After many long nights testing and tweaking down to the smallest detail, I’m finally happy (enough) to launch the new-look HoustonDiehards.com website. The content hasn’t much changed, but the look certainly has. I’ll still be making little changes and adjustments here and there – probably for a long time – but I think it’s stable and presentable enough to launch now. There are a few issues here and there – but this is basically the new design I am going with.
Please tell me what you like, what you don’t like, and of course any suggestions for improvements will be greatly appreciated.
Here’s something I would love your opinion on specifically – that space above titled “Roster Activity” – I’m not sold on that. Is there something more functional (ahem, or more interesting) that you think would work in that space? I’m considering a few things… but for now I plan on using it for roster activity, and I might post the player-inactive list on game days… still, I think such a prominent place on the site could be used better. What do you think? Division standings? Stat leaders? I dunno.
Sep 11, 2008 at 08:33:26
Whoa.
Sep 11, 2008 at 09:40:18
cool. i likes.
you could use that space for random crap. like random player quotes, stats, did you know? type stuff. whatever seems relevant at the time. i wouldn’t limit it to static content.
you could stick roster moves below the schedule widget or something like that. I mean, signing Brandon Frye to the practice squad isn’t exactly top of the page news is it?
Sep 11, 2008 at 09:40:52
oh..nice it linked my avatar from dgdb&d
Sep 11, 2008 at 10:40:57
Spiffy look, Chris.
And for the “Roster” widget, I’d only advise putting the conference standings in there after Week 8 or so. It just doesn’t mean crap until then.
Sep 11, 2008 at 13:54:22
Don’t listen to anyone who uses the word “Spiffy”!
Sep 12, 2008 at 09:02:27
The site is looking good. How’d you get the gravar pics on your site?
Sep 12, 2008 at 14:58:11
Hey Chris, you should make the logo at the top of the page clickable, linking back to the home page.
Sep 12, 2008 at 15:30:26
Soc – I don’t know how the heck I left that out. I’ll work on that right away – THANKS.
Solis – it’s all in the coding – I believe the Gravatars are all hosted in one place online, and I can direct my WordPress installation to allow or disallow them.
Tyler – thanks for the suggestions. I think you nailed it – there’s no reason to lock it down to one function. It’ll probably change depending on what I want to put there. Thanks!
Sep 12, 2008 at 17:13:32
Soc – made the change to the header. Thanks for pointing that out.
Sep 13, 2008 at 00:17:27
Chris – I’m pretty much your #2 here
Sep 16, 2008 at 20:40:38
I know I am late to the party as far as commenting, but I LOVE the changes. Very nice.