FIRST!!!!
I know, I know, you don't like purple. Or black. And that font over there is too small to read. And don't even get you started on squares, they're almost as bad as having to walk around with a rock in your shoe. These are all valid complaints and are being taken very seriously. Or at least, somewhat seriously, because there was this one email that was very passionate in its hatred of this change, and she was all DIE! DIE! DIE! and then there at the bottom was her signature followed by a quote from Jesus.
I'm going to let Jon talk about all the technical issues surrounding this redesign and why we decided to go with a different content management system, because all I did was draw up a design in Photoshop and say MAKE IT LOOK LIKE THIS. He has been knee-deep in code for almost two months now, and the only way we were able to launch the new design this soon and not, say, after we had both died of old age is because he had help from two expert developers, Ben Durbin and Bill Bostick. The amount and quality of work that they did was indispensable, cannot recommend them enough, and mostly I just want to thank them for all the support they gave Jon because without them he would have gone completely bald.
Yesterday as we neared the final stretch I decided to take Leta out to run some errands so Jon could project manage those last few tasks without being distracted by the sound of her body tossing itself on the floor. He briefly got up from this desk to kiss me goodbye when I noticed two giant sweat stains underneath his arms, and I was all, are you running on a treadmill while coding my website? Isn't that complicated? And he's all, yes I'm running on a treadmill, WITH MY BRAIN.
So what did I hope to accomplish with this redesign? First and foremost, I wanted to be able to post bigger photographs. That was a huge problem with the previous design, and for years I could only post photos that were 450 pixels wide. Which is why I always posted vertical photos, just to get as much out of those 450 pixels as possible. Now the width is almost double that, which gives me so much more freedom with the camera.
Two, I wanted to start a Daily Style section, some place to store my thoughts and photographs on the design of things in everyday life. When brainstorming ways to incorporate that into the site it made sense to make it a feature like the Daily Photo and Daily Chuck, mainly because I wanted it to include a photograph I'd taken of the object myself to emphasize the fact that these are things I use, these are things in my home.
Three, the Daily Links section has moved from the sidebar into the main content column. This is to give those links more emphasis, and sometime this week the background color of those entries will change color a tiny bit to differentiate them from the other posts. Also coming this week: a "previous" and "next" button at the bottom of all the posts for easier navigation and a redirected RSS feed (so you won't have to re-subscribe to it).
Finally, I'm hoping to be able to open comments more frequently with this redesign. In recent months when I opened comments my server would crash under the 17 million scripts that ran to publish a single comment, and often people would think that their comment hadn't published only to have it publish ten times in a row. That had everything to do with how the pages were built, and we think we've solved this problem.
Soon we'll find out because I'm going to open up comments on this post to get your feedback, and I just totally winced writing that. Please be gentle for I am a delicate flower. Also, before you leave a comment you are required to watch this video. Twice. (video is not completely safe for work, but worth getting yelled at for it)
Also also, while comments are open, is there any question you'd like to see answered in the FAQ? Other than SHOW US YR TITZZ!!!!!!!!!! Because that question is getting old.
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Heather talks about public tantrums (from kids) on today's Momversation.
- RIP Louis Mortimer Armstrong: http://bit.ly/1R4tv6
- Hugs and kisses to you, too! RT: @Monkey_Tree: @dooce he probably committed suicide because he was tired of LISTENING TO YOU WHINE.
- Our fish just died. And I'm sitting here crying. And it wasn't even my fault!
301. Al said:
Heather,
After reading a few articles, poking around the archives, and browsing some pictures, I have to say this is the most comfortable I've ever found the site, and for a number of factors it's the most "you". For this long time reader anyway. Congratulations, it's a solid design in every sense. Enjoy it.
302. Kat said:
The site is fantastic. You are fantastic.
I do miss the random links on the sidebar, though! But the Daily Style will more than make up for it, I'm sure.
303. Kristen said:
I likes it!
304. MarkJ said:
Love the new layout!
The purple and black are clean and fresh.
And comments....OMG..... I'm speechless..
Well almost :)
305. Lisa said:
Redesign is gorgeous.
Your daily links are a highlight of my day.
The photo size is a great improvement.
Also wanted to tell you that your ad network is doing a fine job. Always relevant, very highly targeted ads which is appreciated. They say that someday, advertising will become so targeted that it will disappear - that, by then, it will just be information that you want.
Cheers to you.
306. Dan said:
I like it. Are you planning on changing the color scheme each month to fit the masthead, or are you going to be sticking with black and purple?
First.
307. Carmen said:
I love the new site, I love the banner, and I especially love that you opened up the comments!!!!!!!
308. Caren said:
Love the new design! It was worth the wait!
309. ME said:
Love the new design! But I liked the old "I am Heather B. Armstrong. This is my website" photo. (the one where we couldn't see the lower part of your face) It was so...doocified?! (read as: GREAT!)
310. Heather B. said:
Perhaps because I'm looking at the site in Safari, but it looks great and I'm especially keen on the new Daily Style section along with the comments about your other daily photo.
Also someone mentioned this before but an update on the camera equipment would be superb. I know you wrote a post about it when you all bought the Canon but a little overview/detail on which camera you prefer for certain types of shots would be kick ass.
311. Joey said:
The site is fabulous (especially the larger photos and the daily style section).
And anyone who (violently, vehemently) disagrees can take an A-1 bottle you know where.
Cheers.
312. Manika said:
I completely love your site and the new design. I was introduced to your site only a couple of months ago, and now I can't do without a daily visit. Or 10.
Tell Chuck he's awesome.
313. Jo said:
I like it - it's clean, fresh looking and if it's going to make posting easier for you - ba da bing! I loved the video - made me lol.
314. Amber said:
I liked the old links section. Everything else rocks! I really like the header.
315. alivicwil said:
looks fantabulous!
Not sure if you care, but I've noticed that this second page of comments has started the commenter count again - we have 1-11 on page 2, instead of the real 301-311 count.
316. not verified said:
The new look is great--downright smacks of the eighties without the mullet. Glad to see the change of the layout to accomodate the pictures like the hair...the bigger the better.
317. ozma said:
I keep thinking that I want some kind of super special internet page thing.
And you've just showed me the internet is too hard for me. You've helped me greatly in realizing I should just give up and not even try.
In fact, this website is quite amazing but I would not appreciate it because I just expect the internet things to be there and do whatever it is I desire but the detail of the sweatstains has enlightened me forever.
318. Bibi said:
I love the purple, I love the black, I love the squares and I love the fonts!
Very good work... this site keeps getting better and better!
319. Jennifer said:
Not crazy about the new look but don't mind me. I know nothing about web design. I do know that I'll get used to the new face before long and then hate whatever changes you make down the road.
But as long as you are writing and taking pictures I will remain a loyal fan.
320. tjk said:
this looks very nice
321. kasia.wska said:
i like the new design, although i'm getting used to the fact that the posts are so-on-the-left-side.
but all the rest is so pretty pretty and i love the whole daily style idea.
good luck and well done, dooce!:)
kasia from poland
322. Holly said:
Not to abuse the comments being on, but some people are talking about the ads, and I don't see any ads? I'm using firefox.
323. D. Monkey said:
MEH...
it's chewy but the fonts are too 7th grade girl writing about the boy she likes. ya know? I'm surprised the "I" are not dotted with hearts.
ok, and the pic of you is fucking weird. don't take that the wrong way, but it's a realtor pic, it really is.
it just scares me.
324. siobhan said:
I really like the design. I like the fact that the photos are much bigger. I preferred the links on the side, but I'm not going to cause a fuss about it. :)
Congratulations on the new layout.
325. Kalin said:
I, too, would love to see more camera info in the faq, including which lenses you use, what kind of editing you do on pictures, etc.
What I'd REALLY love is being able to see the exif data of your daily photos. I love seeing how other photographers manipulate their settings, and I've always admired your photography style. But that's more of a nerddream than anything else. :)
326. Nat said:
Well, I love it. I absolutely love the little comments you include in your pictures, and I love the style ones. I think it really has improoved, and it opened much easier than the last few weeks with the old one. Maybe you could link in about you page the couple of blogs that tell about how you met Jon, when you got married, and when Leta was born. It took me a long time to find them and read them, just to unerstand more who you are, so I guess it would be nice for new readers to sort of have an easier access to it. but it's all up to you. well done, Heather and Jon, and Bill and ben!:)
327. Abby said:
Just wanted you to know that you have your very own Facebook group. Only 120 members, but growing fast. Dooce is a phenomenon, and we love you! And love that you're using reCaptcha!!
