The second step of our relaunch has been accomplished. The new design of the ”My blog.co.uk“-Site is a next step forward. Along with the new design come many new and useful features. From now on you can easily see at one glance what’s new in your blog.co.uk community:
The latest posts of your friends are of particular importance for you. Therefore, you’ll find them up front.
You will also have faster access to the news of the blog.co.uk team.
Moreover, you won’t forget any birthday of one of your friends any more. There will be an reminder when someone is going to have a birthday.
Are you already curious what’s coming next?
Here’s a little outlook:
Editing your profile is going to be easier. This means you will be able to edit your profile faster and easier. It will also be arranged more clearly.
Even for your blog(s) more options are going to be provided. The new Design Wizard is going to offer more functions to adapt the look of your blog according to your wishes. So, you can really look forward to new layouts and many new great looking blogs.
Have fun exploring the new opportunities and features!
Your blog.co.uk Team
Comments (88)
The new layout looks odd to me... It took me a moment to take in that this was the new layout... If you don't mind me saying so, I prefered the previous layout...
We don´t mind you saying so, not at all, we appreciate your feedback. You said you preferred the previous layout. Why ?
It looks a little plain... There isn't much colour on it. Kinda boring in that respect. That's about it, really. The layout is ok, once I got used to it, but it just needs more colour.
I guess you´d throw in your vote for a background image upload then ? ;-)
Colour is a veeeery sensible subject. I am quite sure the blog team would have experienced some, let´s say, "severe criticism" with a colourful page for everybody around.
Nevertheless, a colour or colour schemes could be an idea for the personalization of the page. We will definately focus on content issues first though, since this seems to be more of interest.
Thank you very much for your suggestion !
Hmmm.
I like the notes feature.
There's too much 'media'. I'm not interested in people's random pictures so much. Would it be possible for users to rearrange the front page and have things in different order/removed?
I'm sure I'll get used to it!
Look forward to new blog designs.
Personalization of this page is definately an issue. We will make adjustments there step by step to allow for personalization.
New blog designs is a biggie because it is part of the new design section (in the works and will allow more space for indiivdual creativity). Can´t give you a definite on the launch for this one but it´s scheduled for this year.
I'm glad to hear you're giving us more opportunities for design because at the mo, it's very limited and not working properly at all...what appears in the preview in the design section is not was comes up when you leave it...so let's hope this works better when you do get around to doing it...can you let us know also...it's very alarming to suddenly find everything's changed and without warning...keep thinking it's another hiccup...but at least you gave us a message this time...
I´m hearing you.
As I stated above, the design system needs a tune-up, big-time. We´re working on it and will try our very best to bring it online soon.
In terms of announcing things: we decided today that we will announce new improvements some 3 working days here, possibly with screenshots, before they go online.
Thanks for answering...this is a great improvement re feedback...difficult to know whether anybody's listening BLOL...not sure where random messages are anymore...how do you get to them from your own blog...they seem to have disappeared from the listing...otherwise I'm quite happy with this current change, and excellent news about forewarning us of further changes...
Thanks for all your hard work...know it's difficult to get everything working properly...
the random posts are in the "new posts" section. Click on the "blog.co.uk" tab and they will show. We understand that is extra click is sort of a long way which is why we are considering modification/personalization of items like these on this page.
btw - we read comments and suggestions, not all of them get replies due to the lack of time, but even if posts or comments regarding suggestions/improvements are not replied or answered, they are more likely to be read than not to be read by team staff.
No, I'm talking about posts not by my friends but by all the other users...I can't find how to get to them anymore from my blog.co.uk...they used to be listed on the side and I could check whichever one I fancied reading...but they've gone...
Ignore post below...I've found them the random posts...!!! Took me long enough....cheers...
Don't know much about computers but will find my way around as I did before.
Love the idea of posting birthdays, it's great to send and receive birthday wishes.
Thanks for your site, I really enjoy the contact that you have enabled me to have with friends, best wishes for the future.
Trevor.
Thank you, that´s wonderful and inspiring feeback. We´ll try our best to make your experience here even better.
I like it.
Thanks!
Pleasure. :-)
The brave new world is an interesting place - what is the Notes thingy all about?
