In yesterday’s post, I wrote about how it was time to make some changes to my blog and in my approach to blogging.
My first step in changing my blog was to create an “About Me” page, which you can read by clicking on the “About Me” link in this sentence or at the top of this page. The second step was redesigning the site, or in the language of WordPress, picking a new theme. Hopefully the change in design is obvious, and I haven’t lost any content as part of the transition. To see the newly redesigned front page, just click on “Borden’s Blog” at the top of the page.
It will be a work-in-progress for the next few days while I figure out how to get everything to look the way I envision it. But at this point, the new theme is up and running.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the new design; good, bad, and indifferent.
image from the European Data Portal
Borden's Blather 
Like the new format! Is it possible to include an “archive” link in the drop down menu that has your bio?
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thanks! I did create one drop down menu for the archive, but I can see how it would be nice to have one in the area that has my bio. this will give me something to work on!
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I would use the word plant-based, rather than vegan.
Don’t you like music, too?
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I’ll have to think about that one. Doesn’t plant-based just refer to the diet side of being a vegan, which I’ve always thought of as a broader term. And you’re right, I do like music. I’ll have to get that in there somehow. Thanks for the feedback!
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Looks good Jim! I agree with one of the comments above that an ‘archive’ tab would be a good addition.
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Thanks, Patrick! I’ve put a drop down archive on the main page and then on each post’s page. I’m also going to be going back and creating categories for all of my posts.
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The new site took longer to load
Another suggestion- while putting links for everything sounds intuitive when you introduce most of them with visuals it makes the blog really long
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Thanks for the feedback, Bud! Was the slower loading time on a phone or a laptop? I’ll have to see if there’s a way to speed things up.
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Love the Emerson quote in your “About Me”. Theme looks clean.
One question though, have you thought about making the email blasts for subscribers to include the entire post? When I receive the email notifications of your daily blog they are always excerpts so I have to click the link to go onto the physical site to read your posts, instead of directly on the email. The issue is that I often don’t have WiFi/service so if I want to read your blog I can’t, but if it’s all in the email which my phone automatically downloads I can read it at any point from receiving it.
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Thanks, Jeff. I’ll look into the excerpt vs. full post issue today.
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The downside to this would be reduced traffic numbers to the site!
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That was my original thought as well, but if someone is already getting my post via email, at least they are already in the subscriber count. From what I’ve seen, most blogs just offer an excerpt in an email.
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I especially like the updated, colorful graphics and, of course, the About Me. It is also easier to catch up with recent posts highlighted, as I just did! Bravo to you on your long-term commitment. I once did a 30-day photography challenge. While I completed the challenge, I was really tired of it by the third week. I admire your tenacity! Good wishes to you, as you continue this challenge!
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thanks, Eleanor, for always offering your comments and feedback. it is greatly appreciated. Call it tenacity, or as you noted in a previous post, OCD, but at this point I enjoy thinking of something to write about every day.
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