Forgive me for using this week’s discussion for selfish purposes, but spring is in the air (at least, it is here) and I’m finally getting down to business with a cosmetic refresh for the blog. I’m so sick of looking like 2007!
A few things that will almost certainly make the cut: Gravatars, threaded comments, some subtle social media sharing aids, an about page refresh with blogger bios (finally!) and a new look for the book release schedule. What will remain the same? Well, we’re sticking with WordPress, a white background and fairly minimalist design.
But what kind of things would you like to see? Any (technical, not content!) features you’ve seen on other blogs that you think would serve us well? Or are there any types of posts you’d like to see more (or less) of? Now’s your chance to weigh in.
I like the posts with original content, like the one from Valentine’s Day and the one about the novel idea. Those also seem to get more response than something like a weekly releases post.
Concerning design, I love the banners that use images from the Thrawn Trilogy comic. I think that’s hilarious and awesome. Not sure if you plan to become even more minimalist than that, but I’d love to see more of those.
Update the Twitter list with new and corrected entries for a more comprehensive look at the world of Star Wars tweeting.
(You said technical, but you also mentioned the about-page refresh, so I figured this was also relevant.)
I’m looking forward to threaded comments (thanks!) – will that come with email notification options?
Austin: We try. ;)
The banners are actually probably going. But I still have all the scans around, so you never know. ;)
You have a one track mind, Eric.
Nancy: I’m not actually sure if that’s possible with WordPress, but I’ll check.
Tracy: Not true at all. But I am a social media guy by nature and so that sticks out to me. (In case you forgot, I made a long list of suggested additions and a correction.)
And FYI, you can set up Disqus on WordPress, which is much better than the default WP commenting system and includes, among other things, email notifications.
A very low-tech suggestion: Could you make your search form a little more visible? By now I know where to look, but the green font color doesn’t exactly scream: Here I am, use me! ;-)
Thanks, Dunc. It’d be easier to keep up with discussions that way. Easier for me, anyway.
FWIW: I enjoy the banners and I’d be sorry to see them go.
Update and redesign the FAQ, rules, humor pages, etc. so they fit the main look of the blog. They’re nice looking, but they look like a completely different website.
Eric: Yeah, Disqus is great and really handy at times.
Gravatars? Let me take a look at what those are.
Austin: regarding the original articles – is it the original content that you like, or the increased discussion?
Dunc: we need to add 5 random pictures below the banner. If it’s good enough for the new facebook profiles, it’s good enough for us! ;)
seriously – threaded comments!
maybe an actual discussion forum for ongoing discussions, that may or may not be related to a post that then slides off the main page.
Well, I’ve always liked the minimalist design and the banners, personally, so I’m happy to see those stay. I’m also excited to see the list of possible improvements. Some deeper and more diverse functionality would do the site good, and maybe change things up just enough to keep it all interesting. Everything sounds good so far.
Also, I don’t know if this is something that changing the format on the comments section would fix or not, but I think that you’ve mentioned in the past that several people (myself included) get tagged by the site as spam-bots or something, and our comments have to be manually approved. It might be something to keep in mind as you proceed, if only for ease of use when it comes to potential newcomers.
James: I like the original content. The increased discussion is just an added bonus, and a possible sign that others like the original content too.
Update and redesign the FAQ, rules, humor pages, etc. so they fit the main look of the blog. They’re nice looking, but they look like a completely different website.
Ha, yeah. I don’t think I’ve ever looked at the FAQ in years. ;)
maybe an actual discussion forum for ongoing discussions, that may or may not be related to a post that then slides off the main page.
I moderated a forum for 7 years – I have no desire whatsoever to do it again. Plus, another bit of software to maintain…
Also, I don’t know if this is something that changing the format on the comments section would fix or not, but I think that you’ve mentioned in the past that several people (myself included) get tagged by the site as spam-bots or something, and our comments have to be manually approved.
I suspect this is more a WordPress issue than a template one. But we’ll see, I guess.
I loved the article earlier this year by Erika tackling sexism and Star Wars. I appreciated that this website was able to generate such an introspective discussion and reflection on systemic inequality in our fandom, and that it actually reached some important places. In the future, I would like to see Club Jade continue to create content advocating for female fans, LGBT fans, and fans of color–their voices are not represented nearly enough.
I think it’s a safe assumption that original content articles are a hit with readers. :)
Glad to see in the works: threaded comments, gravatars, social media sharing, and bios are always fun.
I would like a mobile version of the site also! :D
I’ve been coming to jade since 1999 (if you check my mark lightsabre fb page and click on the link to lightsabre circa 1999 you’ll see an ancient cj banner I made using your then logo) so cj has always been more about content than presentation. That said, new fans expect the gidgets and gadgets that other sites utilise (we’re having the same discussions merging lightsabre and jedi news ahead of the may relaunch). So I would suggest a cosmetic change – a new top banner with some bespoke artwork and a new logo. Then you can throw new banners and buttons out there for folks to link to.
Hope you guys realise how essential cj is ‘out here’ especislly to long-time fans.
Mark, I think we have very different aesthetics… ;)
I never made link-to banners because I figured that was a trend whose days were numbered… Go figure.
You’re probably right, I’m still living in 1998 when it comes to stuff like that!