328. ERIN said:
Heather,
I loved reading your blog, and loved when you added the daily Chuck! Your sense of humorous is hilarious! Love you baby!
329. Robyn said:
I happen to like the redesign very much. I think it looks very cool and is easy to read and navigate.
And that video *rocks*!!
330. candace said:
i like it. love the squares, am okay with the purple. and you look perty in your picture. do i detect a professional make-up job?
331. lee said:
naa.
332. Cindi said:
Well, purple is my favorite color! What's wrong with purple? On my computer the font is very very large so that is going to take some getting used to for me. The font of people's comments here is the same size of what your font used to look like in the blog content section.
I love the picture of Chuck on the masthead too. It's nice to be able to comment too!
333. Ulla Lauridsen said:
Delicate flower, my ass!
I liked it better with the text centeret, with the things to ignore out on the sides, easily ignorable, but if this works for you...
Thanks for writing your blog, by the way. Your text is often the highlight of my day, and even if that says something about my day, it says something about your writing, too.
334. Lynn said:
I think the new format of the site ROCKS! I commented on Jon's blog, giving Kudos to both of you.
Love the fact that your photos are now bigger, I am a huge fan of both yours and your husbands talents.It often inspires me to get off my butt and take some pictures.
Thanks to both of you for all your hard work and dedication- you brighten so many people's days.
335. Salena said:
I love everything about your new design and I'm especially thrilled with the Daily Style photo - I love seeing what you've captured with your "eye."
You guys did a great job and as always, I look forward to your fabulous writing, your spectacular family tales and Chuck!
BTW, have you ever seen this site: www.durhamtownship.com
She's got some great photos and they are HUGE - different style than you, but a great photographer.
Oh...and I do hope you'll keep doing the different masthead thing...they're always fabulous!!
336. Stella said:
Oooh! Schmick. Much glossier than the previous one.
Congrats on all your hard work - it's paid off.
337. Dharma said:
I am thrilled that you finally opened up the comments!!! I adore your blog and your writing. There are times when I am nodding my head along with every word. I am also a "recovering Mormon" and can relate very well.
Love the new colors and Chuck is almost always used as the wallpaper on my desktop!! I love dogs and he is just the best!!
338. imaginary sarah said:
Too. Tired. Can't. Think.
I just read almost all of these comments, and ding dang, woman! That's a lot of 'em. I don't think anyone will hear mine.
I say there isn't enough purple and black. Smear it on the walls! Mix it around and pass out glow sticks!
(Also, curiously, my spam preventer dealio gave me "curries order." How did it know that I had curry tonight?)
339. Lara David said:
um, i kind of feel stupid being the umpteen-hundredth commenter just to say, "hi, i really like your site, and your dog's cool, and your daughter's adorable, and your husband seems like a stand-up sort of guy."
so i won't say that. instead, i'll say your site sucks and i hate it.
(but deep down, i think we both know i'm lying just to feel important. because really? it's awesome and i'm just jealous.)
340. Matt said:
Regarding your comment about photo size. I recommend something called lightbox found at http://www.huddletogether.com/projects/lightbox2/
Give the example on the page a go.
341. Blythe said:
The redesign looks great, and the new, larger photo format is gorgeous.
My question:
How many e-mails do you receive per day? How many are friendly and how many are crazy people who need some organic free-range chicken broth to help them calm down?
You write such personal stories in a wonderful, conversational tone and it makes us, your readers, feel like we can just drop you a note and you'll write back in a sec. I think it would be interesting to know the volume of mail you receive, and would help us to see why you can't reply to every message.
342. jill said:
Beautiful redesign. Form + function = beauty. Well done Baldy and Bill and Ben.
343. Jenn said:
I don't care what you say, Heather. I am first, damnit. Hook us up with a big picture on your new improved site of Jon's now bald head.
Are Mormons allowed to use purple and black?
344. Zinzy Geene said:
Hey Heather!
Congratulations on the new design.
Bit of a shocker at first (I'm in between moving so I hadn't seen a decent internet page for three days, so I was shocked as it is), but I think it is really nice. Well done.
Looking forward to 'coming home' to this thing!
Zinzy from The Netherlands
345. dd said:
Love the layout, but do wish the links were still separate. I suppose I can just view only "links" but then I lose the description of what the link actually is.
Otherwise - great job rethinking the site! I'm enjoying the new style section and the descriptions of each photo.
346. Chanel said:
I really like the new redesign! To be honest, I was getting (very) bored of the old one (as I imagine you guys were!) so I'm very happy to see something fresh and new. The font is not too small, and the black and purple is great.
My only issue is the background color - you've made the content area background white, and then the background itself bg, with only some shading to define the two. Maybe have the background itself a different color, like a shade of grey or something?
I'm very excited about the daily style section. :D
Kudos to Jon for the hard work!
347. Beth said:
I think this makes me comment 301, which means I'm slow. I like the redesign as well. I don't like the fact that I can't tell the links from the ads - you might want to box them up somehow. Otherwise, site is beautiful. You are beautiful. I'm sure Jon is now beautiful - Leta is definitely beautiful - soooo, go eat some turkey!
348. megantidd said:
First, that video: Hi-LARIOUS. Although my coworkers didn't like the whole really loud 'VAGINA!!!' thing, but whatever. Also, might I stretch out here & say I'm not particularly fond of the font (I'm pretty sure it's Giddyup)? Maybe I'm the only one, but it's a bit jarring. That, or maybe I'm blind.
But, boy, do I love to comment...
349. Kris-Stella said:
I like the new set-up, and from what I remember of the previus site (I usually stay in my Google Reader), this one is easier to navigate. The colours look great, too!
Just one suggestiong regarding the rss feeds. I couldn't find separate rss feeds for the different sections of the website. It might be an idea to have a separate rss for the main blog and for each of the photo sections, in addition to the main rss with everything in it. If that already exists, maybe just make it easier to find for confused little ones like myself...
Thanks for your blog, I really enjoy reading it!
350. Noemi said:
Like the 300+ people before I think the re-design looks great :D
Although I do hate the "enter these almost unrecognizable words to prove you're not a robot" tester thingy though...
351. Sarah Mackenzie said:
Love it. And even if I didn't it would be irrelevant. Don't like purple? Who cares.
352. Gretchen said:
Is all good baby. Keep up the good work. I'm doing this all for testing purposes, of course.
Yes, I know I can't spell.
353. ally simpson said:
I love it!!!
354. Kathy said:
I love the new design. It looks great here in Safari. The font is fine; I don't think it's too small, but I used to have a site whose type was so small people told me they needed an 8x loupe to see it.
355. Di said:
Thank you for your content and style change. We are building a house and I now have a template for our decor. We shall rename the "great room" the "daily chuck" room, the family room the "style room" and the media room the "photo room". My kitchen will be a subtle combination of purple granite and black cabinets...a la Chuck's scarf. And instead of having a ubiquitous saying like "Live. Laugh. Love" hand painted on the walls of my kitchen, I shall simply have someone handpaint the Dooce new logo (may I have permission please if I use a little TM or the r with a circle?) And in the garage on the side of my house? A constantly changing series of ads and links. Thank you for the inspiration.
356. Maggie said:
I love the redesign. I think it looks great. Great Job!
Also, thanks for the much needed LOL in the morning.
357. Sharon said:
Some thoughts/suggestions
The search function:
- brings up results that I find quite difficult to decipher i.e. too much space, too many different font sizes/colours/ styles,too many results (should be able to selectively remove the photos from your results or the blog entries or whatever)
- Has a comma in between the dates and months e.g. "Thursday 15, November". It makes me mentally take a pause before reading the month name, and trips me up every time. You could probably do without the month separator all together and just add the year into the line e.g "Thursday 15, November 200x"
I find the ads very intrusive and taking up way too much eye space. Although being from outside the USA the ads are pretty much irrelevant anyway. I understand the need to have them, kinda, but maybe there is a better way? Or at least a less grab-for-cash kinda way?
FAQ - would love to have it include the story of why you left the LDS church. Other than the obvious reason that it is just a load of made up shiat.
