Nobody’s perfect. Everything can be made better, even Good Old Rock. So I’m reaching out to you, my loyal readers, to provide some feedback on my blog – and at the same time, have an opportunity to win a prize!
Here’s how it will work – just copy the twelve questions from the fancy box below, and paste it into a new comment on this post, along with your answers. Please feel free to provide any other comments or suggestions, in addition to the questions asked. Every person who posts a feedback comment (with answers to ALL of the questions) will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com.
1. Are you a regular reader of Good Old Rock, or is this your first time here?
2. Do you subscribe to the Good Old Rock RSS feed? (as in, do you read this blog in something like Google Reader, Netvibes, or on the LiveJournal page?)
3. How often do you visit Good Old Rock? How do you get here? (Twitter links, Facebook posts, bookmark, etc)
4. How did you find Good Old Rock?
5. What is your favorite “content type” here? For example: RSS Recommendations, Tech Tips, Web Wanderings, Photography, or “personal updates”? Why?
6. Likewise, what is your least favorite? Why?
7. Do you follow me on Twitter? Are we friends on Facebook?
8. What is your favorite kind of muffin?
9. Is it easy to find what you’re looking for here? How could it be improved?
10. Let’s talk about the “look and feel”. What do you think of the overall design? How would you like it changed?
11. Are the ads intrusive? Do you run an adblocker? Do you ever click on the ads?
12. Do you comment on posts? If not, why not? What could I do to make you more likely to comment?
That’s it! Comments will be open until the evening of May 7, 2009. At that point, I will take all the commenters, and assign each of them a number. I will pull a random number using Random.org, and that person will be the recipient of a $25 Amazon.com gift certificate, which will be emailed to the email address used to leave the comment. Don’t worry – I will not do anything nefarious with your email addresses. This contest is open to everyone except for members of my immediate family. Thanks!
{ 45 comments… read them below or add one }
1. Are you a regular reader of Good Old Rock, or is this your first time here? I am a regular reader
2. Do you subscribe to the Good Old Rock RSS feed? I do subscribe!
3. How often do you visit Good Old Rock? How do you get here? (Twitter links, Facebook posts, bookmark, etc) Normally bookmark because I forget to check the reader. And dailyish.
4. How did you find Good Old Rock? I was led by a unicorn from Yehoodi
5. What is your favorite “content type” here? Why? Do you need to ask? Unicorns!! And both personal and tech stuff for dummies.
6. Likewise, what is your least favorite? Why? Twitter stuff. I’m content with a basic Twitter page and not all the apps.
7. Do you follow me on Twitter? Are we friends on Facebook? I follow you on both. But I don’t know if I’d call you a “friend”
8. What is your favorite kind of muffin? Your mom
9. Is it easy to find what you’re looking for here? How could it be improved? I don’t search much, no comment
10. Let’s talk about the “look and feel”. What do you think of the overall design? How would you like it changed? In a small window, which is what I normall have open, it looks really cluttered. Not so bad when full window.
11. Are the ads intrusive? Do you run an adblocker? Do you ever click on the ads? Never noticed them – not intrusive and never clicked.
12. Do you comment on posts? If not, why not? What could I do to make you more likely to comment? I do comment. But only cause you threaten me. I’d comment more if you gave me chocolate.
Ah, those unicorns are wonderful for generating traffic! I don’t thank them nearly enough.
I will also work on a new “chocolate for comments from Christina” policy.
Sweet.
1. Half-assed reader
2. Not even subscribed.
3. Once or twice a week, depending on Twitter links
4. Twitter
5. I’d say tech tips
6. Least fav, RSS recs
7. We are Twitter pals!
8. Banana Walnut
9. I guess, but I don’t like to have to click the categories drop-down. I need a tag cloud.
10. UX.. You need white space, lots of white space
11. The ads are a bit of a pain… What kind of money are you making with Adsense? If it’s just cents a day, blow it off.
12. I rarely comment without some alterior motive…
Best,
-=Wef!
Hi John! Thanks for the feedback. AdSense for me right now is a bit of an experiment, which is why I was looking for feedback on it. Good point about the tag cloud – I’m going to try to see how I can optimize that part a lot better, and your feedback helps!
1. Are you a regular reader of Good Old Rock, or is this your first time here?
First time Caller
2. Do you subscribe to the Good Old Rock RSS feed? (as in, do you read this blog in something like Google Reader, Netvibes, or on the LiveJournal page?)
I do not. But…I think I shall add you to the LiveJournal feed. Just to see how it works…
3. How often do you visit Good Old Rock? How do you get here? (Twitter links, Facebook posts, bookmark, etc)
TWITTER!!!!
4. How did you find Good Old Rock?
TWITTER!!!!
5. What is your favorite “content type” here? For example: RSS Recommendations, Tech Tips, Web Wanderings, Photography, or “personal updates”? Why?
I have no idea…just got here…
6. Likewise, what is your least favorite? Why?
Please to see above answer…
7. Do you follow me on Twitter? Are we friends on Facebook?
TWITTER!!!!