This was a suggestion in the ideas blog. It´s simply a litte place to put up your notes, to-do´s, things, whatever you need in a flexible place so you don´t forget things.
Umm... I have been highly complimentary of the previous changes but I have to say I don't like this one, the page is now harder to navigate and has less useful information easily at your fingertips such as the most recent posts on the whole of blog which to me is quite important as I enjoy seeing what else is around from the MyBlog page, it's how we make new blogging friends, now it's hidden behind our friends posts, to me making it feel a bit more insulated, it's harder for me to see the wider community not on my friends list.
It's also highly annoying that it defaults to a certain number of blogs in the "your blogs" section.
These mean it adds another extraneous click if I want to see the whole of BCUKs posts or post in one of the two blogs which are no longer seen.
I agree things have been added such as birthdays and the "notes" part but I'm highly unlikely to use it, making it something that is clogging up my screen.
I think an option to keep with the old layout might be preffered, it felt more comfortable, more useful and, as much as I hesitate to say it, more professional, this current look seems to be a lot less glossy than the previous MyBlog page, a page most users will have asd their gateway into blog.
I've just got it - they are trying to make it look more like Facebook - even with the 'it's blah's birthday in 5 days' thing. But this isn't facebook! It's completely different!
Recent posts is an issue brought forward several times regarding the new layout of the page. We will try to comply with this suggestion by generally introducing personal settings of certain items/modules for this page.
That's great, I'm not against change when it works out
Thanks again for listening.
I agree with you AJNSpencer - the set up is clogged up, the page does not feel personal in anyway whatsoever and one blog that's come up on the left from a blog friend, is an old one, I replied to when it first was posted.
I don't happen to like birthday wishes and all the other extraneous ideas, they trivialise the blog. Navigation to my own page let alone to new friends is difficult.
I'm with you on having the option to keep the old lay out. It was superb and clear. This new option is a mess.
I just got used to the old setup and you change it WHY? what was wrong with the old way. We all knew what we were doing and where to find everything. It was easy for new comers like me (not so young) to get into the stride quickly. Now some bright spark thinks it needs (updating) There is an old and true saying. IF IT'S NOT BROKEN DON'T FIX IT Now we have to start all over again. Not a happy blogger
IF IT'S NOT BROKEN DON'T FIX IT
I second that quote!
Ok, I guess our intention to make things easier and to surface interesting content for you did not cheer you up too much. Hopefully, we´ll do a better job with the profile and design section.
Sorry but I agree...I don't like it
Don't see the point of the Friends photos or notes section.
I personally am using my useless note pad to write my self useless notes such as "remember to wash hair on saturday morning"!
Yes I see the use of a Notepad. But I can set one up in Word or on my Finder. No need put into cyberspace - especially at the expense of a "Latest Blogs list." One of the strengths of BCUK up to now has been the encouragement to dip in to strangers' posts at random.
I know they are only a Click away - but why not put the photos or the Notebook a Click away and bring the Latest Blog List back to centre stage?
Or maybe we could each design our own "My Blog.uk" page, choosing from the various elements
I'm sorry but have you mistaken me for a BCUK team member or is just that the sarcasm in my reply went straight over your head?
Ooops! Me culpa. Your sarcasm went over my head. Groveling apologies.
Got your point there. The notepad was a suggestion received several times from other users. Nevertehless, we will try to allow for personalization of content on this page.
How many is several?
So if i got several people to suggest something equally as useless would you consider sticking that on there too?!
Surely you should have a majority of users suggesting something like that before you just simply go ahead & do it!
I dont like this at all.. Why we not asked for input?? Why not a trial run? I dont have any need for a note pad and I enjoy seeing what other bloggers post, not just those on my friends list..I have been blogging less and less of late and this is just another reason not to.
Recent posts is still available, but is somewhat hidden now, which we will try to bring forward again by personalising content modules.
Also, as I stated above, we will make announcements in the future of what we are planning on putting online, thereby allowing upfront feedback.
Thank you for replying ..I only just got round to acknowledging it, sorry.
I will need to play around with it a bit and get used to it. I think it will be fine.
Its not too bad!
CONGRATS!!! THAT'S ALL SO COOL!!
May I give you a suggestion please?
