I thought that spring would bring a more leisurely time from the hustle and bustle of a Mac user’s life in winter. Not so. I’m trying to imagine how much different my life would be without my Mac. It’s either a wonderful paradise or not a pretty sight.

For the last couple of weeks Ron and I have been busy on a combination of personal and business projects, some involving Mac360, some not, all involving Mac software, a Mac360 reader, and our Macs.

It started a few weeks ago when Ron received an email from a reader named ‘Walt.’ Walt wrote, among other things:

”Maybe you should occasionally bump up your text size (command-plus under Safari) to see how ugly the site can be.”

Not even a hello? After that introduction, Walt disparaged Mac360 in a variety of ways, none of them kind or sensitive or befitting a bona fide Mac user. Bona fido, maybe.

Ron shared the email and we began a dialog, cross continental and cross Pacific (or, half way across) about the Mac360 site, other sites, web tools, Mac utilities, which ones are good for this or that and so on. The email thread must have been about 36 inches long.

Walt wasn’t quite accurate with his newfound way to make a site look ugly. It’s shift-command-plus key combo which simply increases the font size. Try it. Two clicks and most sites get rather ugly. Unless you’re using Microsoft’s Internet Explorer which starts off ugly.

Mac360’s current basic design dates back to co-founder Tera Patricks and very early 2004. As I understand it, she wanted a unique site design with an online magazine look and feel, hence the graphics and tight headlines, and multiple column layout.

Unique is what we have. Tera did most of the coding herself and the end result is a distinct look at a price-- we have multiple graphic element links embedded into the summary and body of every article and review and in multiple fields. As Ron tells it, in MySQL (the database which stores Mac360’s site) terms, it’s messy.

Still, we want to work on a change to update the site’s look and feel without major surgery. I worked on some designs, Ron gathered the Mac utilities we’d use to work on the new look. We’re still working. Learning and implementing XHTML and CSS into a site design could fry a brain.

So, what we would like is a little feedback from the Mac360 faithful. What Mac sites do you frequent and why? Which Mac site designs do you favor and why? Do you prefer single column, triple column, graphics or no graphics?

In a separate article I’ll outline the tools we’re using and update our progress. In the meantime, feel free to criticize what we have, but also let us know why, and, very importantly, give us some examples of what you really like… and why.

Whatever changes you make to Mac 360 just make sure to keep digging up those great software reviews. Your claim to fame is finding Mac software that’s worthy of Mac users.

I don’t know much about web site design, but one thing I’ll say is that Mac 360 is rather easy to read, easy to see what’s new, and not too cluttered with advertisements. I suppose you need ads to keep the doors open, so to speak.

I check Mac 360 regularly because you always find and highlight good software and present it in terms that are easy to understand. Then I try the software myself to see if it stacks up to what you think.

I reader MacSurfer, Macworld and a few other Mac sites, too.

I like the reviews. Don’t stop that. I have a few dozen Mac software titles that I didn’t read about anywhere else on the Mac web. Make sure you keep up the ability to find such gems.

As to design, I know what I like and what I don’t like, though I don’t always know why. Mac360 is OK, distinct looking, easy to navigate, and not overly confusing, even on the home page. If anything, make it even easier, remove some of the links (too much clutter) and keep the comments section and the forums. I learn a lot here.

Finally, thanks for taking the time to produce a site that is useful and thoughtful for Mac users. It must take a lot of time and effort to keep it going so I hope the ads help pay for the effort.

I generally do not visit a site for its stellar design, unless design is the goal of the site (sonoises is a great example). Similarly, I rarely avoid sites because of poor design, though atrocious design can keep me away. Yes, content truly is king.

That said, let me add that a good format supports content, so you can’t just throw up any old look. I like single-column principal content with dual navigation (side and top), which is essentially what you have now. One thing you might consider is CSS as a means of breaking (some) navigation from primary content. The top navs now slide away as the reader scrolls down, yet there is no corresponding nav at the bottom. By floating a layer at the top of the page, using a higher z-index (closer to the reader), pages can flow under a static navigation. Note that this is different from a javascript-driven navigation that locates itself relative to one corner of the browser window—those jump around when scrolling, though they are fun to play with from a coding perspective.

The beauty of CSS is that you could actually develop user skins, even allowing users to tweak their own. In other words, you could allow the alternate arrangement of major blocks of the page (prefer the banners at the bottom? the side nav on the right? no problem) that would load up when they signed into Mac360. Even if it is only done for development purposes, this might be worth it.

I expect there are a couple people out there who could lend a hand on the CSS and other aspects of design: this is a user community with some familiarity with these sorts of things. I am happy to act as a CSS resource, having had to beat my head against many a wall when building casual web pages or coding widgets. I have learned to write clean, efficient code and am happy to help optimize.

Despite their reputation, by the way, widgets can help here. I suggest SeeSS as a quick CSS reference. I find it faster than plodding through the more detailed pages it links to, as it gives a good summary right there in a zippy interface that groups things quite intuitively. What it cannot do is suggest strategies for class and ID descriptor grouping. Learn that. Mess with it. The initial look of the code may be odd, but when you realize how breaking things into cohort groups makes revision easier and files smaller, you’ll never do it another way.

