Comments on: Suggested Theme (Mock-Up) for RS 4.0 http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/2008/12/10/suggested-theme-mock-up-for-rs-40/ Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:46:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Martin_A_Knight’s blog » My Continuing Quest To Make RS4.0 *Bayooootiful* … :: http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/2008/12/10/suggested-theme-mock-up-for-rs-40/#comment-487 Martin_A_Knight’s blog » My Continuing Quest To Make RS4.0 *Bayooootiful* … :: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 23:01:09 +0000 http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/?p=46#comment-487 [...] familiar. Furthermore, as Brian said, the header not extending all the way over the sidebars (IMO) serves to highlight the star of the show, the blogs’ [...] [...] familiar. Furthermore, as Brian said, the header not extending all the way over the sidebars (IMO) serves to highlight the star of the show, the blogs’ [...]

]]> By: rcov092 http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/2008/12/10/suggested-theme-mock-up-for-rs-40/#comment-462 rcov092 Mon, 15 Dec 2008 05:04:49 +0000 http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/?p=46#comment-462 Content is king, not dull gray. Also the contrast from the gray is not high enough. A darker background will enhance readability and reduce fatigue - IMHO. Content is king, not dull gray. Also the contrast from the gray is not high enough. A darker background will enhance readability and reduce fatigue – IMHO.

]]> By: Jill1066 http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/2008/12/10/suggested-theme-mock-up-for-rs-40/#comment-453 Jill1066 Sat, 13 Dec 2008 23:15:04 +0000 http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/?p=46#comment-453 I like the greater emphasis on the color red. The gray background looks disturbingly, um, ... blue on my monitor. I'm not totally wild about all the red text though. I personally have very scroungy eyesight and favor black text on a very light background for maximum readability. Please don't shrink the map with all the red states quite so much. California, Washington, Oregon, etc. in red may be a pipe dream, but it's so nice to see! You obviously have great talent at this website design stuff. Thanks for using your talent to explore some interesting alternatives. I like the greater emphasis on the color red. The gray background looks disturbingly, um, … blue on my monitor. I’m not totally wild about all the red text though. I personally have very scroungy eyesight and favor black text on a very light background for maximum readability. Please don’t shrink the map with all the red states quite so much. California, Washington, Oregon, etc. in red may be a pipe dream, but it’s so nice to see!

You obviously have great talent at this website design stuff. Thanks for using your talent to explore some interesting alternatives.

]]> By: ChooseTheHero.com » Blog Archive » The Design http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/2008/12/10/suggested-theme-mock-up-for-rs-40/#comment-452 ChooseTheHero.com » Blog Archive » The Design Sat, 13 Dec 2008 19:58:26 +0000 http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/?p=46#comment-452 [...] Martin does not much like the present site design and came up with a suggested alternative. [...] [...] Martin does not much like the present site design and came up with a suggested alternative. [...]

]]> By: SKilroe http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/2008/12/10/suggested-theme-mock-up-for-rs-40/#comment-451 SKilroe Sat, 13 Dec 2008 18:35:08 +0000 http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/?p=46#comment-451 I think this proposed layout is terrific. It appears that it would be easier to navigate also. A very polished and professional appearance. I have very much missed the blogroll and the search field. I am glad to see the comments section shorter ( it could go away for all I care). The member log-in placement looks good as does the get local area - good to have them at the top of the page and easy to get to. I like the calendar pull-down too. My thoughts on the color: I like the amount of red in this layout. Agree with many about the blue-gray. Yucchh! However, instead of adding even more red, how about yellow to replace the current blue-gray. Now I don't mean deep gold or egg yolk yellow but a more subtle shade along the lines of a deep, warm 'manila folder' yellow. The red will really pop in a way that it doesn't with the blue-gray background. I prefer the masthead along the entire top on the current layout and would like to see that retained if you go to a new layout. However, the rest of the proposed layout breaks the page up from the current columns which are rather dull. I appreciate the varying widths between the wider blogs on the left and the links on the right. Easier on the eyes. I do agree with Martin - this is a treasure on the Internet and appearance does count and makes a huge difference. I have been with Redstate through a couple of different changes but I could never define clearly what was missing or what I preferred. So, Martin, thank you for working on this. I will be interested to see what happens with it all. Whatever you do with the layout, I will still visit Redstate, as I do every day. P.S. I tried to look at Caleb's modifications but got an error page instead so I can't comment on that yet. I think this proposed layout is terrific. It appears that it would be easier to navigate also. A very polished and professional appearance. I have very much missed the blogroll and the search field. I am glad to see the comments section shorter ( it could go away for all I care). The member log-in placement looks good as does the get local area – good to have them at the top of the page and easy to get to. I like the calendar pull-down too.

My thoughts on the color: I like the amount of red in this layout. Agree with many about the blue-gray. Yucchh! However, instead of adding even more red, how about yellow to replace the current blue-gray. Now I don’t mean deep gold or egg yolk yellow but a more subtle shade along the lines of a deep, warm ‘manila folder’ yellow. The red will really pop in a way that it doesn’t with the blue-gray background.

