Updated Site Theme
I have finally gotten around to changing the theme for this web site. It’s still a work in progress, but it got to the point where I just didn’t feel the old theme appropriately reflected the tone of the site. So I switched to my work in progress custom theme.
Obviously the new design is very spare and minimal. I do plan to add to it a bit, although it will remain on the minimalist side.
While I tend to think that content is more important than asthetics, this is a personal publishing platform so it sort of behooves me to have a design that is at least somewhat reflective of my preferences. Perhaps that was true of the previous design at some point, but time has moved on.
Since I’m a founder of a web design studio, you’d think I’d have a bit flashier personal site. But I can’t justify spending a ridiculous amount of time on the design here. Too many other projects to work on. Plus, I’m the technical guy at Communications Tool & Die. Heather is the artsy one! But at least now it doesn’t make me cringe when I look at the page to preview my posts.
I’ve also changed some things on the back end. The previous theme dated from a time before WordPress widgets. The new theme is fully widgetized. This has been a great benefit as I’ve been able to use existing plugins and save time. A great example is with the site archives. I knew I wanted a tree structure that wouldn’t take up so much space on the page. I figured I would have to write something, but no – a search of the Wordpress plugins site revealed the “Collapsing Archives” plugin.
I’ve also installed the Photo Dropper plugin which I’m looking forward to playing with and hopefully using to add more visual appeal to my writings. Fun stuff!
While there are new plugin additions, I’ve also removed some technology that didn’t seem to be adding value. I’ve removed the Snap Shots (formerly Snap Preview Anywhere) popups. I may add them back in at a future date, but probably only for selected links.
While all of this no doubt is of infinitely more importance to me than anyone else, it’s nice to once again have a web site that I feel has a design in line with its content. Enjoy!