@Troy…I like Wendy’s too…it’s clean & crisp. Not cluttered.
Terry
Delaney Kirk said
@Terry Are you aiming at different readers?
ME Liz Strauss said
Good point, Scot!! (waves)
Design is about connecting . . .
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Rick!
What do you mean . . . struggled?
Nick Schmidt said
Web design is important, and I wish I was awesome at it, but I’m not. At least I think I’m not.
I used to not use an RSS reader because I liked going to the websites on the daily basis to actually “feel” the design of the website.
However, since I have moved to using the RSS feed on a daily basis, I don’t see the design up the website anymore.
So I feel like in a way that the importance of the design has been lessened. But, if I go to a website for the 1st time & I don’t like the design. I will probably not go back.
Kind of like music. They say you have 1st 30seconds of a song to get the listeners attention to continue listening..
This same concept may go with web design too.
Thoughts? Comments?
Char said
Liz - that is the fun part about being a web designer - find the right colors, design elements and style to match the personality of the person/company or product behind the site.
Rick Cockrum said
Visual design isn’t something I, or a lot of us, have developed an eye for. I finally gave up and decided the only thing I would aim for is not letting the look get in the way of the words or conversation. I’ve never understood how designers use the look of a site to encourage conversation. The good ones do it, I know. I just don’t understand how.
Scot Herrick said
One other thing I’ve discovered as I have gone along is the design goes from busy to simplified. You casually add stuff in and then after a while go “Wow, how did that happen?”
Then you simplify…
ME Liz Strauss said
Rick,
Designers encourage conversation the same way writers use words to set mood.
Delaney Kirk said
@Scot Clean look to your site!
I’m thinking about changing mine. However, it seems to be working…
Vicky H said
@Scot Hi!
@Nick If the content is good, I’ll always go back. If the content rocks it can look like a cardboard box I think.
Terry Lee aka QueenGeek said
# 104 — Yes, the aim of each blog is different readers. I started blogging as something to try. If I had to pick a focus..I would pick the “showme” videos as one blog & the vmware/virtualization one as another and let the “general” one go.
Terry
ME Liz Strauss said
Delaney,
I think a change all depends on whether you want to change how people see you.
Delaney Kirk said
@114 Then I think I would separate these out. Maybe trying to be too many things to too many people when throw them all into one site?
Scot Herrick said
@Delaney — thanks for looking. I’m pleased with the look of it. But, I’m working a design to make it a bit simpler.
We’ll see. High hurdle to overcome with the one I have.
BTW, I used to like dark themes…not anymore. Too much reading and the white on black makes it tougher.
ME Liz Strauss said
113,
Vicky,
I think there’s a point at which the design gets in the way.
Nick Schmidt said
@Vicky H… I knew someone would say that… If the content is good I will use it in RSS feed. But I’m saying for them to get my attention 1st off the design should be good.
If it is hard to navigate the content.. Then I usually don’t even bother..
I often wonder if my website is even good enough because everyday I find a better designed website..
Same goes with video and my experience. Kind of hard to pic a good video upload website. Youtube doesn’t really have all that great quality. Blip.tv is awesome for quality and multiple uploads. Vimeo.com is awesome for HD and small community feel and interaction.
Delaney Kirk said
Good point Liz. Change just for the sake of changing may actually be detrimental to the blog.
Terry Lee aka QueenGeek said
@114 Hmmm….I’ve got to decide soon as I’m speaking/presenting at PodCampAZ in a few weeks and I want to site to be good. The attendees are podcasters, screencasters so I’ll have to decide ASAP.
Thanks for the input.
Scot Herrick said
Liz, Vicky, I agree design can get in the way. One of the most awful designs is HuffingtonPost.com. I get what they are trying to do with the big headline and pictures above the fold…but you can’t easily find stuff.
They are trying to be the “Internet Newspaper” but fail to match printed newspaper readability.
ME Liz Strauss said
Nick,
Don’t compare with anyone but yourself. That’s essential.
Vicky H said
@Nick @Liz Exactly. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Their will always be something new and shiny out there. Do your own thing, if you like it and get good feedback, then it’s working.
