Not like I’ve got time to do it right now, but working on some new blogs in other areas has got me thinking maybe the Diary needs a bit of a brightening up. Of course, I usually only see the admin interface so I thought I should as you folks. Some of you have spend a lot of time here the last few days.
What do you think? It’s been a couple of years since I upgraded the ole templates… Is it time?
I would say while it is functional and does what we need but maybe some sort of interface that’s sort of in-UNiverse.
I think updating the style of the page may make it more inviting to newcomers.
I like this one – I’d really say *KEEP IT*.
The lack of extensive graphics means it actually *LOADS* quickly! I also think the greys help prevent eye fatigue.
It is a bit old looking, But it is light and fast. I have no problem with it but something newer and more smooth would look more attractive to new readers maybe….
i have no problems with it as it is. But i’m fine either way. my opinion is “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’
I think the site looks fine but if you do decide to make some changes, I think it would great to use some of the cover artwork from the Ridan editions. I don’t know if that is possible (i.e. whether they would allow it) but those covers are *gorgeous*. I really like the looks of the Half Share cover but the Lois on the QS cover would make a nice header graphic too. Which reminds me, you need to update the Half Share graphic on the solarclipper.com/get-the-books page. ;-)
I’m more concerned about the steak, sar. I don’t give a tinkers damn about the sizzle.
This site houses your content. That means it’s damn fine in my book.
The website link is to a large jpeg of the Catspaw Nebula, one of the prettiest Hubble Shots ever. Consider one major thing, does the website do what you want it to? If so, then leave it alone. If not, then it is time to change.
I’m alright with the look of the site. Maybe someone who hasn’t been here before would appreciate an upgrade more. I’m also impressed with the depth of reference information. If I had my druthers I’d say with limited time take a tour around and update and add to the content instead of tweaking the site layout. There’s a few pages with dated info.
Doesn’t matter much to me as I get your posts in my email. I usually only come here to comment.
Well it is functional and efficient. Please don’t go down that road that some do where everything is flash based and hard to navigate. I consider J.K. Rowling as an example of what not to do. It looks fun but it is tedious after about the first three mouse clicks.
I am more interested in the content as well, esspecialy our abillity to interact with you Nate. I like the fact that if we have qustions you answer them and quickly too. My bigest problem when going to an authors offical page is that wikipedia usually has more recent information. That is not the case with your site.
Whatever you do don’t loose that.
The website looks good to me. The content is my issue. I miss the pic of the Lois that used to be somewhere… and I’d love to see what the Billy, Agamemnon, and Iris look like. I also noticed that the Billy & Agamemnon only show 1 book’s crew (unlike the Lois) even though they had changes as the books progressed. And the Iris looks to be the unwanted redheaded stepchild… no listing at all!
…I don’t know. I really quite like the current one. Its pleasing.
Perhaps sar, but as stated: simplicity overrides a trip down the rabbity-worm hole. Thanks for the trips so far!
It could do with a bit of reworking. Not that I’d enter, but you probably have enough fans that any number of them are pretty good with wordpress templates. Competition time? signed copy incentive?
Well, the light text on a dark background really does strain the eyes. But with your accessibility background I’m guessing maybe you have a dyslexic audience in mind? I know some dyslexic readers find it much easier to make out light on dark. ;)
Well, here’s my half credit opinion. I’m a fairly new fan. I just discovered your site in late December when I started reading QS. That got me hooked, so I had to get HS also. I was disappointed when I couldn’t find a print copy of FS, but in looking for that I found this site and Podiobooks. Now I’m hooked for sure! I need my daily fix of Owner’s Share. All this to say that I like the design of your web site. It is easy to navigate, pleasing to the eye and has good content. I feel no need for you to change it, but if you want to, I’m sure the new design would be just as good.
@josh – the light text on dark background idea is actually supported by accessibility research as easier on the eyes. The *least* straining is actually yellow on dark blue according to the eye people. That runs counter to common wisdom, but that’s what the accessibility research shows.
@richard – I had to take the Lois page down until I can redraw it. There’s a discrepancy between the image shown and the descriptions in the book. The crew rosters need some work, but I’ve purposely left the Iris out for now to keep from giving away too much as the book is being podcast.
Thanks, everybody. This has been helpful.
I like how simple it is function-wise, but I think this blog could benefit from a different color scheme and the header at the top could use a little sprucing up. I think a design Nate’s header contest for fans would be awesome. ;)
I read on RSS; so I only see the Blog when I want to comment or see other comments. I agree Jamey on keeping the graphics and fancy stuff at a place where the pages load quickly. I like it like it is and don’t much like changes where they work. I do find the colors are easy to read. The white is not too white and the background is not too dark–just right, in my opinion.
What color will you paint the new cabbin?
The website looks fine and does what you need it to. It actually works well with the concept of a space-borne merchant marine. I would love to see some layouts of the ships in your stories, but otherwise the content and function are just fine.
There’s a great book on web site design, “Don’t Make Me Think!” that stresses simplicity and ease of navigation. Well worth the read. But other than content updates and perhaps some of the nice cover art… This site is quite nice!