8. What is your favorite kind of muffin?
I am undecided between a hearty corn muffin or a blueberry muffin. Both have their pros and cons…
9. Is it easy to find what you’re looking for here? How could it be improved?
I haven’t looked for anything yet.
10. Let’s talk about the “look and feel”. What do you think of the overall design? How would you like it changed?
First glance? Too busy. Too much crap in the sidebars. I really, well and truly don’t care how many followers you or any blogger has. It tells me nothing about your content. It’s a gimmick. Comments from other blogs is also a distraction, to my mind. I’d ditch the B.S., go with something simple and clean and focus on your content. Because that’s what people come for.
11. Are the ads intrusive? Do you run an adblocker? Do you ever click on the ads?
I personally click on ads of interest to me. If I’m not interested, I won’t bother. I run a pop-up blocker. Embed the ads, don’t jump in my face.
12. Do you comment on posts? If not, why not? What could I do to make you more likely to comment?
I comment on posts that are of interest to me. After looking around, I would probably make a (hopefully) funny comment about the High School pictures post. That was amusing and scary. Scary because I remember things like that so very well.
Mark S.’s last blog post..Little Poems
Mark – thanks for some great feedback! Also, I just realized I forgot to include the link to the LiveJournal page for this blog, so I’ve edited the post to include it – http://mstrattonblog.livejournal.com/
I agree with all the sidebar “crap” comment. It’s something that’s bothered me a bit too, but I wanted to see if people “subscribed” using those tools. It does add a lot of overhead that is probably annoying.
Thanks for visiting! Hope you found something interesting here too. And Twitter rules :)
I added the Feed to my LJ, and there was a lot of stuff that came through in a hurry!
The RSS button at the top takes people to a variety of choices. I’d just leave it at that. The other stuff about followers is just a me thing. Other people may really enjoy that sort of thing.
If ya look at the LJ link name, I think you’ll have no problem figuring out that I’m the guy that thinks the Lastro’s are worthless.
Mark Stratton’s last blog post..Little Poems
1. Are you a regular reader of Good Old Rock, or is this your first time here?
Reg.
2. Do you subscribe to the Good Old Rock RSS feed? (as in, do you read this blog in something like Google Reader, Netvibes, or on the LiveJournal page?)
Yes, but I rarely check my GooReader, I pick it up from your twitter/facebook statuseseses
3. How often do you visit Good Old Rock? How do you get here? (Twitter links, Facebook posts, bookmark, etc)
see above.
4. How did you find Good Old Rock?
From your status messages or maybe a link from a post to a message board we both frequent?
5. What is your favorite “content type” here? For example: RSS Recommendations, Tech Tips, Web Wanderings, Photography, or “personal updates”? Why?
Tech Tips & Web Wanderings. Why? Because that’s what is applicable ot my life/interests. I have an overflow of RSS feeds so unless it’s contextual it’s like #followfriday – I don’t need more data clogging my limited mental bandwidth.
6. Likewise, what is your least favorite? Why?
Random RSS recommendations (see above) and photography (see above)
7. Do you follow me on Twitter? Are we friends on Facebook?
yes n’ yup.
8. What is your favorite kind of muffin?
Blueberry.
9. Is it easy to find what you’re looking for here? How could it be improved?
10. Let’s talk about the “look and feel”. What do you think of the overall design? How would you like it changed?
Answer to 9&10 at once: You are trying so many things at once. Waaaay too many colors with all the pics. The initial screen inprint loads up and only one-sixth of the screen has the actual article’s content. ONE-SIXTH! That’s so small I don’t even know the decimal place. Why the hell do I need 50favicons on the side? Group all of the be-my-friend-be-my-friend-puh-LEZE-be-my-friend nonsense together to one side. Shrink the title/menu bars and the pics of yourself. Do you realize you have a menu bar, a title bar, a title bar (the portraits) and another menu bar before I even get to the next/prev links, and THEN get to the title of the article?
Lorem Ipsum up yourself a page or two. The number of friendy/networky/googlecoommunity/favicon things abd the % of the page they take up are overwhelming.
11. Are the ads intrusive? Do you run an adblocker? Do you ever click on the ads?
Ads? You have ads? ABP FTW!
12. Do you comment on posts? If not, why not? What could I do to make you more likely to comment?
Sometimes. Depends if I have the time or anything to ad.
I agree about the giant header. I really do need to fix that up, since it’s obnoxious. I probably will start by just getting rid of all the pictures of myself. It doesn’t work with the content, I suppose – it was an attempt at personalization.
And agreed about all the right sidebar junk. It needs to be whacked.
1. Are you a regular reader of Good Old Rock, or is this your first time here? I would have to say neither. I read what you tell me to and if I’m bored enough, I venture through old stuff.
2. Do you subscribe to the Good Old Rock RSS feed? (as in, do you read this blog in something like Google Reader, Netvibes, or on the LiveJournal page?) No. Google reader is stupid and I don’t know what those other two fancy things are.
3. How often do you visit Good Old Rock? How do you get here? (Twitter links, Facebook posts, bookmark, etc) I got here from your FB post. I visit whenever some douche tells me I have to.