In the private message section sometimes it can get to hefty... sometimes people get so many messages they REALLY want to get rid of... (not only ticking them off as -read- but taking them off totally!!
Myself and a couple other people I invited on blog.ca from my office to communicate also have complained about the overwhelming and submerging private messages over flowing this section...
WOULD it be possible (in the future) to add an option that would say... example
"DELETE unwanted messages" - I had to get a new username just to get away from the burden , just so I won't vex the members that spend too much time sending those private messages.... would it please?
Thanks just a thought!!
- Sundawn
Thank you very much for your suggestion. You are not alone with that one, I personally have too many messages sitting there as well but we´re working on that one, too (by implementing a internal mail system which will allow you manage these messages better)
Sorry guys, the new tools introduced are good (notes and birthdays), but the layout is too confused. The old layout was quite simple, but useful.
Two suggestions: remove the boxes "New media from my private network" and "My media", also the box "Invite friends" is alredy available from the link in "My friends online".
Why don't you open a poll, with some preview of new layouts, and let the users of blog network vote that they prefer?
Thanks for the suggestion. We believe personal settings is a better solution for everyone and will try to bring this online soon.
I love the new layout - you can't please all the people all the time, eh?
The only thing I'm not sure of is why you have your friends media at the bottom. Don't see why you would particularly want this? It's just taking up space.
We have reason to believe that a lot of your friends´ media is being published without friends noticing it, which is why we gave this one a shot.
Ah, I see. Well, if that's what people want. Personally, I'd use that space to show more blogposts.
although your 'reason to believe?' - does that mean that loads of people have asked for it?
Hang on,t hough - just logged out to see what it looked like and I'm not sure about all that media being splashed about. What if I were doing a friends only post? I don't see why you are clogging it all up with media pictures. What use are they to people?
All the rest is good, though.
If you upload pics to a private post they will not be posted on the front page for all to see, they will appear in your media but the only people that will be able to see them are the friends who received your private post
But I notice it does post media that I have uploaded for future scheduled posts. Since some of these are cartoons, rather spoils the fun and is quite frankly sloppy programming.
That´s a bug (which just went into our bugtracking system).
It is a step forward, very good and it is good to know that BCUK
has kept on its promise and is devoting time to improve it's members blogs.
We are anxiously waiting for the new anticipated Design Wizard, so we could create goodlooking webpages. Other webhoisting companies as MySpace, E-blogs, Wordpress, Flick and others are far more advance Design Layouts and Templates than the current very rigid 3 cloumn choices BCUK's layout.
An emphasis on flexibility of placing Adsense big banners, horizontal, vertical, top, bottom, center must be created for the pro users who can maximize monetization from Ads. and help them pay the pro accounts and perhaps even earn a bit more.
The profile edition is also welcome. Good work guys! Please release the other improvements ASAP! Thanks!
Thank for the feedback there. Releasing fast is of course what we all want and work for, we´ll try our best to release well and as fast as we can. Designs and free-html are overdue, we are very aware of this and are working on those.
I would rather you fixed the log in problems than introduce changes that add very little (personally I don't like them). I can never understand why you don't beta things first to get reactions - or is it that you just assume it doesn't much matter what we think.
Yes, those log-ins are a big pain. We will find a solution for this. Switching from local blog communities to another (i.e. blog.ca to blog.co.uk) however, is an intended log-out.
'Switching from local blog communities to another (i.e. blog.ca to blog.co.uk) however, is an intended log-out.'
Why? It never used to be.
This is a tough one for me to answer because the reason for this is a technical security issue which is beyond my intellectual capabilities. Until that one is solved, the log-out will remain when jumping from community to community. I do not know of any solution likely to be implemented soon which would solve this problem, sorry.
Is that why I have to log in to ca accounts, an intended log out - it is a big put off. I do have friends with ca addresses, and all the logging in for those, and the constant loss of log in status for blog uk is very frustrating.
The other problem that turned up in the recent changes was when I used an internet café I had to log in to every blog reply/comment on the blog UK site. I logged out. I didn't have time in a half-hour paid session to mess about with all of that.
Now, today, I have everyone's media even if I don't want it, I can no longer select what is of personal interest to me, I have old postings that I have already replied to, there's a notepad which I have no use for, neither can I undertake random browsing and link into new friends that way, very easily. I would like the option of the old layout.
