Warning: Construction Zone!
If you're new here, I just want to say how much I appreciate your dropping by! Oh, and you may want to subscribe to my feed. Thanks, and a tip o' the hat to ya!
Hey, notice anything, er, different?
My good friend and Internet twin William Tully and I (well, OK; I watched) have been tinkering around (sound of construction noises) and have finally unveiled a totally new look for the Middle Zone (sound of crowd cheering)!
Among other things, everything has been streamlined such that the main page is pretty much all about the post. Most of the other stuff, things like the blogroll, archives, badges etc. will have their own pages. (Eventually. Although MyBlogLog will stay on the front page – I love seeing who’s recently stopped by, don’t you?)
There’s a new theme, more appropriate colors, and a nifty new header image. All of which is intended to support and enhance the already-established Middle Zone Musings “Brand”.
I think you’ll like what you see.
There are bound to be a few loose screws lying around (I mean, besides me, that is), so please bear with me as everything gets slotted into its proper place.
Feel free to look around, kick the tires, and generally explore the new digs. Also, if you have any suggestions, critiques, or ideas, by all means, leave a comment or drop me a line.
In fact, I’ll even go so far as to BEG for comments on this one! I’d like to know how it comes across to y’all.
**** UPDATE **** UPDATE ****
Hey, this is Tully. See, Bob is on his way home from work right now and he gave me access to the blog so I could get the new template setup which means, well, I’ve become all drunk with power…
The new theme is up and appears to be working. Before you ask, yes, it is stupidly graphics intense until I do some image optimization so for that, I do apologize. Now, it would seem that I need a ‘home’ link somewhere so that’s on the list, but other than that I think Bob and I (yes, he did help! Heck, even Mrs. MZM helped! See, here on MZM it’s all about family, and the value each member - whoa! sorry), um yes, I think that Bob and I got most of the major bugs. HOWEVER, if we didn’t, please drop Bob a note, or drop a comment here so we can get it all fixed up. Suggestions and comments are always welcome!
**** END UPDATE **** END UPDATE ****
You know, it would just be absolutely finer than a frogs hair if you would subscribe to my RSS feed!
25 responses so far
Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee and exchange ideas, big or small, with applications in the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
I love it!
I told you it was a physical place - and now I can visualise it better too!
When do we get to play the guitar?
Joanna
Hi Joanna! You noticed the guitar - good eye! Yep, this place suits me just fine, I think.
I like the new design quite a bit. I was particularly taken with the feed graphic (that is new right?). Very nice.
I wish I could figure out how to switch Marketing Neophyte to WordPress. I have been working with it on some other sites and I love it.
Looking forward to the final product.
Hello, Nic! Hey, if you’re wanting help, I can highly recommend Mr. Tully! Just go down to the very bottom of the page and there’s his name with a link.
I love WP! It’s really quite the wonderful blogging platform.
Sweet
Clean and has less white space, which can be a good thing at times 
I love the header graphic and the whole new look.
Thanks, Pelf! Yeah, and it has a much less crowded feel, too; that’s what I was going for.
Howdy, Lillie! That graphic turned out better than I thought it would. I especially love the fireplace - in the original photo the fire didn’t show up at all. Luckily Tully used to work at a fireplace company! Between the two of us, it turned out excellent! Me in my natural habitat…
Hey Bob,
Where’s the liquor cabinet at?
I came by MZM to relax, take a look at the new design and “muse” about life. I found the header graphic sooo inviting that I’m convinced there has to be a place there to get an “adult beverage” and maybe even a cigar?
Is there a big scruffy dog sittin’ by your feet, just out of the picture? Is there three feet of snow outside? Haaaa. . . I feel relaxed already. . . mind if I kick my shoes off?
Tell Mrs. MZM that she did good on the picture - (Yea, I always read the fine print at the bottom of the page.)
DM
Sorry, Dennis, we live in a “dry” part of the county (loosely defined as “our house”). I like the dog idea… although I’m still trying to convince Mrs. MZM to spring for the big fake bear rug; you know, with the “stuffed animal” bear head. I think she’ll be comin’ around eventually on that one.
And she says hi!
I’m crushed!. . . and still thirsty. . .
Dennis, here’s a big ol’ glass of iced tea…
Ok, 2/3 feed links now working - hopefully going to be changing the mobile link to a ‘home’ link because that is seriously missing from the template currently (fingers crossed that Doug comes through with the info I need!).
Next up is the big upgrade to WP 2.3.2… Shouldn’t be an issue, but in case things go berserk - that’s why.
When that goes smoothly, it’ll be time for some sidebar tweaking, and then some plugin installs.
NIC: If you’re able to get off an ASP.net server, you can run WP, then import your RSS feed via XML directly into WP and not miss a beat. On the flip side, the blog software you’re running is one of the better ones for .NET servers if that’s any consolation..
Ever get the feeling like you’re listening to someone’s conversation on a shortwave radio?
The new header is perfect, really captures the spirit of your blog I think. FYI, the sidebar is misaligned (in IE browser), but those things happen … congratulations on the nifty new look.
BRAD: (it’s Tully, not Bob) - I just checked IE7 and it appears to look ok.. What version are you using and can you send me a screen-grab (williamATtullyDOTca)?
very very handsome - i too had a misaligned sidebar, a construction ” bump” perhaps
Mother Earth aka Karen Hanrahan
http://www.bestwellnessconsultant.com
Howdy, Karen!
Handsome… hey thanks! Oh wait - were you talking about me, or the new look?
No worries - my “people” are working on it.
Should be fixed any time now.
Nicely done Tully, and Robert - love the place. Very welcoming. I’ll stop in more often instead of just subscribing and lurking!
Thanks Phil! Looking forward to seeing your mug more often!
Thanks Phil! (there an echo in here?)
I think we’re about 98% of the way there with just a few more tweaks to work out, and I must say, I think it turned out better than either one of us expected (but don’t tell anyone!).
How do I get my picture to show up - do I need to be a wordpress user?
Joanna
Hi Joanna; you’re looking a little, I don’t know, curious… (sound of rimshot)
Hmph! Don’t know why it’s not picking up your MBL image… I’ll check with my IT department (Tully).
What I love in the winter time is a lovely fire and hearth where we can muse with one another! Seems so appropriate, Bob! You inspire me.
Thanks, Robyn! You’ve inspired me plenty; glad I could return the favor. I love that fireplace look too; very inviting.