Hi everyone,
Well, I changed to a different blog layout template earlier in the week, and I really liked it. It was smooth, clean and streamlined.
But I began receiving feedback from loyal readers that they couldn't access the site; that the blogger gears just keep grinding, and the page never loads.
My most important concern is that people be able to access the site, so I've returned to a simpler blog layout for now, rather than the "dynamic view" approach I had adopted.
I'm still not certain what the problem is.
Unfortunately, I updated the blog template on the very week that views exceeded 10,000 a day, every week-day. So I can't tell if the slower loading time is a result of the dynamic view template, or the fact that readership has gone through the roof of late.
I hope you can all read this. If anyone has any thoughts about how to proceed, please share them in the comments. I am not a tech guy, but I'm doing my best to make sure the blog is accessible.
The new template has always worked for me, but understand that some templates won't work for every one. Different OS and browser combinations could be behind that. It's always a struggle, isn't it? Great news, though, you've reached 10K views a day. You're obviously doing something right ;-). Thanks for the heads up.
ReplyDeleteHi Le0pard13,
DeleteI must confess I know close to zero about the technical angle of blogs. I just know I liked the other template better because it looked a lot less cluttered, and a lot neater. I'm thrilled at the increase in readership, and just want to make certain everyone can read the blog, and that it is accessible.
I may try the dynamic views again in six months or so. I wonder if its a matter of the technology just not quite being there yet for a lot of folks.
Can I ask what kind of browser you use?
Thanks for the support, my friend.
Safari 6.0.1 on OS X 10.8.2
DeleteWhat’s with the random picture of you accompanying this post? And what are you wearing? It looks like a sweater from the future ...back when 1987 was the present. Anyways, good to have you back. I had a pretty crazy week myself: found a hand puppet with blood on it, bought oranges from a man behind a truck stop and was attacked by a parrot. Some other stuff happened, too.
ReplyDeleteI’m gonna go watch The Hunted now. It’s this movie starring Christopher Lambert, who fights ninjas on a bullet train.
Hi Cannon,
ReplyDeleteThat random picture reflects the fact that I am an offline, 1980s guy. :)
I couldn't agree more with your description of my sweater (and WTF is up with my hair?) This was a picture from 2004, I think, but it looks like 1984.
Sounds like you had a weird week too. And by your "good to have you back" comment, does that mean you couldn't access the page this week, in btwn parrot attacks?
Best,
John
Well, for what it's worth, John, your site would still be on my daily must-read list no matter what format it showed up in. I'd subscribe by teletype if I had to!
ReplyDeleteIn case you're keeping score, I could access the new template just fine using Chrome under Windows 7 (x86; didn't try x64). My only complaint was that I preferred to view it in "classic" rather than "magazine" mode, and I couldn't find a way to save that preference -- it kept defaulting back to "magazine". But that wasn't a really big deal. (Oh, and it doesn't seem like I can comment unless I switch to IE, but that seems to be pretty common across the web.)
And congrats on reaching the 10k mark!
Ampersand,
DeleteThank you so much for the comment. I appreciate your words very much. I'm glad you enjoy the site, and it means a lot to me, especially since this week has been a little hairy. Thanks for sticking with me!
Best,
John
John I did notice that the new template this past week needed to be reentered/refreshed to access the comments etc. However, the newest template that you have as of 10/27 is working perfectly.
ReplyDeleteSGB
As you said, the new look is indeed streamlined. I moved to it about two weeks ago. I found it excruciating on several counts and reverted back as well. Jury is still out regarding compatibility issues John. But good luck and best wishes whatever you do.
ReplyDeleteJohn - I was kind of digging the new layout. I didn't notice any particular lagging issues and I mostly run windows machines using google chrome as a browser. I think we're about the same age, so I think your photo (in terms of hair) is really more 1974 than 1984 (based on my experience). In any case, if you choose to update the website, I think long time followers will deal with a few problems here and there.
ReplyDeleteThe grinding gears template wasn't to my liking. This current simple layout suits me fine.
ReplyDelete-T.S.
Coming through loud and clear. I did find a way around the page not loading, though: I just Googled your review of The Chernobyl Diaries, clicked on it, then worked my way foreward.
ReplyDelete