Change the style of your Blogger archive names with this handy piece of Javascript. Much as I think this is a useful and effective piece of code, I have to say that it seems like a hack to me – something that should be integrated into Blogger itself rather than an add-on. If Greymatter can do it, why not Blogger? [via Evhead]
The BBC News site has had some design changes since I last went there a few days ago – or at least I think it has. As far as I can tell, the search box has been moved to the top of the page – which is a substantial improvement and should be replicated across the BBC as a whole. I’m less convinced by the addition of a top hierarchy hovering above the BBC News logo – which seems to be contain related sites that really should be more heavily integrated within the left hand navigation. Their placement seems random and counter-intuitive.
The Watch / Listen box on the right of the page looks like it has undergone a colour-change and a few refinements – but nothing substantial enough to change the functionality of the pages. But the integration of the ‘Around the World Now’ section does seem to be a radical change to me, and one that I’m not entirely convinced by. It does illustrate ‘depth-of-content’, but it seems to me that someone specifically interested in African News will almost certainly be able to navigate down to that section, while the ‘headline-only’ policy doesn’t seem particularly easy to scan nor does it seem particularly inviting. It’s only benefit (and it may be a substantial one) is to get the regional news more coverage on the front page. Why do I suspect that the ‘[continent] in full” links will get clicked on more than the stories themselves?
You know who I’d like to work with? Richard Metzger at disinformation, that’s who. I mean – let’s be realistic. Disinformation shares many interests with Barbelith, including the immortal Grant Morrison. I’ve also talked to him via e-mail a few times in the past. Plus he says nice things about the Bomb and I’m experienced in putting together and maintaining editorially run web-sites. What the fuck am I doing in London at all. Why hasn’t he summoned me across the Atlantic to work at his side?
Entertaining Ralph: So Mr McGinnis, True Art from the Barbelith Underground and owner-operator of Lacking… is in town at the moment, and he’s staying with me for a few days. He only arrived on Thursday morning, so we haven’t had time to do that much yet, but we did some of the bars in town and wandered around some shops, and last night we wandered into Popstarz. Davo came too. It would have been a really good evening if I didn’t experience a RMS (Rapid Mood Swing) shortly after running into a guy I knew from Bristol who’s approaching the end of his doctorate. I suddenly felt really inadequate and pointless. A few more drinks and a Pringles picnic by the side of the road at three in the morning sorted that out though…
Hey look guys – I went and reviewed BBC Online – Films – Review – Planet of the Apes.
Thanks to Mr Brilliant for the tremendous gift of Mr Zeldman‘s Taking Your Talent To The Web. I was only kidding when I said ‘bribe me’ but I appreciate it wildly nonetheless. And thanks are also due to Paul from cuckoo-kid.com for getting me Crypto from my wishlist.
From the MediaGuardian: Time Out slashes website staff: “Timeout.com has laid off seven people from its 10-strong workforce, but the publication reassured readers there would be no scaling back of content on the website.” Compare this quote with this one: “The restructuring means that certain parts of the site – such as the ticket sales section – will be updated less frequently, with some of the less popular sections scaled back.”
Grant speaks at Disinformation.
Specifically aimed at the well-intentioned, but clumsy AIM correspondent: “Instant Messaging Can Be an Instant Annoyance Without Etiquette.” You know who you are.
“Everybody’s spirits seemed to be raised with the arrival of Tom who joined the group, a G.K. Chesterton book tucked under his arm, with the cheery air of a Rupert Bear happening on his chums in the woods betwixt adventures.” [more]