Oh and nice present to the Doociples making everyone have a first post - cute!
358. Sharon said:
Some thoughts/suggestions
The search function:
brings up results that I find quite difficult to decipher i.e. too much space, too many different font sizes/colours/ styles,too many results (should be able to selectively remove the photos from your results or the blog entries or whatever)
Has a comma in between the dates and months e.g. "Thursday 15, November". It makes me mentally take a pause before reading the month name, and trips me up every time. You could probably do without the month separator all together and just add the year into the line e.g "Thursday 15, November 200x"
I find the ads very intrusive and taking up way too much eye space. Although being from outside the USA the ads are pretty much irrelevant anyway. I understand the need to have them, kinda, but maybe there is a better way? Or at least a less grab-for-cash kinda way?
FAQ - would love to have it include the story of why you left the LDS church. Other than the obvious reason that it is just a load of made up shiat.
Oh and nice present to the Doociples making everyone have a first post - cute!
359. Seren said:
I think it looks lovely. Any masthead with Chuck on it is great. I have this as an rss feed on my Livejournal and I was startled when it actually had the whole post instead of just a teaser. Astonished, I tell you! And ooooh, bigger pictures of Chuck. I'm only here for Chuck you know. (Well, not really. But he is an amzingly photogenic pooch. Ordered the calendar for my husband again, by the way. We hung the last one over the cats' bowls, which really confused them. Chuck, the discerning cat's pin up boy.)
360. Erica said:
WHOO HOO! :P
We're ALL "FIRSSTTT!!!!"
Did you do that on purpose, Heather?
I'm still debating on what I think of the website. Give it time. I am resistant to change. By the time you change it again, I'll probably love it. ;P
BTW: When I first found your website, the ONLY reason I initially continued to read was because ::GASP:: someone named their daughter Leta, and as you can tell from my e-mail address if you've seen it, I am a fan of the name. Although, I spell it Leita.
It's been a joy reading your site, and death to all the haters!
Well wishes!
361. Anne said:
Great job on the new look. I love it all!
362. silverblue said:
I think the redesign is gorgeous... and boy, will I love those 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons when they come!
Nice work, everyone involved!!
363. Cassie said:
I happen to love both purple and black.
Way to go, both of you! :)
364. Leesa said:
I love squares.. and purple!! What is wrong with people???!!!
You rock and so does your new look!!
365. silverblue said:
Although while I think about it, having the main text a little bigger (it's smaller than the comments at the moment, or is that just Firefox freaking out on me?) would be fabulous. :)
<3
366. Betsy Barron said:
Your writing style is terrific and your stories are a hoot. Would love it if you (or Jon over at blurbomat) would include a weekly or monthly Photoshop tutorial and share all the vignetted gorgeousness that is your (and his) photography. Like the new site, it's growing on me. ps. Chuck rocks.
367. Amy said:
I think the new design is great. The ads seem much less cumbersome now that they are all lumped to the right like that. I also like the larger thumbnails for the dailies. I'll agree with a few others that the post font is a little small. It's fine most of the time, but when I'm reading blogs in the middle of the night to stay awake while nursing my daughter, my eyes can't handle little text.
368. Sharon Faulk said:
I've got to tell you, I rarely come to the actual site. I subscribe using my rss on Safari and read you that way. I get to avoid all those hated ads (I understand but I still don't like them) and just see the content. Of course the trade-off is missing your new mast head designs each month.
But now, I have to come to the site in order to see the pics which is what I like best. Yes, I have little time to read your long posts so I look for my quick fix.
I guess I will have to make a decision to still with your 95% great content and stop looking other blogs with 25% good content. I hate being forced to choose.
Regarding the black & purple, not a favorite of mine but my dead DH would have loved it.
369. Cathy said:
I like the squares.
370. Linda said:
If you ever get down far enough to read this (I think I'm comment #368 or something) - just wanted to say, your new look totally rocks!!! Really great redesign!!
371. Anonymous said:
Odd that you bring up small fonts. In Firefox the text comes through fine, but on my RSS reader (Feedreader 3.1) the text for the posts is teeny tiny, much moreso than any of the other text on the page. Not sure if anything can be done, but thought you'd like to know.
372. Beth said:
I like the new design, especially having all of the advertisements in one neat bundle on the right hand side of the page. The bottom archive section is also rockin.
Solid design improvements. Nice work!
373. The Grocer said:
Now I know how many readers you have does this mean I can stop furiously clicking on all those ads? I just wanted to add some balance by saying I really hate the site and the dog and the style of writing and, oh I can't keep it up I just hate you for being so clever and funny, there it's out. Congratulations on the new ugly site anyway.
Oh and the random word, spam spotter below just came up with my 7 week old baby boy's name, how spooky is that? Shit maybe I offended someone really important.
374. Jenni said:
Generally, I'm enjoying the new layout. I like the new Style pictures, love the captioning and I'm enjoying the streamlined look of the text which doesn't force me to look at adverts. Thanks. Not sure I'm a fan of the daily links integrated into the main flow of text, but perhaps the different colored background will help with that. As for new FAQ questions, well, in light of recent media, I'd have to ask diamonds or pearls, boxers or briefs?
375. TJ said:
I'm not much of a commenter, myself, but I do like to read comments. Is there a way that there can be links distinguishing between read comments and leave a comment or is there and I was too dumb to see it? When you click on (70billioncomments) it drops you all the way to the comment box, making you scroll back up through all of them to read them. My scroll finger is lazy. Otherwise, is pretty.
376. Nicki said:
I absolutely love the new layout!! Don't let these naysayers get you down, I love, love, love it!!
377. shreve said:
I think it's fab.
378. Emmdy said:
I'm so glad that the comments I've seen are (mostly) free of pitchforks.
Purple + Black = Good.
379. I Should Be Folding Laundry said:
Looks great, worth the wait!
Squares? Good, different!
Font size? perfect!
Bigger pictures? Can't wait!
380. la_florecita said:
I dig! Great work, guys!!
381. Christopher said:
Other than it appearing a little too white, it all looks good. Yay bigger pix! Good job, Jon. B+.
382. Becca said:
i'm down with the colors. they were inspired by chuck's halloween costume anyway.
383. runr said:
I like it!
384. Anonymous said:
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE it if the ads could be moved to the left side of the page. As currently placed, they are very distracting for us right-brained people (as a fellow neat-freak, I'm sure you can appreciate that).
Otherwise, the new design is lovely.
385. katie said:
julie - it's in the FAQs
dooce - i love it!
386. Alda said:
Um. I don't love it. It's okay but I liked the old one better. I find this a bit heavy and the banner too busy - I wish there was more space around it like the last one so it could be enjoyed in all its stunning glory. BUT! I totally buy your reasons for changing and anyway, your blog is so great that the packaging is incidental ... I'll still be reading.
387. Wampus said:
Ummm.. it's pretty kewl. I only log on because Chuck is "The Man" and it breaks up my work day a little bit and..... I like to spy into other peoples lives sometimes. I'm not in it for the "Style" section myself. Great job Heather and Jon. I'm on to your "First" scam..
388. Kim said:
Tell Jon that he really earned his *and* your paychecks this year. Great work!
I'm not terribly keen on the design. May I echo the horror of black and purple? Halloween is so October, Heather! Where's the orange and brown overload? The red-and-green pukefest? I'm just kidding, of course. It'll all change for january anyway, so who cares what I think?
Most importantly, I love the idea of larger photos and the Daily Design section. Looking forward to those. Thanks for such a great site.
389. Dianne said:
Thanks for mentioning over and over how much work it took/takes Jon to keep your site going and changing it over. As a programmer, I can see how much it must have taken but to someone else, I assume it seems like it should've taken a day. Kudos for giving us programmers behind the scenes some props ;-)
390. becca said:
the new site is so luscious i want to lick it. no, seriously. rock on team dooce!
391. Laurenne said:
Looks good to me!
392. RaeRaeMcK said:
Dooce, I'm so excited about the daily style pics. Can't wait to see more of your style.
I'm also glad you'll be able to open comments more often because it's so much more fun to interact, instead of being a lurker.
393. Sonya said:
I am blown away by your photography skills. Anything that gives us more pictures in any width you need is good by me.
394. Anonymous said:
I like it! I do miss your links on the side to new things or sites that you enjoy. I hope those will return once things settle down with the new design. I kind of miss your old photo, too -- but, alas, I understand that newer is often better...