4. How did you find Good Old Rock? I checked out your website originally cause I enjoyed your tweets.
5. What is your favorite “content type” here? For example: RSS Recommendations, Tech Tips, Web Wanderings, Photography, or “personal updates”? Why? I DO NOT enjoy tech tips because I’m not a nerd. I like your photography, personal updates and anytime you mention me (as in Follow Friday).
6. Likewise, what is your least favorite? Why? Oops, I already said tech tips. But I think there are dorks, dweebs, geeks, etc. out there who enjoy it, so you should keep doing it.
7. Do you follow me on Twitter? Are we friends on Facebook? Si, oui, da.
8. What is your favorite kind of muffin? I would say banana nut, although sometimes blueberry is delish, just depends where it’s from. It’s awfully hard to eat an entire muffin because they’re so big and fibrous that I feel like I’m eating a cardboard box.
9. Is it easy to find what you’re looking for here? How could it be improved? The google search bar makes it fairly easy. Although when I googled “homicidal rage,” I was sad that it gave me no results.
10. Let’s talk about the “look and feel”. What do you think of the overall design? How would you like it changed? I would change the ads between the content and the comments. And it would be nice if the font for your posts was different than all the other fonts cause it hurts my face.
11. Are the ads intrusive? Do you run an adblocker? Do you ever click on the ads? The ads are a little annoying, but it’s your blog and you should make money off it.
12. Do you comment on posts? If not, why not? What could I do to make you more likely to comment? I comment if I find it worthy of commenting. I would be more likely to comment if you threatened violence if I did not.
hamsterkitten’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Old School Edition (HS photos)
Thanks for the suggestions! I have a couple follow-up questions for you…
How would you suggest the “between content and comments ads” be changed? I’m open to suggestions…
Secondly – are you suggesting that the content be in a different font than the other portions of the site? That’s an interesting thing to consider.
1. Are you a regular reader of Good Old Rock, or is this your first time here? I’m a regular reader, yo.
2. Do you subscribe to the Good Old Rock RSS feed? (as in, do you read this blog in something like Google Reader, Netvibes, or on the LiveJournal page?) I have it on my LJ friends page.
3. How often do you visit Good Old Rock? How do you get here? (Twitter links, Facebook posts, bookmark, etc) Usually through LJ or through your own personal Twitter account. I don’t subscribe to the blog’s Twitter feed.
4. How did you find Good Old Rock? You switched your LJ to it.
5. What is your favorite “content type” here? For example: RSS Recommendations, Tech Tips, Web Wanderings, Photography, or “personal updates”? Why? Tech Tips and Web Wanderings are great, but my favorite is the personal update. It’s always great to me to get a sense of the human being behind the web efficiency. I would like to see more posts about who you are, movies/music/books you’ve enjoyed recently, what you think about things, funny little happenstances, etc. This isn’t a “personal” blog per se, but a little of it goes a long way. To that end I’ve really appreciated the personal updates you’ve posted so far and would like to see more.
6. Likewise, what is your least favorite? Why? Photography and RSS, mainly because I don’t care about either topic. But other people do, I’m sure.
7. Do you follow me on Twitter? Are we friends on Facebook? Yes and yes.
8. What is your favorite kind of muffin? I’m not much of a muffin person, but I like cornbread. Or anything high fiber. Roughage!
9. Is it easy to find what you’re looking for here? How could it be improved? I don’t really search through the back catalogue much but I’ve never had trouble finding anything. The only issue I could imagine facing is addressed in the next question.
10. Let’s talk about the “look and feel”. What do you think of the overall design? How would you like it changed? Honestly? I don’t like it at all. It’s WAY too cluttered. I’m with the other poster in that I don’t need links to every single online profile you have anywhere on the web. You’ve got like 30 little squares up there. Do I really need a link to your hulu account, for example? Is this something that could appear on a bio page instead of the main site? Ditto for NetworkedBlogs and the Google Follower stuff – I can see why it’s nice to have, but my eyes just kind of gloss over all the square icons. And I don’t really see the point in having the website grader or the technorati rating or anything like that on the main page – it’s interesting from a statistics point of view, but you don’t need to share that info with people on the main page. I’m also not sure “Comments on other blogs” is very useful. Just in general I think you could take out at least 50% of the gizmos you have on the main page and stuff them elsewhere or get rid of them altogether. If no one’s clicking through there’s no reason to have them? Are people clicking on them? I don’t know. I guess if people are clicking on them they’re useful, but even so less is more for me. Sorry if this answer seemed harsh, but you have great content and frankly it gets a little lost with all the plugins and stuff, even in the RSS version – I have to skip like 3 links at the top of the LJ post to even get to your first sentence of real writing, and then there’s a million links at the bottom, many of them just advertising the plugins you used to generate the rest of them. It’s far too busy for my taste and makes sitting back and just enjoying the work you do difficult. I have to parse things out, and I should never have to do that on a blog.
