Comments on: Your Thoughts http://www.somerandomdude.net/blog/current-events/your-thoughts-2006/ Your basic design blog. Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:05:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: Short Term Goals for Some Random Dude » SOME RANDOM DUDE http://www.somerandomdude.net/blog/current-events/your-thoughts-2006/#comment-45238 Short Term Goals for Some Random Dude » SOME RANDOM DUDE Wed, 18 Apr 2007 21:48:25 +0000 http://www.somerandomdude.net/blog/current-events/your-thoughts-2006/#comment-45238 [...] I had the fortune of being invited as a judge for Standards Reboot, a standards-centric web design event. The deadline is May 1 and I thought it would be appropriate to “reboot” my site to go along with the event. Let me clarify a bit, the reboot will be less visually oriented and more user-experience oriented. These change (which hopefully will occur) are tied to the moves I have been talking about for quite a while. I was lucky enough to have had an online buddy help with some changes that I have yet to institute due to a lack of time. I feel pretty confident that a few serious sit-down sessions could end up being quite fruitful. Life has finally started to slow down and so I feel right now is as good of a time as ever. Still, this project needs to be very focused and pragmatic. No significant changes can be implemented within the 2 weeks before May 1, so I really would like to tackle two or three areas in a very simple, yet effective manner. As the title suggests, these are short term goals, but they are all directed towards much larger ideas. [...] […] I had the fortune of being invited as a judge for Standards Reboot, a standards-centric web design event. The deadline is May 1 and I thought it would be appropriate to “reboot” my site to go along with the event. Let me clarify a bit, the reboot will be less visually oriented and more user-experience oriented. These change (which hopefully will occur) are tied to the moves I have been talking about for quite a while. I was lucky enough to have had an online buddy help with some changes that I have yet to institute due to a lack of time. I feel pretty confident that a few serious sit-down sessions could end up being quite fruitful. Life has finally started to slow down and so I feel right now is as good of a time as ever. Still, this project needs to be very focused and pragmatic. No significant changes can be implemented within the 2 weeks before May 1, so I really would like to tackle two or three areas in a very simple, yet effective manner. As the title suggests, these are short term goals, but they are all directed towards much larger ideas. […]

]]> By: somerandomdude http://www.somerandomdude.net/blog/current-events/your-thoughts-2006/#comment-11147 somerandomdude Thu, 14 Dec 2006 08:43:50 +0000 http://www.somerandomdude.net/blog/current-events/your-thoughts-2006/#comment-11147 Great thoughts everyone - thanks so much for the feedback! I think I have a list of the things I need to work on - I'll be (slowly) getting to it in the next few months. Honestly, thank you - this is awesome. Great thoughts everyone - thanks so much for the feedback! I think I have a list of the things I need to work on - I’ll be (slowly) getting to it in the next few months. Honestly, thank you - this is awesome.

]]> By: Tim http://www.somerandomdude.net/blog/current-events/your-thoughts-2006/#comment-11123 Tim Thu, 14 Dec 2006 05:47:26 +0000 http://www.somerandomdude.net/blog/current-events/your-thoughts-2006/#comment-11123 The 'Give, Get, Spread' makes sense once you know what it's talking about but changing those words to just 'Comment Love' would make a larger and more lasting impact on blog readers, but new and regulars. I think it would make new blog readers notice it more rather than perhaps mistake it for a general slogan or catch-phrase of the site which would then encourage them to read the smaller text and ultimately click the link. I think it would leave a more lasting impact for regular readers since they see the words Comment Love in smaller text in a lot of other posts and around the site and seeing it as one of the most dominant pieces of text on the main page would encourage people to comment more. Just what I think. =) The ‘Give, Get, Spread’ makes sense once you know what it’s talking about but changing those words to just ‘Comment Love’ would make a larger and more lasting impact on blog readers, but new and regulars.

I think it would make new blog readers notice it more rather than perhaps mistake it for a general slogan or catch-phrase of the site which would then encourage them to read the smaller text and ultimately click the link. I think it would leave a more lasting impact for regular readers since they see the words Comment Love in smaller text in a lot of other posts and around the site and seeing it as one of the most dominant pieces of text on the main page would encourage people to comment more.