You can, of course, code up nicely in such things as TextWrangler (I just love its simplicity), Smultron, BBEdit, and other, but this site has reviewed all of those. The key is finding one with code coloring and other tools that work for you. Whatever you do, do not use a tool with more than you need unless all the rest have less than you need. The code is pretty easy stuff, and features can obscure that (by comparison, I say fie on DashCode for making widgets seem more complex than they are).

OK, I have rambled far too long. I am tired. I have that as an excuse.

P.S. Command-plus increases text size, though technically it is not a plus without the shift key (even then, it is command-shift-=). In other words, command, when pressed with the key two to the right of the zero, is the two-key combo in Safari. And Firefox. And Camino. And iCab.

I personally like the design of Mac360. Not that it could be redesigned better, I agree with everyone else that Mac360 is very easy to get around while on the server. I don’t know to much about web design except IWEB but I don’t think that counts. If I where to change the website I would put the most recent Forums on the top row (like you have it now), let’s say maybe the forums You and Ron posted a week or so ago right under that and keep the rest of the main page the same. Sometimes I feel you guys don’t let your forums stay up long enough on the front page. ( you said to tell you why).

Maybe at the end of your forums you could put a 1-10 to rate the article and how about member of the month for posting the most intelligent threads!? I don’t know what else to say, I am just brain storming trying to give you some ideas. But if you do put in a rating for forums, I would only make that for members, I am sure p.c. rivals stop by to see what we are writing about ( I think you get the point )

I can’t really think of what else to say, I think Mac360 is just fine but I have only been a member since late last year so I can imagine for you long time members of Mac360 that maybe the look is getting old.

Oh yeah here is a cool idea, how about an option for people with wide screens so they and see the page fill up their whole wide screen monitor. (front page that is, the rest of the site does seem to work in wide screen, I just noticed that and added this)

Was that helpful?

You’ve got a lot of information to convey.  That’s your business and the current design pulls it off.  But if I could make one suggestion, make the width dynamic instead of static.  All of my screens are high res wide screens and when I pull up your site it seems like it’s all squished into the center 1/3 of the screen.  And that gets a little busy.  Now I realize that most people haven’t gone wide format yet, but that is the general push.  In my office, most of us have dual wide 22” flat panels, and if my office is doing it, someone else is doing it.  Other than a Mac mini, can you get a Mac that isn’t wide or run below 1680x1050?  I would encourage you to take advantage of the real estate that you have.  One thing I’ve learned in 15+ years of print publishing is that white space is useful and one must find a balance of when and when not to fill it with something.

Sounds good. “Nothing improves without change,” said Tera. Sentimental fool that I am, I’m gonna miss her original template, the one that drew me in in the first place, along with the photo of the silver-haired girl. Great site- always on my daily to-do list to stop by.

I agree with a lot of the comments made on this topic. I also understand the concept that “nothing improves without change.” Having said that though, there’s the risk of losing “home” that I fear. Not sure if this makes sense to anyone other than myself, but thought I’d put my sixpence in. Mac360 has become my “home” for all things Mac over the past couple of years. Change for improvement is a good thing, change for the sake of change, not always so? My Thanks to everyone connected with Mac360 for keeping it real for all us Apple / Mac fans - new and not so new .

Actually, truth be told, that makes sense to me, also- the fact is, the more I think about it- I’m happy with Mac 360 as it is. I didn’t want to sound overly nostalgic about the past, but I too feel comfortable with a familiar place to call “home.” (We can always protest if we lose that.)

Andrew Purvis - 21 March 2008 12:01 AM

I generally do not visit a site for its stellar design, unless design is the goal of the site (sonoises is a great example). Similarly, I rarely avoid sites because of poor design, though atrocious design can keep me away. Yes, content truly is king.

...snip…

P.S. Command-plus increases text size, though technically it is not a plus without the shift key (even then, it is command-shift-=). In other words, command, when pressed with the key two to the right of the zero, is the two-key combo in Safari. And Firefox. And Camino. And iCab.

I have to hand you five stars there Mac God. You sure do seem to know your stuff, good work or writing should I say. Lot’s times I don’t know what to say so I just do my best.

Andrew, wonderful comments. These are greatly appreciated. Ron and I have started a new project called “Mac360: Full Circle.” We’ll put out a couple of new sites (I want a daily blog) over the next few months with the intent to take what we learn and apply it to a revamp of Mac360.

We have a start on criteria. Feel free to chime in:

1 - standard 3 column layout with center focus on content

2 - valid XHTML and CSS 2.1 (no tables, smaller code, faster loading)

3 - looks good in all major browsers; Safari, Firefox, Internet Explorer

4 - retain similar color scheme but obviously a new look

5 - top and bottom navigation (long pages are the norm these days)

6 - wider format, possibly up to 980 pixels wide (current is about 760 or so)

How’s that for starters?

