Need Feedback on blog site redesign !!!

[son of the revolution]

Ok everyone,

Since just about everyone here has exponentially greater computer skills then me and more often then not a better " eye " for what looks good, Im reaching out to the community here to share their input/ideas on the new and improved look/re design for my Blog ( That Every Man Be Armed.com )

DoughDaddy ( Carl ) has graciously offered to do the redesign and move everything over to Word Press, which should offer much more flexibility then Blogger by Google.

So here's the deal. Carl/DoughDaddy is going to throw up some different designs for the main page backround, header, footer, etc and we're looking for your guys honest feedback on how it looks. Is it to busy ? Cluttered ? To many colors, etc ? As an example I told Carl to look at the way Sipsey Street Irregulars is laid out and how Shall Not be Questioned is done as well. Something of a hybrid between the two is what Im shooting for.

I would like to incorporate the Culpeper Militia Flag into it somewhere, as Im pretty well known for that.

I was just offered ( and accepted ) a spot as a columnist at Ammoland.com, this along with a complete redesign of my personal blog should really help things get going as far as my writing career goes. I have no doubt the terrible look of my blog as it is now has been holding me back from garnering a good readership/following, because the bottom line is, if it doesnt look professional, it wont be taken seriously.

So lets here the feedback everyone. Comment on what would or does make you click on a site and stay there, or keep coming back for more. Here's your chance to really influence how a local 2A writers public "persona" is presented to people all around the Country and the World.

Thanks in Advance.

Dan


Here's Carl's first crack at a header page


http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16259671/header.jpg

Im hoping we can actually put up the examples instead of links to them and get a poll going.

[Doughdaddy]

Subscribed for comments

ETA: image attached, screenshot of site to follow

[mpan72]

I think mabye put the flag in the corner or shorten the transparent white banner to just slightly bigger than the flag. I do like the Stars and Stripes superimposed over the COTUS.

[Doughdaddy]

Screenshot of site page

[Doughdaddy]

Screenshot 2




edit: I corrected the image which had text to low in image

[mpan72]

My opinnion is screen shot #2 looks a little better.

[ErSwnn]

My opinnion is screen shot #2 looks a little better.

I agree. #1 doesn't "pop" because the Culpeper kind of takes away from the underlying flag/script. I'd like #1 better if more of the flag was showing (less fading to white). All that white is a distraction...and just kind of plain.

I do like the image of the Culpeper, and what it signifies. If that is something you hold a value in and want to transfer that messaging to your readers, think about simply not fading the underlying flag to white, let it mix just enough to keep the continuity of the flag/script while holding the Culpeper in the logo.

Hey Dan, you do realize if you ask 100 people for their opinion your going to get 100 differing opinions right? But all the same, I appreciate your allowing for and seeking our thoughts. I hope your the best of success with the endeavor, I'm sure you'll make it something to take pride in.

[Doughdaddy]

I agree. #1 doesn't "pop" because the Culpeper kind of takes away from the underlying flag/script. I'd like #1 better if more of the flag was showing (less fading to white). All that white is a distraction...and just kind of plain.

I do like the image of the Culpeper, and what it signifies. If that is something you hold a value in and want to transfer that messaging to your readers, think about simply not fading the underlying flag to white, let it mix just enough to keep the continuity of the flag/script while holding the Culpeper in the logo.

Hey Dan, you do realize if you ask 100 people for their opinion your going to get 100 differing opinions right? But all the same, I appreciate your allowing for and seeking our thoughts. I hope your the best of success with the endeavor, I'm sure you'll make it something to take pride in.

screenshot 3

ErSwnn, does it look better on top?

[Doughdaddy]

last one for tonight

screenshot 4

[ErSwnn]

screenshot 3

ErSwnn, does it look better on top?

Yes it does. But I'm picturing an oval shaped logo in the center, the aspect of too much of a linear design has a boxy look to it.

Dan, I was poking around about the Culpeper Militia and it seems a new version of the group has emerged in AZ. I'm assuming your reference is to the original militia of Virginia. I hope others don't google the words and come up with the new group. I'm not sure if the view (mostly negative as promoted in the media) associated with modern day militias will be a good thing or a bad thing for your work.

The AZ group was pretty down on the Occupiers, and for me that is a negative towards them. As much as I didn't agree with their movement/idealogy/ignorance, I support their right to protest and assemble. Of course, you do as you see fit with either connotation of the Culpepers (original or modern), I support your right to do so.