11. Are the ads intrusive? Do you run an adblocker? Do you ever click on the ads? Never noticed them. I think I run an adblocker though so there you go. If I did notice them I’m pretty certain I wouldn’t click on them.
12. Do you comment on posts? If not, why not? What could I do to make you more likely to comment? I do comment. I wish I didn’t have to uncheck the feed finder at the bottom every time, but that’s a minor annoyance. One thing that would make it easier for me to comment is if I could add a comment using LJ and have it become a comment on the site instead of having to go over to the site to do it. I’m not sure that tech exists though.
Thanks for the insightful comments, Marcelo. I appreciate your feedback! And rest assured, that based upon your comment (and many others so far), I’m going to whack a lot of the gizmos. I was leaning that way already, and this will be the push for me to get rid of them.
Love the idea of putting the DandyID (aka social network stuff) on the Bio/About page. Great idea.
As far as the comments on LJ feed going to comments here…I’ve been struggling with that for years and years. I don’t think there’s a way to do it. I suppose I could write up a tool that scans the LJ feed and extracts comments and then imports them as comments in the blog. Actually, in theory, that should be possible. Not sure how much effort would be required though. I’m going to ponder on that…
It’s really a minor convenience issue. I don’t mind coming to the main site to comment. Don’t kill yourself over it. :)
I think it’s a neat idea though. Might be an interesting plugin project.
I actually posted that before I read your response to Riz. Good to see that you agree about the right sidebar. I would add that I’ve never noticed a problem with the photos – I actually like the personality they give. I don’t think having a big header is a problem if the sidebars are made less intrusive. For me the important thing is not only killing the clutter around the posts, but killing the plugin clutter within the posts – can you find a more efficient plugin for related posts that doesn’t say “brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin,” for example? The RSS version is actually a bit difficult to read because of this issue.
I *can* disable the advertising for YARPP, and just did so (although I did it after donating to the plugin developer so I don’t feel guilty).
1.Semi-Regular
2.Google Reader
3. a few times a week. Usually on my Palm Treo, google reader
4. You kept mentioning it on LJ and finally I checked it out.
5. Tech Tips, Personal Updates. Tech Tips b/c I’m a moron when it comes to techy stuff and you explain how to do things at my level. Personal updates b/c I like to keep tabs on old friends and I’m nosy.
6.I don’t know that I have a least favorite, but I think I check out RSS rec’s the least. Just don’t have time to add more “to-read” stuff to my list.
7. No to Twitter. Yes to Facebook.
8. BLUEBERRY! Now I’m hungry. Damn you.
9. enh. your site is a mess for me to navigate on my phone as a mobile page and in google reader but I think that has to do with the craptastic “Blazer” browser Sprint makes me use. I’ve tried to install Opera, but it won’t work for me.
10. enhhhhhh. Crowded. Your website has the feel of someone trying really hard to get readership up and really I think your blog has caught on like gangbusters recently so maybe it looks too “needy”? Get rid of all the following and recent comments stuff.
I’m sorry to say this, but I’m also not a fan of the title Font/Design. I think that for as tech/pop culture-savvy as you are, it creates a disconnect by looking too hand-drawn or homemade.
The self-portraits are great, but perhaps they belong in a separate “self-portraiture” area? They are only relevant if this blog is all about your self-portrait journey, and your blog is so much more than just that. Some artwork or photos that are more representative of your site’s overall theme, maybe the mash-up-ness of it, would perhaps work better.
11. We run a pop-up blocker. I’m pretty good at ignoring ads. I never click on them.
12.I think this is the second time I’ve commented on your posts. I mostly read this out of my phone (not right now) and I hate typing posts from my Treo. You could buy me an iphone, that would make me more likely to post. :D
Do you not get the Mobile version of the site on your phone? You can tell, because the Mobile version doesn’t have the bigger banner at the top. If you don’t, that means I don’t have your browser type in my check, and need to add it. Let me know!
That reminds me – I love reading GOR on my iphone. It’s really nice when I can go from a twitter link to the iPhone page and the posts are super clean. I wonder is there any customization to the iPhone version you can do in terms of a mini-banner? It looks like a stock design with just the title on it. A small custom graphic like your title would be a slick little add.
I believe I could add that – the mobile version is just another “theme”, so I can mess with it all I want. I’m keeping it pretty simple and stock so that if there are upgrades to the plugin they’ll keep working, but small changes like you suggested should be pretty easy. I’ll add them to the list!
1. Are you a regular reader of Good Old Rock, or is this your first time here? First time.. sorry! But I’ll be regular now!
2. Do you subscribe to the Good Old Rock RSS feed? (as in, do you read this blog in something like Google Reader, Netvibes, or on the LiveJournal page?) Well, I’m going to add this blog to my google reader… but it’s not there yet.
3. How often do you visit Good Old Rock? How do you get here? (Twitter links, Facebook posts, bookmark, etc) Uh… still first time visitor. Got here via your twitter link.
4. How did you find Good Old Rock? Didn’t I just say? Your twitter link dude. :p
5. What is your favorite “content type” here? For example: RSS Recommendations, Tech Tips, Web Wanderings, Photography, or “personal updates”? Why? I’m gonna bet photography because that’s how I roll. Tech tips are helpful tho.
