Templacency ::: Post # 4,256

I've been wrestling with the idea of a total redesign for this humble weblog.

But is it really warranted? Hmmm...

After taking in and considering some valid criticisms, incluidng:

"... your site has far too many things going on. It’s difficult to navigate and everything seems so random. There are odd links all over mixed with Google Adsense ads and widgets that don’t seem to be relevant to your topic.

The color schemes don't match, your profile picture is of poor quality, and there are simply too many distractions.

The template in use at the time this post was originally uploaded.

Also, the donate button is the first thing people see. I would move it to the end of your posts. If people see value after reading your article, they might be more inclined to donate. Seeing that in your sidebar like that is a big turn off.

To be honest, when I see a site like this, I just leave. Readers want a simple, easy to navigate site. There are so many good blogs out there that when they see one that is structured poorly, they lose interest immediately...."

and

"...I were Dave, I might consider making the whole page wider. That is, of course, unless his mom is reading it on an old monitor, or some other good reason for keeping it smaller."

I decided the current template could continue to work IF it could be widened to three columns. Experimentation has led to many dead-ends. This is an old blogger template from the early 2000's, lacking many of the features and extras of the more modern themes.

I found a new template that I like, but there are two possible problems. (1) It's an indie design that does not reside on the blogger/google network, and (2) Parts of it ignore commands given in the blogger layout form. The big fear with (1) is that if the server where the host images are located goes down (either goes out of business or the template designer stops paying the hosting fee), everything is lost.

People like to say "you should always get your own blog hosting." Good advice, unless you forget or don't have money to pay the hosting bill, or as mentioned above, the hosting company shuts down (and many have done so with NO warning to customers!)

In other developments...

Gearing up for a busy week at work, with Andrew Cuomo taking over as New York's new Governor. Forecasters warn that arctic air is headed our way. I did a lot of New Year's day cleaning and organizing, and feel confident going forward that 2011 will be a very good year (for me).