roundbook on Monday February 4, 2008
Something that's been in planning for a long time, from before my move to Switzerland, was to make changes to the design of Roundbook.com to make the experience easier - hence the major redesign.
I personally think it makes quite a few things easier to do, plus it makes my work easier in adding newer functionality. I suggest you take a look around, and let me know what you'd like to make this even better.
Of course, with change, it may take a while to get used to it, but I think you'll find that it is for the better, and the core of Roundbook hasn't changed - connect with family and friends! Its awesome!
Technical details: If you are having trouble using the site in your Internet browser, make sure you are using the latest version of your browser. I highly suggest using firefox (get it here), or Internet Explorer 7 (get it here). In fact, those are the only two fully supported browsers for Roundbook.com. I'd like to ensure usability for all browsers, but I unfortunately don't have the time.
- Profile is on the right - done to put the focus on the content.
- Profile is changed to be more helfpul - done to make it more clear whose Roundbook site you are on, and to provide quick access to common tasks.
- Profile indicates whether you are connected to the person whose site you are on (if you are someone else's site).
- My People - shows the people, instead of hiding them.
- My interests - nicer look/feel.
- Video Blog - easily add youtube or other external site videos to your blogs.
- Comments - cleaner design
- Blogs - picture of person who wrote the blog next to the blog title.
I personally think it makes quite a few things easier to do, plus it makes my work easier in adding newer functionality. I suggest you take a look around, and let me know what you'd like to make this even better.
Of course, with change, it may take a while to get used to it, but I think you'll find that it is for the better, and the core of Roundbook hasn't changed - connect with family and friends! Its awesome!
Technical details: If you are having trouble using the site in your Internet browser, make sure you are using the latest version of your browser. I highly suggest using firefox (get it here), or Internet Explorer 7 (get it here). In fact, those are the only two fully supported browsers for Roundbook.com. I'd like to ensure usability for all browsers, but I unfortunately don't have the time.
5 comments - view comments or leave one 
Blog submitted by roundbook on Mon, Feb 4th 2008, 15:03 |
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This blog is public for all to see.
This blog is public for all to see.
It's a good thing you changed some of the look and feel. I was about to start another blog of my own on Blogger.com.
I might still, but I'll always double post, one here, one there.
Thanks Lauren. I appreciate the positive feedback.
The cool flash viewer went the way of the... I don't know actually which way it went. It has been replaced with a simple view of photos albums, in the order they were posted along with blogs; meaning that if I post a blog, then three photo albums, then a blog, you'll see all in order on my home page. As for the old one - what you may not have realized is that it actually hasn't been a flash viewer for about a year now, most recently it was more AJAX based. A more improved version of that will be coming back, but per album, to replace the small thumbnails.
Also consider this - if you've got an idea of what would be great - you can tell me and I'll try to implement it (like the playlist idea - I'll look into it)
. Try getting your voice heard like that by Google.
Finally - if you want a different color scheme - go to your profile, then styles. If one you would like isn't there - tell me of a color scheme you'd like and I'll make one. One of the things the new design provides is a faster way for me to make more styles.
I won't move to blogger. I'll just have to make more of my posts available to the world, so that I can send people who aren't signed up as family to my blog when needed.
One more thought, can I customize what shows up on the side of my page? Like, what if I don't want the "New Design" box on the side? What if I want to customize what is on the side (like, favorites including thumbnails, a music playlists (similar to those I've seen on blogger), etc...)
Thanks!
I plan on adding a "widgets" piece, where you can add/remove sections and add pieces from other services on the internet. But it won't be right away.
As for the "New Design" box - yes, that will go away shortly after a more sophisticated profile page is completed. But the more sophisticated profile page will still have a section dedicated to telling you about what's new happening on Roundbook - just more discreet.
I did know about the public thing. That's good to remember.
I like that the "What's New with Roundbook" stuff will be available on my page, but not in the way.
Overall, this is a tremendous site and I like it a lot. I've officially decided not to go anywhere else for a blog. I mean, who am I kidding, I don't have time to write blogs here, let alone somewhere else.