6. Likewise, what is your least favorite? Why? No clue. I’ll get back to you.
7. Do you follow me on Twitter? Are we friends on Facebook? Yes to the twitter, no to the facebook.
8. What is your favorite kind of muffin? Chocolate chip.
9. Is it easy to find what you’re looking for here? How could it be improved? Looks good to me. Maybe a touch cluttered but that might be personal preference.
10. Let’s talk about the “look and feel”. What do you think of the overall design? How would you like it changed? Again, it might be too cluttered with the side bars having SO much info. Maybe 2 columns instead of 3? I dunno… don’t listen to me.
11. Are the ads intrusive? Do you run an adblocker? Do you ever click on the ads? Uh I don’t see any ads? I think my work runs an adblocker… maybe?
12. Do you comment on posts? If not, why not? What could I do to make you more likely to comment? I used to not but I do now that I’m a blogger. And if it’s something I can relate to.
P.S. I like how you have that string of buttons to digg, twitter, etc… how did you get that?
Ari’s last blog post..Growing Pains
Thanks for coming by, and I hope you enjoy what you read in the future! I try to keep fresh, interesting content coming.
As far as the buttons for digg, twitter, etc, that is a feature of a plugin that I’m running called DandyID Services. Unfortunately, you cannot run plugins on a wordpress.com blog (only if you host the code yourself). But I bet there’s a way to fake it with a sidebar. I’m going to look into that for you, since I’m a pal.
Oh and p.p.s… I’m adding you to my blogroll on my blog cuz I’m cool like that. :D
I noticed…because I’m a stalker like that. Actually, it’s because I clicked on your “last blog post” in your comment :)
1. Are you a regular reader of Good Old Rock, or is this your first time here?
I am a regular reader! I just started reading a few weeks ago, though.
2. Do you subscribe to the Good Old Rock RSS feed? (as in, do you read this blog in something like Google Reader, Netvibes, or on the LiveJournal page?)
I subscribe.
3. How often do you visit Good Old Rock? How do you get here? (Twitter links, Facebook posts, bookmark, etc)
Usually at least once a day. I get here through Blogger or Facebook.
4. How did you find Good Old Rock?
Through you!
5. What is your favorite “content type” here? For example: RSS Recommendations, Tech Tips, Web Wanderings, Photography, or “personal updates”? Why?
I’m generally more interested in personal updates and non-tech intellectual musings, but I’ve been really impressed with your tech tips. And everything else, really. I like that you have a different theme every day.
6. Likewise, what is your least favorite? Why?
Ummmmmmm… I’m not sure I have one. Honestly. There are individual posts that interest me more or less than others, but no content type as a whole.
7. Do you follow me on Twitter? Are we friends on Facebook?
I don’t use Twitter, but we are Facebook friends.
8. What is your favorite kind of muffin?
Cranberry apple!
9. Is it easy to find what you’re looking for here? How could it be improved?
I usually wind up wandering aimlessly through the “related posts” at the bottom of each entry. I’m never looking for anything in particular.
10. Let’s talk about the “look and feel”. What do you think of the overall design? How would you like it changed?
I like it. I think it’s you. You mentioned your pictures are old, though. You should fix that. Maybe use some of your portraits of the day?
11. Are the ads intrusive? Do you run an adblocker? Do you ever click on the ads?
Don’t bother me at all.
12. Do you comment on posts? If not, why not? What could I do to make you more likely to comment?
I do!
Glad to see someone likes the Related Posts feature. It’s one of my favorites. I know you play with it (since we’ve talked about it before) but it’s nice to hear again. I think it’s nifty, and I have spent many an hour being amused by which posts turn out to be “related”.
1. Are you a regular reader of Good Old Rock, or is this your first time here?
Um…Regular is too strong of a word (I’m not an all-the-time kind of girl) but I do check in on you from time to time.
2. Do you subscribe to the Good Old Rock RSS feed? (as in, do you read this blog in something like Google Reader, Netvibes, or on the LiveJournal page?)
Naah….That stuff is too fancy for me.
3. How often do you visit Good Old Rock? How do you get here? (Twitter links, Facebook posts, bookmark, etc):
Every now and then? Less than once a week ….but probably once in a two week period. I get here from Facebook. I also get here from the link in your gmail chat box. Also, when you tell me to.
4. How did you find Good Old Rock?
You told me about it.
5. What is your favorite “content type” here? For example: RSS Recommendations, Tech Tips, Web Wanderings, Photography, or “personal updates”? Why?
Well, I like the random stuff, the photos, etc. I’m not very technically inclined but your “How to rock Facebook” (or something like that) post was very useful to me and I’ve also shared it with others.
6. Likewise, what is your least favorite? Why?
Mostly the Tech Stuff. As mentioned, it doesn’t interest me.
7. Do you follow me on Twitter? Are we friends on Facebook?
I think YOU follow ME on Twitter! ;) (I kind of forget about Twitter alot). And yes, we are friends on Facebook and on Myspace and in Gchat and sometimes in Real Life.
