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DEAR BN STAFF
So, have you made a decision about my new car then?
posted by
chris2303
on May 23, 2003 at 9:46 AM
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We appreciate the input
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to voice their opinion by commenting or emailing.
Since people have many different ideas, this discussion has been very helpful. We are working to make appropriate changes after taking all of the input into consideration. We will notify members of the changes before they are implemented.
Regarding how the new categories were chosen, we tracked requests in personal blogs, community blogs, and email. The announcement links to a previous post in the Town Square, which listed the planned categories.
posted by
BlogitStaff
on May 23, 2003 at 7:38 AM
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Ok, Did You get enough feedback?
I'm thinking of closing down my blog telling people to comment? Just let me know, also can we expect any change or not? From the perspective of just one blogger, I don't enjoy it as much here. I've been here less today than I can recall in a long time. So I miss who posting and its too much trouble to find them. peace
posted by
maralite
on May 22, 2003 at 1:55 PM
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OK This is it
I understand Your largely two column look on the front page may have been easier to create, but You will definitely get more content into threeand can adjust letting to give the appearance nevertheless of more space .
Also, I presume the reason the top posts are so prominent is because listing the top in category does not necessarily capture the most read. But once again, I've noticed it is from that aspect of BN that the most chat is engendered as people vie for the top spots.
Why not dedicate the front page to best in category and have the top posts on a second page? With a message box re: new posts real time. It might make some angry, but this is a business not just for You but us too. We want more readers because that gives us more money. You should always let business dictate how You showcase Your cover, front page to draw readers, "yeh this is what I want," "I can do this," that sort of thing.
Final thoughts, I promise.
posted by
maralite
on May 22, 2003 at 7:17 AM
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With pg I guess.
posted by
majroj
on May 21, 2003 at 10:46 PM
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i like the browse page idea
posted by
nizzope
on May 21, 2003 at 10:25 PM
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To BN
While everyone appears to be a sleep or at work, let me add one more thing. I would prefer the top blogs were taken off the front page altogether and put on a seperate page. Leave the front page for categories and new posts. That way the focus is on the variety of writing and issues rather than the rankings.
pg scott
posted by
pg_scott
on May 21, 2003 at 10:24 PM
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Hey I want a car too!
Leave it to us bloggers, we're never satisfied. 
posted by
maralite
on May 21, 2003 at 3:46 PM
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Here's a thought
1. Return back to the old format which worked very well
2. Replace Tech/business with BLOGS
3. Scrap the new categories as they are Mickey Mouse
4. Delete blogs that have not been added to in ages
5. Send Chris2303 lots of money
6. And a car
posted by
chris2303
on May 21, 2003 at 2:43 PM
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Just a thought
We used to spend hours designing pages at the magazine I worked at, so ideas rush by.
But I was thinking, what is it that brings people to BN, I would suspicion it is the variety of topics, more than the desire for ranking. Actually ranking is probably more important to people here.
So the way You have it set up now, the categories, possibly Your most important sales point, are small, almost invisible.
Maybe the top in categories is more important than the top blogs. You could put the categories in the center column and third column [right hand] with the top blogs [1-3?] whatever space permits. Have a link to a second page, if necessary. Also, why those categories, I was gone when all of this was discussed before and missed it.
Use 1/3 of the third column for the new posts- real time- maybe a ticker tape look. This should save some spaceAgain have a link
Then list the top blogs in the first column [left hand] You could use a smaller font with a link to top 100 and top today.
Anyway, I believe layout for print and e mag are very similar, You just need to keep visualizing. Hope my input sparks Your genius.
posted by
maralite
on May 21, 2003 at 2:07 PM
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All right, all right, I'll post in here, too!
As I posted elsewhere on BN, I think that A) the new front page bites the big chalupa, and B) some consideration should be given to moving the "New Posts" category to the top of the page. Me, I always scroll down to see what's new - I don't much care about what's popular. New content is what drives me to come back. When I see the same six to ten blogs at the very top everytime I drop by, it doesn't do anything except make me scroll down and away.
What I like to read is what makes me think, and/or makes me laugh. If I want flaming and ego-stroking, I'll hang out in a chat room. Please, BN, give us non-flamers and non-strokers (erm ... that probably didn't come out right) a break, and put the fresher, reader-friendly content at the top.
posted by
Morgan_Farwalker
on May 21, 2003 at 12:53 PM
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OK I've looked it over
The editor in me is screaming, forgive me if I repeat what others or You have said.
You could do more of a masthead with BLOGGING NETWORK, possibly You would save two lines, I'm not sure on that. Definitely You can pull up closer, even as is and save one line.