Terry Lee aka QueenGeek said
I recently helped a friend by doing a usability test of a new site…OMG!!! It was designed by PHd Engineer types. Sorry if I offend anyone but it was so complicated, too much info and the site didn’t flowed. Hence, I was looking at mine and others. There are some things that I like about Liz’s site & I’ve only been here twice. (Heavy sigh). I’ve got lots of work to do but I’ll get there.
It seems that “less is more” seems to apply for web design that makes the reader at least take more than a 3 second look at the site.
Terry
ME Liz Strauss said
Well said, Vicky.
You’re the best you on the planet!
Vicky H said
Thanks everyone for the great conversation. I have to get my 12 yo in the shower and then to bed.
Good night!
Char said
Web designs are like people - no two should be exactly alike.
Rick Cockrum said
Good night, Vicky H.
ME Liz Strauss said
Char,
You should put that sentence in your sidebar. Web designs are like people - no two should be exactly alike.
Jannie said
I figure if I keep my content plenty “sticky,” people will keep coming back, so I never worry about my RSS. In addition to having a pleasing-looking site, keeping it sticky, which Liz is great at, has got to be a high high priority.
Char said
Thanks Liz! I think I will.
Timothy Johnson said
Hi all… sorry I’m so late tonight.
ME Liz Strauss said
Good night, Vicky.
See you tomorrow!
Suzie Cheel said
@ Amy like the icecream design- really clean
@ liz http://www.trillianastra.com/ not 4 me type too small too
http://vikiworks.com/2007/08/24/a-nice-pullquote/ hard to read righthand column- ask Des about black not a goer
Joe said
Hey Liz,
Hey All,
KLONDIKES!!! For All!!!
Happy Blog B-Day to Us!
Terry Lee aka QueenGeek said
Sticky????
Amy Derby said
Hello pseudohusband.
Rick Cockrum said
Happy Bloggy Birthday, Joe!
ME Liz Strauss said
I agree with you Suzie,
It’s gotta be readable. I like the ideas, not the reability.
Timothy Johnson said
Hi there Amy Derby… how are you tonight?
Rick Cockrum said
pseudohusband?
Jannie said
Sticky, keep readers coming back. (I think that’s the term?)
Suzie Cheel said
Hi Joe, enjoy the Klondike
i do like some of uniqueblogdesigns.com they seem to get good reports
ME Liz Strauss said
Hey Joe,
Happy Blog Birthday!
Char said
Hi Joe - Send a Klondike this way.
Terry Lee - Sticky is just web term for content that keeps readers coming back over and over because it is fresh, relevant, and useful.
Nick Schmidt said
@Liz & @Vicky
I just see things people are doing.. and I think it is cool. And I want to be “cool” too.. Meaning have a good design..
I will always be myself, but always looking for improving and learning!
Jannie said
Gotta get my kiddo to bed too.
Good night! Been fun, Liz.
Terry Lee aka QueenGeek said
#146 Thanks Char.
Rick Cockrum said
I’m being asked to read a story. Good night all.
Thank you, Liz. Have a great evening!
ME Liz Strauss said
Good Night, Rick!
Thanks for coming!
Timothy Johnson said
Rick
http://www.successful-blog.com/1/the-mic-is-on-were-talking-about-animals-we-love/#comment-1170113
to answer your question about the pseudo husband comment
Amy Derby said
Rick,
Tim is my pseudohusband. As in, I proposed to him fakely. It’s kinda like BFF forever in a highschool yearbook, but an online grownup version.
Tim,
How’s your web design tonight?
Terry Lee aka QueenGeek said
Well all. Thanks for the info but I must get some dinner and get rid of a headache.
Bless you all and have a goodnight.
Terry.
Timothy Johnson said
Well, Amy, trapsing down the runway tonight, Carpe Factum is sporting a sharp design of turquoise and olive. Doesn’t it look stunning out there on the catwalk tonight?
(I’m too sexy for my blog, too sexy for my blog, too sexy, yeah.)
ME Liz Strauss said
Good Night Terry Lee!
Nice to meet you!
Terry Lee aka QueenGeek said
Thanks Liz…I love this site.
Delaney Kirk said
I think the term sticky came from the book Made to Stick: http://tinyurl.com/4e9llx
Amy Derby said
Three meows for Carpe Factum.
