OK, kids, it’s focus-group time
The moment has arrived to update and tweak Words Assembled Well (proposed motto: “Chattering Inanely Since 2007″). Your suggestions and comments are encouraged and welcomed. What would you like in the way of adjustment and change?
Some things to consider: Would you like to see the headlines of, say, the ten most recent posts listed in an easy-to-click column on the home page, so that you can go straight to a certain piece rather than having to hit “previous entries” over and over again? Want a little more graphic and design pizzaz? Has the choice of topics become stale and tedious? You know, that kind of thing.
One change has already been wrought, as you may have noticed. For the first year or so, the sound of a typewriter being pounded was heard as WAW first appeared on your screen. That’s gone now — much to the relief of several readers who pointed out that what started out as a charming novelty quickly turned into an annoyance (”quickly” being roughly defined as, “after the first dozen times I heard the freakin’ thing”). Also, I’m painfully aware that the web-hosting company on whose servers WAW is parked has a commitment to reliability every bit the equal of my commitment to clean my garage — which is say, almost no commitment at all. (My tech guru, the felicitously named F.O., is already at work on this.)
Send along your thoughts. All suggestions will be weighed judiciously … except the ones that could be summarized as, “Find a real job and shut up.”
A real job? The horror. The horror.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Navigation hasn’t been too bad since I discovered that I could get “Previous” and “Next” direct links by clicking on an articles title, but I would like to see a frame added with direct links to the last couple weeks worth of articles.
Site design? The less flashy, the better. I come here to read your text, not watch animated GIFs.
As far as content is concerned, that’s your call. I’ve kept an eye on the site as-is, so I’ve no major complaint. Favorite subjects: N&O drain-circling black humor, local municipality gripes, poking fun at self-satisfied Triangle personalities.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
This probably will not help, but I’m going to be the perfect suck-up. I like the blog as it is. I see nothing that needs to be changed. Thanks for the good writing and please do not stop.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
More hard hitting critiques of current journalism and media in general. And Oh Yes, more links to semi-naked girls dancing on YouTube.
July 15th, 2008 at 8:33 am
You web site is one of my favorites, I try to read the column each day. The idea of placing links to the past 7-10 columns on the main page is a good one - would make it easy to catch up ones that I missed or refer back. I think the content is just fine - varied and interesting. it’s always fun to see examples of double standard - such as the N&O’s demands for disclosure for everyone except themselves. The links to other books, articles, and web pages - such as the book about the Duke lacrosse case - are also appreciated.
July 15th, 2008 at 10:18 am
As for content, you’re doing a great job already, so just keep it up!
I sort of miss the typewriter sounds…but those of us who check at work are probably better off if the boss doesn’t realize we’re doing unassigned stuff! (I still have my typewriter, by the way, and woe to anyone who tries to make me give it up. I rarely use it, but its presence comforts me when my demon-possessed computer is being particularly evil!)
July 15th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
I’m with RLR and BCA. I come here for the good content (I like the variety, including the “Links Gone Wild”) not visual flash. Since I can’t check every day, the links to last 10 or so would be helpful.
July 22nd, 2008 at 6:51 pm
…love ya’ just the way you are….
July 27th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Put the links to previous and next articles at the BOTTOM of the page as well as at the top. If I were in the habit of reading from the bottom up, your current design would be ok, but after I read the post and the erudite commentary, why make me go through it upside down to get to your next musing?