I prefer the masthead along the entire top on the current layout and would like to see that retained if you go to a new layout. However, the rest of the proposed layout breaks the page up from the current columns which are rather dull. I appreciate the varying widths between the wider blogs on the left and the links on the right. Easier on the eyes.

I do agree with Martin – this is a treasure on the Internet and appearance does count and makes a huge difference. I have been with Redstate through a couple of different changes but I could never define clearly what was missing or what I preferred. So, Martin, thank you for working on this. I will be interested to see what happens with it all. Whatever you do with the layout, I will still visit Redstate, as I do every day.

P.S. I tried to look at Caleb’s modifications but got an error page instead so I can’t comment on that yet.

]]> By: Crowe http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/2008/12/10/suggested-theme-mock-up-for-rs-40/#comment-450 Crowe Sat, 13 Dec 2008 12:53:02 +0000 http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/?p=46#comment-450 I think the headers on the right-hand columns are fine the way you have them. Red with clear, concise text -- plenty readable for the newbie, and bold enough so the one who is used to where things are will know which section they're in just by the placement of the header, without having to read it... Thanks for pushing for a return to the roots I think the headers on the right-hand columns are fine the way you have them. Red with clear, concise text — plenty readable for the newbie, and bold enough so the one who is used to where things are will know which section they’re in just by the placement of the header, without having to read it…

Thanks for pushing for a return to the roots

]]> By: aesthete http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/2008/12/10/suggested-theme-mock-up-for-rs-40/#comment-449 aesthete Sat, 13 Dec 2008 05:03:33 +0000 http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/?p=46#comment-449 "it would be cool <b>to have..." “it would be cool to have…”

]]> By: aesthete http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/2008/12/10/suggested-theme-mock-up-for-rs-40/#comment-448 aesthete Sat, 13 Dec 2008 04:56:48 +0000 http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/?p=46#comment-448 Also, maybe a larger and more prominent "get local" thing. As a bonus, it would be cool yo have a "get local" widget, which highlights the state your mouse hovers over (and maybe the headlines for the latest stories from that state). Also, anything that could make the site look less cluttered would be a huge plus for me. And, as others have said, more red! Also, maybe a larger and more prominent “get local” thing. As a bonus, it would be cool yo have a “get local” widget, which highlights the state your mouse hovers over (and maybe the headlines for the latest stories from that state).

Also, anything that could make the site look less cluttered would be a huge plus for me.

And, as others have said, more red!

]]> By: Erick’s blog » The Design :: http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/2008/12/10/suggested-theme-mock-up-for-rs-40/#comment-447 Erick’s blog » The Design :: Fri, 12 Dec 2008 23:37:57 +0000 http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/?p=46#comment-447 [...] Martin does not much like the present site design and came up with a suggested alternative. [...] [...] Martin does not much like the present site design and came up with a suggested alternative. [...]

]]> By: woodsman http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/2008/12/10/suggested-theme-mock-up-for-rs-40/#comment-446 woodsman Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:26:24 +0000 http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/?p=46#comment-446 I was not a member when RS 1.0 was around, so I could not comment on the before. However, I really like the use of Red on White. Perhaps the Darker red could be used for the front page diaries and a softer red used for the sidebars. By using the more vivid red on the front page entries the eye is drawn to that. As it is now, the bright red on the sidebars tends to catch the eye first. Another feature I would like to see is not so much for the RS members, but one for recommended charitable organizations. Such as, http://www.specialops.org/ or some others highly recommended by members. Any anything that helps with the ease of editing, formatting, or writing of diaries. Is it possible to get a WYSIWYG text editing? I was not a member when RS 1.0 was around, so I could not comment on the before. However, I really like the use of Red on White. Perhaps the Darker red could be used for the front page diaries and a softer red used for the sidebars. By using the more vivid red on the front page entries the eye is drawn to that. As it is now, the bright red on the sidebars tends to catch the eye first.

Another feature I would like to see is not so much for the RS members, but one for recommended charitable organizations. Such as, http://www.specialops.org/ or some others highly recommended by members.

Any anything that helps with the ease of editing, formatting, or writing of diaries. Is it possible to get a WYSIWYG text editing?

]]> By: Martin Knight http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/2008/12/10/suggested-theme-mock-up-for-rs-40/#comment-445 Martin Knight Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:01:51 +0000 http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/?p=46#comment-445 On point 2 - I have to be honest, I'm not getting it. But I'll take it into consideration. I was kinda hoping that someone with some skill would take my stuff up there and work a little magic of their own to improve it. Point 3 - I'm aware of it. Just couldn't fit it in, but it's there in spirit (-: ... On point 2 – I have to be honest, I’m not getting it. But I’ll take it into consideration. I was kinda hoping that someone with some skill would take my stuff up there and work a little magic of their own to improve it.

