The Picks Background Issue
Many thanks to Cherry for proving the value of social networking.
It all started when Cherry noticed that I had been tinkering with the 'Posts from New Garden Blogs' list and had changed the background to white. For those new to the Blotanical scene, it had previously been our characteristic blue.
The reason for the change was to do primarily with advertising and seeing which formats would convert better and if the background had any effect. (For those who don't like advertising - my humble apologies - but this site costs me money to run and I certainly don't want to pass those costs onto members. BTW: I'm thinking of making Blotanical ad-free for Guru's so if you have comments re: this option then I'm keen to hear them!)
So while the change was primarily for Blotanical's purposes rather than members, it was interesting to hear the plethora of comments. I haven't replied to many of them just because there has been so many and it seems that a post would better answer the requests and suggestions.
It seemed equally divided with the blue/white background wih many members claiming they found it easier to read with their preference. So, rather than isolate half of our members I have now given you the option to read the Pick lists the way you want. The default is WHITE but if you really want to have the BLUE then head on over to your Plot and under the About Me tab you will find a new field that starts "My Picks Background is...' and the option to select WHITE or BLUE. I trust that will satisfy most of our members.
Other Changes
- Flags - hopefully this will be helpful in identifying where the blog comes from and give you some context for the post.
- Stars Moved - one comment was made in regards to the scan-ability of the links as posts seemed to be jagged in their formation. Therefore the Friendship Star has been moved to the end of the link rather than at the start.
- Previously read posts - you may have already noticed that posts that you have already read are now being highlighted in another colour. This is to help you remember which posts have been read and those that are yet to be.
- Posting Dates removed - these have been taken down to remove some of the confusion regarding where posts turn up in the lists. For instance, here in Oz I might publish my post on Friday morning only to see it turn up in the middle of Thursday's list. The reason for this is complex but it mostly relies on when the post was published in relation to UTC time - the old GMT. Needless to say, it created many queries and there is no easy answer for this,/li>
BTW - for those who query why their posts don't show up for hours I have no simple answer. Mostly it has to do with how your publishing platform (Blogger, WP, MT etc.) deals with pinging your feed to the appropriate servers. If you are struggling with this problem the easiest solution I can offer you is to use Pingomatic after you've published your post. We are working on our own pinging service but it will be some time before this is implemented.
Comments
I love the flags feature, Stuart! Honestly, I've learned more geography on Blotanical than I ever did in school!
Posted by: our friend Ben | May 3, 2008 8:37 PM
Way to go Stuart!! I love the color changing picks option!! Makes things a lot easier!!Have a great weekend!!
Posted by: LetsPlant | May 3, 2008 10:50 PM
More wonderful changes/work at Blotanical. I love the option of having either white or blue. I actually find the white a bit of a glare on my eyes. I really love the idea of knowing which posts I have previously read, especially as there are now so many different posts to read. The flags are a fantastic idea as I love to know where bloggers are located.
Blogger now publishes the posts according to the time, so I can post ahead and then Blogger will add it when it is the right time. This eliminates posts sticking at the top of the list for ages till the time catches up.
As for advertising, I actually don't see any at all as I use Firefox as my browser. But that would be a great perk for Gurus, to get it ad free. I didn't even know you had ads till someone mentioned them awhile back so I checked out the site in IE to see them. I prefer Firefox to Explorer for many other reasons other than it eliminates the ads.
Great work Stuart. Thanks very much.
Posted by: Crafty Gardener | May 4, 2008 12:30 AM
Thank you, Stuart, for trying to please us all. You are such a great sport. I am one of the ones who prefers the soft blue background because the white glares. (Will be so glad when I can get rid of these cataracts.)
I especially am enjoying the new color of the visited links in the picks list of current posts. Also where it says "Back To Current Posts"; it seems easier to see against the flowery headers than the violet one was.
I did notice that when I visit a post in one list the link changes color, but when I move on to another list that link is not changed in the second list. Example: Post From My Faved Blogs list, then move on to the Post From New Garden Blogs. The ones I visited in the first list are not changed in the second list. I don't know if that is even possible to do, but it would cut down on a lot of confusion. Or is that just me.
Posted by: Barbee' | May 4, 2008 12:37 PM
I'm with Barbee, if the change of colour for the title could change on all the links that would be great.
Posted by: patientgardener | May 5, 2008 2:55 AM
Stuart,
Thanks for moving the red star to the end - readability is vastly improved :)
I also like the articles changing colour once read and the fact you've given us a choice of background colour!
Posted by: VP | May 5, 2008 6:53 PM
Oops Stuart - forgot to mention:
I understand perfectly why you're putting adverts on there even though I don't like them. Can't wait to get to Guru! One word of caution though, some of them flash when they appear which may provide some difficulties for other readers e.g. epilepsy sufferers
Posted by: VP | May 5, 2008 6:56 PM
I think the being able to pick what background we want is great. It eliminates upsetting any one group so we can pick.
Thanks for all the changes they have been wonderful. I don't mind ads but I really don't see them probably because I have firefox.
Posted by: Priscilla | May 6, 2008 3:42 AM
I'm glad VP raised the question of flashing adverts. I have epilepsy - and avoid anything which flashes.
And the flashes don't necessarily have to be ones that go 'on and off'.
When the sign for the 2012 Olympics was unveiled here in Britain - some people with epilepsy had fits - because of the nature of the pattern.
I also avoid messages which scroll across screens.
Esther Montgomery
ESTHER IN THE GARDEN
Posted by: Esther Montgomery | May 6, 2008 4:53 AM
While I like most of what you have done, I find taking the day away has made it harder to find where I am in the list. The coloured picks only last for a session and as I read bits at different times of the day it is less help to me. Never mind I will write myself a note to say where I am!
Thank you for a great site.
Best wishes Sylvia (England)
Posted by: Sylvia (England) | May 6, 2008 10:25 PM
Stuart, thanks for being so accomodating! I love having the option to choose the picks background color.
Posted by: linda | May 8, 2008 8:26 PM
Thank you Stuart love all the new goodies.
Posted by: cherry | May 9, 2008 9:05 AM