Char said
Very nice Tim!
Timothy Johnson said
I have to give credit where credit is due. Sandy Renshaw of Purple Wren Designs is a blog-web-designing-goddess-extraordinaire.
Delaney Kirk said
Got to take this phone call. Bye all.
Nick Schmidt said
@Delany Kirk #158.. Those authors also have a monthly column in the Fast Company Magazine
Timothy Johnson said
G’night Delaney
ME Liz Strauss said
Good Night Delaney!
Thanks for stopping in.
ME Liz Strauss said
uh-oh Now’s when the crazy stuff seems to start. . .
Char said
What crazy stuff?
Joe said
The closest I ever came to designing a Blog was actually a redesign of the one I use on WAHI.
Some improvements in navigation and darker (for those who aren’t adverse to dark themes).
http://joesfinds.workingathomeinternet.com/2008/06/03/like-the-new-theme/
If anyone happens to like it, it can still be downloaded.
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Char,
We’ve had some great conversations at the last hour or so of open comments these past few weeks.
Timothy Johnson said
OK, Liz (per 166), ditch your clothes one time and streak through open-mic night and you’re marked for life
Char said
Liz - okay - let the craziness begin.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
LookIng good, Mr T.
Amy Derby said
Joe, I don’t mind dark themes as long as it’s not white type on black. W/B gives me a headache. But the chrome look of that one is pretty cool.
Suzie Cheel said
off to write a blog post or 2, see you next week
Amy Derby said
Liz, I’ll be good.
ME Liz Strauss said
Why, Tim, I was even thinking about you streaking. It was the cat conversation that I’m still laughing about.
Timothy Johnson said
Amy - I did a PPT with white print on black and it looked pretty sharp. The “black” background was actually a picture I took while photographing the SWAT team.
Suzie Cheel said
none of you watching the debate? obama is looking good
Timothy Johnson said
and speaking of PPT, have any of you heard of pecha kucha?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecha_Kucha
Amy Derby said
Tim, there are some that look very cool. (I’m sure yours was one.) But for a blog I read every day, I just can’t do it. Especially if the posts are long and there are a lot of comments.
Amy Derby said
Suzie — Everything I ever wanted to know about the debates I learned on twitter.
Timothy Johnson said
Speaking of PPTs, have any of you heard of “pecha kucha”?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecha_Kucha
ME Liz Strauss said
I’m with Amy on the white type on black. I think works impressively on ppt., short bursts and display type, but not a whole blog.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Mr T, light on dark for ppt is good from an accessibility perspective. Tho minimize the background noise to maximize readability.
Timothy Johnson said
yeah, I could see on a blog it would be a little obnoxious
Char said
I’m with you on that Amy. Debate is on and I’m half listening. But I prefer the conversation here.
Timothy Johnson said
speaking of PPTs, have any of you heard of pecha kucha? 20 slides x 20 seconds per slide.
http://www.pecha-kucha.org
Amy Derby said
Char — Before I joined twitter I didn’t even know who was running for what. I live in a cave. On purpose.
Amy Derby said
Tim, I hadn’t heard of it, but this is right by my friend’s house:
http://www.pecha-kucha.org/cities/chicago/0
Timothy Johnson said
I think I’m going to use this on my students next spring.
Joe said
Thanks Amy, I tried to make it a little dark and still be readable.
I don’t think it works for everyone, but some people have actually downloaded it!?!
My main thought was improving navigation, then just changed the look a bit.
Rick Wolff said
*puf*puf*puf* Sorry I’m late. How’s everybody?
ME Liz Strauss said
#188
Going to use what?
Amy Derby said
Hey Rick. How’s your web design this evening?
Rick Wolff said
Actually, it’s getting a little better with every post. I have old English blackletter dropcaps on the first paragraph of my posts!
Timothy Johnson said
Liz - per the 188 comment you referred to in 191, see 185
I’ll try to watch my use of demonstrative pronouns in the future
Amy Derby said
Rick, I love it.
Have you downloaded the newest thesis yet? I so don’t want to bother, unless you tell me it’s really friggen cool.
ME Liz Strauss said
Ah 194. 10-4
Char said
Rick - I like what you have done with the Thesis theme. Did you do it yourself? Is it an easy theme to work with?