395. wwcutie said:
A bonus feature with the new RSS feed: I now get all the daily links in my feed, which means I had about five times more dooce this morning.
396. Sarah said:
I love your page and check for updates daily. The only thing I think would make it any better at all is a "HOME" link. Maybe there is one and I left the beach babe blonde on too long and have been missing it. Last night I looked around the site and was nearly in a frenzy trying to figure out how to get back to that days post. Using my browsers back button was soooo taxing.
397. Cobwebs said:
I really like the new design. It's attractive and easy to navigate, and it showcases the content rather than detracting from it.
I'd say it's a hit.
398. Bronson Page said:
We love you. Your content rocks. The redesign, not so much. Save yourself and your marriage and do it in iWeb.
399. slodwick said:
I think the redesign is a triumph of beauty and gorgeousness and purple -- well-done to all those involved, and I look forward to being able to fling my half-formed fangirly thoughts at you on a more regular basis. And Daily Style is going to be my new favorite thing, I can tell.
400. Brian G said:
396th! Love the new redesign, and I love the nerdlyness of using Drupal as your content management system.
Congrats on the big launch!
401. Brighton said:
I love the new look, love the purple, love the squares- I'm ok with the whole thing. I think that anyone who complains should sit for two months with sweat stains under their pits and come up with something better.
Thank you so much the honesty in your writing!
(also, could Leta be ANY more adorable?? : )
402. Sub-Studio said:
Hi Heather - Love the blog and the redesign looks great! I typically read your blog via google reader and just wanted to let you know that since the relaunch, images no longer show in reader's posts. I hope that's an easy fix!
Happy thanksgiving...
403. Ec said:
I really like the new design. I also like the daily style photos and chuck photos.
403. Muri said:
SHOW ME CHUCK'S TITZZ!!!!!!!!!!!
404. Mel said:
I really love the redesign... I love how the "links" section will be actual content-- I love all the doocethought I can get, and it's so much easier to find it all in one column rather than having to renavigate over to the sidebar to find your latest internet loves.
It's a really clean look, very navigable, and I think it will grow on the readers, even those who don't like change. I love the search bar at the bottom of the page...
I also love the links thing because that means there might be multiple posts per day, of variable sizes, and that would justify my incessant need to type dooce.com in the address bar several times a day JUST IN CASE Heather decided to post something new and exciting!!!
405. Danielle said:
Video not work appropriate at all, or so the WEBSENSE overlord tells me. I just hope I never lose access to dooce.com during my working hours. Daily Chuck always makes me smile!
406. Courtney said:
I love it! I've been waiting to see this since you announced it and it's great. I like that you write comments about all the pictures.
407. Jessica said:
loving the new design. REALLY love the layout for the new daily photos with captions! site looks sexay.
408. Seymour Butts said:
SHOW US YR AZZ!!!! ;-)
409. Liz Cadorette said:
I can't imagine the amount of work that went into the new design -- well done, you guys!
For some reason, the ad bar being on the right side is jarring for me, but you know, I will totally learn to live with it JUST FOR YOU.
410. Kate said:
I love it, I think it looks awesome. I'm also psyched about being able to comment!
411. Sarah said:
Well, it certainly does look like the comments are working.
412. Kelly said:
I like the purple, and the black. And I love Chuck in the header, of course:) I'm not so keen on how much of my screen the header takes up and though I'm sure in a week I'll be totally adjusted, the flickr photos and stuff on the right have thrown me for a loop. I'm just so used to everything being on the left hand side of websites is all. Sites like yours make me feel like I'm driving a car in England;) Love love love the bottom of the page as well. Was all that stuff down there before? Having it on that big wack of black space really made me sit up and take notice.
413. Big Momma Pimpalishisness said:
Yea for comments. I always want to leave you comments and tell you how awesome I think you are but I never can.
You're awesome! :)-
414. Ree - No, not that Ree said:
Well, I'm the 413th comment and so far, it doesn't look like you've crashed.
By the way, I love purple and black. In fact, I'm wearing purple and black today. And squares because my jacket is a tweedy purple and black.
415. Becky S said:
Hey I love the new design! Don't let the turkeys get you down. No Thanksgiving Pun intended. Ok maybe a little...
416. Shelli said:
Actually, i like it!
417. Spandrel Studios said:
Any redesign that lets you feature larger sizes of your photos is a good redesign - change is good!
As for the FAQ, what inspires you most?
418. Heather said:
I like the redesign - however - the main container outline should be darker. That way it looks more like a container. Without it - it looks like the masthead is just stuck there.
Purple is the color of the devil btw... I should know - rumor has it with my in-laws I am it's spawn...
bwa ha ha ha ha haaaaaa!
419. Els said:
Love the redesign and the possibility of seeing a horizontal photo on your site ;) MORE CHUCK! MORE LETA! MORE GREAT WRITING FROM YOU ABOUT THE MUNDANE DETAILS OF LIFE!! In other words: keep doing what you're doing, because you're obviously on to something here.
420. =) said:
Love the new design! It's a lot more organized now. Easier to navigate around the site.
421. =) said:
Love the new design! It's a lot more organized now. Easier to navigate around the site.
422. HeyJules said:
Well I LOVE it! And I am thrilled that I can finally delurk and say hello. In fact, I want to steal your template so please turn your head while I sneak into your computer and walk off with the ability to post a photo bigger than 450 pixels.
Okay, I won't really but don't think I didn't think about it.
Love your photos. Love your sassiness. And don't even get me started about Chuck and Leta. I heart them both and I never say "I heart..." so take that part pretty seriously.
Glad to finally be able to say hello!
423. B said:
I dig the new site design, but I'm not crazy about the daily links showing up in my RSS feed
424. Kim said:
I think it looks great. And I love that college humor video. There were two, I think, I can't remember if that's the first one or last one. But either way - awesome.
425. whitney said:
i LOVE LOVE LOVE the new look. i almost fell out of my chair when i opened up my browser and saw the hotness that is the new dooce.com. it looks lovely and congrats on all your hard work! you and jon probably deserve a few or 20 beers after that.
426. stacy said:
I am post 400 and something. YEAH! This is awesome.
427. Kath said:
i think it's perfect that we can now see your photographs in a larger format. i have the same limitations with my website as you used to have, & this is new way of showing us your talent is very much appreciated. Gorgeous pictures, as always. Thanks for explaining, too, why a redesign.
428. Lilja said:
Finally, I get to tell you that I am impressed with your design. The new design is no exception!
Congratulations!
429. cmo said:
I think your new design looks great! Your daily features have a much more prominent spot, which is very nice; the Daily Chuck especially is a very big deal around my office.
I agree with the person who said you all deserve some cake now for your hard work. Especially poor sweaty, half-bald Jon... maybe cake, a shower, and a new hat?
Anyway... awesome job!
430. The Domestic Goddess said:
I like it, but what do I know? I've got a crappy, free blog.
And the people who love Jesus and want you to die? I'm thinking they don't love him as much as they say they do.
It is great. It's much better than Cats. I'm going to see it again and again...
431. Patti said:
heather, i love your work-never have i laughed as much as i do some days reading your entries! keep up the fab work!!
432. Kathleen said:
I love your sight, however you design it.
Did not love the video. I am a certified old prune! :)
433. honestyrain said:
i love the purple, i love the black and i love the squares.
i do not believe in Jesus.
don't change a thing.
434. Sarah said:
I came to the comments to weigh in that I preferred the links being in a different section, but now that I've read some other comments, I will instead second (at least) the vote for having links open in a new window or tab. Right-clicking is SO HARD. Actually, no, I just forget to do it. You know how it is.
435. Niamh said:
Hi Heather,
Loving the new design, well done to you both (and your coding gurus!). I particularly like that you've started adding comments to your photos, I think it adds more knowing the back story.
As for a question I'd like answered, I'd love to know how you write, if it's not too personal a question to ask. For example, do you spend the day thinking "Need to find something to write about" and when you do find your topic do you lock yourself away?
Someone said it in an earlier comment but it's worth repeating, thanks for the years of entertainment!
436. geminijen said:
Purple I like, black and squares, not so much. Or maybe I'm not as good with change as I thought I was.... Anyway, you know I'll keep coming back for the funny stories and great photos.
I know you all worked very hard on this, and it totally shows, and I really appreciate it!