8. What is your favorite kind of muffin?
Your Face! (Lemon Poppyseed)
9. Is it easy to find what you’re looking for here? How could it be improved?
Actually, I’ve never tried to find anything here, so I have nothing to say about that.
10. Let’s talk about the “look and feel”. What do you think of the overall design? How would you like it changed?
As others have mentioned, you have a lot going on here…..maybe a more streamlined design would be my only recommendation.
11. Are the ads intrusive? Do you run an adblocker? Do you ever click on the ads?
Never noticed them. Never clicked.
12. Do you comment on posts? If not, why not? What could I do to make you more likely to comment?
No, Usually it’s best if I keep my commentary to myself. Cold. Hard. Cash. would make me more likely to respond. Also, I would respond 5 times in exchange for winning the $25 Amazon Card. Maybe.
Sam, you are not alone. Offering up the chance at a gift card has generated the most comments ever for this post. I think I’m on to something – people like carrots :)
I’m glad you found the Facebook post useful. It’s my second most popular post – beaten out only by my Blackberry Twitter App post.
No, people like chocolate. And cash as Samantha pointed out. Carrots, not so much. Unless they come with hummus.
Gosh, now I gotta make technical inferences? Okay, remove the heebeejeebee BS between the post and the comment like that related posts, google ads, etc and put it on the side.
Second, yes, a different font would make the post stand out more. I am a big fan of comic sans personally.
Oh, and also, your blog roll sucks cause my blog isn’t in it.
Cheers!
hamsterkitten’s last blog post..The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Review
There’s a way I can put Related Posts in the sidebar. I hadn’t tried that yet…mostly because my sidebar was so crowded. I may experiment with it later tonight – although I do like them inline.
And you are now in my blogroll.
1. Are you a regular reader of Good Old Rock, or is this your first time here?
I read it pretty regularly, I guess.
2. Do you subscribe to the Good Old Rock RSS feed? (as in, do you read this blog in something like Google Reader, Netvibes, or on the LiveJournal page?)
No, I actually didn’t know I could read it via LJ but I will look that up.
3. How often do you visit Good Old Rock? How do you get here? (Twitter links, Facebook posts, bookmark, etc)
Usually via Twitter or FB, maybe once a week.
4. How did you find Good Old Rock?
Via you. :)
5. What is your favorite “content type” here? For example: RSS Recommendations, Tech Tips, Web Wanderings, Photography, or “personal updates”? Why?
Personally, I like reading non-tech type stuff, but I understand that appeals to a wide segment of people. I like your personal updates. :)
6. Likewise, what is your least favorite? Why?
Couldn’t name one as my least favorite, but anything techy makes me snooze a bit. Likewise I know it gives many others a hard-on, so don’t take it out just yet.
7. Do you follow me on Twitter? Are we friends on Facebook?
Yup and yup.
8. What is your favorite kind of muffin?
I make a great homemade banana almond bran muffin, but I only eat the tops.
9. Is it easy to find what you’re looking for here? How could it be improved?
Eesh. No. Too much clutter.
10. Let’s talk about the “look and feel”. What do you think of the overall design? How would you like it changed?
Personally I think the font is too small and too close together to read easily. The middle column is also a bit wide especially on a larger screen… I don’t want to have to move my head back and forth to read an entire line. And as I said above (and many others have said), there is TOO MUCH CLUTTER. The first time I came here was through a link to an individual post that you had put up on FB I think, and I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how to get to your past blog posts. You have a great separation up there of your different “features” (Tech Tips, Friday Fun, etc.) but if I don’t know what category of post I’m looking for, that’s not going to help me. If it were me I would get rid of all the stuff on the right side of the page and cull down the stuff on the left to just what’s necessary. One of the easiest-to-follow blogs that I read is the Curbed/Racked/Eater family of blogs, which feeds the blog posts into the left/middle column (which is relatively narrow), with ads on the right side, all relevant links at the top, and links to their other blogs and such at the bottom. I think a lot of the info you have at the top (About/Privacy Policy/Contact/Search box) could live at the bottom just to clean it up a bit, because if people are really looking for that info they’re not going to protest scrolling to the bottom to find it.
11. Are the ads intrusive? Do you run an adblocker? Do you ever click on the ads?
The ads aren’t intrusive to me but they do look a bit like they run into the regular content of the rest of the blog b/c they’re on a white background. It’s a bit confusing to the eye.
12. Do you comment on posts? If not, why not? What could I do to make you more likely to comment?
I do when I feel moved to do so. :)
Thanks for the feedback, Ms. Pance. Being all designery as you are, I take what you have to say to heart with the look and feel.
I am a little confused about this:
“The middle column is also a bit wide especially on a larger screen… I don’t want to have to move my head back and forth to read an entire line.”
I assume you meant the middle column is too *narrow*? The middle column is dynamic depending on the size of the window…so on a larger screen, it should be wider. If you’re going back and forth for a line…oh wait, I get it now. You’re saying you have to move your head because that line is soooooo wide and long. Hmmm. Maybe I can override so that the middle column will be dynamic but have a max width. I’ll have to play.