Timothy Johnson said
ok all… I need to get some rest… great chatting with everyone.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
A fun tool for playing with colour schemes is visibone’s colour lab. I’d leave the link, but then I’d fall in the fish pond.
Rick Wolff said
Amy, I’m in a holding pattern waiting for Chris Pearson’s magazine theme, Cosmo. That way I’ll have the goal of filling all those empty boxes with pictorial content.
Char, with what I’ve done with Thesis, you look into the CSS file, see what you want to change, copy the whole line into a file called “custom.css”, change the little detail to your taste, and that’s all there is to it. (I have no real means of comparison, since this is my first theme. But so far so good.)
ME Liz Strauss said
Glenda,
All you have to do is tell me it’s there and I’ll fetch it.
Rick Wolff said
As far as playing with color themes, I already own the big gun: Adobe Illustrator.
ME Liz Strauss said
BTW everyone!
I’m moving servers so things are changing around here very soon.
Look for an announcement about that.
Rick Wolff said
Glenda, how are you, lady? I read a story about you from the “Fairy Blogmother”. Boy, we could have used her in WordCamp NYC. It was a little dry (but informative).
Amy Derby said
Night Tim.
Rick, Cosmo does look cool.
Char, thesis is easy. I’m an idiot, and I can do it.
Char said
Liz - I’m glad you made that decision. I think it will work to your benefit in the long run.
Rick - thanks for the insight. I have reworked many themes and done some from “scratch” - some are easier than others.
Rick Wolff said
Wild story today. I’m leaving my job soon. A co-worker and I worked for a company together 23 years ago. The owner of the company concentrated on a media company I designed a logo for: Man in the Moon Productions. I Googled it. There is no such thing. but at the bottom of the page was Half Moon Productions: an indie filmmaker raising funds to make a documentary about Henry Hudson’s discovery of NYC! Isn’t that FRICKInG AMAZING?
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
ok Liz, I’ll go have find the link. Haven’t played with it for a while.
Btw, I really appreciate our email conversation last week. You gave me such a great lesson. Thank you.
Amy Derby said
Liz, speaking of changes, did you change your rss feed? I can only get it in google now, not in bloglines. Bloglines comes up with a feed moved but they can’t find it kind of error.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
This fun for playing with college http://www.visibone.com/colorlab/
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Liz, time to go fishing, please.
Char said
Time for me to get some sleep all. I enjoyed your company as usual - see you again next week.
ME Liz Strauss said
Rick,
I think get what you’re saying that’s really something that you ended up doing the same thing. Wild huh!
Amy Derby said
Rick, that’s pretty wild all right!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Rick, I’m doing great, thanks. That video is spreading like wildfire through the blogosphere.
Rick Wolff said
I’m saying that sometimes info that I can use tends to just gravitationally fall at me. I’ve heard of others talk about this. What’s it called again?
Amy, are you saying you have seen Cosmo? Where?
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Amy,
I don’t know what the story is with the Bloglines feed. The feed through b5 is still working. I just clicked the button. Hmmm.
Amy Derby said
Rick, I meant it sounds cool. I haven’t seen it.
ME Liz Strauss said
Good Night, Char!
Thanks for all you’re doing!
Amy Derby said
Liz, no worries. I know where to find you.
Was just curious. I’m getting seriously fed up with feed readers. No pun intended. Heh.
Rick Wolff said
Everybody’s winding down. I don’t blame you. Let me just suspend my pocketwatch here, on the end of my chain. You are getting
v e r y s l e e p y .
Joe said
Well, now I gotta say Goodnight
New themes abound to our delight
Change can be good as part of our goal
But not to the detriment of our soul
Never forget who reads your Blog
If it weren’t for readers we’d be in a fog.
Burma Shave
Nite Liz
Nite All
ME Liz Strauss said
Good night, Joe,
Sleepy swell!
Rick Wolff said
It’s that time for me, too. Nighty night, folks. Amy, and Liz, and Joe and Glenda, and everybody else I can see through the magic mirror.
ME Liz Strauss said
Sweet dreams everyone!
Thanks for being here again!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Time for sup with hubby. G’night every. Thanks Liz.
Amy Derby said
Late goodnights from me.