Paint the cabin, hang a little artwork, but don’t start tearing out the bulkheads!
Mr. Lowell, I don’t think that a change is required for the web site. As others have pointed out, it is clear, concise and loads quickly.
True enough, the design is somewhat on the dark side, but I’m used to it and don’t find a ‘quest for glitz’ to be sufficinet reason to change something which has served quite well. A slightly larger/bolder type font would improve the legibility, but that would be my only real criticism.
I concur with the other posters. The design is fine. The content is getting a little behind the story. Pictures of the Ships, deck plans, crew rosters are in the category of ‘would be great to have’, but please, please, please don’t stop the episodes.
@Ignatz – When I find the font on a site a problem, CTRL and the =/+ key works wonders for me. I don’t know if IE ever implemented that, but most other browsers do.
If you have the time, and are so inclined, have fun! I think it’s already great as it is.
I’m with so many others that simplicity is oft its own reward.
Having an atypical neurology, I appreciate the light text on dark and the lack of sensory overload on this site. Don’t let it stop you from laying down a new coat of paint, but a parallel old-format site to bookmark would be most appreciated if you do too much with the woodwork and accents.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
I’ve used yellow (-ish #C4A000) on black as the color scheme for my commandline Terminal for a few years now. Maybe I’ll ask google which shade of blue would be recommended instead of black.
How many chapters can we expect for Owner’s Share? I am enjoying the story and don’t want it to end.
@jay – 30 episodes. It’s *almost* over.
I’m just a quarter share newbie who recently discovered the Solar Clipper Universe and promptly became addicted. In generral this site works really well for me- it’s simple, has a great image at the top and the white on black settings are easy on ageing eyes. The negatives? The sheer number of different opportunities for comment and conversation is confusing – any way this could be simplified? And pagination- this site has shorter discussions than podiobooks so it’s not TOO bad – but in general, scanning for updates on small screens (mobile phones etc ) would be easier if the discussions were split by number (25?) rather than just by month. And finally … Any chance of a scroll bar on the comment-entry box? It’s a narrow letter-box on iPad /iPhone which makes it difficult to edit.
Otherwise, Thanks for such a great job! 26, 26, 26…..
I do find the text contrast easy on the eyes, but it might be time to ‘paint the cabin’. I too would love to see the book covers out here (and even the “runners-up”!). The two things I like most about the current format – the arrangement makes it easy to find things and there’s a minimum of fancy bells and whistles. To me, the community aspect and depth of backstory is far superior to lots of spectacular (but slow loading) video playing every time you click on something.
@Nate: Lois’ discriptions have discrepancies? Eeek! Don’t let it bother you. Compared to W.E.B. Griffin (who’s sold a ton of books) you’re the Grand Master of details & continuity.
Hum… If you did an update…
Leave the grey/white for generic pages…
Maybe dark green/gold for the pages on the Lois and Federated Freight…
Dark blue/light blue for the pages on Icarus and the Iris…
Did the livery for DST ever get mentioned? I don’t recall! Jeff sometimes feels like a maroon and orange kinda person, though.
The only thing I miss is a wiki. Harness those followers Nate and put them to work!!!
Three thoughts:
1) No — because I love your work and would rather see you writing than tweaking the website (grin).
2) I like it fine, and agree with many of the other here. I do think the grey text on black causes less eyestrain,
3) But, truthfully this may be the wrong audience to ask — and I don’t know an easy way to ask the right audience. The folks who reply are not only fans, but fans who are willing to interact with the website. People who might be really critical probably don’t stick around enough to give you feedback.
I would say this site works very well. If it fit’s the image you want to present to your hooked fish (that’s me) then leave it alone. If you have a new image in your head then go with it. I think we all will be happy with anything you give us as long as you keep putting out the podcast. I have built a few sites like this and it is easy to get carried away and clutter the content to the point it hard to find. I am with you what ever you decide.
How about a red herring in the background Sar? :D
Still…i kinda like it this simple really but if your gona repaint it do it good :D
ohh forgot to gratulate you Sar…number 1 on the podibook top 10?sweet…you deserve it.
Sar,
What color will you repaint the cabin?
This site is fast (I use all kinds of connections), frendly and stood up to all of us downloading 18 thru 21 when Owners Share took out podiobooks.com! Leave well enough alone and give us another fix. 26, 26, 26, 26…….
It’s ok Nate. You are one of the most creative people I know of! Do it your way, its your ship Sar.
Please don’t waste your valuable time designing websites. Think up more stories instead
If it suits your creative impulse one day to change it, I don’t mind. But I agree with The HellJack – I’m here for the steak, and don’t care about the sizzle.
Your current site is readable, has clear navigation and seems well visited from your readers. I wonder if perhaps updating the visuals with elements from your printed books, i.e. “branding” would be a good way to tie things together.
I’d prefer you to focus on adding content rather than dithering with the aesthetics. Why not get your fan base to work for you? Hold a theming contest!
Steak! Steak! Steak!
I see, so you want to bring in new readers in order to break Podiobooks again Nate?
@calum – well not break … :)
What’s up with the story on Episode 26 release?
“26, 26, 26, 26” whoops thats for inner voice.