Just what I think. =)

]]> By: kellie http://www.somerandomdude.net/blog/current-events/your-thoughts-2006/#comment-10895 kellie Tue, 12 Dec 2006 22:47:11 +0000 http://www.somerandomdude.net/blog/current-events/your-thoughts-2006/#comment-10895 Another idea for Some Random Dude. You could sell prints of your photographs (once you gather a large enough body of work) and give a percentage to a designated charity. Another idea for Some Random Dude.

You could sell prints of your photographs (once you gather a large enough body of work) and give a percentage to a designated charity.

]]> By: kellie http://www.somerandomdude.net/blog/current-events/your-thoughts-2006/#comment-10872 kellie Tue, 12 Dec 2006 19:08:15 +0000 http://www.somerandomdude.net/blog/current-events/your-thoughts-2006/#comment-10872 Um, you're supposed to 'click' on the TerraPass feature to figure out what its all about. :-) I do agree that the "Give, Get, Love" ad on the front page feels a little like the title due to its layout, etc. HOWEVER, i think its very important for it to be there since Comment Love is your trademark feature. Could that be remedied by changing the size of the title 'some random dude.' or to take a totally different point of view, does it really matter that Some Random Dude isn't the main focus? Some Random Dude is mentioned often enough throughout the site that a reader would figure out pretty quickly that its the title of the site. A lot of brands don't have their names as the top level of hierarchy any way. So you could look at it from that perspective too. Um, you’re supposed to ‘click’ on the TerraPass feature to figure out what its all about. :-)

I do agree that the “Give, Get, Love” ad on the front page feels a little like the title due to its layout, etc. HOWEVER, i think its very important for it to be there since Comment Love is your trademark feature. Could that be remedied by changing the size of the title ’some random dude.’ or to take a totally different point of view, does it really matter that Some Random Dude isn’t the main focus? Some Random Dude is mentioned often enough throughout the site that a reader would figure out pretty quickly that its the title of the site. A lot of brands don’t have their names as the top level of hierarchy any way. So you could look at it from that perspective too.

]]> By: Pat G. http://www.somerandomdude.net/blog/current-events/your-thoughts-2006/#comment-10865 Pat G. Tue, 12 Dec 2006 18:37:10 +0000 http://www.somerandomdude.net/blog/current-events/your-thoughts-2006/#comment-10865 Awesome! On a more positive note, I LOVE the way your red block under the page title has randomly generated "dudes" in it. Really brilliant--technically and conceptually. Again, I'd let that bask in its glory a bit more by notching back the other red elements a bit, like the "Give, Get, Love" thing and TerraPass (I'm not even sure what that is, by the way...). Awesome! On a more positive note, I LOVE the way your red block under the page title has randomly generated “dudes” in it. Really brilliant–technically and conceptually. Again, I’d let that bask in its glory a bit more by notching back the other red elements a bit, like the “Give, Get, Love” thing and TerraPass (I’m not even sure what that is, by the way…).

]]> By: somerandomdude http://www.somerandomdude.net/blog/current-events/your-thoughts-2006/#comment-10797 somerandomdude Tue, 12 Dec 2006 01:36:01 +0000 http://www.somerandomdude.net/blog/current-events/your-thoughts-2006/#comment-10797 Another really good point Pat. I think that banner area can use some work in many ways and I have a good way of fixing them all in one fell swoop. Another really good point Pat. I think that banner area can use some work in many ways and I have a good way of fixing them all in one fell swoop.

]]> By: Pat G. http://www.somerandomdude.net/blog/current-events/your-thoughts-2006/#comment-10796 Pat G. Tue, 12 Dec 2006 01:24:34 +0000 http://www.somerandomdude.net/blog/current-events/your-thoughts-2006/#comment-10796 The "Give, Get, Love" ad on the front page feels like the title of the site to me right now. I know it's not, but when the page opens up, that's the first thing I look at.... I wonder if you could make that a bit more quiet somehow. The “Give, Get, Love” ad on the front page feels like the title of the site to me right now. I know it’s not, but when the page opens up, that’s the first thing I look at…. I wonder if you could make that a bit more quiet somehow.