I’m going to look seriously at the blogs you recommended for style.
1. Are you a regular reader of Good Old Rock, or is this your first time here?
I wouldn’t say “regular”. More like “occasional”.
2. Do you subscribe to the Good Old Rock RSS feed? (as in, do you read this blog in something like Google Reader, Netvibes, or on the LiveJournal page?)
I might have something that subscribes to it, but I don’t read it that way.
3. How often do you visit Good Old Rock? How do you get here? (Twitter links, Facebook posts, bookmark, etc)
If I see a topic I’m interested in via facebook, I’ll come over here by typing the address in my address bar. I don’t like the way facebook links this kind of stuff.
4. How did you find Good Old Rock?
I friended you on LJ… umm… shortly after I started the account, I guess. Got your LJ screen name from yehoodi, but was interested enough to friend you because of windyhop.
5. What is your favorite “content type” here? For example: RSS Recommendations, Tech Tips, Web Wanderings, Photography, or “personal updates”? Why?
Personal updates and photography (in that order.) For the same reason I like to read memoirs, I guess. People are interesting. (Although, I mostly only like to read about likeable people.) And art is interesting.
6. Likewise, what is your least favorite? Why?
The tech stuff. I’m just not that kind of geek. It’s boring.
7. Do you follow me on Twitter? Are we friends on Facebook?
I don’t do twitter. I think you are my only facebook friend that I’ve never personally met.
8. What is your favorite kind of muffin?
Chocolate, but only if it’s from a good bakery :D
9. Is it easy to find what you’re looking for here? How could it be improved?
I know precious little about how to improve web design. Most of these templates are way too complicated for my taste. But you like most of the features that I find extraneous and mildly annoying, so I wouldn’t listen to me if I were you anyway.
10. Let’s talk about the “look and feel”. What do you think of the overall design? How would you like it changed?
The thing I really like is that it does a good job of adjusting size. I hate it when I try to widen the screen and it does nothing. I hate it even more when I have a narrow browser, and stupid unnecessary scroll bars come up. So thanks.
11. Are the ads intrusive? Do you run an adblocker? Do you ever click on the ads?
I didn’t notice ads. I only click on ads when I’m at a site that does some kind of social good that I want to support. Then I try to click on the most obnoxious ads, just to cost them money. (IOW, No, and no.)
12. Do you comment on posts? If not, why not? What could I do to make you more likely to comment?
If I have something to say. And sometimes, even if I don’t.
1. Are you a regular reader of Good Old Rock, or is this your first time here? Have visited a few times.
2. Do you subscribe to the Good Old Rock RSS feed? No. I haven’t gotten into RSS yet.
3. How often do you visit Good Old Rock? How do you get here? (Twitter links, Facebook posts, bookmark, etc) Maybe once a week? I’ll either see your Facebook post, or your status update on GChat.
4. How did you find Good Old Rock? You sent me the link.
5. What is your favorite “content type” here? For example: RSS Recommendations, Tech Tips, Web Wanderings, Photography, or “personal updates”? Why? Tech Tips. I either get to talk about my camera, or I learn something new.
6. Likewise, what is your least favorite? Why? Probably suggestions of other people to follow on the interwebs, just because I already have so many sites I check.
7. Do you follow me on Twitter? Are we friends on Facebook? Technically, yes, but I never check Twitter. Yes to Facebook.
8. What is your favorite kind of muffin? Currently Banana Bran, but cupcakes always win.
9. Is it easy to find what you’re looking for here? How could it be improved? Yes.
10. Let’s talk about the “look and feel”. What do you think of the overall design? How would you like it changed? It’s fine. Lots of info shown without feeling too crowded.
11. Are the ads intrusive? Do you run an adblocker? Do you ever click on the ads? No. Yes. No.
12. Do you comment on posts? If not, why not? What could I do to make you more likely to comment? Yes. I like to talk about my camera.
Toni’s last blog post..RIP Frankie Manning
1. I’ve been here a handful of times (more than 3 times, less than 50).
2. I do not subscribe.
3. Twitter and facebook links/posts are what bring me here most often.
4. through your twitter feed.
5. Tech Tips and personal items interest me most. 1st, because I’m into tech, and 2nd, because I know you and personal interest is always better than news. :)
6. Least favorite is probably the RSS Recommendations. I just don’t do that stuff.
7. I follow you on twitter. I believe we’re friends on facebook. If not? Let’s rectify that.
8. Blueberry muffins rule.
9. This sounds rude, but I don’t mean it to be. I don’t go to blogs to “look for stuff”. I do blogs and really even news sites like Wired.com and stuff, to get stuff that interests me. I check because occasionally there’s something worth reading. But I don’t check archives often, if ever. So, headliney-stuff I find just fine here. And recent posts I can find easily. So, yeah. I see what I want here easily. But perhaps I’m not the “demographic” you’re looking for with this question. :)
10. Overall, I like it. It’s very text-heavy though. It might work better with blurbs that take you to the full-text instead? I dunno.