Point 3 – I’m aware of it. Just couldn’t fit it in, but it’s there in spirit (-: …

]]> By: olsmithie http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/2008/12/10/suggested-theme-mock-up-for-rs-40/#comment-444 olsmithie Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:05:28 +0000 http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/?p=46#comment-444 Will this return? Regards Will this return?

Regards

]]> By: RetNAV http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/2008/12/10/suggested-theme-mock-up-for-rs-40/#comment-443 RetNAV Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:42:11 +0000 http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/?p=46#comment-443 and it looks pretty good to me - as long as the gray/bluish background goes away. and it looks pretty good to me – as long as the gray/bluish background goes away.

]]> By: Brian Simpson http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/2008/12/10/suggested-theme-mock-up-for-rs-40/#comment-442 Brian Simpson Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:37:10 +0000 http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/?p=46#comment-442 Someone is actually asking for your input on site design (or possible site design). How about giving Martin some likes/dislikes/suggestions. (and even a reco if you like what's going on, eh?) Someone is actually asking for your input on site design (or possible site design).

How about giving Martin some likes/dislikes/suggestions. (and even a reco if you like what’s going on, eh?)

]]> By: Brian Simpson http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/2008/12/10/suggested-theme-mock-up-for-rs-40/#comment-441 Brian Simpson Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:34:09 +0000 http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/?p=46#comment-441 Thought I had reco'd. Hmm. What I don't like...or more aptly constructive critcism...or maybe suggestions for improvement...or whatever. 1. I would consider changing the background color to red (but not in the posts, Recent Diaries, etc; only the area that is currently occupied by that dreary blueish gray). Or at least a shade of red. Heck, even a similarly washed out red would look better than the blue that is there. 2. Make the headers for the side bar stuff graphics. - I liked that suggestion of Neil's. The RedHot image being the concept that seems to work. It gives the page more flair. 3. You are mission the Action Alert e-mail sign up (or I'm not seeing it) - part of the future of RedState as a tool for activism 4. Hmmm.....that's all I got for now. Oh, and <a href="http://www.redstate.com/neil_stevens/2008/12/09/the-your-comments-open-thread/#comment-1577" rel="nofollow">here</a> is where Neil said that "New!" comment tracking was unlikely to return. Thought I had reco’d.

Hmm.

What I don’t like…or more aptly constructive critcism…or maybe suggestions for improvement…or whatever.

1. I would consider changing the background color to red (but not in the posts, Recent Diaries, etc; only the area that is currently occupied by that dreary blueish gray). Or at least a shade of red. Heck, even a similarly washed out red would look better than the blue that is there.

2. Make the headers for the side bar stuff graphics. – I liked that suggestion of Neil’s. The RedHot image being the concept that seems to work. It gives the page more flair.

3. You are mission the Action Alert e-mail sign up (or I’m not seeing it) – part of the future of RedState as a tool for activism

4. Hmmm…..that’s all I got for now.

Oh, and here is where Neil said that “New!” comment tracking was unlikely to return.

]]> By: Martin Knight http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/2008/12/10/suggested-theme-mock-up-for-rs-40/#comment-440 Martin Knight Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:58:06 +0000 http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/?p=46#comment-440 On number (6): I read that somewhere - I'm sorta trying to plant the idea in Neil's head, y'know? Then maybe one day, in his spare time, he would fire up Dreamweaver and add us a little widget ... Thanks for the breakdown. Is there anything you don't like? Can I trouble you for a Reco? On number (6): I read that somewhere – I’m sorta trying to plant the idea in Neil’s head, y’know? Then maybe one day, in his spare time, he would fire up Dreamweaver and add us a little widget …

Thanks for the breakdown. Is there anything you don’t like? Can I trouble you for a Reco?

]]> By: Martin Knight http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/2008/12/10/suggested-theme-mock-up-for-rs-40/#comment-439 Martin Knight Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:48:31 +0000 http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/?p=46#comment-439 Was hoping I wouldn't be the most active commenter on this diary. Was hoping I wouldn’t be the most active commenter on this diary.

]]> By: Martin Knight http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/2008/12/10/suggested-theme-mock-up-for-rs-40/#comment-438 Martin Knight Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:47:49 +0000 http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/?p=46#comment-438 I think the icons and text in the headers, especially at full size, work to distinguish it all quite well. Besides, sidebar headers usually all follow the same format e.g. RS right now. I think the icons and text in the headers, especially at full size, work to distinguish it all quite well.

Besides, sidebar headers usually all follow the same format e.g. RS right now.

]]> By: Martin Knight http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/2008/12/10/suggested-theme-mock-up-for-rs-40/#comment-437 Martin Knight Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:30:34 +0000 http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/?p=46#comment-437 Why abandon a good thing? Why abandon a good thing?

]]> By: Martin Knight http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/2008/12/10/suggested-theme-mock-up-for-rs-40/#comment-436 Martin Knight Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:27:42 +0000 http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/?p=46#comment-436 Wanted to do that ... after I posted it. Wanted to do that … after I posted it.

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