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So, as I am sure all dotTechies have noticed, I have not posted on dotTech for the past two months. Why? Simply because I was too busy with life (life outside dotTech), and couldn’t deal with dotTech. I know I should have given a heads up instead of just disappearing, but I never really planned on just disappearing. It was more of a gradual “oh I will post something soon” and before I knew it “soon” become two months. For that I do apologize. Now, however, I am back and looking to make a few changes to dotTech.
First of all, I am sure everyone noticed dotTech has a new look. There are three main reasons behind the new look:
- After the two month break, I wanted to start “fresh”.
- The previous theme I had for dotTech was poorly coded, and recently I have had a craving for a minimalist look.
- dotTech has started its third year online — what better way to celebrate than change looks?
That said, I would like some feedback on this new look. Hate it? Love it? Want something changed? Found bugs? Please post in the comments below!
Second order of business is changing how dotTech functions. While I was on my “break”, I realized that the existence of dotTech depends very heavily on me. Yes, I know I am the founder/owner/care-taker/etc. so being the core pillar holding up dotTech is expected. But I would like dotTech to be more community centric, with multiple authors and active participation from dotTechies. So, in this regard I will be posting information soon about hiring authors for dotTech (this time authors – all regular authors – will be paid, although the pay will be very,very little since revenue is very, very little) and am devising a plan to enhance community participation.
Thirdly, because of the lack of activity in the past two months, the traffic ranks for dotTech has fallen. This really hurts dotTech’s capabilities to get freebies like we have in the past. So I humbly request all dotTechies to try to make regular visits to dotTech so we can pull our ranks back up, enabling more excellent freebies to come our way.
Fourthly, I have removed the sidebar from the forums to make more width for the forum. Please provide feedback on this change.
Lastly, the status of Giveaway of the Day reviews is up in the air. Truly, I have found myself no longer enjoying GOTD reviews, so I am not too sure if I will continue on them. However, I will be looking to hire a regular GOTD reviewer, so if you are interested in the job let me know.
Let’s build this website together back to its former glory!
Feel free to flame me in the comments below – I deserve it.
About the author: Ashraf View all posts by Ashraf
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Welcome Back Ashraf. I’m really glad to see you back again. I’ve really been needing my Ashraf fix.
I haven’t finished reading the whole article yet, got to the part about commenting on your new look and came straight here.
You probably won’t like this but, I don’t like the new look, it is way to busy and my eyes are jumping all over the place trying to find something to focus on. There are too many distractions.
I actually preferred your original Black and White site, it was clean, and easy to follow. Something similar to that would work better.
KIS is the best method to follow. Keep It Simple.
While this is supposed to be minimalistic, I find that it really isn’t.
Here’s a link to a YouTube video which might help.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAzvLU6b5lo
The other videos there will probably help also. I also have some articles which could be of use if you want them, just let me know if you are interested.
Hi Ashraf :)
I’m glad to hear that you are okay.
I rrr rrreally like the new simple looks for dotTech.It is allmost like an old newspaper.
Best Regards
PeterB
We missed you. Welcome.
No flame,just welcome back….:)
Welcome back Ashraf! Also, I love the new theme!
Welcome back, buddy.
The site is great, there is really nothing on my mind that I would like to see changed.
I, as well as others, didn’t give up, and we all know that family matters come first. Let alone, we might end up having things to do that keep us busy, so it’s understandable.
Glad to have you back and that you are MIA, it is very understandable these days with everyone wanting more for less that other things get in the way of our favorite things.
Welcome back, sorry about gaotd, hope you will find good solution
Welcome back.
I think it’s a smart decision to have other people in place so that if you need another break, the site won’t come to a screeching halt again.
I find all the on again – off again stuff very frustrating. Were it not for the trust that has developed over time in your reviews and advise, I would have quit checking this site for new articles a long time ago.
But before anybody flames me, I want to stress that I too believe that you deserve a life in the real world! The day that any website takes priority over family is the day that you, or anyone should throw their computer in the garbage! So planning to have some coverage when you’re busy with other things is good thinking.