11. I don’t click ads typically. But they’re pretty unobtrusive here.
12. Again, this is an “occasionally” answer. I sometimes post comments, if I feel moved. But not always. Doesn’t mean the article didn’t grab me. Just means I had nothing to add.
Larry Eisner’s last blog post..The One Wherein I Grovel Some More
Larry, I’m the same way as you when it comes to searching a blog – which is mostly why I was asking…since I’m not a good judge of how easy it is to “find” content. So I don’t think your comment was rude at all :)
As far as excerpts vs. full posts…that’s almost like a Mac vs. PC question. I personally really don’t like having to “click through”…but I can see the value of being able to put more posts in front of eyeballs by not having the full post. I occasionally will do excerpts if it’s going to be a really long post…and I remember.
Thanks for the feedback! It’s valued. And I love the look and feel of your blog, especially the header. It’s hella cool.
awwww… thanks. And for the record (although I’m certain you’ll see it in the linkbacks) I’ve added ya to my blogroll too. Don’t know how I forgot to do that a while ago. :)
Larry Eisner’s last blog post..The One Wherein I Grovel Some More
Also, this may be a stupid question, but why is it called “Good Old Rock” when it’s mostly a tech blog? Just wondering…
That’s a good question. It goes back to when I wasn’t sure this was a tech blog…in fact, the Tech Tips came out a little organically from what was originally a personal blog. Anyway, it’s a reference to The Simpsons:
Lisa: Look, there’s only one way to settle this. Rock-paper-scissors.
Lisa’s brain: Poor predictable Bart. Always takes `rock’.
Bart’s brain: Good ol’ “rock”. Nuthin’ beats that!
Bart: Rock!
Lisa: Paper.
Bart: D’oh!
– “The Front”
If you’d like to know more about why I chose this title, the Library of Congress recommends this blog post.
1. Regular
2. RSS through google reader
3. Couple of times a week, either through google reader, facebook, or your gchat status
4. gchat or facebook, I forget which one.
5. tech tips because they’re usually pretty handy or personal updates since those are pretty amusing/insightful.
6. Probably the twitter stuff, since I don’t really get that technology.
7. Twitter – no, just joined it though. Facebook – Yes.
8. Sadly this is the hardest question for me. Um, wasn’t there some kind with cheese on it with crumbly things? I think it’s that kind.
9. I don’t really poke around the site too much, but I generally am able to find what I’m looking for.
10. Look is good, feels a bit crowded with other stuff, but it’s pretty compartmentalized, so it doesn’t overwhelm the actual content. So, I’m generally happy.
11. There are ads? Well, I run adblock plus, so I don’t see anything.
12. I’m not much for commenting on blogs unless I have something to add or there is a request to do so. So, like this post, if you ask I’ll post.
Frank’s last blog post..Book Signing
1. Are you a regular reader of Good Old Rock, or is this your first time here?
First time. Do I know you?
2. Do you subscribe to the Good Old Rock RSS feed? (as in, do you read this blog in something like Google Reader, Netvibes, or on the LiveJournal page?)
Yes. My Internets use tube via Netvibes to bring me here.
3. How often do you visit Good Old Rock? How do you get here? (Twitter links, Facebook posts, bookmark, etc)
The site? rarely.
4. How did you find Good Old Rock?
I plead the 5th
5. What is your favorite “content type” here? For example: RSS Recommendations, Tech Tips, Web Wanderings, Photography, or “personal updates”? Why?
Photography, and Matt Stuff
6. Likewise, what is your least favorite? Why?
Tech Tips. Because I like to be difficult. Seriously, I know most of what you say.
7. Do you follow me on Twitter? Are we friends on Facebook?
No.Yes.
8. What is your favorite kind of muffin?
Smurfberry
9. Is it easy to find what you’re looking for here? How could it be improved?
I really don’t like the format. Too busy. Streamline and organize. Get rid of blink tags.
10. Let’s talk about the “look and feel”. What do you think of the overall design? How would you like it changed?
see above
11. Are the ads intrusive? Do you run an adblocker? Do you ever click on the ads?
Eh – I find them a bit annoying, but that’s about par w/ anything about Matt
12. Do you comment on posts? If not, why not? What could I do to make you more likely to comment?
because I read via RSS. I’m not a big commentor.
Jason “Pick Me! Oh, Pick Me!” Wyckoff’s last blog post..Conference Room (117/365)
1. I read occasionally.
2. No.
3. I visit every now and then and usually come through Twitter link or link in GChat
4. You commented on my site! :)
5. Personal updates.
6. I’m not a very techy person, so I’m not uber interested in the tech tips
7. Yes and Yes.
8. Blueberry
9. I think it easy to find things.
10. I appreciate that you have the links to the next post and previous post on the top of the site. That’s key for me.
11. Not intrusive. I never click.
12. This is the first post I’ve commented on. You could tell my boss to give me less work so I have more time to read and comment on blogs. :)
Kristabella’s last blog post..Not Enough Hours. Or Packing Tape.
{ 1 trackback }