There have been too many changes in a short space of time for no good reason - I belong to the school which believes, if isn't broken, don't try to fix it.
This has been a great community, don't make it difficult for the community to stay together by making the site complicated to navigate.
Ah, OK. It's really linking to another branch of the site, so that's not surprising.
I have to say, though, when you do log in, as long as you have the cookies enabled (or whatever they are) then it's only a tick in the box and a click.
The people in your bright ideas department needs shooting. This new layout is confusing, unnecessary and looks like "change for change's sake".
Like they were sitting round saying "What else can we fuck up today, guys?"
In particular, I don't like the fact that you can no longer see who else is online.
As soon as I can find an alternative blog server, I am out of here.
I´m afraid I will not comply with your first suggestion.
"Who´s online" is still around, it was simply moved from left to right. Further suggestions aside from reducing team staff are welcome.
You can quite easily find out who is online. It's the same as the old way, just on a different place to the right hand side of the screen - you can see who is on line from all BCUK, you friends, males or females.
Try having a look around before giving a rude and knee-jerk reaction. These guys are here to help us get the best out of our blogging experience.
I'm not quite sure why people call the new layout confusing - it simply isn't! You have the most important things, namely "write post", "settings", "preview" and the completely unnecessary "statistics", easily accessible on the top right-hand corner, plus an easy link to new invitations, the latest posts from your friends, an even easier access to the news section ... - I like it!
But I do agree with others that there's too much space used up by friends' media - why is it listed on "My blog"? I'll see it when I open their posts. I also agree that the notepad isn't necessary, and that it'd be nice to have other users' headlines listed on the "My blog" homepage as before.
But overall - not bad
And like GilraenH said: you just can't please everybody!
Indeed. I agree - it is fairly easy to use, it's obvious what you need to click on to get what. Obviously the friends media thing is there because people have expressed an opinion that they would like it there? I agree with Abilene. Surely if you wanted to see your friends media than you would see it when you had a look at their posts? There could be an option to turn it on and off though, perhaps? So that the space can be used to show more blog posts by scrolling down? Don't know how easy that would be.
Thanks.
looks kind of tidy to me. Thanks a lot
I really won't like having my birthday declared to everyone on my friends list... and I'm not so sure I want reminders of my friends brthdays either.
I also enjoy blogs other than "My Friends" and liked having the list of most recent posts list on my home page, rather than the main home page. I've found some very interesting folk by pure chance that way.
I am ignoring the media! I see what my friends put up, and don't need a reminder.
Notebook is a waste of space.
Trouble is, I just get used to finding things and they go and get changed... but that's life.
But, as with all the other changes I'll get used to them, and I've like most of the recent changes, on the whole.
Oh... and some proper English would be good! "Yes, here you are right!" I need a translation!
Small point to most raised here so far - but the "Bloggers On Line" list (which I would prefer restored as the default) no longer lists the names in alphabetical order.
Is there any reason for this?
being a "new" blogger..sorry.
but some of the new stuff appears to be simply graphical and many navigation loops and errors (I can elaborate should you wish on an alternative media than this comment window) occur...from a usabilty perspective...obviously I could go on, but if you wish me to elaborate please say and I will, but it may take me a few weeks given work commitments and such. yes yes I am a qualified software and usability tester etc.. etc..
If this is a forum to "bouncing" ideas then please say so, otherwise I will expect feedback to this comment.
Thanks
and with always respect.
Graybags101
Sorry, but what happened to "Bloggers on Line"? I can't locate it. That used to be a great way to meet new people.
The bloggers online is very reduced, it's difficult to find it and hard to see what's happening when you do find it. The previous arrangement was better, easier to see and select from
The notes facility is weird, a waste of space. Bloggers online could go in that slot.
We should be individually asked if we want our birthdays announced. WE SHOULD HAVE SOME DATA PROTECTION RIGHTS HERE. I do not want my personal information given out and I do not want my birthday announced.
Other people's media makes the whole page very cluttered. Would it not be better to leave the bloggers to choose what media they want to look at.
I don't like it, its nowhere near as good as the old page. but what do I know? I couldn't even wire a plug.