437. Tali said:
Video rocked! And don't listen to what the others say - the new design is awesome - even the colors and the links in the body of the blog. I especially look forward to seeing Bigger! and More! photos!
438. Andi said:
Wondrous Being of Light and Splendor - I love the new layout of the site! It looks fabulous on my screen and seems easier to navigate.
Congrats on a job well done!
439. House Frau said:
Love the new design, love the purple.
By the way, what kind of camera do you have again? I have been reading your site for ages, you used to note what kind of camera you had. What do you have now, cause my camera sucks. Thanks
440. Jim Brodhead said:
Oh, no! I like it...a lot. Am I deviant or something? Hope Jon's remaining follicles are feeling all warm and fuzzy.
441. Shula said:
WOOHOO!
Sorry, but I've been dying to tell you I love you for years, now.
442. soNOTcool said:
And now ... I send that video to everyone that I know FIRST, before anyone else can send it to them. They are so pwned.
443. workroom said:
hehe
any site aesthetic differencs aside
it's the "you" we come here for and enjoy
y'all are doing a great job
for all the haters, i hope their pearly gates are painted purple and black
444. Chessy said:
Just another in a LONG line of people commenting on your life, your changes, etc. Success!
Now I am just getting curious as to whether or not all of this chatter about your blog on your blog crashes your server.
Best of luck on the test run!
445. MsMolly said:
I like it! The only thing that I'd change is the link color. On my monitor it blends in too well with the regular text color. Maybe something brighter?
446. Old Bag said:
I'm just glad your still here. Appreciate the new style, only it makes me lean further and further to the left and then fall over for some reason, but that does not in any way diminish the aesthetic appeal. Especially the new photo emphasis and style addition. Good work. Now you must go forth and eat copious junk food and get terribly drunk.
447. Topham Beaclerk said:
I love, Love, LOVE the big pics! Hooray for you!
448. Shan said:
It's sharp! I love it.
449. Suebob said:
Wow. I never thought to ask to see someone's TITZ!! But now I realize I can. You learn something new every day.
450. Jessica said:
I love the new site redesign! I always love checking your site every morning to start my day off with something funny :) Good job!
451. Tiffany said:
I love the design Heather. It looks great. Also, I love the idea of the style section. Lookin good. :-)
Also, I hope you and Jon plan to have another baby still.
452. Jess said:
I love it when people cuss you out in their comments, but then sign it 'God Bless.' Makes me want to not only SCREAM, but sign my response, 'Go to Hell.' I'm a newbee to your site, but love it! I like the new design. I like the Muscles too. You do a great job!
453. Aime in Ohio said:
I think it's awesome. I loved it when you added the chuck daily. Now the style daily, too! Yeah! I love your photos and your writing so it just gives me more to like on a daily basis and, trust me, I need that.
And I LOVE the option to see previous photos in case I didn't get the chance to check in, though I rarely miss the chance. Usually I check repeatedly throughout the day in case MAYBE THIS ONCE you updated a daily photo of Chuck because he's my secret lover and I can't get enough of him.
454. smabmouth said:
Could I really be comment 456! I better type fast. And then I better go buy a new monitor on Black Friday so I can see the ginormous pictures without scrolling.
(Wait for it . . .)
:(
(Yes, I just emoted.)
455. CSE said:
hahaha "FIRST!"
The design is nice, but to be honest the layout/design of this site doesn't matter much to me. I visit nearly every day because of your superb writing. Keep it up.
456. Katie Kat said:
All I have to say is WOW. I know how much work this took and I am impressed. Oh, and that video is AWESOME!!
Hope you had a hearty drink or twelve once this all got finished (I don't think just the belly rub would do it)!
:)
457. Marie said:
I love it! Quite honestly your site can look like crap and I would still read it. The reason I come to your site is to read your fantastically funny and insightful blogs. So that fact that it looks cool is just a plus.
458. lizzie said:
Well Done! Site is super easy to navigate. I have been a daily reader for a few months now. I will keep coming back becasue your CONTENT is tops. Keep up the great writing and beautiful NOW BIGGER pictures. Looking forward to some horizontal format pics. Congratulations to you and Jon.
459. diane said:
I LIKE it a lot! :)
I preferred the old post headers (the fact they were smaller, and coloured to match the masthead) but I love the new look and the way its more user-friendly, inc. allowing comments. So I am NOT complaining...
I also think black and purple rock and I'd keep reading even if you gave up on this computer lark and started photocopying cheap-looking flyers and handing them out on street corners in Utah :)
460. Tash said:
Just another positive comment, to counterbalance evil. Love it, love you, love Chuck and I love purple!
461. Traci L said:
Love the new look and style, Keep up the great work!
462. Crystal D said:
Fancy. Pretty. Smart.
I like it.
463. Kristy said:
I think the new design looks great.
464. Stacy said:
Love the redesign! Great job!
465. Caroline J. said:
I'm liking the new design. Threw me for a loop when I first logged on yesterday but I really like it! Also, the 'delicate flower' thing?? I'm always telling my hubby that I'm a delicate flower as well... he doesn't believe me!
Good work Jon (and those two guys who helped) and Heather!
466. Elaine said:
I've been reading along for a while, LOVE Chuck and Leta, and laugh out loud at your commentary of life. You've inspired me to start a family blog, only wish I had the nerve to be as introspective as you are. The new design is terrific! Keep up the GREAT work!
467. Anonymous said:
It looks very flash and lovely. I preferred the links in a sidebar though for when I had time to catch up on my link-age. Any chance they could be featured like you want in the main blog but then still stored and displayed nicely in a sidebar like before?
468. Chirky said:
First, It's such a big change. Which I know is what you were going for - why else redesign, afterall - but somehow when I am expecting a change I'm only expecting a little change - just something slight so that I still feel like I'm in the same place, so that I'm not too far out of my comfort zone. THIS change, well, this is just BIGGER than I imagined it would be.
Second, I love the big pictures. They sort of make me want to lick my screen. Particularly if my screen were covered in marshamallow creme.
Third, Can you link to John's technical post? I mean, I can go there and find it myself and all (assuming it's already up), but I'm kind of lazy and might want to come back when I'M ready to redesign. And then I'll probably get fussy if I can't find it quickly. Or I might just get fussy anyway, just because.
469. Petey said:
I, too, really like the new design.
Ignore the haters!
470. Barb Congdon said:
I absolutely love, love, love the new design! I love the photo of you!
And...I simply can't live without my daily Chuck. I have stood over people's desks at workand made them go to daily Chuck. I force Chuck on my family members as well. If I ever make it to Utah, I must meet Chuck, oh yeah, and of course the rest of the family. LOL! Keep up the good work!
Signed,
Stalker-in-training
471. Chirky said:
CODING ERROR:
When you write a few paragraphs of text, and then hit the "preview" button, the preview doesn't show the line breaks.
Just in case no one has commented on that yet.
472. tulip said:
Nicely done guys! I love it and I am excited to see the new photographs! :)
473. Bernie said:
It looks great.
474. Courtney said:
Heather, have you ever considered selling your photography?
475. Tiffany said:
Love the new site. Can I be dooce when I grow up?
476. Heather said:
There are so many people out on vacation that it didnt matter that the video was NSFW.
But I cant see the daily links?
477. Leesavee said:
Love everything but the small fonts, but I can live with that. Truly love the purple and black Chuck masthead! How can that dog be anything but cute!
478. Kim said:
I really like the new bigger photos. My only complaint had been the lack of Next & Previous buttons as I'd recently started reading the archives of non-mama-Dooce. So I'm glad to see that will be addressed :)
Considering I'm reading the archives instead of working I shouldn't complain that I have to move my mouse ALL the way up to the "back" button and click, and then click AGAIN on the next post. I mean that's just one more click than I'm normally capable of, and it's using up valuable company time.
479. Shalini said:
LOVE IT, love the re-design! I love this site!!!
And you gotta LOVE Jon! he is the master guru of whatever it takes to get this site as awesome as it is (um yeah and your writing is excellent, but that goes without saying)
480. Anonymous said:
HAHA! Everyone is first (nice touch)
Personally, I love the purple and the new layout and the bigger pictures and everything.
According to my internet settings, the video is definitely not safe for work - Category:GPORN!!
Denied..
