Saturday 13 February 2010

Fresh?

As you may have noticed, I got my tools out tonight and started open heart surgery on the blog.

I quite like the new look (although the sidebar shifted to the right will take a bit of getting used to) but my spanner broke under the overwhelming pressure of HTML. If anyone can help me tweak a few minor bits (the banner and brown stuff to the sides mostly), I'd be extremely grateful.

By the way, does anyone else like it apart from me?


26 comments:

Mark Wadsworth said...

It's fine, plus it does load a lot quicker.

WV: fluxembu

marksany said...

I read it via Google reader on my iPhone. Just concentrate on content.

Unknown said...

Looks fine from here DP although I'd like to see the masthead centred.

IanPJ said...

Looks great Dick, but don't overload it with toooo much HTML & Widgets, as it slows the loading time down.

ScotsToryB said...

Much better.

STB,

Dick Puddlecote said...

Ta for the critique, all.

TBY: Yes, that's one of the bits I need help with.

Frank Davis said...

Looks good on Google Chrome. It loads a lot quicker too, which is good for me on my dial-up phone line.

I prefer the wider paragraphs, and what seems to be a larger font (easier on my eyes). But I think maybe the background under the text could do with being slightly lighter. Or the text slightly darker. Are you looking for a more low-key image with these delicate pastel shades?

And the banner at the top obviously needs a bit of work. Perhaps you could add a few more bishops and villeins to the frieze?;-)

Frank Davis said...

Reminds me to ask, how do you do your updating Daily Reads list? I had a go a few months back, but didn't get far. I went to Feedburner, and got lost.

subrosa said...

Easier on the eye Dick.

Angry Exile said...

Good choice of colours and fonts, nice and easy to read. The Home, About and Contact tabs seem anchored to the left edge of the page which is fine when the browser window is only as wide as the blog but after that it ends up progressively further away from the posts, which looks a little odd. I imagine there's a way to play with the HTML to make it stay right below your header image but don't ask me what it is. The other thing about the tabs, and we're well into the horses for courses zone here, is that I think it's better if they mimic browser tabs and simply make a different page appear under the header image. Having just typed that now I've realised that they're not tabs at all but links arranged horizontally - d'oh. Or can they do either? Well, my 2¢ worth, though I come here for the content rather than to wander in and criticise the decor, and anyway the overall look is good.

JuliaM said...

Yes! It looks much cleaner and I agree with Mark, it loads in a flash now.

RantinRab said...

Looking good!

Angry Exile said...

Oh, you've been fixing things in the last couple of hours I see. Looking very good.

Dick Puddlecote said...

Thanks for all the comments, very helpful.

Yes AE, I was even wrestling unsuccessfully with code in my sleep I think. I've had some help this morning though.

Demetrius said...

Great, but where is the link to Disused Stations?

Pat Nurse MA said...

I'll get used to it, I suppose. I wish I could spruce up my own blog but I'm technically challenged and not even capable of adding my own widget!

JJ said...

Sorry DP I preferred the old look, it felt more personal.

Simply jazz up the banner with something done in serif draw plus or paint.net...either is good. The previous layout was OK with the parchment feel which complimented the Puddlecote theme.
Save your banner pic and import to a draw prog and work on it.

But hey...I'm outnumbered...so what the hell.

Daniel1979 said...

Looks good

BTS said...

I'm slightly confused as it keeps changing colour. Is it meant to do that?

Surely it can't just be me..?

BTS said...

What's that you say? Drugs? Yes please..

MarieC said...

Dick,I like it, but what do I know. I only come here for the content.
BTS - are you sniffing your socks again!

BTS said...

Only my special ones thank you..

Angry Exile said...

Hey DP, where's the navbar gone? I don't mind but the search has gone with it. Perhaps that's a widget worth having? I know there's always "site:http://dickpuddlecote.blogspot.com" in Google but I'm sure it misses things.

Dick Puddlecote said...

AE: Yes, I miss that too. I'll have a word with my 'guru' :-)

Anonymous said...

hate it.

Dick Puddlecote said...

Necro-posting Anon: Excellent. ;-)