]]> By: somerandomdude http://www.somerandomdude.net/blog/current-events/your-thoughts-2006/#comment-10795 somerandomdude Tue, 12 Dec 2006 01:23:22 +0000 http://www.somerandomdude.net/blog/current-events/your-thoughts-2006/#comment-10795 <strong>Kellie</strong> - I would like to get to some common ground on the stylistic aspect as I do think I need something that makes the site fresh and unique while falling within the current identity system I have. The header is <em>supposed</em> to do that, but I just don't have the time to create new headers at this point. I totally agree with you about the visuals. I will honestly be trying to improve upon that in the upcoming weeks as well as in my future posts. My goal is to have some sort of visual appeal for each main article that I write. I also agree with more shorter articles. I think after the new year I may start doing a daily blurb. Not sure how it's going to work, but I'm going to give it a shot. Lastly, I'm really glad you and others like the Comment Love feature. I think it's something that (sadly) is very unique and untried. I really feel it's both a great addition to the site and an important statement. <strong>Pat</strong> - Good points all around. I've been holding off on a third color, but I think you're right - there isn't enough visual separation between different groups of information. That's definitely on the list of things to work on. Also, could you send me a screenshot of the "DUD"? I don't see it anywhere on any of my browsers. <strong>Robin</strong> - Man, good to hear from you. Hope all is well! :D That's a really good point Robin - I think moving in that direction is definitely the correct course... If anything, I think having daily links could work in tandem with the weekly links. I know <a href="http://del.icio.us">del.icio.us</a> has a feature where links can be published automatically on a daily basis. It honestly would not be too hard to implement either. Very, very good feedback - I think that one is a winner. :) Thanks again and please, everyone chip in. I take your opinions <strong>very</strong> seriously. Kellie - I would like to get to some common ground on the stylistic aspect as I do think I need something that makes the site fresh and unique while falling within the current identity system I have. The header is supposed to do that, but I just don’t have the time to create new headers at this point.

I totally agree with you about the visuals. I will honestly be trying to improve upon that in the upcoming weeks as well as in my future posts. My goal is to have some sort of visual appeal for each main article that I write.

I also agree with more shorter articles. I think after the new year I may start doing a daily blurb. Not sure how it’s going to work, but I’m going to give it a shot.

Lastly, I’m really glad you and others like the Comment Love feature. I think it’s something that (sadly) is very unique and untried. I really feel it’s both a great addition to the site and an important statement.

Pat - Good points all around. I’ve been holding off on a third color, but I think you’re right - there isn’t enough visual separation between different groups of information. That’s definitely on the list of things to work on. Also, could you send me a screenshot of the “DUD”? I don’t see it anywhere on any of my browsers.

Robin - Man, good to hear from you. Hope all is well! :D

That’s a really good point Robin - I think moving in that direction is definitely the correct course… If anything, I think having daily links could work in tandem with the weekly links. I know del.icio.us has a feature where links can be published automatically on a daily basis. It honestly would not be too hard to implement either. Very, very good feedback - I think that one is a winner. :)

Thanks again and please, everyone chip in. I take your opinions very seriously.

]]> By: robin http://www.somerandomdude.net/blog/current-events/your-thoughts-2006/#comment-10794 robin Tue, 12 Dec 2006 01:21:43 +0000 http://www.somerandomdude.net/blog/current-events/your-thoughts-2006/#comment-10794 I love the style too -- my only quibble (and it's entirely selfish) is that I'd like to see the list of links as granular blog entries, not just one big mega-post. This is entirely b/c I am so RSS-centric and it's a lot easier to parse that sort of thing when it's divided up... but I acknowledge that I might be an edge case here. And think of all the headlines you'd have to write! That aside, I agree with Kellie about more blurbs. Surely PJ Onori's thoughts do not only come in treatise format... I love the style too — my only quibble (and it’s entirely selfish) is that I’d like to see the list of links as granular blog entries, not just one big mega-post. This is entirely b/c I am so RSS-centric and it’s a lot easier to parse that sort of thing when it’s divided up… but I acknowledge that I might be an edge case here. And think of all the headlines you’d have to write!

That aside, I agree with Kellie about more blurbs. Surely PJ Onori’s thoughts do not only come in treatise format…

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