481. Sarah K. said:
To Mr., Mrs., and Mini Blurbodoocery---
First of all, I love your site, I love your writing, I love the redesign. People can send hate mail till they're blue in the face, but it's your site, and you can do whatever you want with it. And Jesus has to sit there and bite his tongue, because you might post on a SUNDAY. About BOURBON. And SEX. I just threw that last one in there in the hopes that y'all are getting laid after that because HOLY COW, that probably took a ton of time and energy.
I actually have a question, which may or may not be FAQ appropriate-- I'd love to promote you at my website, just a link telling all my nearest and dearest to GO and READ DOOCE, and I'd love to use a graphic. I guess they're called buttons, but I was hoping for something along the lines of your mastheads, only a wee smaller.
Besides that, ROCK ON. I aspire to one day be as cool a SAHM as you are.
Love and hard liquor,
-Sarah
482. Mo said:
I adore the design and think y'all did a great job. The style section is my absolute favorite.
483. Miss Wisabus said:
Purple and black were my favorite colors in 8th grade. I wanted to paint my room, but my mom wouldn't let me.
Anyway. I like it!
484. Amy Lawson said:
You know what I like? The fact that your readers think they have so much pull and say in what your weblog looks like. Makes me laugh a little.
You should take every one of their suggestions to heart. That makes me laugh a little, too.
Actually, you should just keep making your site look however in the hell you want to....afterall, you're the freaking internet queen.
485. Rhonda said:
Love you..love the site!
486. Beth said:
oh, I was SO HOPING when you said to watch the video that it was THAT video. You're right, everyone needs to watch it! Love the redesign. At first I wasn't sure, but after a couple days I realize it definitely looks/feels more user friendly and organized. I do like that the links section is integrated into the regular posts, too.
487. Jennifer said:
Most excellent work, Armstrongs. You guys are (or at least effectively present yourselves online as) good people, and I love reading Dooce(R).
488. kirsten said:
Love the new design. Chuckles for president!
489. DuJane said:
I love it!
490. Andrea said:
I think the new site looks great, and everyone else should shut the fark up about it. I mean, seriously. You give us free entertainment. FREE! How can people bitch about what they are getting for FREE? Do they not understand the FREE? I check this site every day (because I've become a little obsessed, but mostly because I've become a little obsessed) and I have a laugh at least once a day from something I read on this site. Seriously. You cannot put a price tag on that laugh. If your masthead contained poop muffins, I'd be fine with it. Just don't stop the FUNNY.
491. Trish said:
I like the new look of your website and think that the purple and black look is striking. Loved the video too btw. Hang loose.
492. Karen said:
I love the new look, it rocks! I'll bet Jon's brain has lactic acid buildup equivalent to him running a marathon. Administer large glasses of Gin. Congratulations on your site.
493. Anonymous said:
I love it! But - one request - I link to the blog through an RSS reader - and always looked forward to seeing my daily photos and chuck in my RSS list. Can you find a way to include those in the feed? Thanks!!
494. Janell said:
Love the new look! I'm just getting started with Drupel at my own office -- best of luck. It seems really user-friendly to date. I especially love the links with the main content; it's a great touch.
495. Michelle said:
I can't remember where I found a link to your blog (maybe BoingBoing or something???), but your's is the only blog I can stand where people talk about their kids. I don't have kids of my own, I love my nieces and nephew, but reading about other people's kids, for the most part is like pouring sand in your eyes. You make it amusing, yet do it in such a way that you are not totally discounting the incredible amount of labor and self-sacrifice that go into raising a little human. Good job. Oh, btw, love the redesign. I, personally, love black and purple.
496. Pinky said:
I love the new layout/design. Great job and I hope Jon has one or two strands of hair left. If he can't braid at least he can twist.
My favorite aspect(besides your hysterical writing) is the new, larger photos!
497. vanessa said:
I like it.
I can't see the daily links though?
498. Nate said:
I think the redesign is fantastic, I love it, don't change a thing. ESPECIALLY NOT THE PURPLE AND BLACK.
I love the part where you drew it in Photoshop and handed it to the resident geek, because that's exactly how my resident geek and I just redesigned mine.
The new photos are fantastic. Bigger IS better! Texas was right! God, hide!
499. Anonymous said:
Love your new design, love your ideas, love your writing!
Thanks for all the laughs! :-)
Looking forward to more.
Jill
500. Sarah Andrews said:
I just wanted to say something simple and that was you're my favourite thing to read on the net and I hope I can write as well as you can one day. :)
501. Lynn said:
Heather...the new site is great! (And I happen to like the purple and black) :)
502. Valerie said:
Love the new design. My OCD w/ everything being in straight lines nearly jumped for joy when I saw it. Very pleasing to the eye and it does look like you have more room now. Hadn't noticed it before that everything seemed kinda crammed into a small space. Just keeps gettin' better and better. Congrats!
503. emeraldwednesday said:
Love the redesign. Fresh and innovative. Only one suggestion- I'd love to see the archives organized by tag or category or something, as well as by date.
Looking forward to the "daily style"- great idea. :-)
504. Teresa said:
I love the site and thanks to Scattered Mom I can now read it. It didn't even dawn on me to enlarge the font using IE. I love the colors and photo layouts!
505. TheAmyT said:
I don't love the new design but I think it's definitely an improvement over the previous dooce.com My only suggestion would be to do something with your secondary font because as a professional graphic designer, that font, the one that looks like a lasso and probably has a name very similar to that...makes me want to scream and then makes me want to buy you books about typography and send them to your house. It's perfectly okay to use a "decorative" font on your website but perhaps one that is a bit more sophisticated. Just my two cents, and bear in mind that I do, in fact, take my typography very seriously. Otherwise, keep up the hilarious writing and great photographs!
506. Amanda said:
"Please know that I don't care if your site is covered in tampon wrappers and spit..."--HAHAHAHA this cracked me up (and I agree lol).
Now THAT would be one supremely interesting, creative masthead...I'm sure you could make it look artistic, no?
507. Brook said:
The new layout is fabulous, don't believe anything else. Love the purple, love the masthead, love (okay, this is really random) the way the shaded gradient at the edges of the central column divides the whitespace (and gives a bit of depth) without being harsh (or looking all, "look at me, i'm a shadow, woo!).
Also: Suck it, haters!
508. Rebecca said:
I like the new layout..but I honestly think it only really matters if YOU like the layout. I don't decorate my house so other people enjoy it...I live here and have to look at it every day so I'm going to do what I like.
509. erica said:
I like it. This is one of those blogs where the content is worth reading even if the site were ugly. But, I do like it.
510. Sara said:
6th grade is a terrible time to start a new school. When Heather sauntered into our classroom, at a Bay Area Catholic school, all the boys turned their heads. We, in true 6th grade fashion, hated her and wished long, heavy periods upon her. Her favorite color was purple. Being the original Mean Girl, I insisted that any other girl who sported the color purple should also be banished from the awesome girls club. Time passed, I realized that boys are no reason to fight with friends AND she had totally rockin' french braids ... we eventually became lifelong friends. She even ended up marrying my cousin! Needless to say, the color purple will always remind me of her...and funny that the New and Improved Dooce is sporting purple AND your name is Heather. I mean, this is creepy right? Dooce, I adore you from head to toe and spend too much time being an electronic voyeur. With that being said, the ads to the right seem larger than the old ones were. I don't know if this is true or my eyes are tricking me because of the new layout, but you know what? I'll get over it and keep humping your site!
And p.s. if you ever want to sell Leta on the black market, for say, a goat and some throw pillows. Call me.
511. Ashley R said:
Love the new design. Absolutely love it.
512. Scott-5x5 said:
First, that video is hilarious. Just so good.
The new site? Also good! I like it all, including the new photo size, the link integration, the ads on the right, etc. If I could change one tiny thing, I'd recommend the font size for the titles of the posts be just a bit smaller, maybe 2 points. But that's just if I'm being picky. And anal. Hmmm, does that make me an anal picker?
513. Anonymous said:
I think the new look is great. Well done guys. Seeing a photo of the lovely dooce is the cherry on top. Great site. Don't let the naysayers convince you to change it.
514. Melissa Legaree said:
love it. love your site. you're awesome.
515. Zenmomma said:
Ouch! My sides hurt from laughing at the Internet Commenter Business Meeting.
I LOVE the new design. It's much easier on the eyes and purple is my color of choice for most anything. Beautiful!