Can the categories with names of the of the top 3 [ no content] run down the left side of the page? Draw a line between this column[ column 1] and column two. There could be a link to a second page: top feature page.
Can the new posts be a real time block listing the last three or four, [I mean we can go into new posts and I do, but can't speak for others] in the upper right hand third column with a connect link to all new posts. You know this could actually be one post with an eye catching box. But I highly recommend a box. Do it visualize it, I think You would like it too. If not, ok.
Then the top blogs could run column two and about 6/8 of column three. They would run under the real time listing of new posts. You might actually get more in than 12.
Also, You could vary Your fonts and letting some. There are some great Europen fonts {geometra?} that get more in a limited space than futura or arial narrow. Just a suggestion.
Anyway, I'll keep thinking.
posted by
maralite
on May 21, 2003 at 12:44 PM
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Dear BN...
Whatever you want to do is fine by me. Personally, I think it's kind of nice having people click on categories, because they are then exposed to more stuff than just the top three that used to show up on the front page. I'm not going to get my boxers in a twist if you switch back, though. It's your world, I'm just blogging in it.
I do think everyone would be best served if you'd just pick a format and stick with it, though. I understand that you're trying to tweak things to make this the best blogging experience possible, but the natives don't seem to deal very well with change.
posted by
workinprogress
on May 21, 2003 at 12:39 PM
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Vomit ON
Shut up man, you know nothing! You're just a smelly kid!
posted by
chris2303
on May 21, 2003 at 12:29 PM
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I like the new changes as well.
It's cleaner and less cluttered, and even if you only displayed the 2 top blogs in every category it would still be a lot.
posted by
Vomit_On
on May 21, 2003 at 12:16 PM
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AS I WROTE THIS MORNING...
...Here's my suggestion:
"Or they could create a “Top Three” page, a page that shows the top three in every category and that one can get to from the front page. Maybe there could be a link to the “Top Three in all Categories” like their is for “View Comments” and “Top 100”."
posted by
MollyB
on May 21, 2003 at 12:15 PM
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as I stated in today's blog post
Actually I like it (THE CHANGES) and have already updated my blog catagories.
The front page does need some design help though... perhaps the top 1 or even 2 blogs in each catagory could be displayed with less space taken up, or the catagory listings could be bigger?
as for design, make it look more like a newspaper, with 1 blog shown in entirety.. perhaps a BN staff editors choice.
for ideas see www.cnn.com
or www.ajc.com
or www.cnn.com
thanks... just my honest opinon
posted by
homegirl
on May 21, 2003 at 11:25 AM
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Dear BN GUYS:
I want to mull it over and kinda design on a sheet of paper, because at times I need to see things. The second page, easily linked might be good. However, I share antichrist's and chris' concern about the initial appearance we are a big chat room, which we are at some level but there is sooo much more. I'll get back. Thanks for listening, it is very much appreciated. 
M
posted by
maralite
on May 21, 2003 at 11:23 AM
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DEAR BN STAFF
Due to the nature of the top 12 blogs - I don't think this is going to help potential new members. All they will see is a chatroom scenario that they can get elsewhere for free. The new categories - they're not really necessary apart from the BLOGS one which could take the place of a deleted TECH/BUSINESS category (because nobody bothers with it). If it's a case of not having enough room in the categories then how about deleting posts that consume the later pages - the ones that haven't been added to for weeks on end. I really think that this new front page is bad for business - you and us. Chris
posted by
chris2303
on May 21, 2003 at 10:59 AM
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To BN
Why not just have a list of top blogs - the 12 as they are for instance - without listing their current posts, rather just the name of their blog. Their current posts can then be included under their category like everyone else. You could reduce the space just by listing them by blog title only in the space you currently use for the categories. Would this help your space requirements? It would also downplay the focus on ranking a little without getting rid on them from the front page....regards pg scott
posted by
pg_scott
on May 21, 2003 at 10:50 AM
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Options
Here are two of the options currently being evaluated:
- Display a selection of "top in category" blogs on the home page. To allow the home page to load quickly, it is not possible to display all of the categories, so these may be selected at random.
- Create a new Browse page that displays the top blogs in each category. This will allow members to easily view a variety of blogs.
If anyone has additional input, please add a comment to this post.
posted by
BlogitStaff
on May 21, 2003 at 10:01 AM
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I agree with Mara - obviously!
Change the Front Page back to what it was! Now!!! or else I'll do - ? what? maybe write another Home and Garden....AC
posted by
pg_scott
on May 21, 2003 at 7:30 AM
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