Andrew Purvis - 21 March 2008 12:01 AM

I generally do not visit a site for its stellar design, unless design is the goal of the site (sonoises is a great example). Similarly, I rarely avoid sites because of poor design, though atrocious design can keep me away. Yes, content truly is king.

We’ve had plenty of writing assistance in the past with Tera, Bambi, Alex, Jack and Carol, Jeff, Ron, me, Tom Coppinger and even Will helped out. What with marriage, children, and real life jobs, there are fewer writers these days to keeping up to date is more of a challenge.

That said, let me add that a good format supports content, so you can’t just throw up any old look. I like single-column principal content with dual navigation (side and top), which is essentially what you have now. One thing you might consider is CSS as a means of breaking (some) navigation from primary content. The top navs now slide away as the reader scrolls down, yet there is no corresponding nav at the bottom. By floating a layer at the top of the page, using a higher z-index (closer to the reader), pages can flow under a static navigation. Note that this is different from a javascript-driven navigation that locates itself relative to one corner of the browser window—those jump around when scrolling, though they are fun to play with from a coding perspective.

We should be able to do something like that. Something at least to make navigation easier as the articles get longer.

The beauty of CSS is that you could actually develop user skins, even allowing users to tweak their own. In other words, you could allow the alternate arrangement of major blocks of the page (prefer the banners at the bottom? the side nav on the right? no problem) that would load up when they signed into Mac360. Even if it is only done for development purposes, this might be worth it.

It’s funny you mention that. Ron’s been working on that for another site. The site was dark, white text on dark background, so he did another skin with dark text on light background. One click makes the change back and forth. There was a problem with the Javascript not being able to handle different skins AND options for larger text at the same time. We’ll show you the example later this week when my blog goes live.

I expect there are a couple people out there who could lend a hand on the CSS and other aspects of design: this is a user community with some familiarity with these sorts of things. I am happy to act as a CSS resource, having had to beat my head against many a wall when building casual web pages or coding widgets. I have learned to write clean, efficient code and am happy to help optimize.

I can spell CSS and XHTML. Ron uses Coda, CSSEdit, BBEdit, and MAMP. I just point out his mistakes.

Despite their reputation, by the way, widgets can help here. I suggest SeeSS as a quick CSS reference. I find it faster than plodding through the more detailed pages it links to, as it gives a good summary right there in a zippy interface that groups things quite intuitively. What it cannot do is suggest strategies for class and ID descriptor grouping. Learn that. Mess with it. The initial look of the code may be odd, but when you realize how breaking things into cohort groups makes revision easier and files smaller, you’ll never do it another way.

Ron will need to chime in here so you two are on the same page. I’m very impressed with the work he did on my blog. The domain is being transferred to a different DNS server so the site should be live this week.

When I came on board late in 2006 I helped Ron clean up the site’s design a bit, but it’s remained mostly the same since. We’d like this to be a worthy project for our readers. The site now gets about 200,000 visitors a month and delivers over 300,000 page views and about 1.2-million ads, just enough to cover the bills and give away a few toys.

I read Mac360’s reports for information, and must admit I skip over the extraneous & the overlong.

Reason 1:  Not enough time in life to dawdle all the time.

Reason 2:  Getting to the ‘nut’ in some articles takes too much time.

As an engineer and one who writes my own promo pieces for my designs, I am used to seeing bullet point summaries or outlines of projects.  I’ve always thought that occasional lists and outlines are the most appropriate way to disseminate some information, and figured that is why instructions are written that way along with lots of technical “How To” books which use that format.

I find that virtually anything I do starts out as an outline, which OmniOutliner (or formerly Inspiration) handles very well.  (I only gave up on Inspiration because Spotlight couldn’t search its files for text.) Leaving an intro outline segment at top, middle or bottom might make sense in improving reader comprehension and usability.

Outlines forced me to learn how to write short sentences that are to the point and puts the relevant point near/at the beginning of sentences.

DCBlstr - 21 March 2008 09:35 AM

You’ve got a lot of information to convey.  That’s your business and the current design pulls it off.  But if I could make one suggestion, make the width dynamic instead of static.  All of my screens are high res wide screens and when I pull up your site it seems like it’s all squished into the center 1/3 of the screen.  And that gets a little busy.  Now I realize that most people haven’t gone wide format yet, but that is the general push.  In my office, most of us have dual wide 22” flat panels, and if my office is doing it, someone else is doing it.  Other than a Mac mini, can you get a Mac that isn’t wide or run below 1680x1050?  I would encourage you to take advantage of the real estate that you have.  One thing I’ve learned in 15+ years of print publishing is that white space is useful and one must find a balance of when and when not to fill it with something.

I agree with the need for a wider design but not with dynamic flowing width columns. Almost nobody uses that design anymore. More than likely, when Mac 360 started the current width was popular, but screens have grown much wider in recent years, so one thing the design needs is more width. I don’t know as though that translates into more columns. The site is busy but not overly so, with not too many advertisements, at least, compared with some sites. I notice that the Mac 360 forums will stretch to almost any width, which seems OK for forums, but not for static content. Mac 360 has a rather unique look and a good niche. I come here regularly and always leave with something new to try or to use. Keep up the good work.