516. Jen said:
I like the new design. Many thank you's to Jon and his cohorts!
517. Anonymous said:
I feel like the images are too big now. I can't see the entire photo without scrolling, and I have a huge monitor. They lose their effect.
Otherwise, I like change. Good work. I can't imagine what kind of scripting it takes to run this site.
518. Sarah said:
I love the new look and design section and agree with some of the prior commenters that a Chuck advice column would be a riot.
519. Todd said:
Lovely re-design. Purple & black rocks!
520. Dana said:
I'm not a hater. I LOVE your blog and come here numerous times a day. I too read for your words, enjoy the humor, swoon over your poignant letters to Leta and melt when I see the love captured in your photos of your daughter.
That said, I think the new looks is busy and overwhelming and tragically disappointing.
I agree with at least one poster that the old page was somehow more elegant because it was simpler.
My complaints have nothing to do with black and purple -- a color combo I love.
I am shocked to see that so many so desperately dig the redesign. I keep thinking, what have I missed? Because the more I look at it the more irritated I get. I can't stand that everytime the page comes up a third of it is missing from the screen -- and not visible until I use the scroll button. I can't ever view it in its entirety... and therefore can't actually appreciate the scope of the new look.
Like others, I also dislike the use of the links in the main bar. This makes me question the focus.
When I first pull up your page, I want to read your essays, see your photos. Links come later. Later in the day when I have more free time. I think they need their own home like before.
I'm not terribly computer savvy and only visit a handful of sites a day. So I won't be surprised if I get jumped on by a band of angry fans who say I know not of what I speak. Perhaps I don't. Just adding my thoughts.
I still love your work and of course I'll still read everyday.
d
521. Mama K said:
PONE!!!
hehe I had to watch that video twice to figure out what was going on.
I'm diggin' the new layout. Especially how the pretty pictures fill up the page.
522. Naomi said:
Your redesign looks really great. I adore the addition of the daily style. All your hard work really seems to have paid off!
523. dregina said:
I would like for links to be with links and content with content!
524. shane magee said:
yup. it's official. i hate you. you're sickeningly talented. your writing is really funny, poignant, moving, vulnerable and clever. your photography is a perfect blend of humour and skill with excellent regard for focus, depth of field, lighting and exposure. your letters to leta are almost unbearably moving at times and now you and jon come out with a design that kicks the ass of the previous design which kicked the ass of most blogs out there in blogland.
ARGH!!!
it's just not fair!! there should be a limit on how much talent any two people are allowed to amass!
i'm off to self-immolate!
o and i realise that as this is comment number 9 trillion it's gonna be read by chuck and no-one else.
not really sure why i'm writing anyway. it's kinda like car wrecks. must look away. must look away. stop looking. will not type any more. will not type any more. will not ty
525. jagosaurus said:
I think the site looks fantastic and am perfectly willing to wait patiently while you sort out the various technical issues.
Also? That video rocks.
526. Heather S said:
Spiffy re-design. Congrats on the monumental effort, it's worth it for me as a reader at least. :)
527. Becky said:
Jon definitely deserves a poptart. :)
I love the new design!
528. chris w. said:
this looks sweet on the 24" imac. love it! three cheers and martinis to you, jon and team dooce!
529. chrystal said:
Yea for the large photos! I almost always look at your photos before reading any of your posts. Great job to all involved.
P.S. I adore your hate mail posts.
530. Chris said:
I like the new design. It's great, very fresh. Easy to read.
531. jen said:
The new site design is fabulous...you are so talented. I love your designs and writing. In scanning the comments, I know several have said they don't like the links being in the content but I actually like the new location. I would always forget they were there before.
532. robinv said:
The new page is beautiful! No complaints... just keep posting so I can get my fix!!
More Chuck!
533. Anonymous said:
I love the design.
BTW squares are more like having cactus in our shoes then pebbles. ;)
534. Mel said:
Love the new page, and yes I did watch the video...TWICE!
535. Merosmash said:
Frankly, I love the new launch. I love everything about it. Even having the links in the main column (I tend to f5 your site a lot just for those links).
As for the people who don't like things, remember that people hate change and will complain no matter what you do. Even when what you're doing is full of win and awesome.
536. kate said:
I happen to LOVE the redesign and squares are the best part. Looks great. Happy writing.
537. Magnolia_Mer said:
Heather, great new site. Don't let the bastards get you down.
I like the larger photos and the Style section. Thanks for putting me on to Muscles. Yeah, "I wanna dance with my shirt off" too!
Now go give Jon a massage.
Cheers, Mer
538. Amber said:
Looks great! LOVE the full size photos and I'm really looking forward to the daily style section.
539. b*babbler said:
Love the re-design! It's all purty-like!
Congratulations, and may Jon's hair grow back soon (if not, there is propecia. Or plugs. Hey, if it works for Steve Carrell, it can work for you too!)
540. Squeaky Wheel said:
I love it. It's clean, everything's easy to find, and the colors are awesome.
Good job, Jon and cohorts!
541. Dawn @ Coming to a Nursery Near You said:
I like the design - love the colors. Great job, Jon :)
542. Dree said:
Always wanted to say something - now I have the chance however all I can think of is I love your writing and the new Design!
543. bethany said:
LURV IT! So hot, DOOOOODE!
544. jghodd said:
There are so many comments already I doubt I can add anything new.
The redesign looks good, but I know you didn't go through all that trouble just for looks. Hope its performance is what you expect. Certainly feels a little more responsive already.
545. Jodi said:
I like it, but seriously, I don't know why anyone cares THAT much about someone else's masthead to write nasty email or comments.
I also buy wedding rings with wild abandon...I like to mix it up.
546. wintor said:
I love the redesign. Something fresh for a fresh start or new perspective maybe? Kudos to the 6 of you, you deserve extra M&Ms!
547. Cameron said:
I like it! It will take some getting used to but it looks great!
548. CurlyHairDay said:
Yeah! Comments are back! Site is so different! I'm still getting used to it, but so far I love the purple (and black), love the bigger pictures, and am totally intrigued by the links being part of the blogstream, visually. Speaking of the pictures, I'm always interested in the portion you choose for the thumbnail. Sometimes you are v mysterious. :) Looking forward to exploring the newness. Thanks, Jon, you can pass out now!
549. Kami said:
It looks fabulous!
Great job and to people who don't like change, keep it to yourself!!! 'Cause you know the Jesus lady has a problem with change.
:-)
550. Patti said:
I have a Chuck too, but she's a girl dog and has no magical balancing powers.
I love the redesign, but the buttons look old fashioned to me, like from back when people first learned how to use gradients.
551. Natalie said:
Wow. Purple and Black. It's like looking at a bruise. You know, a really pretty, stylish, and well-coded bruise. :)
552. BoatSailor said:
New look is great - I say nay to the nay sayers.
Thanks for your site - gives me smiles and laughs daily.
I do find Chuck in the Princess Lea wig a little disturbing, though!
553. jennifer said:
i have no complaints. hurrah!
554. Dorothy said:
Fantastic. Love it! Thank you.
555. hello insomnia said:
I haven't read through the 546 comments to find out if anyone else has requested for more photoshop tutorials, but I'll put my vote in for that and some camera how-to's, specifically, the steps you take from the camera to the computer. The more in-depth, the more my head will explode from the excitement.
556. E said:
I think what you've done with the web site is pretty great over all. Congratulations to both of you for getting it done and over with!! Is it time for cocktails yet?
557. Heather said:
All change is a little jarring at first, but I think this is really great, and I love the text below the pictures. And, because I'm crazy for his mutty goodness, MORE CHUCK!
558. Lynda said:
Ha! As of my comment you had 545. Wow! I like your redesign. Took me awhile yesterday to get used to it, and wasn't sure if I could find things at first, but it's great!
I've been reading all previous posts, I think I'm up to when Leta was a couple months old? (parentals not sleeping) I must say, I've laughed so hard I've had tears. You truly have a Gift. Thank you for sharing.
559. Pickles & Dimes said:
Love it! And I understand the frustation that comes from having your picture width restricted. Glad you were able to change that so you're not limited in your photo-taking.
560. Clairebell said:
You know, I love every web design. It doesn't mean I would take the ideas and use them as my own -because they aren't all my taste- but they look great on your site, so who cares what I think as long as I can read the content and see the pictures.