I agree with Menhir who says:
"We should be individually asked if we want our birthdays announced. WE SHOULD HAVE SOME DATA PROTECTION RIGHTS HERE. I do not want my personal information given out and I do not want my birthday announced."
I also object to the display of friends media along the bottom of the page - quite often this will act as a spoiler, particularly when it illustration need to be presented in a proper context. This feature should be removed on the grounds that it interferes with the blog-author's right to present information in a proper order. Removing this should not be a user option - it should be permanent!
My conclusions on the new "My Blog.co.uk" page layout:
NO to the birthday announcements (or make it optional in the persons profile)
NO to the notepad (or make it optional)
PLEASE display at least ten in the "My blogs" panel.
DON'T shown thumbnails of My Media, this is a waste of space.
INCLUDE "My Comments" as a tab with along with the
"My Friends/Blogs.co.uk/blog.co.uk News/My Comments"
ABSOLUTELY NO to the "New Media from my private network" this acts as a spoiler for my friend's blogs and will probably reduce the number of times I visit their blogs, particularly as it links to their media section, not to the blog where they have embedded it.
Hi!
The "new" Blogs was first wery confusing, but after a while, I got used to it. But I dont`need any notepad, thats for sure.
What I want to ask for, is many of those who are visiting my blog, can`t comment. It won`t woork for them. We loose a lot of visitors by it, and it`s a big problem, I tell you!
Can you try to do something about that?
And is it possible to post f.eks a picksture or a logo in the side of the blog (where my bloglists is....) without using HTML? Maybe use a browser instead.?
Hi,
Please, please explain what criterion you use to work out the top 24 blogs because nobody here can work it out, and today you've excelled yourselves...the top one that's all in Russian!!! What is that all about? If you must add a competative element into the blog site, please tell us what some people do that gets them onto the top 24....
The new look is cluttered, messy and not user friendly.
.
I am also appalled, and concerned, that a member of Blog.co.uk has suggested in a comment using a fake birth date as that clearly contravenes the Terms of Service.
I'm surprised that people have objected to the birthday thing - Data Protection Act - what a load of hogwash. Heaven forbid that one of their blog friends (whom they have chosen to become friends with) is going to wish them Happy Birthday on their actual birthday. What would happen next? Plagues of locusts, cats and dogs living together...
*sarcasm mode off*
Sorry - I think the new layout is excellent, and if not to keep the people who feel their human rights are being infringed by their friends knowing what day they were born on, then have a little thing to tick saying who is allowed to see their birthday.
Problem solved.
I like the design/layout and many of the new features too; well done to all concerned.
I am a little concerned about the visibility of the birthday thing; having my birthday on display doesn't bother me, but I can understand how it may upset some people. I read somewhere that users will eventually be able to choose whether their birthday is visible or not; perhaps it would have been better to have built that option in with the new design?
One 'unintended' consequence for a general blog like mine is that my viewing figures have dropped since the change. I am pretty sure that this is because it is harder to look at blogs that are not your friends - I hardly ever bother now, whereas I would often investigate a clever or interesting post - and made new friends that way.
Now that we have agreed about putting a switch on displaying birthday data (though no apology for breaching the TOS or advocating lying about our birth dates) can we address the issues of the redesign of the MyBlog page. I worked in Computing for over 30 years (including in software design and testing) and I know how hard it must be to say 'we got that wrong' but with the best of intentions you have got it wrong, and it needs to be changed quickly. My personal suggestions would be :
1) get rid of the notepad and put other than friends there so we can see other people's interesting posts and they can see ours
2) get rid of all the media stuff. Not necessary and as I have said before I don't want people to see what posts I am preparing for the futuure.
3) the link to your blog doesn't really deserve a tab, but however you link to it, please include a flag to show when it is updated. Is there a space to show system announcements ?
These aren't big changes and in my opinion would improve what is currently not very good. I'm sure others may have other suggestions.
not bad i like it
keep up the gud work
I have to agree that the media section is not a good idea - I often upload images to use later, and would rather they were seen in context.
Congratulations on responding so quickly to the birthday issue though.
As one of those who asked for the birthday notification to be optional, I also want to say Thanks for sorting it quickly.
Thank you for the birthdays option. I didn't specifically ask for it, but I'm am grateful it is an option now.
Thank you, I like it...
I feel the same.
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