Changes
February 28th, 2007 by Brian
Just a quick note.
As you can see, the layout of the site has changed a bit. I’ve tried to give the site a more efficient use of space, while keeping it easy to read and use. Let me know what you like, don’t like or about any bugs you find in the comments.
February 28th, 2007 16:32
I like the new design.
February 28th, 2007 16:50
I really dislike the new design. It is enough to possibly keep me from coming back. It reminds me of the sites from the 90’s which weren’t to great on the eyes.
February 28th, 2007 16:54
Okay, one for, and one against.
Bryan, I can always go back to the old layout, so don’t leave yet. Could you tell me in a little more detail what you don’t like about the new layout?
February 28th, 2007 17:55
I like it a lot because I can understand the logic of the site more clearly.
Recent posts and latest comments are the key elements that I want to keen an eye on, and both are now at the top of the page.
February 28th, 2007 19:38
Change can be hard, but this is worth it (to me). I like the placement of the new comments on the homepage. I also like the layout of the comments right after the post. The only thing that bothers my old eyes is that the font seems lighter… is that possible or am I crazy?
February 28th, 2007 20:08
Susan,
I agree the fonts are a bit wonky. I can adjust them, but I wanted people to get a feel the new layout.
This is a draft, everyone. By the way if anyone reading this is actually a designer, and not a template kiddie like me, I’d love any input you are willing to share.
March 1st, 2007 08:22
me likey.
March 1st, 2007 08:41
just noticed that I can’t insert a blank line between paragraphs.
That kinda makes reading the comments a little less pleasant…
March 1st, 2007 09:02
Yeah,
I see two major things to deal with. One is linebreaks in the comments. Not sure why it does that, but I want to deal with it. The second one is perhaps the font. As Susan said, it is lighter. It is also smaller. I’d be interested in people’s thoughts on that.
So far Bryan is the only person who has said they really don’t like it. His comment about having that 90’s look I suspect is due to the little icons by all the headers, but I’d like to hear more specifics from him.
March 1st, 2007 09:44
Yes, the line breaks are an excellent point. They definitely help make reading easier.
The font size doesn’t bother me, because I can easily change it on my screen. I have to, actually. If it were larger I wouldn’t, but I can deal with that myself.
March 1st, 2007 12:04
I like the new organization better. Agree that the line breaks are a problem.
Rick
March 1st, 2007 12:43
Spacing now exists between paragraphs.
Like.
This.
March 5th, 2007 02:35
Would you exchange links with me for Mutual Links? I will be glad.
March 6th, 2007 01:16
I thought I’d add a note of encouragement in the process of dialogue with people of different world views and opinions.
Australia has just conducted a Deliberative Poll - a process that brings together about 300 people of different views on a particular topic for a two day conference of speakers and debates. A pre-poll and post-poll measures changes in view after exposure to a) more information and b) a diversity of views. Most Deliberative Polls show substantial shifts in opinion.
This recent exercise in Deliberative Democracy was about attitudes to Muslims in Australia. Here is a news item about the process, the debates and the resulting shifts in opinion.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21323540-28737,00.html
March 7th, 2007 00:25
Gillian,
The article states:
“Participants heard well-articulated views ranging all the way from the hardline Muslim political group Hizb ut-Tahrir’s Wassim Doureihi arguing for an Islamic caliphate - that is, Islamic rule (although, he reassured his audience, not for the time being in Australia)….” (Emphasis is mine.)
That must be reassuring. He didn’t say “never”, but “not now”. He can’t say “never”; it would be going against his faith.
The article also said:
“Australian history suggests that through time we will absorb Muslim immigrants as successfully as we have other ethnic groups.”
Will that be the same way that France “absorbed” the Muslim immigrants, where whole suburbs around Paris don’t even get police protection because the police are afraid of the Muslim gangs? Where Muslims have created their own communities because they are told NOT to integrate?
So my question is: how many of those Muslims believe 100% of what is in the Koran? If they don’t, are they willing to stand up and say so?
Also, were the Australians permitted in the mosques to hear what these clerics preach? You can go into any Christian church and hear what is believed, taught and confessed. I would like to know the same of the Muslim clerics before I become less skeptical.
I have participated in interventions like this in the business community. There are always many things left unsaid.
March 7th, 2007 02:58
Yes, there is considerable debate here about whether Muslim communities WILL in fact be absorbed the way previous waves of immigrants have.
The actions that are currently underway to assist the process involve building dialogue with moderate Muslims so that the extreme views are not taken as representative of all. Just now, one of the extreme Imams is being marginalised by his own community — moderate voices are becoming stronger.
It is not a matter of “believing 100% what is said” - like Christianity, it is a matter of interpretation. Those with rigid, fundamentalist views are being put in perspective. In Australia moderate Muslims are standing up and speaking, and the media is giving them a platform.
This is also happening worldwide. Here is this from Queen Rania of Jordan….
“Islam neither requires one to be practising, nor to dress in one way or another, so imposing the veil on a woman is contrary to the principles of Islam. Unfortunately, after all the suspicion weighing on Islam, many people have begun to consider the veil as a political problem, but this is not the case. Wearing the veil is a free personal choice.”
I think, as I said, for societies to succeed in the 21st century, they really have to embrace diverse people from diverse backgrounds, they really have to succeed in multiculturalism.”
OF COURSE Australians were permitted in the mosques to hear what the clerics preach! Whether they were Muslim Australians or not! Of course, they had to be men. (*shrug*)
To move forward, we need to support the dialogues that are appearing — it is more fruitful to listen carefully to the moderates than to attack the extremists. The extremists need to be encircled by their own moderates, not by outsiders.
March 7th, 2007 11:15
Gillian,
You said: “In Australia moderate Muslims are standing up and speaking, and the media is giving them a platform. ”
I say: Amen! At least that is occurring on one Western civilization.
You said: “OF COURSE Australians were permitted in the mosques to hear what the clerics preach! Whether they were Muslim Australians or not!”
I say: That’s curious, because I didn’t believe infidels were allowed in mosques. Also, were the Australians allowed in during specific events - i.e. was their arrival planned - or were the unplanned?
You said: “they really have to succeed in multiculturalism”
I say: I disagree, but that’s a whole other post.
Thanks for the additional info.
Rick