I don't understand why people feel the need to be so critical all the time about a website banner change when we get the same level of entertainment. It just seems like a waste of energy.
You guys do good work. Keep it up.
561. Scale Junkie said:
excellent use of giddyup
562. Christianne said:
Oh my goodness, I love this new look. Love how easy it will be to navigate. And as far as FAQs go, you've answered mine, which has always been to wonder why I couldn't find a place to leave a comment. I started subscribing to your blog about two or three weeks ago and positively love it -- love the photos, especially of Chuck, and love your humor. I wanted to comment on your post about Leta recently -- the one where you talked about her laying on top of you and also jumping up three centimeters -- because it was so completely moving and beautifully said, all the way through. I'm glad you opened up the comments at least for this post so that I could at least tell you that I felt that way about that post.
Be blessed and a blessing.
PS: I love that your word verification requires me to type two ACTUAL words, instead of scrambled code, which always means I have to try two or three times because I get a letter wrong. Thank you for this luxury! :)
563. Maria said:
Oh, if this comment posts well, the redesign will be a TOTAL success.
A humble request... Would it be possible to exclude Daily Links from your RSS feed? If not, maybe label them as "Daily Links" or something that distinguish them from posts?... I don't mind them on the content area since I can quickly see what they are, but they're not cool on the feed.
564. Sarah said:
daily style photos = awesome
565. asra said:
oh and i love recaptcha =]
566. N said:
Rock on, chica. The site looks great and the use of purple and black is fabulous. I am so glad you didn't go with the official red and green that Americans are so fond of this time of year...gag me.
567. asra said:
hey! love the new design, it looks very clean with all the straight lines and what-not. off to checkout the daily style feature =]
568. Joy said:
You can't please all of the people all of the time. The website is fine - tell Jon he did great. Mostly I love that when you leave a comment, you don't have to scroll through all of the other idiot's comments to do so. ;)
p.s.
My testing questions words were
"abstained Lebanese"
Cool. Although I am neither...
569. Rico said:
There's this little bar in town that never advertises, and they're always busy. There's no posted menu, but the comfortable smell of their homemade crust and sauce lets you know... hey, they make pizza here. REALLY GREAT PIZZA. There's nothing exceptionally fancy about it. You have to go there a few times to start appreciating how much you love the style and the feel of the place... and then boom... it becomes a staple in your life.
That's how I used to feel about Dooce.com
The fact that people couldn't comment made it powerful... like Jon flipping that guy off in the car... like you didn't need validation for what you were doing because you were going to do it anyway.
The best part about your site are the words, and I still look forward to them. I've just lost a little something that made me feel special when I would visit.
I know you had your good reasons, and congrats on getting through it. You guys rock, and I want to be just like Jon... Drupal Pattern Baldness and all.
Rico
570. miguelita said:
jesus...there's a lot of F#%ck&ing people who read this site! no wonder you can support your family.
nice work.
i think it looks killer. and fun.
571. Just me said:
I love the new design. Dont change a thing.
572. Kristen said:
The site looks fantastic!! I love the redesign. Jon Armstrong ftw! :)
573. GirlFriday said:
I like the new layout A LOT! On the old one I always thought the daily links were ads. I also enjoy the larger pictures.
Good work Armstrongs!
574. Rye said:
I *HEART* THE NEW DOOCE!
(I didn't read through all eight-hundred-billion comments, so somebody probably already said that ... oh well ... I still *HEART* it!)
575. Carrie said:
Jon is a god walking the earth as a coder. And also those other guys. Loved the video. Also loved the fact that people didn't watch and did the whole First thing.
I hope you're all well.
576. Julia said:
Love it.
577. nic said:
i like the purple. and the black. and i can totally read the bottom line on the optometrist's eye chart (there should be an award for this), so your font is good.
a word to the whingers: BIFOCALS.
578. Heather B said:
Oh Yay! Open comments! Loved the video, love the redesign, can't wait for the next and previous buttons becuase I'm only halfway through 2006.
579. marian said:
How kind of you to allow every one of us (at least those in Safari 2.0.4) to be first!
Totally right -- the video must be viewed twice.
580. Alyxherself said:
YES! to this masthead, "Covered in Tampon Wrappers and Spit."
Also, daily style pic captions= good
No FAQ additions but am re-suggesting a calendar with your nature photos, that would be swell, I would buy 5.
Oh, yeah, would love for Jon to show those moobs.
581. Valerie said:
Will you continue to redesign the masthead each month? Just curious.
The new site looks great; I particularly like the larger picture of the day previews.
Happy Thanksgiving!
582. RavenLady said:
I love the new design! Great work guys!
583. Emily said:
I just wanted to say that I think the redesign is pretty sweet. Although all of the ads on the right-hand side are a bit much, I realize websites aren't free!
I <3 the purple and black. :D
584. thecasualperfectionist.com said:
V332nU
(Just wanted to get that out of the way...I LOVED that video!!)
I really like the new webdesign. With any change there is always a moment of panic because things aren't where they're "supposed" to be, but after about 3-minutes life goes on. ;)
I love your site, regardless of colors and fonts and ad placement.
Keep up the great work, and good luck sorting through all these comments!!
585. Erin said:
I think the new design is fabulous! It's modern and quirky and interesting and still easy to navigate.
586. Lily said:
I could maybe wish the content column was on the right side instead of the left, but that's a weird personal quirk that annoys me on a daily basis. I love the design. Purple and black are my favorite colors, even. It's almost like you designed it JUST FOR ME.
587. Amy said:
I don't care about the redesign. I'm just here for the Chuck.
588. Barbara E. said:
Objectively, the new site is v. attractive. But I hate change. But I love Chuck. And since there's now more of Chuck to love, this must be a postive comment, right?
My verification thingy is Phoenix 3,750,420. Is that a weather forecast for 5 years from now?
589. Razor said:
I don't see the daily links. Where they at? It's still awesome though, and I still feel inferior.
590. Johnny Sapphire said:
I wasn't going to say anything because I was all cranky about the last redesign you did. And the one before that. (And the one before that.) But then I got used to them.
I've been reading you since ye olden days of tiny left-hand-sidebar-masthead. I think it is safe to say your devoted readers are much like your firstborn: we do not like change. (Frankly, I am surprised she has not yet taken a laptop to sleep.)
I'm not a fan of the masthead (reminds me of a template from FrontPage or something), but that may be one of the things I grow to love, only to have it taken away from me when you do the next revamping.
And about the black: I think it's just so overwhelmingly different, I can't handle it. You usually use such warm colors - I don't even think you have much black in your home - that it was a little jarring and distracting at first.
Give us time. We're cranky. In the end, though, I imagine we will all come around again. We always do.
591. Jamie said:
Heather:
I have been reading your site for two years and always enjoy seeing what you crazy kids are up to.
Don't hate me for saying this, but the purple combined with the stars reminds me a bit of a Harry Potter book cover. Chuck looks like a mystic for a psychic hotline. HOWEVER, I do love the new links and the font choice. I'm a fan of purple and I like the black background. Also, your headshot is lovely. And no I'm not a lesbian.
As far as the FAQ, I love your photography and often wonder how the heck you get Chuck to be so agreeable when you take his photos?
592. William said:
I dig the new look. And I love that the old side bar links will become part of the main page. I always enjoy those links and sometimes they get lost.
593. M. Douglas Wray said:
NICE. Good work all! Jon, take two dollars out of petty cash and get yourself something nice.
594. Jason C said:
I have nothing more substantiative to add other than the site looks great and thanks for your family's hard work on it.
595. Anonymous said:
Thank you, thank you very much!!
596. Secret Agent Mama said:
I, personally, love the new look. There's an old Macedonian saying that applies: "You can wrap yourself up in shit and you'd still look great!"
Loving the comments!!
597. TLC said:
I like the new look. LOVE the purple aspects. The daily links added into regular content threw me -- for about 5 seconds - until my brain registered what had just happened. I think making them a slightly different color will help with that. :)
All in all...lovin' it.
598. Tingaling said:
I love Chuck. Almost as much as Ruby (my doggie) so I love that you can make comments with the photos of Chuckles.
599. Barb said:
I know you guys worked really hard on the redesign, but the new look makes the baby Jesus cry. I knew that change was a'comin' and had braced myself and all. I'm just not used to it yet.