As for the people you’re going to hire to write articles, I do find myself somewhat concerned. Those people will have to be able to carry on the extremely high quality articles that dotTech is known for. Weeding out the “wanna-be” writers and hiring only quality “real” writers will be a challenge that will make or break dotTech. You have my best wishes in your search.
Lastly, the new look of the site. The minimalistic look is nice. I find that for me, all that white actually hurts my eyes tho. Maybe as others have said, a little color here and there would break it up a bit. Or a light gray background instead of white. I don’t really expect you to change the background color tho because I realize that some people need that white background to be able to read the page due to issues with their sight.
Anyway, welcome back Ashraf. May only good things come your way!
Yes, as they all said, welcome back! But, I’m not too keen on the new theme, as when I just visited the site a few minutes ago, I thought the stylesheet was broken, and I’ll certainly make that mistake again in the future :D
Dear Ashraf
Nice to see you back
And the new look is fantastic
Dr Nitin
I like the look, but I’d like a few more “vertical dividers” between the main content and the sidebars (like the recent posts, categories, etc). This can help me visually separate the two sections.
@Conn09: Don’t encourage him! :D
It’s been a bland two months… glad you’re back Ashraf!
Ashraf,
Nice to see that you are back, in good health and good spirits. Please reconsider your decision about GOTD reviews.
I would also like to thank Locutus for keeping the forums going.
Welcome back.
O.
Hey Ashraf, I visited website every day. I was wondering where you where. I thought school got you. Well would be better with a Heads up but nice to see you back.
Hi Ashraf,
I first came here via GOTD about a year ago. Simplicity is good. In fact the simplicity of your reviews at GOTD is what drew me here. Your recent absence has taught me that great internet sites like yours aren’t a right or a given for self absorbed internet paddlers such as myself. Which is why I want to say how pleased and thankfull I am that you have taken a renewed interest in your site.
The new look is good but on my monitor the white is really bright. So perhaps a shade or two duller might be an improvement? And the font seems a bit small. Not complaining though. Just offering some feedback.
Anyway, glad you’re back….er involved again. Peace.
Welcome back Ashraf! I like the minimalist look, somehow it seems easier on the eyes. I’m using Firefox 3.6.12 with Adblock plus, Noscript and Keyscrambler. No issues here.
Hi Ashraf!
Welcome back, thought maybe I’d dropped off your mailing list again, as happened a couple of years ago. Thinking about it the site looks a lot better than it did during the old Politically Incorrect days. Ha! That’s been awhile.
Welcome back, old chap! Cheers!
Glad to see you back Ashraf !
I’ve been coming on the site almost everyday since September 16th, 2010.
When the site was down for a day or two I thought it was really the end of dotTech.
I felt really sorry because this site is one of my favorites.
…
You said : “But I would like dotTech to be more community centric, with multiple authors and active participation from dotTechies.”.
I think it’s a good idea, but if you are aware of it, “4free on the Internet” tried the same thing and the site is now closed : so be careful with the way you will try to apply this politic.
…
The idea of a new graphic design for the site is correct and I generally like the minimalistic designs. But you will have some more work to do to achieve something which will be very attractive.
There is another site which I visit from time to time and which proceeded with such a graphic redesign recently : http://www.rarst.net/
I dont tell you to do the same, but I just wanted to mention that if it’s new design is still perfectible, it is better than what it was because of it’s minimalistic design.
welcome back!
Your site is on my morning coffee bookmark list. I’m glad you are back and am looking forward to future posts.
Minimal look is best in my opinion.
Hi Ashraf, glad to see you are back. We have missed you, my friend. Welcome back. Cheers.
Hi Ashraf
I was sort of worried that the site’s lack of updates to my RSS client was on on a more permanent basis! Relief!
Thanks for getting everything up to speed again.
I like the new, simple design too.
Cheers.
Welcome back.
In my humble opinion the new look is perfect
Silas