Caesar Redo
There’s been a design overhaul at Bloggus Caesari. Soon to come is an architectural overhaul, and I want your input. There’s quite a lot of information there and I’m not finding it very easy to navigate as it stands right now. Here’s what I’m aiming at:
- add a Roman-time date for every entry. (I’ll keep a real-time date as well, but I’m not sure whether I’ll display it).
- organize posts into “chapters”, pages with posts listed in chronological order; this should make things easier for first time readers, and will add some cohesion to the narrative, although it means stepping away from the “weblog” metaphor
- I’m thinking of making the map a more significant part of the site. I may include an updating map image on the front page that reflects Caesar’s current position and destination.
- proper search feature. The Atomz search, as I’ve (sloppily) configured it now, lists a ton of redundant results… I’ll change over to the MT search, which works beautifully.
- ditch the weekly archives and possibly the individual entry archives
- give up on using the comments system – if necessary, I’ll have discussions over here
- more on-site background info
- more links to Roman history resources, there are tons of great sites out there
That’s what I’ve thought of so far. The map feature may not happen, as it would involve a lot of work that I’d need someone else to do, and so would need to ask for donations etc. etc. and I’m not sure it’s worth the trouble. Comments encouraged.
I love the idea for a map – that would be alright! Also love the idea for a Roman-time date. I really enjoy this page, nice break from the current wars.
How much would the map bit cost?
The map – I’m not sure; depends on how it was done I think. I’d imagine $200-300 CDN to get someone to a) make a map of the world circa 50 BC, and b) make a series of smaller GIFs showing Caesar’s progress through that world. What I’d like to do is automate it somehow – have a script that would generate a map image when fed a coordinate / location, something like that, but I’m no mapquest…
The redo looks really good. I love the font. Well done.
Greetings Caesar,
Firstly, let me say how honoured I feel that you’ve added me to your list of faithful servants.
I’ve just returned home from north of the border (the land of the barbarian Picts and Scots – though, on the whole, they’re a friendly lot.) We’ve been celebrating that Pagan festival you were on about earlier – though I think it’s called a Christian anniversary now – but I think that this is a little ahead of your time, and I don’t want to confuse you, great leader!
I’d like to say that I liked the look of your old front page, but I’m also impressed with your new-look one, though I miss not seeing the portrait of your refined, aristocratic face on it.
I also like a lot of your other ideas for the new spread.
Concerning your thoughts regarding the map idea; I, for one, would be happy to make a small contribution towards a collective donation to facilitate this, as long as you can either provide a secure area for debit card use, or a postal address for a cheque.
Keep up the good work!
Kindest regards from your loyal friend always,
Patricia
Please don’t remove the comments section, Caesar, as this is always a valuable area for an interesting exchange of views.
Yours in hopeful anticipation,
Patricia
Thanks for the support Patricia. I would probably do things via Paypal if it came to that – but it probably won’t happen any time soon, if at all.
I will no longer use comments on Bloggus Caesari, however. If I pull things over here when necessary I think we avoid too much “hey, I’m Caesar” role-playing.
Hail Ceasar; Found the site very interesting & enjoyed it. Just finished the last entry.(12/31/02) If I may make a suggestion to make navigating the site easier, how about putting the “previous/next” buttons on the bottom of the entry, thereby making it simpler to go to the next or last entry without having to scroll back up to the top, especially on the longer entries.
Just a thought, hope you think it useful. Barbarian
Yes, that’s a good idea, Barbarian. Thanks.
Greetings to the Proconsul,
I’m very relieved that Mercury is showing you his gracious favour once again.
We already know that you are a great and fearsome soldier and politician, Caesar, but I also enjoyed the revelation of the gentler, softer side to your nature – as in that posting where you express sentimental thoughts about your beloved daughter, Julia. I found it quite moving.
I think it would be rather nice to hear more about your personal, tender side in between all the aggressiveness of your tough – albeit very interesting battles.
Patricia
Dearest Caesar,
There is great writing by Lewis Lapham in this month’s Harper’s Magazine that I would consider an absolute must for you.
Sincerely,
Some more progress: I’ve rejigged the archives into a more useable format. They’re in descending order (like a book, not like a weblog) and grouped into ‘chapters’, still in chronological orders. Individual entry archives still exist, but are no longer linked to.
Oh yeah, the search is better now – no more Atomz.
well done. i liked the front.